Dozens of nautical miles away!
On a small island covered in vegetation, two tents had been set up some distance apart.
One of them was protected by Fish-Men.
"I see..."
After listening to Fisher Iron's account, Tenten finally understood what had happened in the laboratory.
Simply put, after Orochimaru abandoned the laboratory here, the supervisor had taken the opportunity to collude with Sea Country and launch a rebellion. In the end, the Fish-Men had successfully escaped.
In exchange for serving Sea Country, the Fish-Men had received protection, and the other side had promised to help them find a way to return to normal.
Then, they had run into several Akatsuki members earlier. Fisher Fire, the most promising among them, had been captured. Those people were searching for something and needed him to guide them.
At this point, Tenten's apparent mission was complete.
There was no way to take over the laboratory, because Sea Country and the Fish-Men had already dealt with it. Naturally, they did not want anyone to learn the truth.
"We can help rescue Fisher Fire, but on one condition..."
Having spent a long time at Tang Ping's side, Tenten's horizons had naturally broadened considerably. She also understood why he had made a deal with Orochimaru for this laboratory.
The Fish-Man race!
They were exactly the kind of race Blazing Sun Country needed.
Developing the resources of the sea would absolutely require this race and their technology.
Now that the laboratory had been destroyed, Fisher Fire—the Fish-Man with the greatest potential and mastery of the technology—had to be reclaimed.
The condition was that they would lead the Fish-Men into joining Blazing Sun Country.
As for whether they were willing?
They had no choice.
If Sea Country could keep them in check, why couldn't Blazing Sun Country?
They might