The Fishmen
A unique species that had long lived in Fish-Man Island. What made them "unique" was that, while their body shape largely resembled humans or giants, they still retained the majority of their fish-like features.
In this world, only the Mink Tribe could be considered a similarly "adjacent" species. Fishmen and merfolk were the ultimate "others" in human society, often seen more as outsiders than as people.
"Sorry?"
"I'll never trust humans again!"
Despite Kyros's gentle tone, the red-skinned fishman, body packed with coiled muscle, responded with a deep growl and suddenly lunged forward, throwing a punch at Kyros's head.
He had witnessed Kyros's strength back on the pirate ship. He knew that trying to flee with his back turned would only end in failure. The only path to freedom was to take his opponent down.
He had heard enough honeyed lies from humans.
Behind their smiling faces often hid terrifying evil.
Marines?
Still humans. The greed and cruelty of humanity were things he'd seen too much of ever since he left Fish-Man Island.
Fishmen were naturally stronger, ten times the strength of an average human male, and this one had clearly trained regularly. Even without Haki or advanced combat skills, his raw power alone was formidable.
He had only been captured by the Bragi Pirates due to being outnumbered.
The force of his punch cut through the air like a bullet.
Kyros's pupils contracted. In a flash, he drew his sword and blocked in front of his face.
The sudden attack startled the surrounding Marines. This "rescued hostage" hadn't thanked them at all, instead, he attacked a Marine officer.
That couldn't be tolerated.
CLANG!
The fishman's fist slammed against Kyros's blade, generating a loud, shrill screech as Kyros was forced backward nearly ten meters, his boots scraping deep grooves into the deck.
He steadied himself, shifted his sword aside, and looked at the fishman with visible surprise.
Such power!
Since joining the Marines, Kyros had never faced someone with such pure, monstrous strength.
After that blow, the fishman found himself surrounded, countless barrels of rifles pointed directly at him.
He glanced around, his red eyes blazing, not with rage, but with a traumatic memory.
"Prepare, !"
A Marine major drew his saber and was just about to order his men to open fire when,
"Hold your fire!" Kyros's voice cut through the tense air.
The major turned, startled to see Kyros standing straight again, sword braced at his side as he reached into his coat.
Bururururu...
Kyros pulled out a Den Den Mushi, which was ringing. He held it up to signal the others to hold position, then took the receiver.
"Moshi moshi~"
A lazy voice came through: "This is Borsalino. Rear Admiral Kyros, your precious Vice Admiral would like to meet the fishman gentleman standing on your deck. Please don't hurt him, hmm?"
Before Kyros could respond, the line went dead.
At the Marine base onshore, Borsalino closed the Den Den Mushi and picked his binoculars back up, gazing toward the sea.
He murmured to the man behind him:
"Vice Admiral, do you really need to meet that fishman personally?"
"He already attacked the Marines. That makes him an enemy, doesn't it?
Kyros should just finish it quickly before anyone gets hurt. That would be the safest course."
Sitting behind him on the couch was Vice Admiral Yoriichi Tsugikuni, dressed in loose training robes and holding a newspaper.
Without even lifting his head, Yoriichi replied, "It's important, actually.
I've never met a fishman before. I'd like to see for myself."
He took a slow sip of tea.
Back on the ship, Kyros stowed away the Den Den Mushi and walked toward the fishman.
He spoke gently but firmly.
"Sir, I don't know why you view us Marines with such hatred.
But let me say this, people are not all the same.
And Marines are not all the same.
You're in Dressrosa now. We are the Marines of the Dawnblade Division."
"My commanding officer, Vice Admiral Tsugikuni, would like to meet you personally.
Please don't worry, he's an honorable man. If you're not a pirate, not a criminal, he won't harm you."
Kyros watched him closely. Though his words were kind, he was prepared to act the moment the fishman showed hostility again.
He knew the man's raw strength was powerful, but his technique was crude. Even without Haki, Kyros believed he could take him down.
The fishman grew visibly more agitated. He eyed the sea.
Kyros caught the glance and warned,
"I suggest you don't run. If it were earlier, maybe I'd have let you go.
But since the Vice Admiral wishes to meet you, I can't let you leave now."
He lifted his sword slightly, his tone growing steely.
After a long silence, the fishman finally spoke:
"Vice Admiral Tsugikuni… is that the man who captured the Pirate King, Roger?"
Kyros's face showed a hint of pride as he nodded.
"That's right.
So don't even think of escaping. You won't make it."
He motioned to the surrounding Marines.
They misunderstood his gesture and rushed to get shackles, moving toward the fishman.
Seeing this, Kyros immediately shouted:
"What are you doing?!"
