Enel was flying all over the world, dealing mostly with external threats.
For example, some reckless Supernovas who thought they could punch a Yonko and kick the Black Emperor—those who relied on strong Devil Fruits or special abilities—Enel would deal with them the moment they dared to stir trouble.
These kinds of people were sometimes too much even for his subordinates to handle, just like how one of Big Mom's Sweet Commanders would one day get beaten up by a Supernova.
But Enel had the map and list in hand. Wherever such trouble appeared, he would unleash a divine thunderstrike from the sky without hesitation.
Meanwhile, what Orin wanted Tiger to handle were internal problems.
For instance, Sammi had once reported that their informants discovered Doflamingo, Tesoro, and others were no longer satisfied with conventional development.
They had even started using abilities like the Hobby-Hobby Fruit and the Luck-Luck Fruit to secretly expand their power without reporting it.
Perhaps these ambitious men thought such matters were trivial and didn't require Orin's attention.
But to Orin, their troublesome antics were a headache—especially Doflamingo, the "Devil Fruit wholesaler."
Several major underground figures had already complained, saying Doflamingo was using his "holy favor" to squeeze them out of their markets.
Some even claimed he was using Orin's name to orchestrate coups and take over nations, leaving the World Government tied up and unable to act.
Tesoro was another problem.
Not only was he dissatisfied with the Golden City Orin had built for him, but he had also twisted Orin's intentions, turning his desire into an excessive obsession with wealth. He began squeezing every last drop of value from his guests.
Many who entered the Golden City had mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
Orin believed that Tiger, the powerful Fishman warrior, could be of use with a bit of guidance.
At the very least, he was stronger than Jinbei would be in the future as a Yonko's right hand. Tiger might even be able to touch the threshold of Admiral-level strength.
Given the Fishmen's natural physical gifts and their mastery of underwater combat, Tiger could easily step in and discipline subordinates when Orin was unavailable.
"You want to form the Sun Pirates? I won't stop you," Orin said calmly.
"But after you send the slaves back, you'll work for me."
Tiger froze for a moment when he heard this, staring at the ground as he fell into deep thought.
Orin didn't rush him. He knew Tiger would soon come to terms with the reality.
And just as Orin expected,
Tiger had no reason to refuse. Besides, Orin's conditions were already extremely lenient.
As the protector of Fishman Island, and as the benefactor who promised to shield all of his brothers, Orin had earned Tiger's gratitude.
For someone like Tiger, a man of honor, repaying this debt was non-negotiable.
Besides, working for Orin didn't stop him from pursuing his own dream the rest of the time.
So…
"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. If I survive this mission…"
"Orin-sama, from this day on, my life belongs to you!"
"Tiger-aniki!!!"
"Tiger!!!"
Jinbei and Arlong were at a loss for words, tears streaming uncontrollably down their faces.
They had already promised Tiger that, once he returned, they would form the Sun Pirates together, liberate slaves, and sail the seas freely.
But now, Tiger had shouldered all the consequences on his own.
"Alright, alright, no need to look so gloomy," Orin said lazily, waving his hand dismissively.
"It's not like this is a life-and-death farewell."
Orin ignored the brothers' emotional display and turned to Tiger with a question.
"By the way, do you have someone here named… Van… something Ninth?"
"Do you mean Vander Decken IX?" Tiger asked, recognizing the unusual name.
"Yeah, that's the one. Do you know where he is?"
"Well…"
Tiger knew roughly where Vander Decken IX was, but worried Orin might not know the way around Fishman Island. He was about to offer to guide him personally, but Orin waved his hand.
"Just tell me the general direction and distance."
The moment Tiger gave him the information, Orin vanished into thin air.
A few seconds later, he reappeared in the same spot.
"Y-you…" Tiger stammered, confused by Orin's sudden disappearance.
"Ah, nothing much," Orin replied casually.
"I just twisted Vander Decken's head off."
"…"
Everyone nearby broke into a cold sweat, unsure what to say.
Was he… really that terrifying?
He heard the approximate location, vanished for a few seconds… and killed him?
They didn't know it, but this was the core reason Orin could maintain his unshakable dominance over the seas with just an Emperor's strength.
It was also why the World Government feared him even more than the Ancient Weapons.
As for what Vander Decken had done to offend him… the Fishmen didn't know, and they didn't want to know.
...
Orin didn't ask Tiger to accompany him further. Instead, he said he wanted to take a walk.
He scanned his surroundings, already having a destination in mind, when someone unexpected approached him.
"Queen Otohime!!!"
The Fishmen and Merfolk immediately dropped to one knee, bowing respectfully. Only Orin and his companions remained standing calmly.
"There's no need for formalities," Otohime said gently, though she looked hurried and anxious, as though she had come with an urgent matter.
"Uhm… Orin-san," she said softly, her expression full of determination.
"I have something very important to ask of you!!!"
"Uh…" Orin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Looking at the kind and gentle mermaid queen, Orin didn't even need Observation Haki to guess what this was about.
"Queen, if you're here to ask me to help improve relations between humans, merfolk, and Fishmen," he said flatly,
"then I'm afraid you've come to the wrong person."
Otohime froze, stunned by the accuracy and bluntness of his response.
Indeed, Orin had influence across the seas, but her dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and Fishmen…
That wasn't something he could make happen.
Forcing people to get along through sheer strength was possible for Orin, but it was obvious Otohime would never agree to such a method.
Prejudice rooted in the heart couldn't be erased with a few words.
"How… how could that be…" Otohime whispered, visibly shaken.
She could sense Orin's cold indifference toward her cause, and her heart grew heavy.
She had believed that someone as powerful as Orin would surely have a way to make humans accept them.
If that were true, she would only need to focus on preparing the merfolk and Fishmen mentally.
But now…
"Sigh…"
Looking at the queen, kind to her very core, Orin felt helpless. With a wave of his hand, a small white shark Fishman boy suddenly appeared in his grasp.
"Still don't understand, Queen Otohime?" he asked quietly.
"Once the seeds of hatred are sown, there's no room for reconciliation. In the end, it always comes down to violence."
Orin looked down at the young Fishman in his hand—Hody Jones. The boy's feral eyes, full of malice, and his sharp, bared teeth made his point clear.
He clenched his hand slightly, and the sight made Otohime's pupils tremble in shock.
"Come find me again, Queen," Orin said coldly.
"When you've gathered the resolve to do what must be done."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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