King Wang Shi did not immediately seek out Aramaki, his target, but instead conducted normal state visits and exchanges with the Taya Kingdom.
Both sides were very friendly, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Even King Qizhi VI had not expected that King Wang Shi, the infamous King of Exile, would be so easy to talk to.
He had thought that King Wang Shi was a tyrannical Emperor who would crush anyone who opposed him.
But now it seemed that was not the case.
This was also a good thing for the Taya Kingdom.
That evening, the Taya Kingdom held a grand aristocratic banquet to entertain King Wang Shi and his entourage.
Almost all the prominent nobles in the Taya Royal Capital were fortunate enough to attend this feast and witness the Emperor's majesty.
Noblewomen, dressed in their finest, wanted to make an impression on King Wang Shi, eager to gain his favor.
Even just becoming a concubine of King Wang Shi was more noble than being a queen of some ordinary Allied Nations.
In this world, Allied Nations were superior to non-Allied Nations, possessing elevated human rights.
And the fifty nations that could participate in the World Conference were the cream of the crop among nearly two hundred Allied Nations, even more powerful and with more say.
Now, the Goa Empire, which had defeated the North Sea Overlord Germa Kingdom.
This East Blue Overlord was definitely among the top nations of the fifty World Conference nations.
They could even influence the topics of the World Conference and vote on the policies implemented by the World Government.
After all, King Wang Shi had rallied the major Allied Nations of the East Blue, as well as Dressrosa, and even the Allied Nations King Wang Shi was about to visit next...
With so many votes, King Wang Shi's influence really could affect the final outcome of world issues.
In the eyes of these noblewomen, King Wang Shi might become a person of nobility second only to the Celestial Dragons, the World Nobles.
...
However, King Wang Shi had little interest in these noblewomen, and even Shinagawa, the Duke's daughter, who had meticulously dressed to make a stunning impression, did not catch King Wang Shi's attention.
Shinagawa, who was exceptionally beautiful tonight, did attract the fervent flattery and praise of Prince Qizhi and some sons of dukes and marquises, who surrounded her, preventing her from approaching King Wang Shi, her ultimate goal.
As King Qizhi VI and King Wang Shi entered the palace for state discussions, they disappeared from view.
This made Shinagawa secretly annoyed, but she had no choice but to deal with Prince Qizhi and the others.
...
"King Qizhi, besides establishing deeper exchanges with your esteemed nation on this trip, I also wish to meet an old friend of mine."
After discussing normal state affairs, King Wang Shi immediately revealed his true intentions, requesting to meet Aramaki.
"Aramaki? I have some impression. I heard Harada Duke and the Royal Guard Commander mention that this officer has some skill. Is he your friend?"
King Qizhi VI was a bit surprised. He hadn't paid much attention to the matters of a high-ranking police officer.
After all, in his eyes, Aramaki was just an 'unknown' police officer, not very famous, and had never appeared in the World Economic News.
He couldn't even compare to the names of those 'Great Pirates' in the South Sea.
What King Qizhi VI and King Wang Shi didn't know was that most of Aramaki's achievements had already been divided among those nobles and military officers, becoming their dazzling merits, reported to the King's desk.
And Aramaki, after toiling in the Taya Royal Capital for so many years, was already 37, yet he was still just a high-ranking police officer, not even a general, let alone a noble title.
After all, the strength ceiling of pirates and criminals in the South Sea was only so high; their ceiling was Aramaki's 'ceiling'.
Anyway, those nobles and military officers only knew that Aramaki could defeat any invading pirate.
In their eyes, Aramaki's strength was probably on par with the 'Great Pirates' with the highest bounties in the South Sea.
No one knew how strong Aramaki's full power was.
Even Aramaki, who had never left the South Sea, wasn't entirely sure what level his strength had reached.
In short, Aramaki felt that all those pirates were weaklings, and none of them could fight.
Perhaps only the World Government's spies and secret agents roughly knew that Aramaki's strength had reached above that of an elite Vice Admiral.
It was only after Aramaki was rescued and participated in the martial arts competition of the World Conscription that the World Government truly discovered that this unknown fellow was actually a true monster who could defeat Momousagi Gion and Tokikake (Chaton Kakei).
The Gorosei directly broke tradition and promoted Aramaki to Admiral.
While Momousagi Gion and Tokikake (Chaton Kakei), these two well-connected elite Vice Admirals, could only become Admiral candidates.
...
"Indeed, I wish to meet him."
King Wang Shi smiled faintly. He truly hadn't expected this King of Taya not to know Aramaki.
He was truly holding a mountain of gold without realizing it.
"I will inquire for you, please wait a moment."
King Qizhi VI immediately called an official in and asked about Aramaki.
As a result, King Qizhi VI only now learned that King Wang Shi's 'friend' Aramaki had already been imprisoned.
The charge was offending the Harada Duke's daughter.
Prince Qizhi had already severely punished Aramaki.
This person had already been missing from the Taya Royal Capital for nearly a month.
"..."
After hearing the official's report, King Qizhi VI looked at King Wang Shi awkwardly, feeling somewhat afraid.
He was truly afraid that King Wang Shi would use this friend as an excuse to brazenly launch a war against the Taya Kingdom.
After all, when King Wang Shi attacked the Six Kingdoms of the East Blue, the reasons were even more absurd, such as rampant pirates or corrupt Marines, all of which could become reasons for war.
The most terrifying thing was that King Qizhi VI was now so close to King Wang Shi; he was extremely afraid that King Wang Shi, who had just been friendly, would suddenly act and exile him.
At that point, King Qizhi VI would have no one to turn to.
"Ah... this..."
King Qizhi VI looked at King Wang Shi, who was subtly exuding a terrifying aura, and cold sweat instantly broke out.
King Wang Shi looked at the King of Taya, revealing a dangerous smile, and a faint Conqueror's Haki permeated the air.
He seemed to have found a good opportunity to make a move and threaten.
"King Wang Shi, let's talk this over. I will immediately have your friend released..."
King Qizhi VI blurted out at the fastest speed of his life.
The tense atmosphere made his breathing heavy.
"..."
"Hahaha, King Qizhi, don't be nervous."
King Wang Shi stared at Qizhi, then suddenly burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere abruptly ceased.
"I am an Emperor with principles and a love for peace; I never like fighting and killing."
"Since Aramaki committed a crime in your country, then let's follow your country's laws. I'll just pay to bail him out."
"Is one billion Berries enough?"
King Wang Shi spoke with a smile, his expression very gentle, like a warm little sun.
At this point, King Wang Shi knew that everything was already within his grasp.
However, to make Aramaki even more grateful to him.
King Wang Shi decided to pay a large sum to bail Aramaki out, making Aramaki owe him an even greater debt of gratitude.
It was the same with Issho of Twin Serpent Island in the West Blue; the ransom would be set high, making Issho owe an even greater favor.
It was all about buying a horse's bones for a thousand gold.
Once they joined, he would use the power, status, titles, fame, ideals, and dreams they desired to win their hearts and loyalty.
"No need, no need, no need to pay a fine. King Wang Shi can just take him away."
King Qizhi VI quickly said. How could he dare accept money from this living Yama? He was just a capable high-ranking police officer. If King Wang Shi wanted to take him, then he could take him.
"If I say one billion, then it's one billion. I, King Wang Shi, am a person who values righteousness and law the most."
King Wang Shi smiled at King Qizhi VI, his tone full of unquestionable authority. He simply hoped Aramaki would be even more grateful to him.
However, King Wang Shi also hoped that King Qizhi VI would be sensible and include more 'sincerity' in the return gifts for the state visit.
...
