The day the news of the Reverie's conclusion spread across the ocean,
The sea breeze of the New World carries a restless energy.
After the list of Shichibukai was announced, those nominated became targets overnight.
Pirates, like sharks smelling blood, surged forth from all corners of the Four Blues, launching sneak attacks, challenges, and encirclements—using every means at their disposal.
For no other reason than to eliminate the people on the list, thus giving himself a chance to take their place.
The first to suffer was the Chinjao the Drill.
This veteran pirate, with a bounty of 500 million, had already semi-retired, living a peaceful life near the Flower Country with his Happo Navy.
He practices boxing and trains his grandson every day, living a pretty comfortable life.
Once the list is announced, the peaceful days are over.
" Chinjao! Come out and face your death!"
"I'm going to take your head today and become Shichibukai!"
"Everyone attack together! No matter how strong he is, he's only one person!"
At first, the Chinjao didn't think much of it.
He'd been at sea for decades; what storms hadn't he seen?
Those few reckless pirates are easy to drive away.
But there were too many people.
Three will come today, five tomorrow, and a whole group the day after.
The patrol boats of the Happo Navy were harassed to no end, and several squad leaders were even ambushed and injured.
Sai, the grandson of the Chinjao, was so angry he jumped up and down. "Grandpa! Let me take some men and wipe them out!"
Chinjao waved his hand and didn't say anything.
But on the third day,
A group of arrogant pirates stormed into the Happo Navy's encampment, seized several ships, and injured several soldiers.
Chinjao finally couldn't sit still any longer.
"Back when I was in Roger's time, you guys were probably nowhere to be found!"
Chinjao walked out of the house, stood at the harbor, and punched the sea.
boom--!!!
The seawater exploded, creating giant waves tens of meters high that capsized the pirates' ship.
The pirates who were still shouting on the shore went weak in the knees when they saw this scene.
Chinjao jumped into the harbor and punched them one by one, like playing whack-a-mole.
A bounty of 500 million? That's what I was worth ten years ago!
He punched a pirate captain with a bounty of 80 million, sending him flying. The guy spun around in the air a dozen times before falling into the sea and never resurfacing.
" The Chinjao the Drill! It truly lives up to its name!"
Someone screamed and turned to run.
But the Chinjao weren't going to let them off the hook.
He chased them for thirty nautical miles, sinking all their ships before returning, cursing and swearing.
"You bastard, do you think I'm a pushover?"
In this battle, Chinjao killed hundreds of pirates, and his blood stained half of the bay red.
Once the news spread, the hot-headed pirates finally calmed down a bit.
But it's just "a little".
Chinjao's strength is undeniable, and most people wouldn't dare mess with him. But there are always those who consider themselves "different"—those notorious pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million—who are starting to stir.
The Happo Navy was harassed for a full half month, and even their daily training was suspended.
Sai couldn't take it anymore. "Grandpa! Just accept it! It's just Shichibukai, right? Accept it and you'll have peace and quiet!"
Chinjao remained silent for a long time, then sighed.
"What I hate most in my life is being a dog of the World Government. But for you little minions..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
When Marine Vice Admiral Momonga arrived with the invitation, Chinjao didn't even glance at him, simply taking the invitation and signing it.
"Signed. Get out."
The Momonga's lips twitched, but it didn't say anything and left with the invitation.
When the news spread that Chinjao had accepted the position of Shichibukai, the pirates finally quieted down.
It's not that I don't want to fight for it, it's that I can't win.
So they turned their attention to their next target.
Fish-Man Island.
After returning from Mary Geoise, Queen Otohime remained silent for several days.
She locked herself in her room and refused to see anyone. The atmosphere in the Ryugu Palace was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
King Neptune was in a panic, while the three Fukaboshi brothers stood guard at the door, none of them daring to go in.
Queen Otohime did not emerge from her room until the fourth day.
Her eyes were red and swollen, but her gaze was more determined than before.
"I will continue my speech," she said. " Fish-Man Island must join the World Government. This is the only way out."
Neptune wanted to say something, but looking into his wife's eyes, he couldn't utter a word.
