Yoriichi showed no overt hostility toward the sharp-eyed, battle-hardened Arlong standing before him. His mind was clear. He knew full well what kind of person Arlong would become in the future.
But that was the future.
At this moment, Yoriichi had no reason to strike him down.
Yes, Arlong reeked of killing intent. He'd surely taken many lives. But from a purely legal standpoint, as a Marine, Yoriichi couldn't accuse him of any crime, at least not now.
In this era, even common folk rarely made it this far under the sea, let alone to Fish-Man Island.
Any human capable of reaching this place was almost certainly no ordinary traveler.
As for what Arlong might do in the future, enslaving civilians, murdering innocents, that was all yet to come.
If one acted on what someone "might" become, then that would make Yoriichi no different than the Celestial Dragons who ordered the destruction of Ohara.
Crimes of the present are punished in the present.
Crimes of the future, when they come, will be judged then.
To judge someone by a future that hasn't happened is simply to push them closer to that outcome.
Yoriichi's gaze settled on Arlong, face calm, free of any unnecessary emotion. To Arlong, those eyes were unbearably clear.
Yet it was precisely that clarity that weighed heavily on him.
"He's just... a lowly human!" Arlong thought bitterly, scowling at Yoriichi's words. He clicked his tongue and muttered,
"We fish-men aren't like you cunning humans."
He turned to Tiger with barely concealed frustration.
"Big bro Tiger, I'm sure you've got business to handle, so I won't get in your way."
"Swing by the backstreets sometime. The guys all miss you."
"I'm out."
Compared to the warm welcome earlier, Arlong was now visibly colder toward Tiger. His joy had entirely faded. After bidding farewell, he turned and led his group away.
Tiger, watching Arlong's retreating back, showed no sign of awkwardness. Instead, he turned to Yoriichi and smiled, speaking on Arlong's behalf.
"Don't take it personally, Vice Admiral."
"Arlong's still young, and he's got some... bias against humans."
"But I'm sure that'll change once he learns what we Marines really stand for."
"Let's not worry about them. We should go see King Neptune and Queen Otohime. Her Majesty is a truly kind soul, she'll definitely support your plan."
To Tiger, the fish-men of the backstreets were all family. Arlong's coldness didn't offend him in the slightest. If anything, Tiger felt responsible for him and still spoke kindly.
Having spent time aboard the Dawnblade, Tiger had seen firsthand how powerful this branch of the Marines truly was. He'd watched Yoriichi strike down fearsome pirates with barely a breath, his blade ending battles in a heartbeat.
Even though Yoriichi usually acted harmless, Tiger still held a deep respect, and perhaps a trace of fear, for him.
"My heart isn't so small that I'd hold a grudge over something like that," Yoriichi said lightly. But then his expression turned slightly serious.
"Still, Tiger, there's something I need to say clearly."
"You know we're Marines. Whether it's a human, fish-man, or mermaid, if they stand against what's right, I won't hesitate."
"And by 'right,' I don't mean the World Government, or even the Navy's rules and mandates."
"I mean the kind of justice that most people, deep down, agree is fair."
"If anyone crosses that line... I won't forgive them."
Yoriichi walked up beside Tiger, glanced once more at Arlong's fading silhouette, then turned and patted Tiger on the shoulder with a grin.
"Come on. Let's head to Ryugu Palace."
Tiger nodded, smiling despite Yoriichi's subtle warning. He led the way, greeting familiar faces along the road and enthusiastically introducing his hometown to the Marines.
Being back on Fish-Man Island clearly put Tiger in good spirits. He chattered nonstop the entire way.
Their group made for a striking procession, but before they could even reach the palace, King Neptune himself emerged with a large retinue of guards, heading straight toward them.
The wide avenue soon became a meeting point between two forces. Neptune held a massive trident in hand, flanked by his royal guards. His gaze swept over the Marines before briefly pausing on Tiger, then landing on Yoriichi.
"You must be Vice Admiral Yoriichi Tsugikuni?"
"I am Neptune, King of Fish-Man Island."
The advancing procession halted. With a gentle flick of his powerful tail, Neptune approached the Marines and gave a nod of greeting.
Fish-Man Island might have been secluded, but it wasn't blind to the world above. Neptune was well aware of global headlines, especially anything involving big names like the Pirate King Roger, who had once been a friend.
