Fisher Tiger had only been given a light bandaging. Thanks to Barn, Jinbe and Arlong had arrived in time to support him, keeping him from suffering any serious injuries.
Aladdin helped Fisher Tiger over to Barn. Without saying much, Fisher Tiger pressed his fist against Barn's chest and said,
"Thanks, Barn!"
Barn merely smiled at his thanks, shaking his head as he replied,
"It's nothing. We're friends."
At Barn's words, a spark returned to Fisher Tiger's eyes, only to fade again almost immediately. Perhaps he had remembered that Barn was human.
After being betrayed by humans so recently, Fisher Tiger's heart was probably very fragile.
"Friends, huh? You know, Barn, I..."
Before Fisher Tiger could finish, Barn's Mind's Eye sounded an alarm!
"Danger!"
A laser shot toward Fisher Tiger!
Barn reacted immediately, pushing Fisher Tiger aside. But the laser still struck him. Barn's intervention kept it from hitting a fatal spot, but it pierced straight through the right side of Fisher Tiger's chest.
"Aagh!"
Fisher Tiger screamed and slumped down. Looking toward the source of the laser, he roared in fury,
"Borsalino!"
Between Fisher Tiger's words and the familiar attack that had struck him, Barn already knew who was responsible.
It was Borsalino, a Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters!
Adjusting his gloves, Borsalino slowly approached Barn and the others, speaking in an amused tone as he walked.
"The adults in that village you just visited knew there might be some trouble here, so they notified us in advance."
Supported by Aladdin, Fisher Tiger shuddered at those words.
Borsalino's gaze emerged from beneath his hat and settled on Fisher Tiger.
"Oh my, did I miss?"
Naturally, Borsalino had noticed Barn standing beside Fisher Tiger, his face livid, but he chose to ignore him. He continued addressing Fisher Tiger in that same