The Sea Held More Than Marines and Pirates

Several days later.

Hachi's injuries have completely stabilized, and the Sun Pirates has raised its sails again.

Fisher Tiger summoned the Fish-Man to the deck.

There's something I'd like to discuss with everyone.

"Brother Fisher Tiger, you're right."

Arlong crossed his arms, looking completely unconcerned.

"Koala was taken home, but the villagers reported us. Luckily, her mother warned her in advance, otherwise we would have been trapped in the village."

Fisher Tiger paused for a moment. "Ron from the Navy let me go for the second time."

"Later, Hachi was injured, and a complete stranger, a human Doctor, saved him."

Arlong's face darkened. "Why bring up that navy guy...?"

Hachi glanced at his stomach furtively and chuckled, "Arlong, does your injury still hurt?"

"Shut up!"

Fisher Tiger chuckled and pointed to the Rising Sun Flag on the mast.

"In the past, we only helped people we encountered on the street. Going forward, I want to find more places where people need our help."

"If a merchant ship encounters pirates, we will escort it if we can; if someone is kidnapped and sold into slavery, we will find a way to rescue them."

Jinbe nodded.

"But Brother Fisher Tiger, we only have this one ship. Can we manage it all?"

That's why we need to find more people.

Fisher Tiger pointed to the Rising Sun Flag on the mast.

"We only have one ship, how many routes can it operate on?"

"But what if there were ten or a hundred more ships willing to rescue people on the high seas?"

Jinbe paused for a moment, then smiled.

So that's what you were planning!

"Then I can teach them how to rescue people in the sea!"

Hachi raised both hands to interrupt.

"You should focus on healing your injury first!"

Arlong retorted irritably.

After thinking for a moment, he frowned again. "Wait! You don't still want humans on board, do you?"

Why not?

"Because of them..."

"The Doctor who gave Hachi a blood transfusion was also human."

Arlong Long choked on his words.

"Ron too."

"Can we please stop talking about that guy...!"

Hachi, suppressing a laugh, added, "The human Doctor even treated your stomach while he was at it."

I told you to shut up!

Fisher Tiger stopped laughing and his tone became serious.

"It's your business who you hate. But just because someone hasn't harmed you doesn't mean you can draw your sword every time you see a human."

"Furthermore, from now on, I will be the first to object to anyone who dares to lay a hand on innocent people."

After holding it in for a long time, Arlong finally mumbled an "Mmm".

He still doesn't think humans are anything special.

But when I thought of the Doctor in the clinic who rolled up his sleeves and said, "Check my blood," the words of abuse that were on the tip of my tongue just wouldn't come out.

Half a day later, the lookout suddenly shouted.

"There's a ship ahead calling for help!"

In the distance, a merchant ship had its mast broken in half, and the ship was tilted badly. The sailors clung to the ship's side and waved desperately.

Fisher Tiger had just given the order to approach.

Thump--

A man who looked like a businessman stepped on a wooden plank and fell directly into the sea.

"Help! I can't swim!"

Hachi tried to jump while holding onto the boat railing, but aggravated his shoulder injury, causing him to grimace in pain.

"Hiss!"

"Your injuries haven't healed yet, I'll go!" Jinbe grabbed him.

He hadn't finished speaking.

Thump!

A figure had already plunged into the water.

"Arlong?!"

Jinbe was stunned.

Arlong incredibly fast, grabbed the drowning merchant by the collar, dragged him back to the side of the boat in a few quick movements, and threw him onto the deck.

"Cough! Cough cough!"

The merchant spat out a mouthful of seawater, staring at him in shock.

"Th-thank you..."

Arlong wiped the water off his face.

"Thank me, my foot! You can't even swim, and you dare to go out to sea?"

Hachi opened his mouth wide.

"Arlong! You actually went out of your way to save humans?!"

"Who saved him?!"

Arlong glared at him.

"The boat is right here, are you trying to let him drown right under my nose?!"

"Ha ha!"

"Laugh again and I'll throw you down!"

Fisher Tiger stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the stubborn guy, and a smile slowly crept onto his face.

No one gave the order; Arlong jumped down on his own.

The Adventure Group helped the merchant ship repair its temporary mast and distributed drinking water and dry rations before continuing their voyage.

As dusk fell, Jinbe walked to the bow of the ship.

"Brother Fisher Tiger, how far do you think this path can go?"

"Have no idea."

Haha, you don't even know it yourself?

"What? You can't even try if you don't know?"

They both laughed.

Jinbe suddenly said, "Queen Otohime has always wanted humans and Fish-Men to live in peace."

"I know."

"You weren't very willing to listen to her talk about those things before."

Fisher Tiger gazed at the horizon, which was dyed red by the setting sun.

