Deep beneath the sea, on Fish-Man Island, the scent of salt lingered within the coral-built palace.
Fisher Tiger staggered into the main hall, his steps uneven as blood continued to seep from his wounds.
These injuries had been sustained while breaking through the blockade.
The freed Fish-Man slaves gathered around him, their expressions filled with relief from surviving, yet clouded with uncertainty about what lay ahead.
“Big Brother Tiger, are we safe?”
A young Fish-Man asked in a trembling voice.
Tiger wiped the blood and grime from his face, his tone heavy.
“For now.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“But the Marines won’t let this go.
We need to stay prepared.”
His gaze shifted toward the swaying seaweed outside the window, his brows tightly furrowed.
This time, the World Government had shown real determination.
The pursuit force they deployed was far stronger than anything before.
If Fish-Men did not have the ability to dive deep into the sea, escape would have been impossible.
As for the human slaves who could not follow him into the depths, their fate was obvious.
At the same time, near the Sabaody Archipelago, the Marine blockade was tightening.
“Over there, movement spotted!”
On a Marine warship, Sakazuki pointed toward a distant island, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
The warship surged forward, cutting through the waves.
Before long, several slaves hiding inside a cave were dragged out.
“Please, show mercy!”
A female slave dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she begged.
Sakazuki’s expression did not change.
He drew the blade at his waist.
“Those who defy the World Government will be executed.”
“Wait.”
Standing beside him, Kuzan raised a hand.
Ice instantly formed, freezing Sakazuki’s blade mid-motion.
“The Gorosei’s order is capture or execution.
There is no need to kill every single one.”
Sakazuki let out a cold snort and sheathed his weapon.
“Bringing them back only prolongs their suffering.
A quick death is mercy.”
In the end, the slaves were still shackled with Seastone cuffs and taken aboard the warship.
Similar scenes unfolded across the surrounding islands.
Those who resisted were killed on the spot.
Those who surrendered were chained together and driven like livestock.
Within just two days, out of nearly ten thousand slaves who had escaped from Mary Geoise, over two thousand had been captured, and more than a thousand had died during the pursuit.
The rest were scattered, but like trapped prey, escape was no longer within reach.
Inside a luxurious mansion, Cassian sat casually with his legs crossed, enjoying himself while Hancock peeled an apple for him.
Koala lay across his lap, using the scabbard of Ink Feather as a toy, tapping it lightly with her small hands.
Cassian took a bite of the apple and spoke lazily.
“Garling, how’s the situation outside?”
“How much longer is this lockdown of mine supposed to last?”
Saint Figarland Garling stood nearby, his tone steady.
“Reporting to Lord Cassian, the Marines are progressing smoothly.
Over 2,300 slaves have been captured, and more than 1,500 have been killed.”
“The rest likely won’t last much longer.”
Cassian raised an eyebrow.
“Efficient as expected.”
With two Admirals, three Vice Admirals, and a large fleet deployed, failure would have been embarrassing.
Hancock’s hand paused slightly as she peeled the apple.
“Those who are taken back…”
“What do you think happens?”
“Falling back into the hands of the Celestial Dragons, there’s no good ending waiting for them.”
“A beating would be the mildest outcome.
Execution is just as likely.”
Koala looked up, her small face filled with worry.
“Big Brother Cassian, they’re so pitiful.
Can’t we save them?”
Cassian gently rubbed her head but did not answer directly.
Instead, he looked at Garling.
“Garling, don’t you think this place lacks staff?”
“Koala is still young, and Hancock can’t handle everything alone.
I want to pick a few from the captured slaves to handle chores.”
Garling froze briefly before understanding dawned on him.
His expression shifted slightly.
“Lord Cassian means…”
Cassian spoke casually.
“Exactly what I said.”
“Pick some slaves for cleaning, housework, basic tasks.
I can’t be living here without people to handle simple things like serving tea.”
His words sounded ordinary, but the meaning beneath them was clear.
If slaves were to be selected, they had to be kept alive and in usable condition.
