No wonder Iron Fist Garp returned to the East Blue as if he were playing; it turns out there are safe sea routes on both sides of Marineford, near the Red Line, escorted by the World Government and Marine powerhouses.
Coupled with the later developed Sea Stone battleships, the routes through the Calm Belt became even safer.
As for new pirates from the Four Seas who want to cross these Calm Belt routes or charge at the Marine's escort fleet, it's simply a death wish.
Even the great pirates of the New World don't dare to charge at the World Government's escort fleet.
Therefore, new pirates from the Four Seas can only enter the Grand Line through Reverse Mountain.
Although this is dangerous, at least there's a glimmer of hope.
It's like how pirates can only enter the New World through the Red Line's opening below Fish-Man Island.
The bubble lift of Holy Land Mary Geoise and the safe sea routes of the Calm Belt are important passage routes heavily guarded by the World Government.
No pirate is allowed to touch them.
Wang Shi looked at the safe sea routes of the World Government's Allied Nations.
So, it's so convenient to go directly from the East Blue through the Calm Belt to Mary Geoise, and then through the Red Line to the North Blue and West Blue.
Even to the South Sea, one only needs to pass through the safe sea routes on both sides of the Calm Belt to reach the South Sea directly.
When Iron Fist Garp brought Ace back to the East Blue from Baterilla Island in the South Sea, he probably also took these safe routes.
"After I've dealt with matters in the East Blue, perhaps I can make a trip to the South Sea first."
Wang Shi's eyes flickered; after all, going to the South Sea doesn't require passing through the Red Line, nor does it require applying for passage through Holy Land Mary Geoise.
This might be the greatest benefit of becoming an Allied Nation.
They can use the World Government's safe sea routes to achieve navigation across the Four Seas.
No need to go through the dangerous Reverse Mountain, Fish-Man Island, or the Grand Line Pirate Paradise.
No wonder Blackbeard wanted Hive Island to become an Allied Nation so badly.
Besides not being targeted by the World Government and the Marine, global navigation is also incredibly convenient.
This is one of the benefits of joining the Allied Nations.
...
At Wang Shi's command, countless officials and soldiers under him worked for Wang Shi.
This is the benefit of being a king.
Wang Shi had always paid attention to the powerhouses in the East Blue.
He immediately had his subordinate officials invite some familiar mercenaries and Bounty Hunters in the name of the Goa Kingdom.
Wang Shi didn't even need to personally go out to sea to find them; these guys rushed to the Goa Kingdom under the generous reward.
The rich and beautiful Goa Kingdom is the best signboard in the East Blue!
After several days of preparation.
A ready fleet appeared at Gray Port in the Goa Kingdom.
Sabo once sailed out from this Gray Port in a small sailboat, only to be blown away by Celestial Dragon Charloss Saint with a single cannon shot, and later rescued by Dragon.
At this moment, on the most luxurious main ship of the fleet.
Some mercenaries stood respectfully below Wang Shi, among whom were two tall, slender figures who appeared quite aloof, clearly indicating they were skilled experts.
These two were none other than the mercenaries and Bounty Hunters Wang Shi had attracted with a high price.
Whirlwind Eric, a Paramecia Sickle-Sickle Fruit user, a scythe-wielder who can unleash Wind Blades.
He often operates in the sea between Loguetown and Reverse Mountain and has repeatedly accepted commissions from Marine 8th Branch to encircle and kill new pirate crews in the East Blue who wish to enter the Grand Line.
Soundwave Van Auger, a famous sniper, who possesses the renowned gun 'Chiluk'.
Didn't expect that, did you?
Van Auger, who hails from the East Blue, is only 23 years old this year and is now a well-known Bounty Hunter, not yet a pirate who has entered the Grand Line.
Looking at his attire and demeanor, one can tell he comes from a noble background.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have the capital to play with sniper rifles.
Wang Shi had heard of this guy's name when he was still in Edge Town.
Originally, Wang Shi planned to recruit this guy after going out to sea.
But he didn't expect to meet him in this way now.
As Wang Shi observed the two, they were also observing this new king of the Goa Kingdom.
They heard that Wang Shi was just a street ruffian before, but they didn't expect him to become a king.