"Okay." He nodded. "I support you."
Queen Otohime began giving speeches throughout Fish-Man Island, promoting the idea of peaceful coexistence Fish-Man and humans.
Some people support it, some oppose it, and some are indifferent.
Jinbe stood at the back of the crowd, looking at the princess's tired but determined face, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
He disagreed with the princess's idea.
The World Government? The Celestial Dragons? How could they possibly accept Fish-Man and mermaids when they treat them as slaves?
But he did not object.
Because the princess's gaze was so earnest, so earnest that one couldn't bear to discourage her.
However, when news of the replacement list for the Shichibukai arrived, Jinbe's troubles began.
Pirates who coveted the position of Shichibukai began to flock to Fish-Man Island.
Although Whitebeard and Roy's banners were flying, there were always those who weren't afraid of death—or rather, those who were blinded by the title of " Shichibukai."
" Jinbe! Come out!"
" Knight of the Sea Jinbe! I challenge you!"
The port of Fish-Man Island was completely blocked, and the pirates were rampaging around the island, smashing shops, robbing things, and injuring residents.
The guards on Fish-Man Island couldn't stop them at all.
Jinbe stood at the gate of the Ryugu Palace, his face ashen.
"Your Highness, let me make the move."
Queen Otohime shook her head. "We can't fight. If we fight, we'll create enemies, and Fish-Man Island will be even more difficult in the future..."
"Your Highness!" Jinbe interrupted her, "If we don't fight now, the people of Fish-Man Island will suffer!"
Queen Otohime opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
At that moment, a loud bang came from the direction of the port.
Jinbe suddenly turned his head, and through his Observation Haki, he sensed a familiar presence rapidly approaching.
"That is..."
"Brother Fisher Tiger!"
Hachi shouted excitedly.
At the port, the Sun Pirates ' ships are docking.
Fisher Tiger was the first to jump off the boat, his muscles tense and his eyes blazing.
Upon seeing the pirates causing trouble on the island, he threw a punch without saying a word.
Fish-Man Karate - Fist!
boom--!!!
A pirate captain who was smashing up a shop was punched and sent flying, crashing through the walls of three blocks and embedding himself in the rubble, foaming at the mouth.
The Sun Pirates here!
"It's Fisher Tiger! That Fish-Man with the bounty of 230 million!"
The pirates panicked.
Fisher Tiger didn't give them a chance to escape.
He led Aladdin and others in a purge on the Fish-Man Island.
The pirates were chased relentlessly, with nowhere to run. Some tried to escape by jumping into the sea, but were caught by the Fish-Man at the bottom of the ocean, dragged up, and beaten again.
Jinbe also joined the battle.
He had been holding in his anger for half a month, and he vented it all on these pirates.
Fish-Man Karate: Five Thousand Brick Fist!
With one punch, the three pirate captains were sent flying backward, crashing into the cargo piles in the harbor, scattering wood everywhere.
An hour later, Fish-Man Island was quiet.
Fisher Tiger, covered in blood—not his, but that of the pirates—walked up to Jinbe and slapped him on the shoulder.
" Jinbe, you're still so slow and indecisive."
Jinbe smiled wryly, "Brother Fisher Tiger, it's good that you're here."
Fisher Tiger snorted. "The captain sent me. He said Fish-Man Island needs help."
Queen Otohime approached and bowed deeply to Fisher Tiger: "Mr. Fisher Tiger, thank you."
Fisher Tiger waved his hand. "Your Highness, no need to thank me. But I must say something—"
He paused, looking into Queen Otohime's eyes.
The World Government will not accept Fish-Man Island. Never.
Queen Otohime's expression changed.
" The Celestial Dragons need slaves. As long as this need exists, they will not allow Fish-Man Island to join them."
Your speeches and ideas are worthless in the face of self-interest.
Fisher Tiger's voice wasn't loud, but every word pierced Queen Otohime's heart like a knife.
"Then... what should we do?" Queen Otohime's voice trembled.
"What to do?"
Fisher Tiger pointed to the top of his head.
"Those two flags above are the true protective shield of Fish-Man Island."