"No problem, Your Majesty!"
"I'll call Issho up for you right away!"
The Casino Boss stood up excitedly and turned to run downstairs.
"It's 'invite,' do you understand, Boss Sheng Xin!"
"Right, right, right, I will politely invite Mr. Issho up!"
The Casino Boss's heart skipped a beat, startled by Wang Shi's serious tone, and he quickly bowed with a fawning smile.
He never expected Wang Shi to value a blind bodyguard so highly.
He admitted that the blind man had some strength, capable of defeating several thugs and bodyguards working the floor.
But he was definitely not worth 1 billion Berries, not even 200 million Berries.
After all, if Issho were that powerful, how could he be willing to sell himself to work as a bodyguard in a casino?
With that kind of strength, wouldn't it be better to go out to sea and live a carefree life as a pirate?
Even with a bounty of 200 million, one could do quite well in the West Blue.
Even entering the New World, a bounty reaching 200 million still signified an elite pirate, worthy of recruitment by the Four Emperors.
The Whitebeard Pirates, the strongest in the world, had many affiliated pirate Captains whose bounties were mostly two or three hundred million Berries.
However, the Casino Boss did not voice these thoughts.
As long as Wang Shi himself was happy, that was all that mattered.
...
Issho, the bodyguard who was acting like a transparent person downstairs in the casino, heard the boss rushing down and specifically asking for him to come up.
A bad feeling lingered in his heart.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up, this is a great opportunity for you!"
"Right, right, King Wang Shi asked me to invite you up."
The Casino Boss quickly grabbed Issho's arm and, smiling, led him up to the VIP room on the second floor.
Issho, holding his staff-sword, hesitated for a moment, but accustomed to going with the flow, he could only let the boss lead him up.
After all, this boss had treated him quite well, providing him with food and clothing, and allowing him to frequently play a few rounds at the gambling tables.
Issho didn't know why Wang Shi specifically asked for him.
Did Wang Shi know him?
Issho pondered for a moment; he was certain that he had never encountered Wang Shi in all these years.
He didn't even know many people from the East Blue.
Soon.
Issho had already been 'dragged' into the VIP room by the Casino Boss.
"Your Majesty, I have brought Mr. Issho for you."
The Casino Boss, like a madam, smiled and presented Issho, this 'courtesan'—no, rather, the casino's strongest bodyguard—to Wang Shi.
"Mr. Issho, King Wang Shi spent 1 billion Berries to redeem you."
The Casino Boss looked at the 1 billion Berries cash on the table, his eyes gleaming; although 800 million Berries were his money, it was good enough to keep Wang Shi happy.
"1 billion Berries? Redemption?"
Even Issho was incredibly surprised to hear this astronomical figure.
Wang Shi actually spent so much money for him, a blind man?
He only lost a little over 20 million Berries at the casino in the first place.
Was this boss really so black-hearted and greedy?
Or was King Wang Shi a super big fish, with money to burn?
"Boss, I'm not worth this ransom..."
Issho quickly reminded the Casino Boss, because taking money that shouldn't be taken could easily lead to death and ruin.
He was also doing it for the boss's own good.
If Wang Shi found out how much money he had lost, he would kill this greedy boss in a minute.
"This..."
The Casino Boss felt a bit anxious upon hearing Issho's words; this was all money, after all.
But suddenly, a chill ran down his spine; he seemed to have been blinded by greed.
He actually dared to take all the ransom Wang Shi offered; he must have a death wish.
"No, Mr. Issho, you are worth this price in my heart!"
"Boss Sheng Xin, no need to say more. This is all Issho's ransom, not a single Berry less."
Wang Shi stood up from his chair and waved his hand at the Casino Boss, who was about to speak, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"From now on, Issho, you are my bodyguard. Please protect me well."
Wang Shi slowly walked towards Issho, smiling softly.
"Right, right, right, Issho, from now on, you must protect King Wang Shi well, even if you die, you cannot let His Majesty suffer any harm."
The Casino Boss quickly spoke to Issho, half-commanding, half-pleading, his face extremely tense.
He didn't want to offend Wang Shi, nor did he want to give up those green Berries.
Issho heard Wang Shi's domineering tone and the boss's anxious tone.
"I am but a Royal Offender, what virtue or ability do I possess to make His Majesty spend 1 billion Berries to redeem me?"
"Since His Majesty values me so much, I will do my best to protect His Majesty's safety."
Issho, who had been silent for a long time, could only accept Wang Shi and the boss's redemption deal.
Now he had transformed from a casino bodyguard to Wang Shi's bodyguard.
Coincidentally, he also wanted to go to the Goa Empire in the East Blue to see the situation.
"Excellent! Congratulations, Your Majesty, on gaining a worthy general!"
"And also, congratulations, Mr. Issho, on being recognized by an enlightened ruler. May you prosper in the future, and please do not forget us, your friends."
The Casino Boss let out a deep sigh of relief and quickly congratulated them with a hearty laugh.
This matter was finally perfectly resolved.
"Welcome, Mr. Issho. My safety is in your hands."
Wang Shi grinned, feeling greatly invigorated. He had only spent 200 million Berries this time to gain an Admiral-level bodyguard who also came with a priceless Supreme Grade Sword.
This was an incredible profit.
"I will do my utmost."
Issho spoke very humbly. He wanted to witness the peace of the Goa Empire and the governing style of Emperor Wang Shi.
If it aligned with the world in his heart, he would dedicate his strength to the Goa Empire and Wang Shi.
If not, he would find a way to earn back the 1 billion Berries and return it to Wang Shi, continuing his wandering life.
If he was determined to leave, Wang Shi couldn't stop him.
"Good!"
"Eric, bring up an Imperial Army uniform for Issho."
"As My personal bodyguard, Mr. Issho should no longer bear the identity of a Royal Offender. From now on, you are a Baron of our Goa Empire!"
"Do not refuse, Issho. This is for your legal status, and also for My face."
"If you achieve meritorious service, you can even be promoted further!"
Wang Shi knew that Issho was not as obsessed with high positions as Aramaki, but to completely bind and win over Issho, he had to show his domineering side.
Issho heard Wang Shi's words and wanted to refuse, but Wang Shi directly cut him off.
He didn't expect Wang Shi to be so decisive, having just spent money to redeem him, and then bestowing a title upon him to help him shed his Royal Offender status.
This would allow him to live under the sun again in the future, no longer needing to flee or wander.
This series of actions truly touched Issho, who had been lost for many years.
"Then Issho thanks Your Majesty."
Issho didn't know what to say, only bowing deeply to Wang Shi.
With the Emperor of the Goa Empire as his guarantor, his Royal Offender status would most likely be genuinely revoked.
After all, some powerful Allied Nations could revoke and modify bounties, with power no less than the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"You are also a Baron recognized by His Majesty. You are very strong. Want to spar sometime?"
"My name is Aramaki. You can call me Baron Aramaki. In a few days, you might be calling me Marquis Aramaki."
As Wang Shi accepted Issho as his new bodyguard, Aramaki finally had the opportunity to speak with this monster who concealed immense power.
"Baron Aramaki, you are also very strong. Sparring is fine, but I must prioritize His Majesty's safety."
Issho felt Aramaki's aura, which was comparable to his own, and responded with an extremely serious expression.