"Sorry for interrupting you, Jinbe. Please continue." Sakazuki shook his head with a hint of self-mockery. In the original work, justice ultimately remained absent.
The World Government turned a blind eye to the rampant plundering of Fish-Man Island by pirates and human traffickers, ignoring the trade of citizens as if it were nothing.
As a result, Neptune had no choice but to seek external support and protection. The generous and chivalrous Whitebeard, with a grand gesture, declared that Fish-Man Island was under his protection and shared a brotherhood toast with the great knight of the sea, Neptune.
At this, both the World Government and other pirates were stunned. No one dared to set foot on Fish-Man Island again.
Whitebeard's flag made it clear to all these forces:
Come, and you will be sent away.
Be sent away, and you will die.
Thus, in the latter half of the year 1501 of the Sea Circle Calendar, Sakazuki led his forces onto this land that had long suffered from torment and hardship.
"Fish-Man District was initially the largest orphanage on Fish-Man Island. However, due to poor management, it quickly shut down because of issues such as funding and personnel placement," the future [Knight of the Sea] continued recounting the past and present of Fish-Man District.
He looked at the three Marine admirals with piercing eyes and a hint of pride at the corner of his mouth. "But amidst the chaos and turmoil of Fish-Man District, one figure emerged—Fisher Tiger!"
"Fisher Tiger?" The Ghost Spider's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "Indeed, during my patrols, I've often heard Fish-Man Island residents talking about him. They call him [Adventurer Tiger]."
It was no wonder Ghost Spider had an impression of him. Fish-Man Island had always had little contact with the outside world.
And in the two years since the Great Age of Pirates began, the terror of human pirates running rampant on this island had become a nightmare for almost every resident.
Moreover, given the widespread discrimination against fish-men on land, few fish-men dared to venture out of the island for travel or exploration.
"The people naturally revere him," Jinbe nodded. "Every time Tiger-nii returns to Fish-Man Island, he vividly recounts his adventures and experiences in the outside world to us, those who long for the scenery of the surface."
The marine soldier of the Neptune Army, filled with genuine pride, pointed toward the direction of Ryugu Palace. "Even Sea God Neptune-sama regards Tiger-nii as an esteemed guest, praising him as the first of Fish-Man Island to open his eyes to the world."
The Marines exchanged glances.
Such a highly influential figure—if possible, they indeed wished to meet him. With Tiger's leadership, their efforts to stabilize Fish-Man Island would likely face far fewer obstacles.
Sakazuki actually quite admired this adventurer. One could even consider him the Lin Zexu of modern Fish-Man Island, or its Martin Luther King Jr.
Even when he was wanted, he still adhered to a policy of peace, instructing his crew not to harm humans without reason, even those they fought against.
After his raid on the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, Fisher Tiger defined the purpose of the Sun Pirates as [Freedom] and [Liberation].
If possible, the Vice Admiral truly wished to witness this legendary figure with his own eyes. Without hesitation, Sakazuki tactfully inquired whether Jinbe, who hailed from Fish-Man District, could introduce them.
For the first time, the robust fish-man before them revealed an awkward expression.
"Uh… Tiger-nii is not on Fish-Man Island at the moment. He has a free-spirited nature and loves adventure and travel. Otherwise, Fish-Man District wouldn't have so quickly fallen into chaos again."
Lindemann swiftly took note of this key detail. "So, Fish-Man District is still in a state of disorder?"
"Yes." Jinbe responded to Lindemann's question directly. "Not long after Tiger-nii left, Arlong turned to piracy—that scum."
Sakazuki observed with interest the unmistakable look of disgust on the face of the whale shark fish-man before him.
"You seem to loathe this Arlong?" The Vice Admiral spoke as he reached out, pushed open the meeting room door, and stepped inside first.
"He is utterly obsessed with money. As a member of Fish-Man Island, half a year ago, he demanded a huge sum from Neptune-sama as a 'thank-you gift' in exchange for helping the Neptune Army drive away human pirates," Jinbe recounted a recent incident.
Sakazuki knew this was entirely in line with Arlong's nature. He also knew that in the original story, when Arlong established his pirate crew, he refused to spend money to hire Leopard Zang, which led to him taking away Hatchan instead.
Not to mention, in the East Blue, he created the so-called 'Arlong Empire' and extorted exorbitant protection fees from nearly twenty villages each month.
However, in the eyes of this transmigrator, Jinbe's words only told half the story. Arlong's greed was one defining trait, but his complete and utter racism was another.
The Vice Admiral didn't expose Jinbe's careful omission. After all, the part he concealed wasn't something their group of foreign benefactors, who had come to aid Fish-Man Island, would be pleased to hear about.
No one likes to be hated while offering help.
Perhaps a saint could tolerate it, but the three Marine admirals standing before him—figures of decisive action—were not the type. Jinbe knew better than to bring it up.
"Speaking of Fish-Man District, do you know a fish-man named Macro?" Sakazuki recalled something and changed the topic, hoping to find a breakthrough.
"Of course, I do. Macro, the Gulper Eel Fish-Man, is an even more disgusting bastard than Arlong—there's no crime he won't commit: theft, robbery, kidnapping, you name it." Jinbe's face twisted in contempt.
It seemed their previous suspicions were correct, Sakazuki thought.
"We have evidence suggesting he is involved in human trafficking," Sakazuki got straight to the point. "We hope you can assist us."
The whale shark fish-man nodded firmly, stood up, and said in a deep voice, "I won't refuse such a duty."
———————————————
Fish-Man District, for the first time since its creation, welcomed a human visitor.
"Jinbe-nii! It's Jinbe-nii!"
A young octopus fish-man, clad in a filthy red-and-white striped T-shirt, ran excitedly toward them.
The energetic young fish-man dashed forward from the dilapidated house entrance toward the armored, burly fish-man leading the Neptune Army.
However, he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks halfway.
Because behind Jinbe, a towering figure was slowly approaching.
"A… a human?"
A body close to three meters tall, even surpassing the average height of most fish-men.
A military cap obscured most of this human's face, revealing only the faintly pressed line of his lips.
His crimson double-breasted coat contrasted strangely with his somber presence.
Rather than bringing the brightness usually associated with warm colors, it instead carried a chilling aura, as if soaked in blood.
On the chest of this human's scarlet coat was a single pale blue rose—solemn, yet tinged with a hint of romance.
As if the flower, which symbolizes the yearning for love, was meant solely to suppress the boundless killing intent within.
The simple cape draped over his shoulders swayed slightly with his steps, declaring his identity.
"A Marine!!! It's the Marine who slaughtered on Fish-Man Island a few days ago!!!"
Hatchan hastily covered his protruding octopus mouth, terrified of drawing the Marine's attention.
However, Jinbe was already walking toward him with a smile.
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