Rumble!
The red dragon crashed into the forest, toppling rows of trees. It skidded for more than ten meters before coming to a stop. The red dragon's head drooped, its eyes rolled up, and it looked at Bege with terror.
"Its physical strength is decent, comparable to some Sea Kings," Bege commented, patting the red dragon's head. The dragon lowered its head further, not daring to make a sound.
Bege looked up and happened to see another person in the forest.
Or rather, a Fish-man.
A red-skinned Sea Bream Fish-man.
He had a full head of thick, curly hair, a bandana tied around his head, a wide mouth, and a full beard, with a bit of stubble on his upper lip.
He looked like a traveler on a journey.
The two made eye contact. Bege raised an eyebrow, hopped off the dragon's head, and walked over.
The Fish-man's expression was clearly a bit stiff, even wary.
"I didn't expect to run into a Fish-man on this deserted island. Hello, my name is Capone Bege," Bege introduced himself amicably.
The Fish-man nodded emphatically and hurriedly replied, "I know you. The famous Demon Dragon, Captain of the Fire Tank Pirates."
"Looks like my reputation is quite widespread if even your Fish-Man Island knows of me," Bege laughed.
Bege looked at him with interest. "I've introduced myself. Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
The Fish-man looked a little flustered and quickly introduced himself, "How rude of me. My name is Fisher Tiger, from Fish-Man Island."
So, it really is that legendary figure.
Bege's smile widened. He had found the Fish-man familiar at first glance and had already made a guess, which was why he had proactively approached him.
Just as he suspected, this was the man who would later become famous as Fisher Tiger, captain of the Sun Pirates, the legend who would single-handedly climb the Red Line to the World Government's Holy Land, Mary Geoise, and liberate thousands of slaves.
Fisher Tiger was a tragic figure. He shared Queen Otohime's ideals, hoping for peaceful coexistence between humans and Fish-men. However, during one of his final journeys, he was captured and enslaved. After being imprisoned and abused for three long years as a slave, he fully witnessed the madness of humanity.
Ultimately, he chose to climb the Red Line with his bare hands, break into the Holy Land Mary Geoise, free thousands of slaves, and form the Sun Pirates.
While escorting a human slave girl back to her hometown, he was betrayed by humans. Severely wounded, and hating humanity so much that he swore never to accept a human blood transfusion, he eventually died from blood loss.
Thus, a generation's Fish-man leader met a tragic end.
The Fisher Tiger before him now, however, likely hadn't yet been captured and enslaved.
"To meet on this vast sea means we're fated. How about a drink together?" Bege invited Fisher Tiger with a grin.
"It would be my honor to drink with Mr. Demon Dragon," Fisher Tiger nodded seriously.
Bege raised an eyebrow and glanced back. The red dragon was slowly, inch by inch, trying to sneak away.
Catching Bege's glare, it immediately shrank its neck, not daring to move an inch.
"If you dare try to run again, we're having dragon meat for lunch."
The red dragon was quite intelligent and understood Bege's meaning. It quickly shook its massive head.
In the dense forest, Bege and Fisher Tiger sat drinking together. A large tiger was roasting over a fire nearby. The red dragon lay to one side, not daring to move, occasionally breathing fire onto the roasting tiger.
Bege casually sliced off several large chunks of tiger meat from the whole roast and tossed them to Fisher Tiger, then suddenly asked, "Tiger, what are your thoughts on the relationship between humans and Fish-men?"
Fisher Tiger put down the tiger meat and fell into thought, perhaps pondering the meaning behind Bege's words, or perhaps considering how to answer his question.
Bege continued, speaking as if to himself, "Actually, I quite agree with Queen Otohime's advocacy. Fish-men should coexist with humans and develop peacefully."
"You know of the Queen too?" Fisher Tiger looked somewhat shocked and surprised.
Bege smiled and said, "How could I not? She is the true hero of Fish-Man Island and a key figure in changing its history. She will lead Fish-Man Island from destruction to rebirth and peace."
"Fish-Man Island will be destroyed?" Fisher Tiger's expression was shaken. He looked at Bege with horror, hoping for an explanation.
Bege tossed a piece of tiger meat into his mouth, then sat down on a log opposite Fisher Tiger, saying calmly, "Do you understand the current world situation?"
"If Fish-Man Island continues to antagonize humans, and the conflict between the two sides keeps escalating, it's highly possible that Fish-Man Island will be destroyed."
Fisher Tiger seemed to understand the implication in Bege's words, but his face contorted with pain.
"But human traffickers sneak into Fish-Man Island every year to capture Fish-men as slaves. How can we Fish-men still love humans?"
"Tiger, do you know the fundamental reason for all of this?" Bege's expression turned serious.
"Human greed?" Fisher Tiger finally choked out.
"That is an inherent flaw of humanity. No, it's an inherent flaw of all races. As long as they are intelligent beings, intelligent races, every single one of them possesses this flaw. Don't tell me your Fish-men don't. A race that doesn't exhibit such flaws simply hasn't had enough power. If your Fish-men were to one day replace the World Government and control the entire world, you too would become as greedy, cruel, and indulgent as humans are now. All these base natures are infinitely amplified by racial strength and power, overcoming conscience and kindness, creating countless painful tragedies."
Fisher Tiger was speechless, lost in thought. Bege continued on this topic.
"Guess which group of people exemplifies this inherent flaw to the fullest?" Bege looked at Fisher Tiger with a half-smile.
"The Celestial Dragons!" Fisher Tiger's tone was extremely heavy.
"Exactly. It's them. A bunch of worthless trash who fancy themselves superior to all other races," Bege burst out laughing.
Fisher Tiger stared at Bege in shock. He had adventured on the seas for several years but had never heard anyone speak of the lofty Celestial Dragons in such a way. Even those who were dissatisfied with them wouldn't dare voice it, unlike Bege, who openly disdained them.
"Do you know why the Celestial Dragons can act so unscrupulously in this world? Even if they kill people, enslave other races, and commit all sorts of evil deeds, they can still sit leisurely in their high and mighty Holy Land, Mary Geoise?"
Bege leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Fisher Tiger.
"Because they are powerful," Fisher Tiger uttered, his expression complex.
"Bingo! You got it right," Bege said with a snap of his fingers, praising him.
"Because they are powerful, they can suppress all other races. Because they are powerful, they can act without restraint."
"So, back to the main point. Do you now understand why hundreds, even thousands, of Fish-men are captured by human traffickers every year?"