On the training ground, the soldiers stood in neat formation, each one as straight as a spear. Even without any superior overseeing them, their ranks showed not the slightest disorder, nor did they make a sound. Their training over all this time had clearly borne results.
The soldiers turned their eyes toward Bright.
It made Bright feel as though needles were pricking his back.
By now, Bright could remain calm even when facing an opponent on Doflamingo's level. But before the soldiers under his command, he felt an extraordinary unease.
Had he betrayed their expectations?
Had he strayed from his original resolve?
He did not know how to begin.
What could he possibly say?
For the greater good of Fish-Man Island, please suppress your hatred for now?
Because the Celestial Dragons could not be offended, please forget the humiliation you had suffered?
Actually saying such words aloud was far more difficult than he had imagined.
"Report!"
At that moment, a soldier shouted almost at the top of his lungs.
"..."
Bright hesitated for a moment. "Speak!"
Was he about to bring up shielding the Celestial Dragons?
"Director Bright, I request to ask you a question!"
The soldier roared hoarsely.
"Ask!"
Bright took a deep breath.
No matter what, even if these guys beat him senseless today, he still had to make them endure for the time being.
Master Tom had been right. There were not so many perfect things in this world.
More often than not, all they could do was compromise with reality.
"We know what consequences attacking a Celestial Dragon would bring! Fish-Man Island cannot bear them yet!"
Veins bulged across the soldier's face, and his body trembled with every furious shout.
Bright's eyes gradually widened.
He heard something different.
"The Immigration Bureau's duty is to protect Fish-Man