"Detonating the Seas, Officially Confirmed!!!"
"The Black Emperor Appears on Fishman Island, His Move Is a Natural Disaster???"
"The Reckoning Begins, A Panicked Ocean!!!"
"Suppressing an Era, the Absolutely Invincible Man!!!"
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"How terrifying~ That man actually came back, huh~"
Inside the Marine conference room, Borsalino, dressed in a gray-and-white striped suit with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, was holding a newspaper, speaking in his usual mocking tone—
Completely oblivious to the heavy and solemn atmosphere that filled the room.
Just like him, Garp didn't seem to take it seriously either.
"Hoh hahahaha… That little pirate brat actually didn't die, what a pity!"
"Shut up, Garp!!!"
"That's Orin-sama!!!"
At the head of the table, Sengoku coughed lightly.
"This… Orin-sama's reappearance is, in fact, a good thing for our Marines…"
His official-sounding words echoed across the meeting room, but as the officers looked at Sengoku's grim expression, they couldn't help but grumble inwardly in unison.
Fake—
Clearly, deep down, he was wishing that man had truly disappeared, yet because of their positions, he was forced to respond with affirmation.
Sakazuki's expression barely shifted, the shadow of his cap hiding his face, giving nothing away.
Only Aokiji sat there, his body exuding a chilling aura, his frozen face dark as night.
Sengoku sighed. Seeing that Kuzan hadn't turned the entire room into an icebox like usual, he didn't bother to rebuke him further.
Instead, he turned toward Borsalino.
"The Sun Pirates were captured not long ago. That operation was under your charge, wasn't it, Borsalino?"
Hearing Sengoku's question, Borsalino put the paper down, his lewd face taking on a thoughtful look.
"Oh~ that's right~ But I only caught Arlong and the other fishmen. As for Jinbe and the missing Fisher Tiger, I really don't know~"
After hearing Borsalino's report, Sengoku folded his arms and closed his eyes in thought for a while, then sighed.
"Originally, since they had offended Orin-sama and the World Government, the Sun Pirates' destruction was inevitable. But it seems there might still be a turn of events."
He spread the newspaper across the table, revealing a picture.
"The Sun Pirates, Kneeling on Sabaody Archipelago for Seven Days and Nights"
"Dark King Rayleigh Intervenes: The Death or Survival of Fishman Island"
...
"This really is troublesome…"
...
Sabaody Archipelago, top floor of the Emperor's Mansion.
Looking out the window at the fishmen kneeling motionless on the distant coast for seven days and nights, Orin sat calmly by the window.
Beside him, apart from Mihawk and Crocodile, was an older man, his hair starting to turn white, sneaking drinks like a freeloader.
"If it's you, Rayleigh-san, then of course I'll give you this respect."
Clinking glasses with Orin, Rayleigh wore a helpless smile.
"Sorry, Orin. After all, Hachi and the people of Fishman Island once had ties and offered help to me and Roger. I had no choice but to step in this time."
Such was the power of human bonds.
As the link between Paradise and the New World, King Neptune wasn't only a close friend of Whitebeard but had connections with many from Roger's crew, even offering them aid in the past.
Though Orin had boarded the ship late and didn't feel much for Fishman Island personally, he still had to honor the face of the other old men—especially Sunbell-san.
Besides, he had never planned on doing much to Fishman Island anyway…
"Then let's leave it at that."
Tiger's disappearance in every sense, half of Fishman Island in ruins, and the Sun Pirates kneeling without food or water on Sabaody for seven whole days…
Taken together, if Orin still pressed them further, it would make him look heartless.
After all, he wasn't some tyrant~
The Black Sun flag would remain flying over Fishman Island. He'd just treat it as a step too far this time, granting Sunbell-san respect.
Hearing this, Rayleigh gave a sheepish smile, swiped a few bottles of Orin's liquor, and left.
Orin merely chuckled and didn't stop him.
After all, in another timeline, Rayleigh-san had been well taken care of by him.
"Tch…"
Once Rayleigh was gone, Crocodile, legs crossed on the sofa and exhaling smoke, smirked.
It seemed Fishman Island was off the table, so other forces would have to be cut down instead.
"Hey, Orin! Even if we let this fishman business slide, we can't overlook the others making moves in the shadows!!!"
"Alright, alright~ I know~"
With a snap of his fingers, the little maids in maid outfits and black-and-white stockings came over with fruit juice, respectfully massaging him and feeding him peeled grapes.
Adorned with pure gold jewelry, the still-youthful Lina and Mei whispered something into Orin's ear. Whatever he murmured back left them blushing and nearly fainting from excitement.
After teasing the little maids for a while and promising to visit Lina and Mei that evening, Orin turned back to the others.
"Speaking of which, what did you do with Bentham?"
He hadn't seen him since swapping places with him. Could Crocodile have killed him…?
"Ah… that guy?"
Crocodile thought for a moment and then smirked.
"His ability is quite interesting. I had him join my ranks."
So, still destined to become a Baroque Works member.
Orin had found his powers intriguing and thought they might be useful someday. He hadn't expected Crocodile's strategic sense to rival his own.
"More importantly, let's quickly settle accounts with the unruly ones at sea~"
Crocodile swirled his golden hook, his killing intent heavy.
Mihawk said nothing, but his sharp gaze locked onto Orin, clearly ready to act at a moment's notice.
After all, these past two years Orin had only dealt with the loudest upstarts. The subtle schemers had truly been overlooked.
"No need~"
Orin clapped his hands, a smile on his lips.
"For dirty work like that, I've found the perfect man."
As his voice fell, a tall, cloaked figure slowly walked in, his face hidden.
"You won't disappoint me again, will you, Tiger…?"
"Yes, sir!"
The towering figure knelt down, faintly revealing horrific scars across his body, his eyes filled with nothing but icy, merciless resolve.
"Thank you for your forgiveness of me and Fishman Island, Orin-sama… I will never let you down again!!!"
Even under Mihawk and Crocodile's scrutinizing stares, his expression did not waver—unyielding and firm.
Hearing this, Orin nodded, smiling as he tossed out two small booklets.
He looked forward to seeing a fishman warrior even stronger and fiercer than Jinbe or Sunbell-san.
"One contains the methods of training Observation Haki and Armament Haki (Ryuo). Take it back and study well. And as for the other…"
Orin's eyes turned cold and dangerous.
"Bring me back… Everyone written inside that second booklet."