In the end, Fisher Tiger chose to act.
He understood the cost.
The path to escape would be soaked in blood, and many would not make it out alive.
Still, when weighed against freedom, life itself became secondary.
He moved swiftly through the lavish halls of Mary Geoise, his massive frame weaving between towering mansions and ornate structures.
Soon, flames began to rise, spreading rapidly across the Holy Land.
The night sky turned red.
Smoke billowed upward, thick and suffocating, while screams and explosions echoed through the city.
The operation to liberate the slaves had begun.
Even though their conditions had improved in recent times, the collars around their necks remained, and the brand of the Celestial Dragons was still burned into their flesh.
Tiger knew the truth.
That fragile peace was an illusion.
Only complete escape meant freedom.
“Burn it all down!”
His roar cut through the chaos as he surged forward.
With Fish-Man Karate, every strike carried devastating force, collapsing walls and clearing paths.
Flames followed in his wake, consuming everything and dragging this so-called Holy Land into ruin.
Amid the destruction, slaves began pouring out of their quarters.
There were no chains binding them, no cages locking them in place.
A simple door stood between them and freedom.
That alone was because of Cassian.
Over the past year, his so-called inspections had terrified the Celestial Dragons.
None of them dared openly abuse slaves anymore, let alone keep them chained.
Ironically, his presence had made tonight’s escape possible.
“Follow me!”
Tiger crushed the guards blocking their path and pointed toward the edge of the Red Line.
“Jump from there!
Follow the ocean current and you can reach Sabaody Archipelago!”
The slaves hesitated.
In front of them stood a Fish-Man leading them toward freedom.
Behind them, fire and death closed in.
The hesitation lasted only a moment.
In this world, nothing outweighed freedom.
One after another, they ran and leapt into the raging current below, allowing the sea to carry them toward an uncertain future.
Tiger watched silently as his fellow Fish-Men and others disappeared into the waters, his expression unwavering.
Inside a luxurious mansion, Cassian sat comfortably by a window, idly turning a crystal-clear fruit in his hand.
It was a “gift” from a Celestial Dragon who hoped to avoid being beaten again.
The Swamp-Swamp Fruit.
Cassian had little interest in it.
His system abilities had not fully unlocked yet, but once they did, he could rely on far more versatile powers.
Compared to that, Devil Fruits came with too many drawbacks.
He glanced at the distant flames and smirked.
“Right on schedule.”
Tiger’s actions had been predictable.
Even if the situation in Mary Geoise had improved slightly, it changed nothing at the core.
Slaves were still slaves, and people in this world would always chase freedom.
“Brother Cassian, it’s really loud outside…”
“Relax, I’m here.”
He casually patted her head, then looked toward Hancock.
“Close the doors and windows.
Don’t let sparks get in.”
Hancock nodded quickly and secured the room, shutting out the chaos.
When she returned, she hesitated before asking,
“Aren’t we going to help?”
Cassian raised an eyebrow.
“Help?
Help them escape?
You think that solves anything?”
He leaned back, voice calm and matter-of-fact.
“Even if they all get out today, the World Government will hunt them down.”
“Most will die.”
“And even if, somehow, they all get away…”
He glanced at her.
“Do you think Mary Geoise would suddenly stop using slaves?”
Hancock fell silent.
Cassian continued,
“The Celestial Dragons need servants.
If this group disappears, another will replace them.”
“In fact, it’ll get worse.”
He tapped the armrest lightly.
“Right now, they’re scared of me, so they don’t dare bring in more slaves.”
“But once these ones escape, they’ll have an excuse to ‘restock.'”
“That means more victims, not fewer.”
Hancock lowered her gaze.
She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t refute it.
Cassian turned back toward the burning skyline.
“The most I can do is make their lives less miserable.”
“As for freedom, they either fight for it themselves…”
“Or rely on someone like Tiger.”
He paused briefly.
“And besides, we’re not going anywhere.”
As if on cue, a voice came from outside.
“Lord Cassian, by order of Lord Imu, you are to remain inside until the situation is under control.
We will ensure your safety.”
Cassian rolled his eyes.
Safety?
More like confinement.
He opened the door slightly and saw Figarland Garling standing there, alongside other members of God’s Knights, including Somaz, Saint Rimosse V.
Chilongnom, Gunko, and Lilian.
Their presence was firm and unyielding.
Cassian spoke bluntly,
“I don’t need protection.”
“I just want some fresh air.”
“Apologies, Lord Cassian.
Those are Lord Imu’s orders.”
Cassian clicked his tongue and shut the door.
As expected.
The moment things got out of hand, they locked him down.
Not because they feared for his safety, but because they feared what he might do.
Or worse, what would happen to them if anything happened to him.
He dropped back into his chair and raised his voice toward the door.
“If I can’t go out, I can at least make a request, right?”
After a brief pause, Garling replied,
“As long as it is within our capabilities.”
Cassian grinned.
“I want a sword.”
“A good one.”
“Preferably one that has eaten a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
A dragon would be nice.
Or a phoenix.”
He leaned back further, clearly enjoying himself.
“Oh, and it needs to fly.
I want to ride it around.”
Silence followed.
Outside, the members of God’s Knights exchanged looks.
A Mythical Zoan weapon that could fly?
What a headache.
Garling’s voice returned, slightly strained.
“Lord Cassian, that may be difficult…”
Cassian cut him off immediately.
“Can’t do it?”
“I guess I’ll just head out and find one myself.”
“I heard the treasury here has some interesting things.”
“Wait!”
Garling’s composure cracked for a moment.
“I will handle it.
I will find something that meets your requirements.”
There was no way they could let him roam freely, especially not into the treasury.
Cassian smiled in satisfaction.
He wasn’t entirely joking.
A flying Mythical Zoan weapon would be perfect.
And in Mary Geoise, such things were not impossible.
After all, the Gorosei themselves possessed Mythical Zoan abilities.
Even among God’s Knights, rare powers existed.
Saint Rimosse V.
Chilongnom wielded the Mythical Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model Kirin.
And Figarland Shamrock possessed a Western sword that had consumed the Mythical Zoan Cerberus Fruit.
In a place like this, absurdity was simply another form of normal.