Ambush

He arrived at Marine Headquarters not long ago, and first went to see Luffy and his two brothers.

Fortunately, although he ate the Gum-Gum Fruit not long ago, it's already more than enough for Luffy to use for comedic effect.

Even in the Navy Academy where children of officers are as common as dogs, these three little ones, who grew up wildly from a young age, have become the undisputed kings of the entire school, and even senior students dare not provoke them.

"At my age, all I want is to retire peacefully. Unlike you young people, who can even force the Emperor of the Sea to retreat on your own!"

"That's really scary~"

Kizaru's face fell, and he groaned in despair.

"That..."

"Vice Admiral Borsalino, what about the Sun Pirates?"

Seeing that the two seemed determined not to stop their mutual flattery, Strawberry quickly interrupted them.

They have been tracking Fisher Tiger for three years, and Sengoku has urged him several times, but his superiors have always been perfunctory in their efforts.

With a boss like that, when will I ever get a promotion...?

"I'll leave this to you. I still have some documents to process."

Kizaru pointed to the empty desk and casually dismissed Strawberry.

"Fischer Fisher Tiger?"

"Can I join? I was involved in the Mary Geoise incident three years ago, and I'm quite interested in it."

The Grand Line, somewhere in the sea.

On the Sun Pirates' ship.

The Fish-Man were busy everywhere, and even the slender Koala was doing her best to contribute her meager strength. The ship was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

"Hey! Koala, you don't need to bother. This is a farewell banquet we've specially prepared for you. You're the star of the show today!"

"Yes, yes, we'll be parting ways soon. Remember to think of us! Hahaha!"

The crew members, who were busy preparing ingredients for the banquet, teased Koala.

"Yes! I will never forget you all..."

"I will tell the villagers!!"

There are many good people among the Fish-Man!

Koala nodded emphatically, her face beaming with joy.

Unlike when she first boarded the ship, Koala had completely changed.

Her clothes were clean and tidy, her expression was no longer empty and numb, but a genuine smile, and her whole demeanor gradually transformed into the liveliness that a normal child should have.

"Tch~ When you grow up, you'll be just like everyone else!!"

The Arlong standing nearby didn't hesitate to pour cold water on them.

Unlike the other Fish-Man on the ship, he never changed his views on humans.

This period of time spent together did not allow him to develop a deep friendship with Koala, and he dismissed Koala's claims with disdain.

"Shut up, Arlong!!"

"Arlong, you bastard!!"

The other Fish-Man, including Jinbe, glared angrily at the Arlong.

This guy.

He always likes to say inappropriate things in these kinds of situations.

"Brother Jinbe, you've changed a lot in these three years..."

The Arlong shook its head, its face still defiant.

"Think about it. If only one person in the village is spreading the message that the Fish-Man is a good person, is that meaningful?!"

"Just like Otohime's ideas, they're nothing but empty words!"

"Alright, Arlong, Koala's leaving in a couple of days, so don't say things like that in front of her."

Fisher Tiger was helpless; Arlong argued with Jinbe and the Jinbe almost every day.

He seemed to already see that if he were to die one day, the Sun Pirates would definitely fall apart!

"Also, I've managed to contact your family, and you'll be able to see your mother soon, Koala."

But now...

"Let's have a proper banquet first!!!"

"Oh--!! Let's have a banquet! Let's have a banquet!"

"Let's put farewells aside for now!"

"Yes, the most important thing right now is to hold the banquet!!"

Chapter 229 Ambush

A secluded corner of Foulshout Island.

A warship docked steadily at the shore, and a large number of sailors, carrying guns and knives, disembarked in neat formation.

Foulshout Island is only a medium-sized island, but its coastline is long enough to exceed the range of human vision, so the Fleet has no need to worry about being discovered during the upcoming ambush.

Leading the way was Kizaru's Aide-de-Camp, Strawberry, with Atlas naturally standing by.

Let's go back a week...

Upon hearing Atlas's request to participate in the mission to ambush Fisher Tiger, Kizaru showed a slight look of surprise.

"You want to see Fisher Tiger?"

