The World's Most Heinous Criminal?
Nagato raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this formidable man, who had struck him as so dignified, to have a title like that.
"Pain!"
Nagato answered. Though Dragon seemed well-intentioned, he didn't want to beat around the bush, so he asked outright,
"What brings you here?"
"We've heard that Fish-Man Island plans to relocate some of its people to the surface. The Revolutionary Army is willing to help! And we won't exploit Fish-Man Island the way the World Government does."
Could something this good really be true? Queen Otohime didn't believe it, so she asked directly,
"I've heard of the Revolutionary Army. They say you're a wicked organization that overthrows the governments of multiple countries. What do you want from us Fish-Men?"
Dragon wasn't angered by the label "wicked organization." He merely shook his head slightly.
"Many humans also believe Fish-Men are an evil race, Queen Otohime. But I think that truly understanding something requires seeing it for yourself."
Dragon turned to glance at Nagato, then continued:
"We're an organization with ideals of our own.
"It's true that we've overthrown governments, as you said. But the nobles we toppled were oppressing the common people. Can nobles really represent an entire country?
"From the World Government's point of view, we're 'evil.' But from the perspective of the common people being oppressed, we're on the side of justice.
"Of course, we didn't come here today to argue over whether the Revolutionary Army is 'evil.' We came to help you Fish-Men. We're willing to unite with every friend we can.
"In the eyes of the Revolutionary Army, Fish-Men and merfolk are people too—intelligent beings just like us!"
Dragon's heartfelt words left Queen Otohime deep in thought.
After a long while, Queen Otohime asked calmly,
"Why should I trust