Yoriichi's appearance, his fiery red hair and the distinctive flame-shaped mark on his forehead, was impossible to forget.
"Woah... he's huge!"
"This guy's really the king of Fish-Man Island? That's wild!"
The younger Marines couldn't help gasping at Neptune's towering physique. Mihawk and Kyros both tilted their heads upward, clearly impressed.
Neptune, a giant merman over ten meters tall, loomed like a small skyscraper. Only now did the Marines truly understand why Fish-Man Island hadn't fallen to pirates. A man like Neptune wasn't someone ordinary pirates could ever hope to match.
That trident in his hand... if it hit a person, they'd probably die instantly.
"Vice Admiral, this is King Neptune, also known as the 'Great Knight of the Seas.'"
Yoriichi recognized him immediately, smiling as he stepped forward to shake Neptune's massive hand.
"Greetings, King Neptune."
"I'm Vice Admiral Yoriichi Tsugikuni of Marine Headquarters."
"I apologize for arriving unannounced. I hope we haven't caused trouble."
Though his manners weren't as formal as nobility might expect, Yoriichi's attitude was respectful and unassuming.
Neptune gently pressed his massive fingers around Yoriichi's hand and returned the smile.
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi, you're too kind."
"I imagine you have important business here on Fish-Man Island?"
"If there's anything I can help with, I'll cooperate to the best of my ability."
But before Yoriichi could respond, a sharp thwap struck Neptune's tail.
"You really can't act like that in front of guests!"
A soft but slightly reproachful voice sounded from beside him. A petite, golden-haired mermaid stepped forward with a gentle smile and gave a slight bow to Yoriichi.
Yoriichi returned the gesture politely. Tiger also bowed and whispered,
"That's Queen Otohime, King Neptune's wife."
Before Yoriichi could speak, Otohime addressed him directly.
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi, please don't mind Neptune."
"Let's head to Ryugu Palace. Since this is your first visit, we must offer you proper hospitality."
"If my husband was at all rude, I ask that you overlook it."
"Business can come later. Let's welcome you properly first."
Compared to the king, Queen Otohime's demeanor was incredibly warm. Despite her royal status, she apologized with a bright smile and even reached out to shake Yoriichi's hand herself.
Yoriichi was momentarily taken aback. In all his years, he'd rarely seen royalty act so humble and gracious. Most nobles he'd encountered were arrogant beyond belief, practically wearing "superior" across their faces.
Otohime and Neptune left him with a very favorable first impression.
Some matters were indeed best not discussed in public. Yoriichi glanced toward Kyros and gave a small hand signal.
Kyros immediately stepped forward, and Yoriichi gave him quiet instructions.
"Kyros, take the others back to the ship. No wandering around."
"I'll go to Ryugu Palace and speak with the king and queen. Once there's news, I'll contact you through the Den Den Mushi."
"Make sure no one causes trouble."
Neptune and Otohime overheard this exchange and exchanged a glance. Otohime nudged her husband lightly, and Neptune quickly spoke up.
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi, your men must be visiting Fish-Man Island for the first time, right?"
"Let them enjoy themselves. There's much to see, exotic scenery, delicious local food."
"You've likely endured much on your journey here. Relax, relax! Haha!"
Before Yoriichi could decline, Neptune called out to the seahorse fish-man at his side.
"Minister of the Left! Arrange for guides to show Vice Admiral Yoriichi's men around. Let them enjoy the island."
"All expenses are on Ryugu Palace!"
Hearing this, the Marines behind Yoriichi let out an excited cheer. Kyros immediately turned back with a stern glare, and they all fell silent, sheepish expressions on their faces.
Kyros scratched his head and turned back to Yoriichi with a resigned look.
"Vice Admiral, they've been wound up tight on this whole trip. Maybe a little break wouldn't hurt?"
Yoriichi chuckled and turned back to the king and queen.
"Thank you, King Neptune, Queen Otohime. You're too generous."
"But please don't worry about the guides, we'll try not to trouble you further."
"As for the expenses, if you could temporarily cover them, I'll compensate you with an equivalent amount in gold or silver later."
Fish-Man Island used its own currency. Berries weren't valid here. When Luffy's crew visited, they'd needed Hachi's help just to get by.
Yoriichi's group was in the same boat.