And if he was selecting them, the number presented could not be insignificant.
This was a signal.
Garling, sharp as ever, understood immediately.
This lord wanted to protect a portion of the slaves, but he chose to do it indirectly.
Garling bowed slightly.
“I understand.
I will arrange it immediately.
Suitable candidates will be set aside for your selection.”
Cassian nodded.
“Good.”
“Not too many, eighty to a hundred is enough.”
Garling fell silent for a moment.
Eighty to a hundred, and he called that a few.
Still, he said nothing and turned to carry out the order.
Some things did not need to be spoken outright.
Once Garling left, Hancock looked at Cassian, her expression complicated.
“You’re trying to protect them.”
Cassian tossed aside the apple core.
“Call it sending a signal.”
“Whether they survive still depends on their luck.”
He doesn’t intend to save everyone.
But lending a hand like this cost him nothing.
And once word spread that he intended to select slaves, the Celestial Dragons would hesitate before acting recklessly.
After all, over the past year, the more he had beaten them, the more they feared him.
Hancock glanced at him sideways.
“You really know how to disguise your intentions.”
Cassian smirked.
“That’s called solving problems without direct conflict.”
“I help people, avoid clashing head-on with the Celestial Dragons, and still come out looking reasonable.
Efficient, right?”
Koala didn’t fully understand, but hearing that the slaves might be saved made her smile brightly.
“Big Brother Cassian is amazing!”
Cassian pinched her cheek lightly.
“Of course.”
“When they arrive, I’ll have them make you cotton candy.”
Meanwhile, among the escort forces transporting slaves back to Mary Geoise, the atmosphere was suffocating.
The slaves were bound in chains, their faces pale with despair.
Suddenly, a member of the God’s Knights arrived and spoke briefly with the escort officer.
The officer’s expression changed immediately, and he nodded repeatedly.
Soon, a new order spread.
“All slaves who are not seriously injured are to be held separately.”
“They are not to be mistreated.”
“They will await selection by a Lord.”
The slaves were stunned.
“Selection?
For what?”
“Is there… a chance to survive?”
Though confused, the words “not to be mistreated” ignited a faint spark of hope.
The news quickly spread among the Celestial Dragons.
One of them smashed his cup in anger.
“What?
That Cassian wants to pick servants from these slaves?”
“Who does he think he is?
Those slaves belong to us!”
Another quickly pulled him back.
“Lower your voice.
Do you want him to hear you?”
“Last time, your uncle spoke badly about him and lost two teeth for it.”
The angry Celestial Dragon immediately fell silent, his arrogance shrinking.
“So we just let it go?”
“What else can we do?” another replied with a sigh.
“Even the God’s Knights accommodate him.”
“If he wants people, we can’t stop him.”
Frustration spread among them.
They had finally recaptured the slaves and were ready to vent their anger, only for Cassian to step in and take a portion away.
It felt like throwing a punch into empty air.
Yet no one dared oppose him directly.
They could only watch as the selected slaves were treated carefully, while they vented their anger on the rest, cautiously holding back to avoid drawing Cassian’s attention.
For a time, a tense atmosphere settled over Mary Geoise.
Inside the mansion, Cassian suddenly sneezed.
“Someone’s definitely talking about me.”
He rubbed his nose and glanced outside.
“I can already picture those Celestial Dragons fuming.”
Hancock snorted.
“They deserve it.”
Cassian simply smiled.
This move had saved lives while strengthening his influence in Mary Geoise.
It also annoyed the Celestial Dragons, which made it even better.
He stood up and picked up Ink Feather.
“Come on, let’s train.”
He looked at Hancock with a grin.
“I’ll make you lose soon enough.”
Hancock’s face flushed instantly.
“In your dreams.”
She kicked toward him, but Cassian dodged easily, laughing.
Soon, the sounds of sparring filled the training room, mixed with Koala’s laughter, pushing away the gloom from the outside world.
Meanwhile, the slaves set aside for “selection” waited anxiously.
They did not know what kind of master awaited them.
But at the very least, for now, they were alive.