"Porta salmon unique to Sabaody Archipelago, cured with spices found only on the Red Line. If I remember correctly… that dish is favored by World Government officials—even by the Celestial Dragons themselves."
Roldy leaned back in his chair.
"So the question is, Mr. Tiger… as a wandering adventurer—and a Fish-Man at that—how did you learn this recipe?"
Shane's face changed instantly.
That ominous feeling tightened around his heart.
"Tiger… you…"
There was no point hiding it anymore.
Tiger stood abruptly and tore off his shirt.
He pointed to the sun-shaped mark burned into his chest.
At first glance, it looked like a crude tattoo.
But on closer inspection—
It was no tattoo at all.
It was a brand.
Burned in with iron.
"…I see. The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon."
Everything made sense.
Roldy looked at the towering Fish-Man, and for the first time, there was a trace of sympathy in his eyes.
Shane broke.
"The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon? Tiger… don't tell me—"
"Yes. How foolish of me."
Tiger's voice trembled.
"I believed humans were friendly. I approached them willingly… and was captured."
"I was sold."
"To Mary Geoise."
His smile was hollow.
"What exploration of the world? I spent those years as a slave in the Holy Land."
Tears streamed down his face.
Shane felt as if his heart were being cut open.
Without hesitation, he removed his own shirt.
His body was covered in scars.
"It seems we share the same fate."
"I was luckier."
"I wasn't sold to Mary Geoise."
"…So that's why I couldn't find you."
Two legends of the current Fish-Man era.
Both once slaves.
What expression could they possibly wear?
Pity?
No.
It was grief.
Tiger suddenly dropped to his knees again.
"Roldy -san! I want revenge."
"I want to infiltrate Mary Geoise."
"Sabaody is your territory. Please assist me."
"When this is over, my life is yours."
His forehead slammed into the ground, cracking the floor.
Despite everything—
Tiger was a supporter of Queen Otohime's ideology.
He advocated coexistence with humans.
For the sake of his race.
But as an individual—
After endless nights of torture—
He could never love humans again.
"Interesting."
Roldy spoke calmly after a long silence.
"Boss, Tiger—"
Shane tried to intervene.
He knew this was madness.
The Red Line.
The Holy Land.
The most heavily guarded place in the world.
A single Fish-Man attempting infiltration and arson?
Success or not—
Death was guaranteed.
"Get up," Roldy said flatly.
"You've already resolved yourself. Words won't change that."
Tiger looked up, confused.
Why had Roldy agreed so easily?
"Coincidentally," Roldy continued,
"I've disliked the World Government for a long time."
"It's not time for full-scale war."
"But giving those bastards a small surprise?"
"That's acceptable."
Tiger's breathing grew heavy.
"You have a plan?"
"…I was thinking of climbing the Red Line. Sneaking in. Then setting fires."
Silence.
"Mm."
"Mm."
"Mm?"
Roldy waited.
Nothing more came.
"That's it?"
"For now."
Roldy pressed a hand to his forehead.
Of course.
A brother-in-arms of Shane could not possibly be a strategist.
"Fine."
"I'll help properly."
"I have business at Whole Cake Island first."
"When I return, I'll arrange everything."
Before leaving, Roldy handed Tiger his private Den Den Mushi.
For direct contact.
After a fierce embrace with Shane, Tiger watched them depart.
Hope rose in his chest.
With Roldy 's assistance, his success rate had increased by at least thirty percent.
But…
"War with the World Government…"
"If I die before seeing that day… I'll never rest in peace."
"Roldy … what kind of man are you?"
Tiger murmured.
He looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
His original goal had been liberation.
Now—
He wanted more.
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