One week later.
The fame of the Goa Empire had spread completely throughout the East Blue.
Even remote small nations and some non-Allied Nations knew that a powerful empire had emerged in the East Blue.
At the Goa Empire's Gray Royal Port.
Sailing ships and merchant ships from all over arrived in an endless stream, making the Goa Empire's Royal Capital even more prosperous.
Now, the Goa Empire had gained several new, splendid reputations.
"The Most Beautiful Empire in the East Blue," "The Richest Empire in the East Blue," "The Strongest Empire in the East Blue"...
This caused countless merchants and factions to flock to the Goa Imperial Capital, seeking opportunities for development and wealth.
At this moment, in the port,
a rather old three-masted sailing ship sailed into Gray Port.
"So prosperous!"
Nojiko's eyes lit up as she looked at the various magnificent merchant ships and the dense crowd on the shore.
Compared to the Goa Imperial Capital, her hometown, Coco Yashi Village, was indeed a dilapidated small village.
"The people here must be very rich~"
Nami's eyes turned into Berries, and her hands felt a bit itchy, unable to resist the urge to unleash her inner Cat Burglar.
"Nami, you must not steal anything! We are now people summoned by King Wang Shi, and we cannot disgrace King Wang Shi."
Nojiko quickly gave Nami a rap on the head, reminding the money-loving Nami.
Now that the Arlong Pirates had been defeated, Coco Yashi Village was no longer in crisis.
Nami no longer needed to steal money to redeem the village.
"I know, Violent Nojiko!!"
Nami clutched her head in dissatisfaction, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
It really hurt, you know.
"Hurry up and help move the tangerines!"
Akin, who had now been promoted from village guard to village chief, shouted at Nami and Nojiko.
Behind him were many other villagers from Coco Yashi Village.
This time, besides escorting Nami and Nojiko to the Royal Capital, they also needed to transport the village's tangerines to the Goa Imperial Capital for sale.
In the bustling Royal Capital, their good tangerines would surely fetch a good price.
Their tangerines had even become one of the fruits designated for purchase by the Goa Royal Family.
This made Coco Yashi Village very happy and proud.
"Haha, if Nami and Nojiko can become lady-in-waiting to Queen Sally, or even a royal concubine to King Wang Shi, then our Coco Yashi Village will truly make a name for itself."
A sturdy aunt carried a large basket of tangerines off the ship, not forgetting to turn back and tease the two sisters.
The tangerines from Coco Yashi Village becoming tribute tangerines, Nami and Nojiko were the greatest contributors.
"Aunt Dahua, it's 'make a name for oneself,' not 'show one's face'~"
Another uncle carrying tangerines smiled and corrected her.
At this, all the villagers of Coco Yashi Village burst into laughter.
This made Nojiko and Nami's faces turn red.
These days, Nami and Nojiko's little squabbles had somehow revealed the incident of Wang Shi embracing them while shooting Fishmen.
Nami claimed that she was embraced by Wang Shi and fired two shots, so she must be more valued by Wang Shi than Nojiko.
Whereas Nojiko was only embraced by Wang Shi and fired one shot.
Nojiko never expected that Nami would find such a peculiar angle to try and outdo her older sister.
This made Nojiko grind her teeth in frustration.
When their squabble was overheard by other villagers, it completely ignited Coco Yashi Village.
The nicknames 'Nami Two Shots' and 'Nojiko One Shot' began to spread wildly in Coco Yashi Village.
At the same time, the fact that Nami and Nojiko were valued by King Wang Shi also gained importance in the village.
Akin personally took over the tangerine orchard that Nami and Nojiko couldn't let go of, allowing the two girls to go to the Goa Imperial Capital with peace of mind and find a good future.
Akin, who had always secretly admired Belle-Mere, had taken care of Nami and Nojiko as if they were his own daughters.
Of course, he wanted Nami and Nojiko to succeed.
Moreover, the scene of Wang Shi appearing by stepping on cannonballs was still etched in Akin's mind.
This Emperor was truly handsome, strong, and powerful!
...
While the sailing ship from Coco Yashi Village was bustlingly transporting tangerines, a white sheep-headed sailing ship sailed into Gray Royal Port.
This sailing ship was actually the Going Merry, built by Merry from Syrup Village.
It was the future Straw Hat Pirates' first pirate ship.
Currently, Butler Merry was escorting Miss Kaya, who, at King Wang Shi's summons, was entering the palace to become a lady-in-waiting to Queen Sally.
After Klock was captured, Kaya's health surprisingly improved day by day.
Merry and Kaya immediately guessed that Klock must have tampered with Kaya's food and medicine.
That was why Kaya had not recovered for so long.
This made Kaya feel less fear and more endless gratitude towards this Emperor Wang Shi.
If Wang Shi had not appeared, Kaya would likely have followed in her parents' footsteps, dying an unclear death.
"So lively~"
Kaya looked at the bustling port and took a deep breath, also noticing the orange-haired girl and blue-haired girl moving tangerines on the nearby sailing ship.
Their smiles were truly warm and harmonious...
This deeply touched Kaya, making her extremely envious.
She no longer had family, nor friends with whom she could confide.
Usopp, who had been frightened by the Goa army, hadn't come to tell her tall tales for many days.
Merry said that after Usopp destroyed the pirate flags he had drawn, he and the Onion Head kids had hidden themselves.
Kaya smiled helplessly upon hearing this news.
Usopp, this 'brave warrior of the sea,' was still too timid.
King Wang Shi and his people hadn't even noticed Usopp and those few kids pretending to be pirates.
Compared to Wang Shi, Usopp, who was good at bragging and telling stories, was indeed small and ordinary.
"Miss Kaya, why don't you sell the family property in Syrup Village, and I'll come to the Royal Capital to take care of you too."
Butler Merry looked at his increasingly healthy young lady, with a hint of worry and helplessness in his eyes.
Kaya insisted on keeping the family property left by her parents, entrusting it to Merry's management.
She wanted to enter the palace alone and 'make her way'.
"Don't talk about this anymore, Merry. Just use the Transponder Snail more often in the future."
"I believe King Wang Shi is a good person, and I will definitely have holidays to return to Syrup Village to visit."
Kaya showed the determination of an elegant wealthy lady; she wanted to preserve her parents' family property and believed in her own abilities.
...
The three girls from the two sailing ships, protected by their respective villagers and escorts, headed towards the Goa Royal Capital.
As they got closer and closer to the Royal Capital, Kaya noticed that the orange-haired girl and the blue-haired girl were heading in the same direction.
Nami and Nojiko were also observing this elegant blonde lady.
The three girls merely exchanged smiles and greetings, without speaking to get acquainted.
However, after they all underwent inspection and identity verification, and entered the palace together, they all showed surprised expressions.
Meanwhile, the villagers of Coco Yashi Village, along with Butler Merry and the others, watched the three girls enter the palace from the Royal Capital's gate, then returned to their respective places.
They believed that the Goa Imperial Capital was the safest place in the East Blue, and surely nothing would go wrong.
After all, the names of the Goa Emperor and the King of Exile had already deeply embedded themselves in the minds of the East Blue people.
"Hello, I'm Kaya, from Syrup Village in Moonlight Province."
The elegant Kaya, noticing Nami and Nojiko's awkwardness, smiled and took the initiative to speak.
...