NOVEL WEB Chapter 98: Returning with a Full Load
On Onigashima Island, the Goa Empire personnel were tallying the immense gains from this war.
Besides the Eight-Treasure Marine Corps' Treasure Jade Ice Mountain treasure, the huge ransoms and war indemnities from Kano Country and Wano Country had filled the Goa Empire's coffers.
"As expected of the two strongest Allied Nations in the West Blue, their foundations are truly deep." Kael watched as Issho transported a large amount of ransom, weapons, and ammunition into Bege's internal castle, a constant smile on his face. This harvest was indeed enormous.
Kano Country, the strongest Allied Nation in the West Blue, easily produced several tens of billions of Berries for ransom, and they gathered it within a day, showing no signs of financial strain. One must know that back then, Riku III of Dressrosa had to mobilize his entire nation to raise even 10 billion Berries, just to meet the conditions set by Doflamingo.
The weapons and ammunition confiscated from the two countries this time were enough for the Goa Empire to expand its military strength several times over. They aimed to catch up to a major power like Alabasta as soon as possible, possessing a standing King's Army of 600,000.
However, Alabasta, being one of the descendants of the Twenty Kings, did not need to pay celestial tribute, which saved them a lot of money to maintain their army. Of course, no matter how many miscellaneous soldiers there were, they didn't seem to be of much use. Instead, they were a waste of money.
For example, the world's strongest pirate crew, the Whitebeard Pirates, had over 1,600 people across 16 Squad Commanders, and 43 affiliated pirate crews under them, with the entire force totaling over 50,000 people. The Beasts Pirates, one of the Four Emperors, only had over 20,000 people in total.
When the World Government gathered all the Marine elites in the world to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates, they only mobilized 100,000 elites. Therefore, for the Goa Empire, which controlled the lands of eight kingdoms, being able to cultivate tens of thousands of elites was already very good. In this world, the key was still top-tier combat power. Numbers were not important.
One Conqueror's Haki could instantly kill tens of thousands of miscellaneous soldiers. Soldiers who could withstand ordinary Conqueror's Haki were already considered elites. Those who could withstand a Four Emperor's Haoshoku had already entered the ranks of the strong.
The Goa Empire personnel were all adorned with gold and jewels; even Zoro and Saga wore some precious ornaments. For instance, Zoro's golden earring and Saga's ornate headband and sword scabbard gems. Aramaki and Eric, those two fellows, were like Bege, covered in gem rings and necklaces, even more nouveau riche than the future Blackbeard Teach.
Only Issho maintained his usual simplicity. Only the Imperial Marquis medal on his chest shimmered with metallic luster. Without other dazzling gem necklaces, this medal stood out even more, appearing exceptionally prominent and striking.
Aramaki, Issho, and Zoro, during Kael's simple ennoblement ceremony, donned their new noble medals. When they returned to the Goa Empire, a grand ceremony would be held. Needless to say, the other women were even more adorned, with Nami having the most lavish decorations, appearing incredibly vibrant.
Reiju, however, didn't care for such external things, as her transforming battlesuit was her iconic treasure. As all the treasures and supplies were sorted, the Exile Emperor and the Snail Warship slowly departed from Onigashima Island. Because of the corpses on the island, Kael and his group did not hold a banquet on this war-torn island.
As for Tashigi's warship, upon Reiju's notification, it had already come to rendezvous, preparing to hold a banquet together. Half a day later, the three warships rendezvoused and sailed together towards the Grand Line entrance in the West Blue.
Kael wanted to enter the Grand Line to seize what he desired. Wapol, the user of the Munch-Munch Fruit, was very important for improving the Goa Empire's overall combat power and technological development.
The transforming battlesuit could directly elevate elite soldiers to the combat power of pirates with bounties over 100 million, or even stronger. If the transforming metal battlesuits could be regularized, then the Goa Empire would raise the combat power of its Clone Soldiers to another level. Then Kael would only need these Clone Soldiers. He wouldn't need too many ordinary Royal Guard.
"Uncle Issho, I didn't expect you to be so strong! You're already an Imperial Marquis now!" Marine Captain Tashigi, who had boarded the Exile Emperor, excitedly congratulated Issho. As expected of the owner of the Supreme Grade Swords, Kitetsu, Issho truly lived up to the sword's reputation.
"Heh, little Marine girl, I'm also an Imperial Marquis! Quickly call me Marquis-sama." Aramaki puffed out his chest, displaying the imperial medal on his chest. His long-dreamed-of Marquis position was now in his hands. He had also spread his name across the sea during this Flower-Sang War, earning the fearsome reputation of Piercing Marquis.
Aramaki's next goal was the position of Duke! He needed to defeat a powerful individual of the Three Disasters or General Stars level. This required careful planning. Moreover, among the Four General Stars, three were fakes, not even having a bounty of 10 billion Berries. The three Squad Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates: Marco the Phoenix, Diamond Jozu, and Vista. The Three Disasters of the Beasts Pirates: King the Conflagration, Plague Queen, and Jack. The three iron-clad cadres of the Red Hair Pirates: Beckman, Yasopp, and Lucky Roux. All these top cadres of the Four Emperors had bounties exceeding 10 billion Berries.
Yet, among the Big Mom Pirates' Four General Stars, only the head General Star had a bounty over 10 billion Berries. Therefore, for Aramaki to ascend to the position of Duke, he would at least need to defeat a Jack to once again spread his prestige across the world. After all, if he was going to do it, he wanted to be the most formidable Duke-sama. He even wanted to take action against Royal Vice cadres like Marco the Phoenix and King the Conflagration. He wanted to spread the fearsome reputation of [Piercing Grand Duke] throughout the world.
"Marquis Aramaki, you are also very impressive, to be able to defeat so many pirate Daimyo." The naturally naive Tashigi did not hold back her praise and admiration, her smile very sincere.
"Hahaha! Sensible!"
"I'll give you this famous sword, which I seized from that pirate Daimyo."
"Zoro, that moss-head, isn't sensible, so I won't give it to him." Aramaki tossed a samurai sword with a white scabbard to Tashigi.
"For me? Thank you, Marquis Aramaki." Tashigi quickly took the long sword, which still had bloodstains on it. She quickly identified the sword, even pulling out a list of famous swords to verify it.
"Thank you! Marquis Aramaki, this is the Wazamono, Miyuki Kotetsu!" Tashigi excitedly shouted her thanks; this was actually a Wazamono of the same level as her own sword, Shigure.
"Tch, I also seized a Supreme Grade Swords!" Zoro drew a Supreme Grade Swords with a square tsuba; this was precisely the sword of the samurai vassal with a bounty over 100 million that he had slain. Zoro didn't know the name of this Supreme Grade Swords. In any case, he would make do with it for now; he would replace it with a better sword in the future.
"Supreme Grade Swords? Let me see." Tashigi quickly went over to examine the sword in Zoro's hand and then consulted the list of famous swords again.
"This is indeed a Supreme Grade Swords; it seems to be called Echizen, and it was the sword of a vassal of Daimyo Asakura of Wano Country." Tashigi didn't find this sword on the list of famous swords, but she quickly looked it up in other documents.
"Echizen? I'll make do with it." Zoro smiled faintly, but he still glanced a few times at the Wazamono, Shigure and Miyuki Kotetsu, in Tashigi's hand. If this woman didn't look a bit like Kuina, he would really want that Miyuki Kotetsu.