Under the gentle massage of Sarie, Noah carefully studied the map of the East Blue and the various kingdoms introduced therein.
The Kingdom of Organ had a town called Orange... that name sounded familiar.
The Moonlight Kingdom had a place called Syrup Village...
And the Conomi Kingdom was home to Cocoyasi Village...
"So many kingdoms in the East Blue? This is a betrayal of the concept of a unified empire," Noah muttered, eyes sharp as he drove a dagger into the map of the East Blue laid out on the table.
Each little island group, even medium-sized islands, operated as independent kingdoms.
He envisioned doing what the Four Emperors had done in the New World—marking territories with the banner of the Goa Kingdom, and evolving it into the Goa Empire.
Just as Vinsmoke Judge had once slain the Four Kings of the North Blue to assert dominance, Noah too would wage a campaign of conquest. He would make the name of the Goa Empire echo throughout the East Blue—no, the entire world.
However, with a larger territory came a heavier Heavenly Tribute.
No wonder King Bekori of the Sorbet Kingdom had split his kingdom in two, abandoning the impoverished southern half.
Damn it.
Fine. Let the Celestial Dragons hold onto that tribute for now.
He would find a way to earn it back—or take it back—later.
Right now, his priority was growing stronger and developing his military power. Two names suddenly popped into his mind—criminals with admiral-level strength.
Would the reputation of the Goa Kingdom be enough to recruit them?
Perhaps, at the right moment.
After all, Fujitora used to be the commander of the fallen Kingdom of Aoi in the Grand Line, and Aramaki was once a high-ranking officer of the Taya Kingdom in the South Blue.
If he could ransom Fujitora out of that Casino in the West Blue, maybe this righteous fallen warrior would obey Noah's command.
"First things first, let's get my name and that of the Goa Kingdom known far and wide."
"I will become the Judge of the East Blue! I am the Exiled King!"
Staring at the map, Noah's eyes gleamed with ambition. He would lead the fleet of the Goa Kingdom to patrol the East Blue and spread the ideology of unification.
The navy branch commanders in the East Blue had become local tyrants, colluding with pirates and oppressing civilians due to the lack of oversight.
If the Navy was so corrupt and dark...
Then Noah would oversee the branch offices the Navy headquarters couldn't control!
He would govern the allied kingdoms that the World Government couldn't manage!
And even the seas supposedly governed by the World Government and the Navy—he would govern those too!
The Goa Empire, under imperial authority!
Now that he thought about it, it wasn't unheard of for kings of allied nations to personally go to war or hunt pirates.
There was King Elizabello II of Dressrosa, famed for his King Punch, who had fought personally.
.....
Several days later, at the royal court of the Goa Kingdom.
When the nobles and officials heard that their new king intended to embark on an East Blue patrol and even annex nearby kingdoms, their eyes went wide with shock.
After all, the Goa Kingdom had always been known for its peace and beauty.
Noah's move was completely at odds with the peaceful reputation of the East Blue and the Goa Kingdom.
"The North Blue had the rise of the Germa Kingdom—don't any of you wish to enjoy the glory of an empire?"
"Don't worry! The glory of the empire will not be mine alone!"
"The glory of the Goa Empire belongs not just to the royal line, but to all of us!"
With Noah's devilish charisma, a wave of young, radical nobles and officials were stirred to action.
Even some of the more rigid and conservative older nobles found themselves intrigued by the imperial vision he painted.
From the most beautiful kingdom in the East Blue to the strongest empire in the East Blue.
Just imagining it was enticing.
If the empire expanded, their titles and authority would grow too, and there would be more noble ranks for their descendants.
Still, could this new king truly lead them and the Goa Kingdom to greatness?
Was he just talking big without the strength to back it up?
And what about Vice Admiral Garp? Would he allow the peaceful Goa Kingdom to transform into a kingdom of war?
Several traditional high nobles and central officials, who valued stability above all, immediately stood up in protest.
"The Goa Kingdom is the most beautiful and peaceful kingdom in the East Blue. I will not allow you to destroy its hundred-year legacy!"
"Do you all truly wish to turn our nation into one of war?"
"Once war begins, it cannot be stopped!"
"Do you really trust this new king?"
"He's a usurping devil king!"
An old duke and a second-rank official pointed at Noah on the throne and scolded him without fear.
It was bad enough that he had slain Outlook's entire family and five hundred guards, but now he wanted to drag the kingdom into warfare.
They would not allow it!
The court fell deathly silent.
Every noble and official stared at Noah, waiting to see how the new king would 'persuade' these two powerful opponents.
"Decayed relics from the grave dare to block the path of empire and insult me as well?"
Noah's expression darkened the moment he heard the accusation of being an illegitimate usurper. Did they really think Sarie, whom he slept with every night, was a fake royal?
"I'm here to inform you—not to ask for your permission."
"You've violated the chain of command and made me unhappy. You are both sentenced to exile."
Noah's face remained cold as he tapped the throne's armrest with his left index finger, instantly activating his time domain. A transparent energy field enveloped the court.
He snapped his fingers.
With a crisp snap, the old duke and the official vanished into thin air.
The eerie scene silenced the court completely.
Even the officials and nobles who had stood beside the two now-missing men collapsed to the floor in fear, terrified they would be next.
What on earth was this king's Devil Fruit ability?
Exile?
Had those two high-ranking figures been sent to some unknown prison?
"Well then. The noise is gone."
"Let's proceed to plan my patrol of the East Blue and list the kingdoms we're going to conquer."
Noah's gaze swept across the court like that of a ruthless tyrant. His tone brooked no dissent.
Yet in his heart, he couldn't help but sigh. The ruling body of this East Blue kingdom felt less reliable than a well-structured pirate crew.
Not the most promising start.
Still, it was better than beginning from scratch.
With Noah's tone set, nobles and officials quickly began flattering him and offering suggestions.
Young nobles and junior officials shouted enthusiastically about conquering all nearby kingdoms and building a powerful Goa Empire.
After heated discussion and Noah's decisive leadership, the patrol route and conquest plan were finalized.
When Noah saw a chart submitted by an official showing the trade routes of the allied nations, his eyes lit up with surprise.
It seemed the plan didn't need to stop with the East Blue—tours of all four seas could be considered.
Damn it.
He'd been misled by the Straw Hat Pirates' route this whole time.
Who said entering the Grand Line required passing through Reverse Mountain?
Absolute nonsense.
Reverse Mountain was only the route for pirates from the Four Blues.
On the other side of the Red Line was Mary Geoise—the true center connecting all four seas.
There was no reverse current there. The Calm Belts had been cleared, safe sea routes had been established, and ships lined with Seastone could travel with naval escort.
That's how the allied kingdoms from the four seas directly traveled to Mariejois during the Reverie.
They didn't need to risk going through the dangerous Reverse Mountain or the Grand Line's Paradise region at all.