Van Auger sighed at Wang Shi's luck.
Eric, on the other hand, was a bit envious, jealous, and resentful, feeling that Wang Shi was just a lucky pretty boy who was coincidentally fancied by the Goa Princess.
Looking at Wang Shi's handsome face and luxurious attire, the ugly and thin Eric felt even more unbalanced.
"You've taken my money, I hope you all work hard, otherwise, the consequences will be severe."
Wang Shi didn't immediately try to recruit these guys; he just showed a faint smile.
Wang Shi also saw that Eric seemed a bit jealous and displeased.
It seems that he won't be able to subdue these guys without a fight.
This Eric is the kind of guy who dared to kill Marine 8th Branch Commander Nelson Roy for the sake of the Millennium Dragon.
Wang Shi had already figured out how to use this kind of character.
"I only recognize money, not people. You give me money, and I will naturally do the job well for you!"
Eric said with a look of self-importance, seemingly not putting Wang Shi, the King of Goa, in his eyes.
He was very confident in his own strength.
Even against Arlong, who had the highest bounty in the East Blue, he showed no fear.
The Royal Guard on the ship widened their eyes one by one, seeing Eric so arrogant.
Would their demonic king kill or exile this mercenary?
"Let's hope so."
Wang Shi smiled indifferently, not immediately teaching Eric a lesson.
He would make good use of him first, and then let him know what cruelty was.
"I hear your marksmanship is very good, and I'm also very interested in marksmanship."
Wang Shi looked at Van Auger and drew a golden flintlock from his waist.
It must be said that the Goa Royal Family's collection is very rich.
There were even high-tech firearms given to the King of Goa by Celestial Dragons.
There were golden flintlocks, golden sniper rifles, golden cannons...
The power of that golden cannon was quite good; it was the high-grade item with which Celestial Dragon Charloss Saint blasted Sabo's pirate ship.
Things liked by Celestial Dragons.
Of course, they are both expensive and effective.
Wang Shi felt that his Toki Toki no Mi (Time-Time Fruit) ability, combined with bullet sniping, was quite good.
At least he didn't have to personally rush over to cut people down.
And the hit rate was almost one hundred percent.
It was really a good way to show off and intimidate these weaklings.
"Just a little."
Van Auger actually felt a fatal threat from this pretty boy king.
He didn't act as arrogant as Eric.
His attitude was very gentle and steady, with a noble aura.
"I think highly of you!"
Wang Shi made no secret of his admiration for Van Auger; he was indeed one of his chosen subordinates, a future Four Emperors Pirates cadre.
Wang Shi's praise for Van Auger made Eric, who was standing nearby, quite displeased.
He was clearly the stronger sickle-wielder, so why did Wang Shi value Van Auger, a sniper who only fired sneak shots, more?
At Wang Shi's command, the Goa Kingdom's fleet, a total of nine warships and over a thousand people, sailed out of Gray Port in a mighty procession.
Queen Sally did not accompany the royal family on their departure; she was responsible for the internal affairs of the Goa Kingdom.
And she was preparing to take over the kingdoms Wang Shi would conquer.
From the Goa Kingdom to the Konomi Kingdom, they had to pass through several kingdoms.
And these kingdoms were all Wang Shi's targets.
These small kingdoms were incredibly weak; it would be better for them to be incorporated into his Goa Empire.
As for whether the World Government would have an opinion, as long as the celestial tribute was paid in full, it would be fine.
If Garp had an opinion, Wang Shi would let the World Government pressure him; Wang Shi even wanted to cause trouble for Windmill Village!
After the fleet sailed out of the port, the first kingdom they encountered by heading west was the Four Leaf Kingdom, established on the Four Leaf Archipelago.
Shells Town, where Marine 153rd Branch is located, is on one of the small islands within the Four Leaf Archipelago.
Speaking of which, it's unknown if the 17-year-old moss-head Zoro has gone out to sea yet.
Currently, the name of the Bounty Hunter Roronoa Zoro has not yet spread in the East Blue.
This guy was 19 years old when he first appeared; who knows how long he'll have to get lost in the nearby seas before he can make a name for himself.
...