Three-Way Cooperation

Ryugu Palace became lively. Jinbe, dressed in a Neptune's Army uniform, hurried along, the blue giant appearing as though he had practically run there.

Only when the familiar red figure came into view did Jinbe stop, tears welling in his eyes.

"Brother Tiger!"

Tiger had grown thinner, far more haggard than the strong, bold big brother Jinbe remembered.

Even beneath his cloak, Jinbe could see the dense wounds covering Tiger's body.

"Jinbe." Tiger looked him over as well. Seeing that his former companion now carried an imposing aura without even needing to show anger, he smiled.

"You've become a proper man."

Receiving the recognition of the man who had once been his big brother, Jinbe felt his throat tighten. He wiped away his tears, pretended nothing had happened, and immediately led the way.

"Come on, Brother Tiger. Lord Neptune is waiting for you. A lot of guests have arrived these past few days too."

"Oh?"

Tiger gave a puzzled sound. He had not returned to Fish-Man Island for several years. Although the scenery along the way was still familiar, it truly felt somewhat different.

As he followed Jinbe, Tiger could not help asking, "Jinbe, I read in the papers that the Whitebeard Pirates are going to place Fish-Man Island under their flag. What's going on?"

"Ah, that was His Majesty's and the national advisor's decision, so Fish-Man Island would have the strength to protect itself."

Jinbe answered seriously. After his battle with Kaido, he had truly understood the importance of strength—and just how vast the outside world was.

"National advisor?"

Tiger could not help speaking again. Just who was this national advisor?

Jinbe smiled and began explaining everything from the beginning.

"About a week ago, there was a..."

"Brother Tiger!"

Having just heard the full story and still marveling at National Advisor Mobius, Tiger heard another familiar voice beside him.

Looking up, he saw Arlong, who was practically bursting into tears.

Arlong pounced like a hunting shark and looked Tiger over from head to toe. Seeing that the man who had once been his big brother seemed much more hunched over, his rage immediately flared.

"Big Brother, what happened to your body? Was it those humans..."

"Arlong!"

Tiger raised his voice slightly, stopping Arlong's roar. He knew the kid's nature. Though hot-tempered and filled with hatred, he cared deeply for his companions.

However, Tiger still wanted to see a sea of peace and balance. In that hell, it was far from only fish-men who had suffered.

Mobius walked over then, with Shyarly beside him and the Whitebeard Pirates behind them.

After learning that Tiger had returned, the entire group had not even finished their coffee before rushing over in a swarm to see what was happening.

Tiger had just finished calming Arlong down when Namur lunged at him as well, leaving Tiger no choice but to comfort him with a laugh of helplessness.

After quite a while, Tiger finally settled everything. Just as he was about to ask something, he met Mobius's gaze, which held both appreciation and a hint of scrutiny.

"Hello, Fisher Tiger. I'm Mobius. I've heard of your great deeds, and I admire you immensely."

So this is Mobius?

Tiger studied him quietly. Mobius had already possessed outstanding looks, and now, enhanced by all kinds of Devil Fruits, he carried an even more powerful and mysterious aura.

After only a few glances, Tiger could tell that Mobius was extraordinary—a formidable man.

"No need for that, National Advisor. We are all part of Fish-Man Island."

Tiger spoke earnestly. Mobius smiled. As expected of the former big brother of Fish-Man District—he liked good people who knew how to talk!

"Then there's no need to say more. Tiger, I will make Fish-Man Island strong. I hope you'll lend a hand as well."

"Of course!"

Tiger agreed on the spot. Jinbe had already told him Mobius's plans.

If Fish-Man Island joined forces with the Giant Kingdom, Kuja Island, and the Whitebeard Pirates, Tiger could hardly imagine what kind of force they would become if they succeeded!

Amid laughter and conversation, Mobius pulled Marco and the others over to introduce everyone. Tiger also got to know the Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders.

"Everyone, let's head to Ryugu Palace first. Lord Neptune and the others are still waiting for us."

Seeing that they would not finish talking anytime soon, Jinbe could not help reminding them.

Only then did everyone temporarily fall silent before walking together toward Ryugu Palace.

