Within the raging current beneath the Red Line, Fisher Tiger led the final group of slaves through their escape.
He glanced back as the pursuers rapidly closed in, his expression darkening.
“You all go ahead.
I’ll hold them off!”
Without hesitation, he turned to face the incoming forces.
This time, however, the enemy was far more overwhelming than before.
Several Marine Vice Admirals had already arrived, accompanied by numerous members of CP.
Worse still, one of the Gorosei had personally taken the field.
A masked CP agent sneered.
“Fisher Tiger, surrender now.”
“You dare set fire to the Holy Land and attempt to escape with slaves.
Do you understand the weight of your crimes?”
Tiger’s lips curled in disdain.
“Crimes?
What crime have I committed?”
“It is you who enslave others that are the real criminals!”
He leapt forward, unleashing the full force of Fish-Man Karate.
Seawater condensed into a massive fist in his palm, crashing toward the enemy ranks with explosive force.
The battle erupted instantly.
Despite his strength, Tiger was quickly pushed into a disadvantage under the pressure of so many high-level opponents.
He understood the situation clearly.
If this continued, he would not only fail to protect the slaves, he would lose his life as well.
“I need an opening…”
His gaze swept across the battlefield, searching for any chance to break through.
At that moment, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn shouted coldly,
“Move faster.
Capture every single slave.”
“I want them brought back alive.
If not, their corpses will suffice.”
“Not one of them is allowed to spread the secrets of Mary Geoise.”
Tiger’s eyes narrowed.
“Secrets…”
Fragments of what he had seen during his infiltration resurfaced in his mind.
The slaves had collars, yet they moved freely.
The Celestial Dragons had shown an unusual restraint.
Something was wrong.
Those who had witnessed it could not be allowed to live freely.
“So that’s it…”
Rage surged within him.
“You monsters!”
His attacks became even more ferocious.
“You want to silence them?
It won’t be that easy!”
He endured a direct hit to force open a gap, then shouted toward the remaining slaves,
“Jump now!
Our people are waiting below the current to receive you!”
Without hesitation, the remaining slaves leapt into the rushing waters one after another.
Then, multiple attacks locked onto him at once.
Inside the mansion, Cassian sat quietly, sensing the distant battle through Observation Haki.
His expression tightened slightly.
Hancock approached, concern flickering in her eyes.
“We’re really not going to help?
He’s risking everything for them…”
Cassian shook his head.
“We can’t.”
“There are six members of God’s Knights right outside.”
“If I try to force my way out, they’ll shut me down instantly.”
His tone was calm, grounded in reality.
Although he had begun to grasp all three types of Haki, he was nowhere near strong enough to handle that level of force.
Without power on the level of an Admiral, stepping out now would be troublesome.
Hancock bit her lip.
“Then what do we do?”
“Nothing.”
Cassian spread his hands casually.
“Tiger chose this path.
Whether he lives or dies depends on him.”
There was no hesitation in his voice.
He respected Tiger, but not enough to risk his own life.
He had priorities.
Getting stronger, securing resources, and leaving this place on his own terms.
As for Tiger and the slaves, he let out a quiet breath.
Everyone had their own path.
At the very least, his presence had indirectly helped.
By keeping the six members of God’s Knights occupied, he had reduced the pressure Tiger would have otherwise faced.
If those monsters had joined the battlefield, Tiger would have been crushed immediately.
Outside, the flames gradually died down.
The chaos faded, and Mary Geoise slowly returned to its artificial calm.
Cassian tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
“A Mythical Zoan weapon… something that can fly…”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“God’s Knights, don’t disappoint me.”
Tiger’s actions were nothing more than a ripple.
Mary Geoise ran far deeper than that.
If he wanted to survive here, and eventually take what he wanted, he had to keep playing his role, leveraging the authority tied to Imu to dominate those around him.
Freedom?
Cassian gave a quiet chuckle.
Without strength, that word meant nothing.
For now, staying put and waiting for his “order” to arrive was the smartest move.
As night deepened, the fires across Mary Geoise were completely extinguished.
But the truth was already spreading.
The escaped slaves, and the name of Fisher Tiger, would soon shake the seas.
At the edge of the Red Line, the currents surged violently.
Tiger’s silhouette vanished into the dark ocean below.
For a Fish-Man, the sea was home.
Once submerged, capturing him became nearly impossible.
“Pursue them!
Don’t let them escape!”
A Marine Vice Admiral roared from the cliffside, directing the fleet below.
Yet even he could not hide the frustration in his eyes as he stared into the abyss.
Soon after, an urgent order was transmitted from Mary Geoise to Marineford.
The command came directly from the Gorosei.
Deploy overwhelming force.
Zephyr and Sengoku were to mobilize alongside three rising powerhouses, Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu.
Their objective was absolute.
Capture Fisher Tiger and every escaped slave.
Alive, or dead.
Not a single one was to escape.
Marineford erupted in shock.
“Two Admirals and three top Vice Admirals, just to hunt one Fish-Man?”
“This is insane.”
“The order said all slaves must be captured or killed.
That’s the real issue.”
Confusion spread among the ranks.
Escaped slaves were not unusual.
But this level of response was unheard of.
It felt excessive, almost desperate.
On the deck of a warship, Zephyr stared toward the horizon, his expression grim.
“Capturing Tiger is one thing.”
“But executing unarmed slaves…”
His fists tightened.
Nearby, Sengoku exhaled slowly, his voice steady.
“This came from the Gorosei.”
“Those slaves must know something they shouldn’t.”
Kizaru shrugged lazily.
“Well, whatever the reason, we just follow orders.”
“Still, slaves that make the World Government this nervous… that’s interesting.”
Aokiji leaned against the railing, frost forming at his fingertips.
“Speculation won’t change anything.
We complete the mission.”
At the bow, Akainu stood rigid, his gaze sharp and unforgiving.
“Anyone who defies the World Government must pay.”
“Tiger included.
And those slaves as well.”
With that, the fleet set sail toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
A massive manhunt had begun.