The Oro Jackson was coated in a shimmering bubble membrane and slowly descended into the mysterious depths of the sea.

Onboard, Shanks and Buggy were running about in excitement. This was their first time visiting Fish-Man Island and the first time for the Roger Pirates as well. For six long years, the crew had been wandering in search of the Poneglyphs, letting fate guide their journey.

Gigantic Sea Kings, colossal and majestic, cruised past them like ancient guardians of the abyss. Their massive bodies stirred powerful currents, making the ship rock gently with each passing. The sight left Shanks and Buggy utterly spellbound.

But not a single Sea King dared attack the Oro Jackson.

Sea Kings: Do I look like an idiot to you? There are dozens of monsters on that ship not even trying to hide their aura. You think I'm gonna charge in? No thanks.

Buggy danced around, eyes wide with wonder. "Whoa! Glowing fish! Look, Shanks!"

Shanks was speechless, mesmerized by the breathtaking view. It took him a moment to exclaim, "This place is beautiful! Sugoi!"

The Oro Jackson docked at a harbor on the edge of Fish-Man Island. The air was thick with tension so thick it felt like it could be wrung out like a wet towel. Residents of the island gathered at a distance, watching warily with mixed expressions of fear, disgust, and hostility. Several soldiers from Ryugu Kingdom stood guard with tridents in hand, barring the ship's path with icy glares.

"Human pirates, leave immediately!" barked the lead soldier. "Fish-Man Island doesn't welcome your kind!"

Shanks and Buggy leaned over the ship's railings, curiously studying the fish-men unlike anything they'd seen before.

"Why are they so mean?" Buggy whispered.

Rayleigh adjusted his glasses and replied in a low voice, "The fish-men have been enslaved by humans for generations. Their hatred isn't without cause."

But Roger merely laughed, unfazed, and strode forward with his signature grin. "Kuhahaha! Don't be so tense we're just passing through! Just need to stock up on fresh water and food!"

The fish-man soldiers exchanged doubtful glances. One of them snapped, "Humans lie! For all we know, you could be slavers!"

At that moment, Ritter released a faint wave of Conqueror's Haki. The fish-men trembled but didn't back down. Instead, they stepped forward.

Because behind them stood their people. Retreat was not an option.

A flicker of admiration passed through Ritter's eyes. So they have spine. Good.

Meanwhile, deep within Ryugu Palace, the atmosphere was equally heavy.

An aging king the father of Neptune sat slouched on his throne, wearied by years of worry. Around him, his ministers were locked in a fierce debate.

"Your Majesty, it's more human pirates!" roared one minister. "Slave traders have been active again. We cannot allow them ashore! No human can be trusted!"

Another, more composed, said cautiously, "But this is the Roger Pirates... They haven't attacked. Perhaps we can observe first. If they really want to fight, we don't have the power to stop them."

The old king was silent, torn by indecision. Finally, he sighed and spoke in a tired voice:

"I'll greet them myself. If they mean harm, I'll drive them away. We must not endanger Fish-Man Island… but this might also be a chance."

His decision was conservative but in these uncertain times, it was the wisest path.

At the same time, in the dark corners of the Fish-Man District

A 24-year-old Fisher Tiger stood with clenched fists. Rage burned in his chest: rage at his own powerlessness, rage that he couldn't protect his people from being abducted.

"Here to take more of us, huh? I won't let them," he growled, his voice low and resolute.

Beside him, a young Jinbe followed solemnly. "Big Brother Tiger, should we rally the brothers? We can't let them trample over us."

His eyes gleamed with fierce determination ready to fight, to protect his kind.

Arlong, fuming, snapped, "Damn humans! Let's crush them! I'll rip them apart!"

Tiger placed a hand on Arlong's shoulder, steadying him. Now the leader of the district, he had to act with caution.

"That's the Roger Pirates," he said grimly. "One of the most infamous crews on the seas. Hide the kids immediately. None of you come with me I'll go alone."

Tiger knew if they really were slavers, sending more men would only mean more deaths. It was better to conserve strength to protect the children.

Back at the port, the Roger Pirates attempted to buy supplies, but were met with shut doors and sour glares. Some vendors even threw rotten fish at them.

"We're not bad guys, damn it!" Buggy shouted, hopping mad.

Shanks tugged on his sleeve. "Don't, Buggy… it won't help."

Just then, a commotion broke out nearby.

"Help! Let me go!"

A young mermaid woman was being dragged away by masked men, struggling desperately. Nearby fish-men tried to intervene, but they were no match.

Ritter's eyes turned cold. "The slave traders have grown this bold? And the fish-men this weak? How can they protect their own?"

Roger's smile vanished.

"Hey, you—"

Before he could finish, Jabba had already cleaved down with his axe.

Shing!

A slaver was split clean in two.

"Bastards!" came a furious voice from Fish-Man District.

The slavers tried to flee, tossing the mermaid aside but Rayleigh was already behind them.

"Going somewhere?"

With a flash of his sword, several slavers collapsed, screaming. Rayleigh had only severed their tendons. The Roger Pirates had zero tolerance for slavers.

For slavers, there was only death.

Yet even then, the residents of Fish-Man District weren't grateful.

Instead, their fury only deepened.

Between the slavers and the fish-men stood a wall of blood, and the fish-men had built up a shield of hatred to survive. Maybe it wasn't fair but it was the only way they knew.

"You humans are all the same!" roared a tall red fish-man it was the young Fisher Tiger, stepping forth alone, eyes ablaze with fury.

"First you pretend to help then you turn on us! I thought the Roger Pirates were different. Guess I was wrong!"

"Wait! We're not—" Shanks tried to explain, but the fish-men had already taken up arms.

Roger scratched his head and sighed. "Looks like talking's not gonna cut it."

Just as the tension reached a breaking point—

BOOM!!!

Roger's Conqueror's Haki erupted in full force.

The air trembled. The ground cracked. Invisible pressure surged like a tidal wave.

Around him, fish-men dropped unconscious, white-eyed. Even Tiger was forced to his knee, teeth clenched not even targeted directly.

"What… what is this power?" he gasped, staring up in disbelief.

Roger withdrew his Haki and stepped forward, hand outstretched.

"We're really just passing through. No harm intended."

Tiger stared at him, fists trembling then slowly unclenched them.

All he could feel was helplessness. Like every time he arrived too late to save a captured friend. Like the weight of failure that never went away.

That guilt was eating him alive.

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