CHAPTER 637: CHAPTER 156: THEY NEED MY SALVATION

"Darren-san...?"

Fisher Tiger stared, stunned into silence by the human statue that dominated Gyoncorde Plaza.

Gyoncorde was Fish-Man Island’s foremost stage for grand ceremonies and solemn observances, reserved for the highest honors. Even King Neptune had never set his own likeness there.

Yet now a human stood in bronze at its heart?

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it.

This is Fish-Man Island.

Could Darren-san have been telling the truth?

During his visit here, had he forged such a bond with Ryugu Palace and the Fish-Man race that even the islanders’ longstanding hatred of humans had softened—enough to raise a statue of him in Gyoncorde Plaza?

"Remarkable..." Fisher Tiger murmured, awe edging his voice. "Darren-san’s ties with Ryugu Palace are deeper than I thought."

He turned toward Ryugu Palace, thoughts racing.

Less than half an hour later he crossed the Connecting Corridor and arrived at the palace gates. The guards on duty recognized him at once, their faces breaking into smiles.

"Tiger-san, you’re back!"

"This is wonderful!"

"Yes," he said. "Please inform His Majesty that I request an audience."

They hurried to pass the word along. One chuckled as he went. "Tiger-san, please wait a moment. Ryugu Palace has been a whirlwind of preparations—everyone’s swamped."

"A joyous occasion?" Fisher Tiger asked, pausing. "What news?"

Gripping their trident-like spears, the guards grinned. "It’s His Majesty!"

"His Majesty is to be married! Ryugu Palace will finally have a queen!"

"Queen Otohime is stunning—like the Sea God’s own daughter! She’s radiant."

"And so gentle. She cares deeply for the lower districts on the island."

"They say Queen Otohime has already urged His Majesty to increase aid to the Fish-Man District after the wedding..."

Queen Otohime...

Fisher Tiger listened as they praised her grace and resolve, piecing together an image of a woman both gentle and steadfast. If the island’s future queen truly possessed the heart and wisdom they described, perhaps she could help the Fish-Man race through its present trials.

"Tiger-san, His Majesty Neptune requests your presence!"

A firm voice rang from the palace entrance.

Fisher Tiger looked up to see a figure with a turtle shell across his back and neat, upturned moustaches. Slight of build and unassuming at a glance, the man carried himself with a calm gravity.

"Minister Turtle," Fisher Tiger said with a smile and a respectful bow. "It’s been a while."

The minister, a pillar of Ryugu Palace and one of Neptune’s most trusted hands, returned the smile. "No need for formalities. Please, this way."

Soon Fisher Tiger stood in the grand banquet hall before the Great Knight of the Sea.

"Hahaha! Tiger-san, it’s been too long!" Neptune swept him into a hearty embrace, beaming. "Your timing is perfect. I’d like you to meet someone."

A graceful figure approached.

Long golden hair fell in waves, luminous in the glow of sea pearls. Deep blue eyes, warm and amused, shone beneath an orange, crown-shaped hairpin. She wore a flowing robe patterned with orange fish scales, cinched with a white sash.

"This is my beloved Otohime," Neptune said proudly. "In three days, we’ll be married here on Fish-Man Island."

Hand in hand with her, he added, "My queen, you’ve met Tiger-san."

A rosy flush touched Otohime’s cheeks as she bowed. "It’s a pleasure to see you again, Tiger-san."

Fisher Tiger bowed in return, a little awkward. "Your Majesty, Queen Otohime."

"Hahaha! You’re both too polite," Neptune laughed. "Come—the feast is prepared. It’s been far too long since your last visit. Let us welcome you home and wash off the dust of your journey."

Mermaid attendants glided forward bearing platters of delicacies and fine sake. Unable to refuse, Fisher Tiger took his seat; the cups went round.

After several rounds, he finally voiced the question on his mind. "Your Majesty Neptune... on my way here, I noticed the statue in Gyoncorde Plaza."

Neptune’s smile thinned. His lips twitched; his expression went stiff before he forced it back into place. "Ah. That would be Vice Admiral Rogers Darren of Marine Headquarters."

"When Vice Admiral Darren last visited Fish-Man Island, he helped drive off a band of villainous pirates and... he saved our island."

"To commemorate his deeds and friendship with the Fish-Man race, the minister proposed erecting a statue in Gyoncorde Plaza."

"I see..." Fisher Tiger said softly, pieces falling into place. "No wonder Darren-san spoke of his good relations with Fish-Man Island. I didn’t grasp the full story."

Neptune: ...

Minister Turtle: ...

"Wait, Tiger-san—so you’ve met Vice Admiral Darren?" Neptune asked suddenly, a spark of recognition in his eyes.

Fisher Tiger nodded. Pain shadowed his features. "I returned alive only because Darren-san saved me."

He gritted his teeth, seized his hood, and tore it back.

Tear—

The sound snapped through the hall. Faces drained; pupils shrank.

"This is..."

"The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon!"

They stared at the grotesque, blood-red brand seared into Fisher Tiger’s chest, stunned into horror.

Under their stricken gaze, Fisher Tiger began to recount—quietly, steadily—the hell he had endured.

---

Half an hour later, silence held the banquet hall. Neptune and the others sat with grief etched into their faces, still reeling.

"...That’s what happened," Fisher Tiger finished. His jaw was locked tight; his fists were clenched. "Your Majesty Neptune. Queen Otohime..." A fierce, burning resolve lit his eyes until his skin flushed red. "I will do everything in my power—even give my life—to save those poor souls who share my fate. The slaves in that earthly hell... they need my salvation."

Neptune looked as if lightning had struck him. Otohime exhaled a long, aching sigh. From the depths of Fisher Tiger’s heart, she heard a cry too heavy to bear.

"But I won’t act rashly. Not yet..."

As if the telling had eased a weight, Fisher Tiger steadied. His voice grew grave. "For now, Fish-Man Island still needs the protection that comes with my title as a Shichibukai. I’ll wait for the right moment."

"The Shichibukai inauguration is in less than ten days. When the time comes, I’ll do everything I can to secure the greatest possible rights for Fish-Man Island."

To be continued...