Two days later, at the Sun Pirates' secret base on some unknown island.
After waking up, Tiger picked up the cup beside his bed and gulped down a mouthful of water. Wiping the moisture from his lips, he looked at the IV drip hanging from his arm and suddenly froze.
"I... I'm alive!?" Tiger touched his chest, tightly wrapped in bandages, and could clearly feel its strong heartbeat.
Just then, Jinbe pushed open the door. Seeing that Tiger was awake, he was instantly overjoyed and shouted loudly. The fish-men of the Sun Pirates rushed over at the news, surrounding Tiger as they wept tears of joy. The entire room was filled with happy laughter.
After learning what had happened, Tiger kept a grim expression for a long while. The fish-men did not dare speak and simply watched him quietly. They knew their captain too well. They feared that, upon learning human blood flowed through his body, he would be unable to accept it and slit his wrists to bleed himself out.
"Where is that Marine captain? Take me to see him," Tiger asked Jinbe after a long silence.
"I'll go call him over," Arlong said, turning to run out the door.
"No. I'll go see him myself."
"But boss, your body is still too weak."
"Making our savior come to us is not the fish-men's way." Tiger stopped Arlong and, with Jinbe's support, climbed out of bed. Surrounded and supported by the fish-men, Tiger made his way to the shore.
Duke was lying on the beach, basking in the sun. Hearing movement behind him, he turned around and saw Tiger being crowded around by the fish-men. Red-skinned, with thick curly hair, a broad mouth, a full beard, and a little stubble on his upper lip, Tiger looked every bit the