"She went to reason with people, while I led a team out to sea to rescue them. Our methods were different; we don't necessarily have to argue about who's right or wrong."

"When we get back to Fish-Man Island, I want to have a good talk with her."

Jinbe was taken aback. "You took the initiative to seek her out?"

"The past is the past."

Fisher Tiger glanced at him. "Can't people change?"

Of course!

Naval bases near Foolshout Island.

Ron stayed a few more days until the last batch of wounded soldiers were transferred and the operation report was completed.

He had just boarded the small warship that was preparing to return when Strawberry caught up with him at the gangway.

"Rear Admiral Ron, the report is ready."

"Hard."

"There's another question."

"Explain."

Strawberry hesitated for a moment.

"Rear Admiral, I understand that it's not advisable to pursue in deep water."

But I always feel...

What do you think?

"You never intended to actually catch Fisher Tiger from the beginning."

Ron glanced at him but didn't answer immediately.

"Those guys have never done robbery."

"I'd like to see if there are more men on the high seas who don't make a living by plundering, but are willing to lend a helping hand."

"If this really works, wouldn't it be more interesting than catching a few more pirates?"

Strawberry was silent for a moment.

"Understood."

He glanced down at the report in his hand.

"However, I have already truthfully written down the fact that the arrest failed."

"It should have been written truthfully anyway."

Ron smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

Please give my regards to my uncle.

"Yes!"

Not long after the warship set sail, the Den Den Mushi rang.

Master! When are you coming back?

Luo's voice carried a hint of resentment.

"Soon. What, you miss me?"

"Corazon asked twice! He said you must have gotten into trouble again."

"Tell him I haven't lost a single hair."

"Then why haven't you come back yet?"

Have you finished your pharmacology questions?

"Master! Why are you asking this again?!"

Ron laughed and hung up the phone.

I had barely put it down when another Den Den Mushi went off.

"Ron!!"

"Yes, old man."

"Where's Fisher Tiger?!"

They got away.

"I know he ran away!!"

Ron moved the microphone a little further away. "Then why did you ask...?"

"Try talking back again!"

Ron quickly flipped through the report from beginning to end. He only ordered the deep-sea pursuit to stop in order to avoid further casualties among the Marines.

Every single one of them is true.

The Sengoku remained silent for a long while.

"So you went there yourself, and Strawberry was there too, but you still let him go?"

"Yes."

"Boy, are you hiding something from me?"

"No."

"It was you in Mary Geoise, and it's you again this time. What a coincidence!"

Ron blinked. "I'm an ability user, I can't exactly jump into the sea to chase Fish-Men, can I?"

"Don't you know how to open doors?!"

"Old man, I know how to open the door. It's not like I can see where people are even hundreds of meters across the sea."

The Sengoku was momentarily speechless.

He knew perfectly well that if Ron really wanted to catch them, these few Fish-Man wouldn't be able to escape.

But as he flipped through another document in his hand, he couldn't bring himself to curse.

Over the years, the Sun Pirates has provided escorts, rescues, and supplies, and even helped a distressed naval supply ship.

There is not a single record of the massacre of civilians in the archives.

These merits cannot outweigh the sin of trespassing into Holy Land.

However, Sengoku also understood that this fleet was far from being the "ruthless pirates" the government described.

"Listen, a failed arrest is a failure!"

"Know."

"If the higher-ups ask, I can only explain it based on the actual combat situation and the risks of deep-sea pursuit, but that doesn't mean the matter is over!"

"Of course, thank you for your hard work!"

"Did you know all along that I'd have to clean up your mess?!"

"No way!"

"Roll!!"

Snap--

The call ended.

Ron leaned back in his chair, picked up his drink, and took a sip.

"Phew, I finally managed to fool them."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Report! Rear Admiral Ron! A strange small boat has been spotted ahead!"

"Pirates?"

"I don't know, there seems to be only one person on board!"

What does it look like?

"Like... a coffin?"

Ron paused.

"What the heck?"

He put down his cup and went onto the deck.

Under the sunlight, the small, dark boat slowly drifted closer with the waves.

The boat was long and narrow, like a coffin, with two green candles lit at the bow, their flames flickering in the wind.

A man was sitting in the middle of the boat.

A black top hat, a long trench coat, and a cross pendant hanging from his chest.

The enormous Black Blade behind him was almost as tall as he was.

Ron recognized the knife at a glance.

"Whoa..."

The man on the coffin boat slowly raised his head.

A pair of sharp, hawk-like golden eyes swept across the sea and landed precisely on Ron.

The two looked at each other across the sea.

Ron's lips curled into a smile.

Hawk-Eyes on the coffin ship also gave a faint smile.