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The island of Kuraikana was seized by the Marines. Dracule Mihawk escaped and discovered traces of the Red-Haired Pirates nearby.
Though Arashi gained nothing from this expedition, their departure from the island sent a clear message to the world: The Seven Warlords of the Sea had been abolished unilaterally by the Marines.
This was no small event.
Over a decade ago, the World Government established the Warlord system, recruiting seven powerful and notorious pirates under their banner to maintain a semblance of global order.
Truthfully, over the years, the Warlords did help stabilize the increasingly chaotic world.
No one expected the alliance to collapse so quickly. But what shocked the world even more was this: the same man who tore up the Warlord system was the one who helped create it.
"The strongest Marine Fleet Admiral in history! Truly worthy of his title."
"He abolished the Warlords the moment he took office, even forcing Mihawk to flee Kuraikana Island!"
"This clearly shows the Marines' resolve to dominate this era. Arashi is a bold man—there's no doubt he'll leave his mark on history!"
No one imagined that within mere months of Arashi's promotion, such earth-shaking news would rock the world.
Even more surprisingly, rumors spread that after leaving Kuraikana Island, Arashi redirected his fleet, traveling along the seafloor toward Fish-Man Island.
"That's unexpected! Fish-Man Island used to be under Whitebeard's protection. But after Whitebeard, Newgate was imprisoned, and it became lawless territory."
"That attracted pirates and slave traffickers back like sharks sensing blood, and now Arashi is heading there? What's he planning?"
The world was both stunned and intrigued. Fish-Man Island had always been a sensitive region.
The Fish-Men, beloved by Celestial Dragons, fetched high prices on the black market. This deepened the hatred and distrust between Fish-Men and humans.
The Marines, representing the will of the World Government, usually avoided military action there. Any such move risked open revolt.
Fish-Men had always shown fierce resistance and deep-rooted hostility toward the World Government and the Marines. So what exactly was Arashi trying to do?
"Activate the coating, prepare to submerge!" A booming voice echoed from the deck of the Warship.
The Marine crew sprang into action as a ring of soft yet durable bubbles inflated, swiftly enveloping the massive warship.
Arashi gazed at the shimmering coating film, glistening with iridescent colors under the sunlight, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
He rarely traveled underwater. The Marines had dedicated routes to the New World, and there'd been no need before.
"To Fish-Man Island, huh? Tell me, Fleet Admiral, do you have an interest in this place?"
"I recall hearing something... when you first took office, there was a top-secret document ordering a Marine Admiral to head there."
Borsalino narrowed his eyes, his tone low. He could sense how serious this was.
It might even cross a line the World Government didn't want touched.
"Fish-Man Island is one of the only routes to the second half of the Grand Line. Its strategic value is obvious."
"Before, it was under Whitebeard's protection, so we stayed away. But now he's in prison, and his crew is tied up in New World conflicts."
"They've got bigger problems. This is our chance to establish a foothold—we must take it." Arashi's voice was calm, resolute.
As they spoke, half the ship had already sunk beneath the waves. The light dimmed, and bubbles floated all around, warping the view ahead into a dreamlike scene.
"So this is the world beneath the sea?" Arashi murmured, awestruck.
"A rare sight indeed! I haven't been down here in ages," Borsalino said with nostalgia.
"If I recall, we're not that different in age, are we?" Arashi chuckled.
"Heh, I'm just used to calling everyone younger in the Marines 'kids.'Hard to believe it's been over twenty years since we first met."
Arashi nodded in agreement as schools of exotic fish passed by, eyes wide with wonder.
The warship, now fully submerged, was gliding swiftly along the ocean currents under Marine control.
"Still," Borsalino said, staring out at the scenery, "Time hasn't touched you at all."
"I wouldn't be surprised if a hundred years from now, the rest of us are long buried, and you're still standing there, unchanged."
"Time hasn't left a single mark on you." His words lingered in the silent cabin. Arashi didn't respond right away.
He couldn't. Because it was true, time seemed to have no effect on him, and in a hundred years, would anyone he knew remain?
That kind of solitude... it chilled him. He finally understood what those ancient words meant.
Immortality might not be a gift—it might be a curse. Life had meaning precisely because it had an end.
In its brevity, we learned to treasure those around us. Perhaps that, too, was its form of joy. Does his immortality curse him or gift him? He doesn't know....
"Arashi?" Borsalino's voice broke his thoughts. Arashi turned, forcing a faint smile as peace returned to his heart.
