The atmosphere instantly fell into silence.
The rowdy, arrogant fishman thugs who had always boasted about trampling humans beneath their feet now looked as if online bullies had just run into a real-life monster.
One by one, they froze like frightened birds, trembling, too terrified to utter a single word.
Even Arlong, who was currently being targeted, had lost his usual cocky "Shahahahaha!" laugh. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.
Orin narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing down at the shark fishman before him.
Once again, it was the same conclusion:
Fishman Island did not allow someone this dangerous to exist.
Orin's oppressive aura had reached a terrifying level.
Standing before him, Arlong found that he couldn't even force words out of his throat. He could only watch, eyes bloodshot, as Orin slowly lifted one leg and aimed a kick directly at his head.
Every nerve screamed with the feeling of imminent death.
But just as Orin's seemingly casual kick was about to land, Arlong found he couldn't even twitch a muscle… until a figure suddenly appeared—
BANG—
"Guhh—!"
It felt as though his organs had been smashed to pieces.
A red-skinned fishman appeared in front of Arlong and took the kick head-on, sent flying like a cannonball. The sheer force blew Arlong away along with him, the two of them crashing through three or four houses before finally coming to a stop.
When everyone got a clear look at the figure, the fishmen's faces stiffened in shock, mouths agape.
"T-That's… that's Boss Tiger!!!"
"Tiger-aniki!!!"
Lying amidst the rubble of the ruined houses was the man who would one day become a liberation hero, a spiritual leader of the fishmen, the great adventurer Fisher Tiger. He coughed violently, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Beside him, Arlong—relatively unscathed—scrambled to his feet, tears welling up in his eyes as he rushed to support the injured man.
"Tiger-aniki!!!"
Fisher Tiger clutched his chest, barely managing to stand with Arlong's help, though it was obvious he was badly hurt.
"So, you've finally shown yourself, Fisher Tiger."
Orin regarded him with keen interest. This man was a key figure in the One Piece world. If nothing unexpected happened, Tiger would soon storm the Holy Land and liberate the slaves.
Including a few of Orin's little maids… whom Tiger would end up freeing.
As Orin studied him, Tiger was also quietly observing Orin. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
"I beg your forgiveness for the offense caused by the fishmen…"
"Orin-sama!!!"
Despite his deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons—those who had enslaved him and stripped him of his freedom—Tiger's anger didn't cloud his judgment. Instead, he bowed his head humbly, speaking with the deference of someone who had once been a slave.
Because he understood clearly: Fishman Island needed Orin. And more importantly… they couldn't afford to provoke him.
"You actually know who I am?"
Orin strolled forward, hands in his pockets. Fisher Tiger slowly dropped to one knee before him, while Arlong, though reluctant and furious, lowered himself as well.
"You must hate the Celestial Dragons very much, don't you?"
With just a glance, Orin unleashed an unseen force that slammed into Arlong. His defiant eyes immediately shut tight, and his body collapsed to the ground before Orin, who stepped on him without hesitation.
Tiger, however, didn't dare move a muscle. Instead, he instinctively lowered his head further, speaking in a calm, steady tone.
"No… I once spent many years in Mary Geoise. You are different from the Celestial Dragons I knew—wise, powerful…"
"You are the benefactor of Fishman Island. You are the guardian deity of all our people!!!"
"Forgive my bluntness, but the other Celestial Dragons are unworthy of even being compared to you!!!"
Tiger's words carried genuine conviction. A man like him didn't change his beliefs merely to curry favor.
It was precisely because of this that the distant fishmen were left stunned, eyes wide with disbelief.
Tiger… actually praised a human this highly?!
"I see."
Orin's lips curved faintly into a smile as he kicked Arlong aside, sparing his life… for now.
Flattery was something Orin had heard countless times before, and usually, it didn't move him in the slightest.
But when it came from someone straightforward and strong like Tiger—genuine and from the heart—it carried a different weight.
With a flick of his fingers, Orin helped Tiger back onto his feet, interest flashing in his eyes.
"Shall we talk?"
"It would be my honor."
Tiger had no idea why Orin wanted to speak with him, but he agreed nonetheless.
He followed Orin and his entourage until they stopped at a nearby tavern.
"Fisher Tiger," Orin said casually, "you returned this time to prepare for your attack on Mary Geoise, didn't you?"
The words came out of nowhere, yet the moment they left Orin's lips, everyone turned sharply to look at him!
If the others were merely shocked, Tiger's reaction was far more intense—his scalp tingled violently.
This was something… he hadn't even told anyone yet.
How could Orin possibly know?
"No need to hide it now," Orin continued lazily, "I wouldn't say it unless I was absolutely certain."
Seeing Tiger's gaping mouth and stunned expression, Orin didn't bother mentioning Observation Haki. He didn't need to explain.
After the initial shock, Tiger gradually calmed down.
There was no need to panic.
If Orin wanted him dead over this, he wouldn't be wasting time talking.
After a brief silence, Fisher Tiger lifted his head and looked Orin straight in the eye.
"Yes, Orin-sama. That is exactly what I'm preparing for."
"I intend to climb the Red Line and free every single slave in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise!!!"
What a madman!!!
What a feat that would be!!!
Even Mihawk and Crocodile found such a plan utterly insane.
He was actually planning to attack Mary Geoise directly?
No one had ever heard of such a thing before…
And besides, let's not forget—Orin was a Celestial Dragon. To declare this in front of a powerful Celestial Dragon…
"Heh… don't look at me like that."
Orin's expression was relaxed despite all the stares.
"Mary Geoise doesn't really concern me. I don't live there anyway."
After all, the only things he owned in the Holy Land were the three Boa sisters, and no matter what happened, they weren't escaping his grasp.
If the Holy Land got attacked, Orin might even enjoy the show.
"But you do realize," Orin said softly, "once you do this, you'll face endless retaliation from the Holy Land."
"Even if Fishman Island is safe under my name, you will certainly die."
Orin did admire this fishman, though. After all, Tiger was a heroic figure, an honorable man, and in terms of potential strength, he might even surpass Jinbe.
"I can make sure the other fishmen remain untouched," Orin offered. "I could even recommend Jinbe to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"In exchange…"
"I'm short on capable hands. From now on, you'll live under a new identity and work for me in secret."
"So? What do you say? Are you willing?"
Orin extended the olive branch.
The fishmen's natural advantages at sea were unmatched, after all.
And according to Sammi's reports, some of Orin's subordinates had been getting far too unruly lately.
The Black Emperor… needed his own secret guard.