Fish-Man Island—the Fish-Man District.
Into this district, home to the most outcast among Fish-Men and Merfolk, a single man stepped.
A man originally from this district, yet who had risen to serve in the castle due to various achievements—the hero of slave liberation, Fisher Tiger.
"..."
This district was originally a complex of welfare facilities, including Ryugu Kingdom's orphanages, but it gradually fell into disrepair, becoming a den for gangs and pirates. As a result, it became unmanageable for the authorities, and the area was now a slum, shunned even by the main island of Fish-Man Island.
Tiger walked boldly through this dangerous place and entered a brand-new building.
While other buildings mostly utilized the remaining parts of the initially constructed facilities, the one Tiger entered was conspicuously new.
Inside were several Fish-Men and Merfolk who, upon seeing Tiger, immediately straightened their posture and began to greet him.
"Good work, Tiger-san!"
"Welcome back!"
"Yeah, good work. How's Arlong doing? Any changes?"
"No, no one's tried to make a move so far."
Hearing only that, Tiger proceeded further into the building.
Down the corridor, he entered one of several doors, where he found Arlong lying on a bed, doing nothing in particular.
"...What do you want, Aniki?"
"I heard you'd become quite listless, so I came to see. Don't you understand my concern for my younger brother?"
"Just leave me alone. There's nothing I can do anymore."
Arlong, who had established a base on an island in the East Blue and had been gradually expanding his forces with the aim of conquering the surface world.
But that ambition had been crushed by Luffy's hand, and he had been brought from the East Blue to Fish-Man Island and placed under house arrest.
That said, he was only under guard; he wasn't handcuffed or anything.
Against Fish-Men, who boasted ten times the physical strength of humans, mere handcuffs or cages would be easily destroyed if provided. Furthermore, since they could move freely underwater, regardless of the depth, confining them was extremely difficult.
Seastone handcuffs would be unbreakable, but using them against Fish-Men who weren't Devil Fruit users held little significance, and Seastone itself was still a precious commodity.
For these various reasons, Arlong was currently under house arrest.
Tiger sighed at the completely dispirited and unmotivated Arlong.
"To think the you who was like a sharpened knife would end up like this. Jinbe would be surprised too."
"...Turns out, it was all just me fighting a losing battle, it seems."
Arlong had been enraged by humans and had wanted to create a paradise for Fish-Men and Merfolk on the surface.
He had acted with the belief that since they had been oppressed until now, it was their turn to oppress.
This included the fact that his respected Tiger had been a slave, that Fish-Men and Merfolk had been classified as fish and treated inhumanely until 200 years ago, and everything he had learned from history.
Arlong simply couldn't forgive humans.
"Arlong Park, was it? When I saw that building, I understood. You were envious of humans all along, weren't you?"
"...Who was I, envious of, you say?"
Tiger remained cool in the face of Arlong's glare.
"Sabaody Park is an object of admiration for many Fish-Men and Merfolk. It's sparkling, looks fun... We especially grew up in the slums, so our admiration was probably even stronger."
Those living in the Fish-Man District educated their own children. They taught them the bare minimum of numbers and letters, and then, as much as they knew, as best as they could.
Therefore, what was passed down was a history filled with anger and lament, and the concentrated malice was boundless.
Sometimes, they even passed down their own experiences of persecution, creating an environment where hatred towards humans easily intensified.
Among all of this, the one structure created by humans that clearly inspired admiration—that was the amusement park called "Sabaody Park."
"Even Queen Otohime, at her core, felt admiration. The desire to live on the surface, just like humans... It's a wish I can no longer hold—but I have no intention of denying others who feel that way."
"I wasn't admiring anything!"
"Arlong Park itself is your idea, isn't it? Even if someone else said they wanted to build it like that, you were the one who ultimately gave permission."
"...!"
"You can't stop admiration. There's no need to be ashamed of it."
Arlong got off the bed, his eyes blazing with an intensity that looked as if he was about to kill.
Tiger was already 58 years old. An age where signs of decline began to show.
But even so, he didn't think he would lose to the current Arlong.
"Living on the surface is Queen Otohime's dearest wish, and the dearest wish of many Fish-Men and Merfolk. If you have time to rot away like this, how about working under me like you used to?"
"...So, in the end, it's a recruitment pitch?"
"Of course. We don't have food to feed those who don't work, and the personnel watching over you don't work for free either."
"I hate humans. I don't want to live on the surface with them. Unless it's to treat them as slaves."
"Your thoughts are your own. As long as you don't pass that ideology on to the next generation, think whatever you like beyond that. Your mind is free."
Anger, lament, all the resentment at Arlong's core—Arlong could carry it all to his grave. While there were things to learn from past history, Tiger was prepared to do anything if it meant stopping the cycle of hatred.
Originally, Tiger himself had intended to do so.
His past as a slave, the anger and resentment—he had intended to live and die keeping it all hidden within his heart, never telling anyone. He had confessed not because he wanted sympathy for his anger, but to make them understand his desire to create a path to walk alongside humans despite it all.
Tiger's ideal would be realized by Queen Otohime. Believing this, Tiger followed Queen Otohime.
Reluctantly, Arlong nodded at Tiger's words about providing food in exchange for work. He would get meals here anyway, but compared to the days when he wielded power in the East Blue, the food was simple, and there was no alcohol. For Arlong, it was unbearable.
"But even if I work, what am I supposed to do? Just so you know, I can't do any work other than rough stuff."
"Glad you asked! Look at this!"
Tiger pulled out a blueprint from his breast pocket.