"I said return to your posts. We're heading back."
One confused Marine asked, "But sir, what if he, "
"No need," Kyros said coldly, cutting him off.
He slung his sword across his back and extended a hand toward the fishman.
"I'm Rear Admiral Kyros of the Dawnblade Division. Pleased to meet you."
The fishman hesitated, staring into Kyros's calm eyes.
Eventually, he reached out with a tense hand and shook it.
"…Fisher Tiger. My name is Tiger."
From Kyros's gaze, he sensed no hatred. No greed.
And for the first time, a small sliver of peace.
"Oh, Mr. Tiger?
Did you come from Fish-Man Island?
Ah, I've always wanted to see the views down there. I bet they're unlike anything on the surface."
Kyros tried to ease the tension with friendly talk.
But Tiger's face remained tight, his wariness unrelenting.
Trust wouldn't come easily.
The ship began its return. The entire mission, departure, combat, and return, took barely eight minutes. The journey itself was the longest part.
Back on the merchant ship docked nearby, workers who had been watching the battle now erupted into groans and complaints.
"Ugh! Those fools couldn't hold out a little longer?!"
"Total waste of excitement. I was hoping to see Vice Admiral Tsugikuni. And this is what we get?"
The dock foreman, not surprised in the slightest, smiled as he turned to the crew.
"Alright, danger's over, back to work!"
"Come on, now. If it had been real pirates, we'd be the ones suffering."
"Let's not say dumb things."
Amid chuckles and grumbles, the crowd dispersed.
Back in town, the civilians who had been nervously observing the situation returned to their normal lives.
The pirates had barely made a ripple in Dressrosa.
At most, it was a mildly entertaining story to chat about over tea.
As the Marines disembarked, Kyros and Fisher Tiger descended the gangplank together.
Some curious civilians cheered Kyros's return but paid little attention to Tiger, mostly because Kyros had draped his own justice cloak over him, concealing most of his fishman features.
Even in January, Dressrosa's breezes were chilly. Tiger did not refuse the gesture.
He too noticed the sincere warmth in the citizens' cheers.
Perhaps… these Marines really were different.
After the crews dispersed, Bragi's head was logged and submitted by the officers in charge.
Kyros raised his voice to the troops.
"Tonight, celebration! We toast to your victory!"
A round of cheers erupted.
Then Kyros personally brought Tiger to the tallest Marine building.
Knock knock knock.
A lazy voice came from within:
"Come in, "
Kyros opened the door.
Inside was a modest, sunlit office, cozy and calm.
Tiger noticed a red-haired youth reading a newspaper on the couch, who lifted his gaze slightly to observe them.
But it was the uniformed man behind the desk who caught Tiger's eye.
Naturally, he assumed this man, Borsalino, was the leader.
"We've arrived, Vice Admiral," Kyros said, addressing the young man on the couch.
Tiger blinked in confusion.
"Oh? So this is the fishman from Fish-Man Island?"
"Very robust indeed."
Yoriichi set the newspaper aside and smiled gently.
Fisher Tiger.
He immediately recognized him.
He had assumed the captured hostage was just a random fishman.
He hadn't expected it to be the Tiger.
A future firebrand. A leader.
The man who would one day inspire Jinbei, the Sea Knight, to call him aniki.
Someone with enough moral strength to say, "To hell with the Four Emperors."
Seeing him now, Yoriichi's plans shifted.
Originally, he just wanted a reason to visit Fish-Man Island and quietly recruit from among its people.
The strategic value of fishmen in naval combat was massive. But Yoriichi's identity made traveling complicated, if he tried to head toward the Red Line and Sabaody Archipelago for ship coating, the World Government would panic.
They'd likely dispatch someone to intercept him before he even arrived.
They feared what would happen if Yoriichi clashed with CP or the Celestial Dragons.
So despite being able to roam freely in the New World, entering the Government's inner sphere wasn't so easy.
But with Tiger right here…
A new possibility opened up.
"Ahem. Mr. Fishman," Yoriichi said, rising to his feet. "Would you consider joining the Marines?"
For a moment, everyone turned to stare.
Tiger blinked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This young man had just cut off the senior officer, and made the proposal directly?
Before he could speak, Kyros clarified with a respectful bow:
"Tiger-san, this is Vice Admiral Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the base commander of the Dawnblade Division.
That gentleman behind the desk is Vice Admiral Borsalino, our chief strategist."
Now everything clicked.
The youthful man with the red hair…
That was the Tsugikuni.
The man who had captured the Pirate King.
"…Join the Marines?" Tiger repeated, stunned.
Yoriichi smiled.
"I think a justice cloak would suit you quite well."
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