"Time is a puzzle."
Only now did he understand why tales of immortals were so alluring in the past. Maybe it wasn't just for themselves, but also for their loved ones.
"Back to Fish-Man Island?" Borsalino gently changed the subject, sensing his friend's mood.
"Vice Admiral Fisher Tiger has already arrived. He'll represent me in the first meeting with King Neptune of Ryugu Kingdom." Arashi smiled slightly, his voice slow and steady.
"So, what exactly is your goal?" Borsalino asked.
"Isn't it obvious, Borsalino? I intend to bring Fish-Man Island under Marine protection."
After a pause, Arashi continued confidently: "From this day forward. The Marines are the Marines. The World Government is the World Government."
"We are equals now, and as equals, we need our support base. After all, our annual military expenses aren't small. Only a kingdom could afford to fund that."
Borsalino froze in shock, eyes wide with disbelief. Then, slowly, he understood, Arashi was going to build a second World Government through the Marines.
Arashi gave a faint smile and said no more. Truthfully, ever since he took office, he'd thought of countless ways to raise money, listing them one by one.
The Marine organization was massive, and its upkeep was staggering. Arashi's pride would never allow him to rely forever on the World Government.
Only independence would bring true strength. The World Government's support was intentionally limited to keep Marine power within controllable bounds.
But Arashi wouldn't accept that. He knew the only way to grow stronger was to break the cycle.
So he chose the simplest, most direct path—build the Marines into a power of their own. Recruit allies. Claim territory. Establish dominance.
At the same time, on Fish-Man Island... A Marine warship slowly approached the harbor, drawing gasps from the Fish-Men gathered nearby.
"Marines? Why are Marines coming here? Wait—is that a Fish-Man standing at the bow?"
As the ship drew near, they saw clearly, leading the Marines was indeed a Fish-Man.
Wearing a Marine cap, clad in crisp uniform, with a Justice cape fluttering in the currents, and above all, his face bore the features of their kind.
A Fish-Man had become a Marine Vice Admiral, and behind him stood rows of stern-faced, upright human Marines.
A Fish-Man commanding humans? When had their kind produced such a figure?
"Rear Admiral T. Bone," the Vice Admiral said. "This is my homeland. May I handle this operation personally?"
"Of course, Vice Admiral Tiger. Though I'm human, I greatly admire your character, courage, and resolve." T. Bone's pale face twitched faintly—perhaps a smile.
"Thank you," Fisher Tiger replied.
Though his people might be shocked to see a Fish-Man as a Marine Vice Admiral, he knew exactly what he was doing.
This time, he had returned with a mission that could change everything. With Arashi's rise to power, he understood, this was Fish-Man Island's true opportunity.
He knew his commander's ideals better than anyone. "We will make it so our people no longer live in fear of oppression. We will claim our rightful dignity."
"Arashi follows the path of justice through equality, and the Fish-Men will stand equal to humans. This is only the beginning, but it's the threshold to a better age."
As the warship neared the port, Fisher Tiger's heart pounded faster. With a loud clang, the anchor dropped. Marines secured the ship quickly and efficiently.
Tiger took a deep breath and leapt ashore, landing before the wide-eyed crowd. Facing their curious, stunned faces, he shouted:
"I am Vice Admiral Fisher Tiger of the Marines! Tell Fish-Man District—tell King Neptune of Ryugu Kingdom, I have returned!!"
His words sparked shock throughout the crowd, and those who recognized him trembled as they cried out:
"Brother Tiger! It's Brother Tiger—the former captain of the Sun Pirates! The hope of the Fish-Men—Fisher Tiger!"
Fisher Tiger.
That name echoed like thunder across Fish-Man Island.
Though time had dulled the memories, the moment his name rang out again—and a real, living person stood before them—those memories came rushing back.
He was once a warrior of liberation! Alone, he stormed Mary Geoise and freed countless slaves. His name shook the world afterward.
He rallied dream-chasing pirates from the Fish-Man District and fought against the World Government.
Eventually, he vanished. Many believed he died battling the Marines. Yet now, he had returned as a Marine Vice Admiral.
The shock rippled through the crowd. A Vice Admiral held tremendous authority in the Marines, commanding fleets and overseeing significant military actions.
For a fish-man to reach that rank—unthinkable to the ordinary citizens of Fish-Man Island.