"I guess so..."

Atlas shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

Without a doubt, Fisher Tiger is a hero, a true hero, and also one of the tragedies in Pirate King.

If possible, he would still like to invite him to visit the Impel Down.

Rather than dying with hatred for humanity.

"... If you want to go, there's nothing I can do about it, after all, we're at the same level."

After a brief silence, Kizaru finally acquiesced to Atlas's actions.

With Kizaru's tacit approval, Atlas successfully boarded Strawberry's Fleet.

"Vice Admiral White Hou, we're going to find the villagers on the island to ask about the situation. Would you like to come along?"

Strawberry tilted his head, seeking Atlas's opinion.

Although he, Kizaru's Aide-de-Camp, was nominally in charge of the Fleet, Atlas held a much higher position.

Even a symbolic inquiry is appropriate.

Although Strawberry may appear cold and aloof on the surface, seemingly unapproachable, she has a firm grasp of workplace etiquette.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have become one of the elite Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters ten years later, qualifying him to become one of the fifth Vice Admiral in Buster Call.

"Um..."

"Forget it, I'd better not bother you while you're working."

Atlas hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand in refusal.

In the past, it was simply a matter of finding out the arrival time of the Sun Pirates and scouting the terrain to facilitate an ambush.

He wasn't very good at this kind of thing, so he didn't get involved.

However, what he couldn't understand was...

Why did Fisher Tiger go to such lengths to inform Koala's parents in advance? Ultimately, it was because he still harbored a sliver of hope for humanity...

Even Atlas probably wouldn't have expected this.

He had kindly returned the child, but unexpectedly, he was reported by the villagers and ended up being ambushed by the navy and seriously injured.

"I'm going back to the warship to get some sleep. Just call me if you can't figure it out."

After saying that, Atlas casually picked one of the three warships that had no naval personnel left behind and walked away.

Soon, the Sun Pirates' Pirates successfully arrived at Foulshout Island.

"Koala!"

"We've disembarked; we've arrived in your hometown..."

Fisher Tiger reached out his large, webbed hand and stroked Koala's neat, short hair, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

BOOM--!!

The gangway was lowered, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Fisher Tiger and Koala disembarked from the Pirates ship one after the other.

"Oh my gosh, don't go, Koala ~~ Let's continue sailing together~~~"

"What a good child, even though he's human..."

"Hey! You guys, stop crying!"

Seeing Koala's departing figure, the emotionally sensitive Fish-Man burst into tears.

"Which village do you live in? I'll take you to the entrance."

Fisher Tiger looked at the overjoyed Koala, a hint of tenderness appearing on his otherwise fierce face.

Although he had witnessed too much of the dark side of humanity over the past three years.

However, there are also those like Koala who remain friendly to them after interacting with them, but children still make up the largest proportion of them.

They wanted to eliminate the divide between humans and Fish-Man.

Hope ultimately lies in the next generation, who have not yet been exposed to calligraphy and painting.

Thank you everyone--!!!

Koala shouted to the people on the boat, then turned and ran after Fisher Tiger with her short legs.

A short while later.

Although Koala was very young when she was abducted and enslaved, she was guided by her fading memories.

Fisher Tiger quickly arrived at the entrance of her village.

Men, women, and children flocked to the scene.

Seeing that Fisher Tiger was alone, he was taken aback at first, and then a deep sense of wariness appeared in his eyes.

Fisher Tiger didn't mind; after all, he had become accustomed to such looks from humans during his years at sea.

"Dad, Mom!!"

As Koala looked at the two familiar figures at the front of the group of villagers, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Koala? Is... it really you? Waaaaaah--!!"

Upon seeing Koala, the woman could no longer contain her emotions and embraced her tightly, bursting into tears.

"..."

Seeing this long-awaited reunion, Fisher Tiger unconsciously revealed a smile.

He then turned and walked off the island.

"Thank you--!!"

Koala's tearful shouts came from behind him. He didn't turn around, but simply raised his hand and waved goodbye.

However, just as Fisher Tiger walked into a forest full of giant Cactus...