On the deck.
The sea wind howled past, whipping up torn hems and soaked bandages.
Rock's gaze was sharp as a blade, giving Tiger no room to keep sinking.
"Fisher Tiger—!"
His sharp shout exploded like thunder!
"The ones who hurt you were never the entire human race!"
He stepped forward, and the deck trembled faintly.
"But those who hurt you!"
The air shuddered, and Tiger's pupils suddenly contracted.
"You don't have to love humans."
Rock's voice did not stop, pressing down step by step.
"But you shouldn't give up on children like Koala!"
"Boom—!"
Those words were like thunder, splitting apart all his chaotic thoughts.
"Living on isn't about forgiving the abusers."
"It's for the next generation that hasn't grown up yet!"
"For true peace!"
—Silence.
The entire deck fell into an eerie stillness.
Tiger's world began to collapse at that moment.
Chains.
Iron shackles.
Brands.
Blood.
Those memories carved into his bones, everything that had sustained his anger, hatred, and actions.
—Began to loosen.
Hatred should not be directed at all humans, but at the "abusers."
That distinction, simple yet cruel, left him unable to keep running from it.
His breath caught, and in his mind—
Koala's face appeared, her tear-streaked expression forcing itself into a smile.
"Thank you..."
At that moment, that voice weighed more heavily than any chain.
He suddenly understood that he had already made his choice long ago.
He had saved her.
Sent her home.
At that moment, he had already acknowledged it.
There were humans in this world worth protecting.
Tiger's hand began to tremble.
He suddenly realized that refusing the blood transfusion was not punishing those "perpetrators," but using hatred to punish himself.
—If he died, hatred won.
—If he lived, hope could exist.
"Boss—!!!"
Jinbe's voice broke completely as he rushed