At the entrance, Neptune had long been waiting eagerly with Otohime. The instant he spotted Tiger, he waved in greeting, his large orange furry face full of welcome.

"Tiger, you're back." Noticing Tiger's injuries, Neptune paused before sighing. "You've had it hard these past years."

"Your Majesty..."

Tiger's lips moved several times, but in the end, he could only force out an expression caught between tears and laughter.

The feeling of being comforted after returning home truly made him want to cry.

"Gurarara, you're Tiger?"

Just as the warm moment settled in, a booming voice suddenly rang out. Tiger froze and followed the sound, discovering a golden-haired little giant.

"Whitebeard?"

"Yeah, you know me."

Whitebeard laughed and nodded. Looking at Tiger, he was very pleased with the man.

From his mere presence, Whitebeard could sense this man's determination. If he continued on this path, perhaps he might possess that kind of potential as well.

At their first meeting, Whitebeard already felt the journey had been worthwhile.

Tiger nodded. He admired Whitebeard, but he did not humble himself before him.

Without saying anything more, everyone entered the banquet hall together. Neptune had already arranged a feast.

At the table, Tiger ate voraciously, practically stuffing himself as he replenished his nutrition.

Jinbe, Arlong, and the others said nothing, merely clenching their fists in silence.

Shakky pulled out a cigarette and silently lit it, allowing the smoke to drift through the air.

The silence lasted until Tiger set down his plate.

"Your Majesty, National Advisor, and Captain Whitebeard, what should I do now?"

Tiger asked with a smile. Ever since learning everything, he had known there was a reason they had called him back this time, and he would never refuse.

Then, under Tiger's surprised gaze, Shakky stood up first, her eyes dark and distant.

"Actually, I was the one who asked for you to return. There's only one reason. Among the slaves you rescued, was there a girl named Hancock? She has two younger sisters. The three of them should never be apart."

"Hancock?"

Tiger froze, immediately recalling three young girls in his mind—one with black hair, one with orange hair, and one with green hair.

"A little girl with black hair?"

"You know her!?"

Shakky's eyes lit up. Those were exactly the girls she had been searching for!

After some further discussion, Tiger understood. "So they're the heirs of Kuja Island?"

Though he wondered how people from Kuja Island could have been abducted, Tiger still nodded seriously.

"Among the slaves I rescued were quite a few of my own kind. With their help, many people chose to follow me, and I settled them on an island."

"Coming back this time, I also wanted to gather people and send them back to their homes."

Tiger had been a slave himself, so he could empathize with that sense of despair. He wanted to help them, at the very least let them return home.

The room fell silent. Whitebeard stared blankly at the red fish-man before bursting into laughter again.

"Send them home?"

After murmuring those words several times, Whitebeard made his decision.

"I'll help with that! Tiger, every fleet under my command will help you with this!"

No one understood the importance of family better than Whitebeard!

Tiger was stunned, then overjoyed. So this was Whitebeard?

Shakky smiled and shook her head. "Kuja Island will help you too."

"Thank you." Tiger stood and gave a bow.

"This matter is important, but we also need to consider something else. Not everyone has a homeland somewhere on these seas."

"So..."

Mobius spoke as well, turning toward Neptune and Otohime beside him.

"Neptune, can Fish-Man Island clear out some space to take in those who have nowhere else to go?"

"Of course, we'll also need to trouble the Whitebeard Pirates and Kuja Island."

Those who wanted revenge against the World Government, along with many women who had nowhere to go, all needed somewhere to turn.

Neptune fell into thought, but Otohime beside him did not think much at all. Her face filled with wild delight as she said, "Of course! Fish-Man Island welcomes any human."

Neptune could only smile wryly at that, but he still nodded in agreement.

"Mobius..."

Tiger murmured, his heart complicated. The national advisor had thought even further ahead than he had.

"Homeless, huh?" Whitebeard sighed, then said, "I welcome any child."

Shakky raised her hand as well. "Although Kuja Island only welcomes girls, we can do that too."

In just a few words, the matter Tiger felt he had to do found a direction toward resolution.

"Then only one thing remains."

"Tiger, bring them here."

"Yeah!"