The final cleanup was quickly completed.
This war could only be described as a crushing victory. Tens of thousands of pirates had been wiped out, while Bright's side had suffered fewer than a hundred casualties. Most had only been injured, and the number of unfortunate deaths had barely reached double digits.
In these deep waters, the fish-men's advantage was simply enormous.
Achieving such a victory so soon after officially beginning their work was truly a great boost to morale.
At the very least, the fish-men were all extremely excited.
Bright, however, found it somewhat regrettable.
Although their losses had been pitifully small, fish-men had still died.
Bright knew this was war, but thinking of how his compatriots, who had respectfully called his name just before, had now become cold corpses made him feel rather miserable.
They still had to become stronger.
Both he and the soldiers did.
Only by becoming stronger could they avoid loss.
And so, with the merchants who had come from afar in tow, the victorious army began its return journey.
On the merchant fleet surrounded by fish-man warriors and sea beasts, the merchants were deeply afraid.
Giant monsters and murderous-looking fish-men surrounded them. Though they had now decided to cooperate, this was by no means a pleasant experience.
Fortunately, Fish-Man Island was already close.
The soldiers guarding the gate erupted the instant they saw their returning comrades.
"They're back!!"
"Did they win? Did we win?"
"Of course we won! Aren't Brother Bright and Brother Jinbe standing on top of the sea beasts?"
Cheering and jumping with excitement, the soldiers rushed forward to welcome their victorious comrades.
"What is the meaning of this? You're guarding the gateway to this nation!"
Standing atop a sea beast at the front of the formation, Bright loudly rebuked them. "Perform your