Hachi laughed beside her and said:
"Koala, you can finally go home now."
Koala kept her head lowered, nervously twisting her fingers.
"Th-That…"
"It feels kind of strange…"
Hachi chuckled a few times.
"Hahahaha, you've really changed a lot."
"Almost unrecognizable."
"I even bought you some new clothes especially for this."
"They look great on you."
The surrounding Fishman Pirates also laughed along.
But Tiger's expression remained calm as he glanced at Arlong, who was keeping his distance from everyone.
Hachi looked at Koala's newly cut hair.
"And you even got a haircut."
"Your mother will be so happy when she sees you like this."
Koala was at a loss, unsure how to respond.
Suddenly, she pulled out a rag from who-knows-where and dropped to her knees to scrub the floor.
Hachi jumped in frustration.
"You really need to fix this habit of yours, Koala! Always cleaning whenever you're troubled!"
"This isn't Mary Geoise!"
Ship doctor Aladdin shook his head.
"Let her be, Hachi."
"Scars on the heart aren't so easy to heal."
Hachi scratched his head.
From the corner, Arlong suddenly spoke up.
"Looks like you actually understand pretty well, Aladdin."
With a sneer, he walked over.
"Of course, since you used to be a slave too, you can relate."
"Truth is, you probably want to kill her right away, don't you?"
"After all, she's human—just like the ones who enslaved us."
Grinning, he squatted down and reached his hand toward Koala's head.
Tiger's expression hardened and he barked:
"Stop it, Arlong."
But Arlong ignored him, baring his teeth as he spoke to Koala.
"Your parents discriminated against Fishmen too, didn't they?"
Koala trembled at the sight of Arlong's face, too scared to answer.
Arlong rose to his feet and let out a long, booming laugh.
"Shahahahaha!"
"That's what humans are like."
"Thinking they're the most perfect species in the world."
"Their children grow up steeped in that same arrogance."
"And unless someone shatters their sense of superiority…"
"Nothing will ever change!!!"
"In these three years at sea, you've all seen it too, haven't you?"
"The way humans look at us—with that same condescension, that same arrogance!"
The gathered Fishmen clenched their teeth… Arlong wasn't wrong. In these past three years, they'd seen it all too often…
The grin on Arlong's face widened. Yes… yes, just like this!
Suddenly, Jinbei stepped forward.
"That's only some humans."
"Not all of them are like that, right?"
The other Fishmen froze. That… was true, wasn't it?
Arlong clicked his tongue and said flatly:
"Jinbei…"
But Jinbei ignored him.
"I think the reason they're afraid of us—"
He plopped down beside Koala, who was still scrubbing the floor.
"—is probably because we're pirates."
Koala stiffly raised her head.
"Because… they don't understand us."
Then she lowered her head again and kept scrubbing…
Jinbei couldn't help but recall Queen Otohime's speeches back on the island, murmuring:
"Fear comes from not understanding…"
Arlong snorted and strode toward the cabin.
"This world doesn't need humans. Fishmen are enough."
"All of you have lost your minds."
"Lowly creatures like humans should just be wiped out…"
...
A few days later.
Foolshout Island, on the shore.
This was Koala's hometown.
A small island in the first half of the Grand Line, covered with giant cactus-like plants everywhere.
Tiger was the first to disembark. He looked up the steps at Koala, who stood there hesitantly.
"Where's your village?"
"I'll walk you to the entrance."
Koala broke into a joyful smile.
"Mm!"
She ran down quickly to catch up with him.
Some kind-hearted Fishman Pirates burst into tears.
"Uwaah, Koala!"
"Don't go!!"
"Travel with us instead!"
"What a good kid!"
Koala stepped off the ship and waved back at them, reluctant to part.
"I'll tell everyone in the village!"
"That there are so many good Fishmen too!!!"
"Thank you all for taking care of me!!!"
From the ship, Hachi shouted out:
"Take care of yourself!!!"
Koala smiled happily and turned to follow Tiger's steps…
...
Half a day earlier.
On Borsalino's battleship.
Strawberry reported to Kizaru.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino, they're about to make landfall at their destination."
Borsalino paused in the middle of trimming his nails.
"Oh~"
"Are you sure~?"
Strawberry nodded.
"Yes."
Borsalino blew the nail dust off his fingers.
"Now that's quite the opportunity~"
"Well then… Strawberry."
"Take some men to lie in ambush~"
"And capture Fisher Tiger~"
Strawberry replied solemnly:
"Yes, sir!"
He turned and left to make arrangements.
Borsalino admired his freshly trimmed nails.
"Mm~ not bad~"
...
Back on Foolshout Island, after Tiger had just escorted Koala to her village.
Her words still echoed in his mind, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I believe in you too, Koala…"
"When you grow up, humans and Fishmen will surely—"
Clack-clack-clack—
The sound of countless guns being cocked rang out.
On the road leading back to the port, Strawberry suddenly appeared with a squad of Marines, surrounding Tiger.
Fisher Tiger's eyes widened in disbelief. How could this be…
Looking at the stunned Tiger, Strawberry didn't waste words.
"I am Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, Strawberry."
"We received a tip-off that the Sun Pirates might be coming here."
"The condition for that information—was to spare the possession of a Celestial Dragon, that little girl."
"Captain of the Sun Pirates, Fisher Tiger."
"You are guilty of two crimes."
"You know them well."
"Attacking and escaping."
Tiger's face twisted with rage, unwilling to accept this betrayal.
Strawberry coldly raised his right hand.
And swung it down!
Bang bang bang—
A storm of gunfire erupted. Countless bullets poured down on Fisher Tiger.
His body was riddled with bullets, the searing pain snapping him back to his senses.
As the Marines closed in, Tiger's hatred surged, piercing the heavens.
"Fishman Karate!"
An invisible shockwave exploded from Tiger's body.
It surged out in all directions, blasting into the Marines around him.
Even the bullets hanging in the air were stopped mid-flight by the force.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Bullets reversed course and shot back at the Marines!
---
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