Of course... neither Neptune nor Otohime paid any mind to that gold. To them, wealth was hardly worth mentioning.
"Very well, we'll leave it to you. This way, please!"
Neptune enthusiastically stepped aside and motioned toward the palace.
With guards clearing the way, Yoriichi led only Tiger, Kyros, and Mihawk to Ryugu Palace, while the rest of the Marines scattered with childlike glee across the city.
A lavish feast had already been prepared inside Ryugu Palace. The guests took a few bites, and once the atmosphere was comfortable, Tiger took the opportunity to explain the Marines' objective.
"What?! You want to recruit soldiers from Fish-Man Island?"
"That's impossible!"
King Neptune reacted instinctively. Realizing he'd been too blunt, he quickly continued.
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi, it's not that I disagree. If our citizens want to enlist, I won't stop them. But you must understand... the divide between humans and fish-men runs deep."
"The idea of the Marines recruiting here... it's unthinkable."
"If your plan involves forced conscription, I cannot allow it."
Neptune's tone was firm. Hearing this, Tiger quickly stepped in to defuse the tension.
"Your Majesty, that's not what the Vice Admiral intends. He would never force anyone to enlist."
"As long as you don't oppose it, he'll simply issue a recruitment notice and let the people decide."
"I swear, no one will be pressured. You have my word."
Tiger's reputation carried weight. Seeing his sincere assurance, Neptune held back further objections. Both he and Otohime understood what this proposal truly meant.
Part of Neptune worried that supporting this initiative might endanger their people.
But with Tiger vouching for Yoriichi, Neptune was willing to give it a chance.
Queen Otohime, on the other hand, was genuinely delighted. She had a good feeling about Yoriichi from the start, even if she couldn't explain why. Maybe it was intuition, or maybe her natural Observation Haki sensed something in him.
Whatever the reason, she offered her full support.
With the royal family's backing secured, the Marines began posting recruitment notices across the island the next day.
But three full days passed... and not a single person signed up. Not one.
Yoriichi began to realize that he'd underestimated just how deep the rift between humans and fish-men truly was.
Even Tiger went to his old friends, one by one, and asked if they'd consider enlisting.
Every last one said no.
On a wide street plaza, Kyros rested his chin in one hand, slumped at a makeshift booth with a bored expression.
Not far off, Tiger was still handing out recruitment flyers, smiling at passing fish-men and mermaids. Some took them and tossed them aside. Others ignored him completely.
Standing on the corner like a summer-job intern, Tiger looked completely defeated.
"This is a disaster. An absolute disaster."
"How am I supposed to face the Vice Admiral like this?"
"Three whole days... not even one person. No one's even asked about it."
As the crowd thinned out, Tiger trudged back to Kyros and dropped the thick stack of leftover flyers on the table with a heavy thud.
"..."
"We were too optimistic. Let's give it a few more days. If there's still no progress, we'll have to move on."
"There's still a major operation waiting. We can't waste too much time here."
Kyros sighed as he stared at the flyers.
"ε=(ο｀*))) sigh!"
Just as the two of them were sighing in sync, a thunderous boom echoed in the distance.
BOOM!!!
It rang out like a bolt of thunder in spring, startling the entire island.
Soon, Fish-Man Island residents poured out from their homes. The streets filled with people, all rushing toward the source of the explosion.
Everyone loves a commotion, human or fish-man.
"What was that?" Kyros looked up with a frown. He and Tiger exchanged a glance and took off toward the sound.
At that exact moment, Yoriichi and Mihawk were still in Ryugu Palace, continuing talks with Neptune and Otohime. Since recruitment had stalled, Yoriichi was now trying to enlist their help to spread the word, and perhaps have the royal guards set an example.
The meeting had just reached a delicate point when the explosion echoed.
Neptune immediately halted the discussion and called for the palace guards to mobilize.
Meanwhile, several hundred meters away in an open field, the wreckage of a cruise ship had mysteriously appeared.
The vessel looked like it had been attacked by some monstrous sea creature. It was torn clean in half. Deep bite marks and claw gouges scarred the hull and deck.
From within the shattered remains, a bloodied figure slowly crawled out from beneath the broken planks. Covered in blood, the man glared weakly at the fish-men running over.
And with a hoarse voice, he growled:
"Help me..."
"You lowly peasants, don't just stand there, get over here and help me!!"
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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