Fish-Man Island, Border Port.
"Frank, tell them why we're here."
Sephiroth instructed his aide with an impatient gesture, pointing toward Jinbe, the commander of the Ryugu Kingdom's armed forces, a blue-skinned whale shark man who now stood on the pier. Frank nodded obediently and immediately descended the ship's stairs.
"Greetings! We have come under orders from Marine Headquarters to hunt Fisher Tiger," Frank said bluntly. "We request your cooperation. Our search will be conducted throughout Fish-Man Island."
He presented a photo of Fisher Tiger and official documents that cited the burning of the Holy Land, Marijoa.
Jinbe's face remained calm, but his heart sank. Two days ago, the hero he admired, Fisher Tiger, had just returned, bringing with him more than a hundred Fish-Men freed from slavery in Marijoa. The event had caused Fisher Tiger's reputation to skyrocket, almost rivaling Princess Otohime's. Jinbe, along with Arlong and Hatchan, admired the man boundlessly. I didn't expect the Marine to chase him so quickly. I must inform Brother Tiger and the slaves he rescued right away, he thought.
"I understand your purpose, but..." Jinbe said to Frank, "This matter must follow procedure. I have to request instructions from King Neptune. Please be patient and wait for me at the port."
Frank turned, looking for a cue from Sephiroth, who was leaning casually against the side of the ship.
Sephiroth smiled faintly, a smile that made Jinbe feel a little uneasy. After a moment, he said, "Okay, no problem! Get instructions from Neptune!"
"Thank you!"
Jinbe nodded, then whispered to one of the soldiers beside him, "Before I return, keep an eye on these Marines. Don't let them enter the island." After giving the order, he immediately hurried towards the palace.
Sephiroth took out his silver pocket watch, glancing at the time: 8:20 PM. Frank returned to the deck. Sephiroth patted his shoulder. "Frank, you all rest first. It's night, time to eat. After that, get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow morning, after eight o'clock, you can start your work."
Frank was surprised, his pupils widening. He looked in the direction Jinbe had left. "Brigadier Sephiroth, they..."
"That's enough! Why are you talking so much? Just do what I ordered," Sephiroth cut him off impatiently, a slight displeasure visible on his face.
"Yes!" Frank nodded resignedly and began to organize the other soldiers.
Sephiroth took his white Justice Bolt from his shoulder, tossing it to a soldier for safekeeping. He descended from the ship, wearing only a blue suit, his hands in his pockets.
"Stop! We haven't received orders to allow you to enter Fish-Man Island," two Fish-Men from King Neptune's forces blocked him, crossing their spears in the silver-haired youth's path.
"Hah! How dare you stop me!?" Sephiroth sneered. His indifferent eyes stared sharply at them.
Instantly, a cold and piercing killing intent enveloped the nineteen Fish-Man soldiers, as if trapping them in an abyss of hell. Horrific scenes of mountains of corpses and seas of blood appeared in their eyes. The aura Sephiroth radiated was the result of countless battles he had been through, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary soldiers. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably, and fear filled their hearts.
"What are you planning... I know everything!" Sephiroth said, his voice as cold as ice. "I've given you a lot of leeway. I hope you aren't stupid!"
He walked straight towards the two spears that blocked him. Overcome with immense fear, the two soldiers unconsciously pulled their spears back, allowing Sephiroth to pass unimpeded across the pier and enter Fish-Man Island.
After a while, the soldiers were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. "This person is so terrifying!" one of them exclaimed. "His gaze... I felt like my life was about to end!"
"Yeah! It felt like a pressure I'd never felt before..."
A slightly calmer soldier immediately contacted Jinbe via Den Den Mushi. "Sorry, Commander Jinbe! There's a Marine. He's... very scary! We couldn't stop him at all!"
On the other end of the phone, Jinbe was silent for a moment. "You aren't hurt, are you?" he asked in a calm voice.
"No."
"Was it the silver-haired youth?"
"Yes, that's right. Sorry! We failed to carry out your orders."
"It's okay. That man is truly terrifying. If you can't fight him, don't try to provoke him. You've done a good job," Jinbe said, then hung up. He then contacted Fisher Tiger and said, "Brother Tiger, it's bad! The Marine has come to hunt you! Hide in Fishman Street with the slaves you rescued, or leave Fish-Man Island for a while..."
Fisher Tiger's deep voice came from the Den Den Mushi, "Hmm, Jinbe, I know. I'll move immediately."
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