Even Jinbe, the famed "Knight of the Sea," had only become a Warlord of the Sea.
The meaning was clear to the sharper minds among the fish-men: this might signal that fish-men now had a voice within the Marines, a say in decisions that mattered.
That is, if this fish-man still stood with his people. "Tiger-brother!!" someone called out in excitement.
Fisher Tiger swept his eyes across the crowd, took a deep breath, and said,
"My friends, could you please deliver a message to Ryugu Palace on my behalf?"
"I come representing Fleet Admiral Arashi to meet with Fish-Man Island."
The port guards jolted in surprise, then quickly responded, "Please wait a moment, Tiger-brother! Crown Prince Shark Star is patrolling nearby—we'll inform him immediately!"
Tiger nodded and stood calmly. Looking at his fellow fish-men, his heart felt unexpectedly at ease.
This was home.
All his life, he had fought for one goal: to help fish-men live as equals with humans, in peace and harmony.
"Vice Admiral Tiger," a deep voice called beside him. Tiger turned, slightly surprised, then nodded. "It's been a long time since I returned."
T-Bone offered a slight smile. "Fleet Admiral Arashi sent us here to help mend relations between humans and fish-men."
"With your identity, Vice Admiral Tiger, talking with Fish-Man Island will go much more smoothly."
Tiger nodded. "I appreciate your support, T-Bone."
"I'm only assisting—you are the one in charge of this mission," T-Bone replied. His zombie-like face didn't look very friendly when he smiled, but Tiger knew him well.
T-Bone was a loyal and just officer under Arashi's command. That Arashi sent him along meant this mission was being taken seriously.
At the port, one Marine after another disembarked from their warship and lined up behind Fisher Tiger.
As a newly promoted Vice Admiral, he had been assigned a ship and troops—Arashi had not treated him unfairly.
These soldiers were elite, battle-hardened veterans from the Paramount War.
Meanwhile, the Fish-Man Guards were sprinting through the streets. Soon, they spotted Crown Prince Shark Star patrolling nearby.
"Your Highness Fukaboshi!" the lead guard gasped.
"You're from the port guard," Fukaboshi said sternly. "What's going on there?"
"It's the Marines! They've arrived!" "He says he represents the Fleet Admiral himself!"
"The Fleet Admiral? We've got nothing to talk about with the Marines," Fukaboshi said coldly. His eyes drifted to the Whitebeard flag still flying over Fish-Man Island.
Though Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—had been captured, his crew still existed.
But after the loss at Marineford, his influence waned. Pirates began stirring up trouble here again.
In just a few months, fishmen had started vanishing, a rising crisis.
"This time is different! The one representing the Marines is Vice Admiral Fisher Tiger!" the guard said breathlessly, clearly excited.
"Fisher Tiger?" Fukaboshi was stunned. "The Fisher Tiger from Fish-Man District?"
The guard nodded vigorously. Before he could say more, Fukaboshi shot past him, racing toward the port.
"It's him?! The warrior every fish-man reveres deep in their hearts?!"
Outsiders couldn't understand the reverence fish-men had for Fisher Tiger. Born in the slums, he had done the unimaginable—storming the Holy Land and freeing slaves with his own hands.
To those who had been treated as property or ornaments by humans, his act was nothing short of divine.
Moments later, Fukaboshi reached the port. There stood a formation of disciplined Marines—at their head, the figure etched in his memory.
"Fisher Tiger!!! Is it you?" Fukaboshi's voice trembled.
"Your Highness Fukaboshi," Tiger smiled, "Who else could it be?"
"But you… Why are you a Marine?" Fukaboshi asked in disbelief.
"I'll explain everything once I've met with King Neptune," Tiger said firmly. "This time, I've come with a mission."
He paused, his voice low and strong. "You may also take it to mean that I come bearing goodwill from the Marines."
"Goodwill?" Fukaboshi hesitated, then stepped aside, inviting Tiger toward Ryugu Kingdom.
He didn't yet understand what "goodwill" meant in this context, but Fukaboshi couldn't believe that someone like Fisher Tiger would ever harm Fish-Man Island.
Half an hour later… In the palace chamber, T-Bone sat at a side seat. Tiger sat at the main position, and before them, on the royal throne, was King Neptune.
"Fisher Tiger…To think I would see you again in my lifetime and this capacity," Neptune said with mixed emotions.
"You should be happy I've returned, Your Majesty," Tiger replied in a deep voice.
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