Chapter 6: The Path to Unification
Under Queen Sally's massage, Kael meticulously studied the map and kingdom descriptions of the East Blue. He noted the familiar names: Organ Kingdom has Orange Town, Gecko Kingdom has Syrup Village, and Conomi Kingdom has Cocoyashi Village.
"The East Blue actually has so many kingdoms," Kael thought, his eyes glinting. "This is a betrayal of the great unification empire." He plunged a dagger into the map. He wanted to plant the flag of the Goa Kingdom in several nearby kingdoms, claiming territory just like the Four Emperors, and upgrade the Goa Kingdom into the Goa Empire.
Vinsmoke Judge had once again terrorized the North Blue with his Four-Nation Slash. Kael decided he would launch at least a Four-Nation Conquest War to make the name of the Goa Empire known throughout the East Blue and the world. Of course, a larger territory meant paying more celestial tribute. This was likely why King Beckley of the Sorbet Kingdom had to divide his country, abandoning the poor southern territory.
Kael dismissed the thought. This bit of celestial tribute could be considered a temporary loan to the Celestial Dragons; he would find a way to earn it back and seize it all back later. For now, he needed to strengthen his military. He thought of two Admiral-level criminals, Issho and Aramaki. With the Goa Kingdom's reputation, was there a chance to recruit them? At the right time, perhaps it could work. Issho was a former Royal Guard Captain from a fallen kingdom, and Aramaki was a police officer. Kael planned to redeem Issho from a casino on Twin Serpent Island and see if the benevolent criminal would obey his orders.
"Next, I still need to make a name for myself and the Goa Kingdom," Kael declared. "I want to be the East Blue Judge! I am the King of Exile!"
Kael looked at the East Blue sea chart, his eyes burning with ambition. He wanted to lead the Goa Kingdom's fleet to patrol the East Blue and spread the idea of a great unification. He would take over the job of the corrupt Marines. Since Marineford couldn't manage the local emperor colonels of the 16th Marine Branch—who colluded with pirates to oppress civilians—Kael would manage them. The Allied Nations that the World Government couldn't manage, Kael would manage. The seas that the World Government and the Marines could manage, Kael would also manage.
He would establish the Goa Empire by imperial decree! A king personally going out to sea to fight pirates wasn't unheard of. Elizabello II of Dressrosa, for example, had famously used his King's Punch.
Several days later, at the Goa Kingdom's court assembly, the nobles and officials were shocked to hear that their new king was planning an East Blue patrol and the subjugation of nearby kingdoms. Kael's actions were completely out of step with the peaceful reputation of the East Blue and the Goa Kingdom.
"The North Blue has a Germa Kingdom. Do you not want to enjoy the glory of an empire?" Kael asked. "Don't worry! I will not monopolize the glory of the empire! The glory of the Goa Empire is the glory of my family, and it is also everyone's glory!"
Under Kael's mesmerizing persuasion, a group of radical young nobles and officials emerged in support. Even some stubborn old nobles were deeply attracted by the imperial blueprint Kael described. The thought of transforming their kingdom from the "Most Beautiful Kingdom" to the "Strongest Empire" excited them. More territory meant more titles and power for their descendants.
However, several great nobles and pivotal officials who valued stability immediately objected. They questioned if this new king could truly lead them to glory, or if he was just an empty talker. They also worried about Vice Admiral Garp's reaction.
"Goa Kingdom is the most beautiful and peaceful kingdom in the East Blue. I will never allow you to destroy its century-old heritage!" an old duke and a high-ranking official declared. "Do you want to turn our country into a nation of war? Do you believe this new king? He is just a Devil King who gained his position improperly."
The entire court fell silent. Everyone watched Kael, waiting to see how the new king would handle the opposition. Kael's face instantly darkened. "A withered bone in a tomb, how dare you obstruct the great imperial cause, and even dare to insult me?" he said. "This King is informing you, not asking for your consent! You two have committed insubordination and made this King very unhappy. I sentence you to the King of Exile!"
Kael tapped the armrest of the throne, instantly activating his Time Domain. A transparent energy shield covered the court. With a snap of his right hand, the old duke and the official instantly vanished. The bizarre scene terrified the other nobles, who immediately fell silent. Those standing near the vanished officials collapsed in fear. What was this King's Devil Fruit ability?
"Alright, the noisy people have disappeared," Kael said. "Next, let's properly plan this King's East Blue patrol route and list the nations to be conquered."
Kael's majestic eyes swept around, his tone brooking no doubt. In his heart, he sighed, realizing that a makeshift East Blue kingdom was still no match for a powerful pirate crew. The path he had chosen seemed difficult, but it was still better than starting from scratch.
As Kael set the tone, the nobles and officials began to diligently flatter him and offer suggestions. The young nobles clamored to conquer all nearby kingdoms. After heated discussion and Kael's decisive approval, the East Blue patrol route and conquest plan were officially released.
When Kael saw a world Allied Nations route provided by an official, his eyes filled with surprise. It seemed that besides the East Blue conquest plan, a Four Seas patrol plan could also be put on the agenda. He realized he had been misled by the Straw Hat Pirates' navigation route, which claimed that the only way to the Grand Line was through Reverse Mountain. That was all nonsense.
Reverse Mountain was only for pirates of the Four Seas. The legitimate and safe route for the Allied Nations to travel to Mary Geoise for the World Conference was through the four Calm Belt areas, where safe navigation channels had been opened and were escorted by Sea Stone warships. The Allied Nations of the Four Seas did not need to pass through the dangerous Reverse Mountain and the Grand Line to reach Mary Geoise directly.