Bright had always known that even within the same race, people would not necessarily stand united.
Rather, internal strife was a common failing shared by all races.
He could never unite every Fish-Man resident around him. There would always be those who opposed him, those who wanted to be his enemies.
After the Sun Pirates disbanded in the original story, several of them had even become human traffickers, specifically selling their own kind to humans for profit.
They had once been members of the most glorious pirate crew in the world, the Sun Pirates—people who had followed Brother Fisher Tiger and fought for liberation.
Even the same environment could raise vastly different people.
Bright had understood that long ago.
But when traitors truly appeared among his own people, when someone stabbed him in the back, his mood still sank.
No matter what, he had always been fighting for this country and this race.
Reason told him it was no great matter, but emotionally, he still found it hard to accept.
"Kill them!"
Arlong noticed Bright's hesitation and suggested with a cold laugh, "Then announce it to the whole island and let everyone know what happens to those who betray their own people!"
The goal Bright had once promised him—a Fishman Empire unlike any before it—was already within reach!
Arlong would never allow anyone to destroy his dream!
"Send them to the mines instead."
Bright thought for a moment before speaking.
"Bright, you bastard!"
Arlong slammed a hand on the table, then realized that this was not something that should be made public and hurriedly lowered his voice. Even so, his anger could not be concealed.
"Why are you being so softhearted? Those traitors are not worth forgiving, and they do not deserve forgiveness!"
Arlong could not understand Bright's decision at