One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine

Daren...san?

Fisher Tiger stared at the human statue standing at the center of Gyoncorde Plaza, momentarily stunned.

Gyoncorde Plaza was a place reserved for major gatherings and solemn ceremonies on Fish-Man Island. It held great prestige—so much so that even King Neptune of Ryugu Castle wasn't allowed to erect his own statue there.

Yet now, there was a statue of a human!?

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Fisher Tiger would never have believed such an absurd sight.

This was Fish-Man Island!

Could it be that what Daren-san had said before was true?

Had his visit to Fish-Man Island truly forged such a deep friendship with Ryugu Palace and the Fish-Man tribe that even the islanders were willing to set aside their hatred of humans and raise a statue of him in Gyoncorde Plaza?

"That's incredible... It seems Daren-san really did have a strong bond with Ryugu Palace."

Muttering to himself, Fisher Tiger continued making his way toward Ryugu Castle.

In less than half an hour, he crossed the connecting corridor and arrived at the castle gates.

The guards on duty immediately recognized him and exclaimed,

"Tiger-san, you're back!"

"This is wonderful!"

"..."

"Yes, could you please inform His Majesty? I would like to request an audience."

The guards hurried off to deliver the message. One of them smiled and said,

"Tiger-san, please wait a moment. There's a big celebration happening at Ryugu Castle right now—everyone's been running around preparing!"

A big celebration?

Fisher Tiger paused, curious.

"What kind of celebration?"

The guards, holding their tridents, beamed and answered,

"It's about His Majesty."

"His Majesty is about to get married. Soon, Ryugu Castle will finally have a Queen!"

"Queen Otohime is so beautiful, just like the daughter of the Sea God—radiant and breathtaking!"

"Yes, and she has such a gentle nature. She often shows concern for the lives of the people in the lower districts of Fish-Man Island."

"They say Queen Otohime has already proposed to His Majesty that after the wedding, more support and aid should be directed toward Fish-Man District..."

"..."

Queen Otohime...

Fisher Tiger quietly listened to the guards' heartfelt praise. From their descriptions, he slowly pieced together an image in his mind—a gentle, elegant mermaid with a noble aura.

If the future Queen of Fish-Man Island was truly as they described—a woman both kind and wise—then perhaps she really could help lead the Fish-Man people out of their current hardships.

"Tiger-san, His Majesty Neptune invites you in!"

A solemn voice called from the gates of Ryugu Castle.

Fisher Tiger looked up and saw a figure standing there with a turtle shell on his back and a pair of distinctive sideburns. Though the figure was a bit short and hunched, his face radiated a calm dignity.

"Prime Minister, it's been a long time."

Fisher Tiger smiled and bowed politely.

The Turtle Prime Minister was the cornerstone of Ryugu Castle, one of King Neptune's most trusted advisors.

He had served faithfully for many years, skilled in both governance and diplomacy.

"Tiger-san, no need for formalities. Please, this way."

The Turtle Prime Minister raised his hand with a friendly smile.

Soon, Fisher Tiger was led into the banquet hall of Ryugu Castle, where he finally met "Great Knight" Neptune.

"Hahahaha! Tiger-san, it's been ages!"

Neptune greeted Fisher Tiger with a booming laugh and a warm hug.

"You're back at the perfect time. Let me introduce someone to you."

As Neptune spoke, a graceful figure slowly entered the hall.

Her golden hair rippled like waves, glistening under the soft glow of the night pearls. Her deep sapphire-blue eyes shimmered with a gentle smile. An orange, crown-shaped hairpin adorned her head.

She wore a flowing robe patterned with fish scales in hues of orange, with white sashes elegantly draped around her.

"This is my beloved Otohime. We will be getting married on Fish-Man Island in three days!"

Neptune smiled triumphantly and held Otohime's hand.

"I have met Tiger-san before."

Otohime's face turned slightly red, and she bowed elegantly to Fisher Tiger.

Fisher Tiger bowed awkwardly and said, "It's nice to meet you, Queen Otohime."

"Hahahaha, you are too kind."

Neptune smiled and said,

"Come, dinner is ready. Tiger-san, you haven't been back to Fish-Man Island for so long, let us welcome you today!"

As he spoke, young mermaid maids brought in all kinds of delicious food and fine wine.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Fisher Tiger took his seat and soon began to drink cup after cup.

"...So, Your Majesty Neptune, on my way to Ryugu Castle, I saw a statue in Gyoncorde Plaza."

After three rounds of wine, Fisher Tiger finally couldn't resist his curiosity and tentatively asked.

Neptune's mouth twitched, and he forced a smile with a stiff expression and said,

"That... That is a statue of Vice Admiral Rogers Daren of the Marine Headquarters."

"Yes, when Vice Admiral Daren last visited Fish-Man Island, he helped us drive away the evil pirates and saved Fish-Man Island."

"Out of gratitude, the Prime Minister proposed to build a statue of Vice Admiral Daren in Gyoncorde Plaza to prove the lasting friendship between him and the Fish-Man tribe."

"I see..." Fisher Tiger suddenly understood.

"No wonder Daren-san told me that he had a good relationship with Fish-Man Island. So that's how it really is."

Neptune: ...

Turtle Minister: ...

"Wait, Tiger-san, you've met Vice Admiral Daren?"

Neptune suddenly realized something and couldn't help but ask.

Fisher Tiger nodded.

A look of pain gradually appeared in his eyes, and he sighed,

"I was able to return to Fish-Man Island alive thanks to Daren-san's help."

He gritted his teeth, raised his hand to grab the hood of his coat, and with a look of determination in his eyes, he pulled hard!

Rip!

The sound of fabric tearing echoed through the room, and the sight that met Neptune and the others' eyes caused their expressions to change drastically and their pupils to contract.

"What is that..."

"The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon!"

They stared in horror at the fierce and tragic blood-red tattoo on Fisher Tiger's chest, their hearts trembling.

Under their shocked gaze, Fisher Tiger slowly recounted everything he had experienced with a sad expression...

...

A full half hour later.

The banquet hall was deathly silent.

Neptune and the others sat there with grief-stricken expressions, as if they were still unable to recover from the huge shock.

"...That's how it is."

Fisher Tiger gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"Your Majesty Neptune, Queen Otohime..."

An indescribable determination surged in his eyes, making his skin turn even redder.

"I will do everything in my power, even if it costs me my life, to save those poor people who have suffered the same fate as me!"

"Those slaves living in hell on earth... they need my help!"

Neptune was struck as if by lightning.

Otohime couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

From Fisher Tiger's heart, she heard a heart-rending cry.

"But I won't act so quickly. Now is definitely not the time..."

As if he had said everything he wanted to say, Fisher Tiger's inner pressure was relieved, and he gradually calmed down and said in a deep voice,

"Right now, Fish-Man Island still needs my title of 'Shichibukai' to protect it, so I will wait patiently for the opportunity."

"There are less than ten days left until the Shichibukai appointment ceremony. When that time comes, I will do everything in my power to fight for the greatest rights for Fish-Man Island!"