Arlong took it with a frown and examined it. His cheeks twitched at the familiar shape.
This was Sabaody Park.
"Some get caught trying to go see their aspirations on the surface. If that's the case, we should just build it here! There's no reason humans can build it and we can't! But building it naturally requires a fair amount of manpower."
"Oi, Aniki... where are you planning to build this?"
"Right here in the Fish-Man District."
Tiger pointed straight down.
The Fish-Man District was almost entirely underwater. Even if it could be built, humans wouldn't be able to play there.
Besides, what did he think about the people living in this Fish-Man District?
"This is our hometown!"
"The slums are a den of malice. There are pirates like you lot, and people thinking bad things. It's better to crush it if possible."
"What about the people left behind!? This is the last resort for those with nowhere else to go! Are you going to take even that away!?"
"That's a line from someone who doesn't know the current state of Fish-Man Island's main island, Arlong."
"Huh...?"
Arlong looked puzzled at Tiger's words.
"What do you mean?" he muttered, and Tiger turned his back, saying, "It's faster if you see it yourself."
He was telling him to follow.
"I'm stepping out for a bit. I'm taking Arlong, so you guys get ready too."
"Understood!"
Without fully understanding, Arlong ended up heading towards the main island of Fish-Man Island with Tiger.
…
What Arlong saw when he arrived at the main island were rows of enormous factories.
They appeared to be factories processing seafood like fish and shellfish, and an incredible number of Fish-Men and Merfolk were working there.
Arlong, who had been sent straight to the Fish-Man District's holding facility without stopping at the main island, gaped at the unfamiliar scenery.
"This is what it means to be under Twilight's influence."
"...That woman again."
With the spread of radios, information about Fish-Men and Merfolk had become more accessible.
Listening to the stories of Fish-Men and Merfolk who were occasionally invited as guests, humans learned that they weren't so different from themselves and became interested.
If the upper echelons of a country became interested, it became possible to start shipping through Twilight, and gradually, mutual trade began.
Initially, it was fine because the numbers were small, but Fish-Man Island was a tourism-based nation. They had few goods to offer for trade.
Considering the deep-sea environment, growing crops was difficult, so they had started farming fish and shellfish underwater and processing them.
"This was a hit. It's bringing in a good amount of money, and the kingdom is prospering."
Recently, there had also been movements such as up-and-coming designers launching fashion brands, and the economy within Fish-Man Island was revitalized.
The original tourism industry, which had mostly catered to pirates, was now attracting wealthy foreigners as well, and Fish-Man Island was in a kind of bubble state.
Thanks to this, they were struggling with a labor shortage, and they couldn't ask the busy soldiers to help with construction, so Tiger was grateful if Arlong could lend a hand.
"...In the time I didn't know, Fish-Man Island has changed this much."
"Yeah. The money earned from trade is also funding national projects, and sooner or later, we'll have to deal with the Fish-Man District. We'll have to ask King Neptune to have the country take in those with nowhere else to go."
"Was that your plan from the beginning?"
"The idea for 'Ryugu Park' came to me after seeing your Arlong Park, though."
"Don't go naming it already!"
"Next is the royal palace. Let's go."
"Listen to me!"
After sending word ahead, they headed to Ryugu Palace, where Jinbe was waiting at the entrance.
Apparently, he had been discussing something with King Neptune, and hearing that Tiger was coming, he decided to listen in as well.
Together with the castle soldiers, they entered Ryugu Palace and proceeded to the reception room.
"I was just reporting on the recent movements of pirates. What about you, Aniki?"
"I was thinking of demolishing the Fish-Man District and building an amusement park. I came to petition King Neptune."
"An amusement park in the Fish-Man District!?"
"Jinbe-aniki, say something too. Tiger-aniki shows no sign of stopping, no matter what I say."
Jinbe's eyes widened. Arlong, looking exasperated, pleaded with Jinbe to stop Tiger somehow, but he knew Tiger wasn't a man who would be easily stopped.
While Jinbe was pondering with a "Hmm," they reached the reception room, and the three of them stopped before King Neptune and Queen Otohime.
Jinbe and Tiger respectfully knelt and lowered their heads slightly, but Arlong was a man unconcerned with such etiquette. He simply stood there with his arms crossed, looking unoccupied.
Tiger sighed and lowered his head, "My apologies, King Neptune."
"It's quite alright-jamon. We don't expect etiquette from pirates. Now, what brings you here today-jamon?"
"Actually──"
Tiger stated that he wanted to demolish the Fish-Man District and build an amusement park, causing King Neptune and Queen Otohime's eyes to widen.
However, the Fish-Man District was a headache for the two of them as well, and they nodded, saying they would grant permission if there was a way to deal with the current residents.
Slums, basically, were better off not existing.
"Right now, this island is developing rapidly. There are many occupations with labor shortages... Especially the factories producing processed goods for trade are operating at full capacity every day," Otohime stated.
"Indeed. You speak the truth. We've even received petitions from those working in the factories asking for days off-jamon," King Neptune added.
"After consulting with Kanata, we've agreed to reduce the amount of processed goods for trade," Tiger explained.
"Reduce exports? But then..." Neptune began.
"Yes, profits from trade will decrease somewhat. However, King Neptune, it will be too late if the factories stop due to overwork. Besides, Fish-Man Island's seafood has already reached many islands, and its high quality is well known. From now on, if we slightly reduce the export volume and use the name of Fish-Man Island as a brand, we should be able to compensate for some of the financial loss," Tiger elaborated.
Once people knew better quality, they wouldn't be satisfied with lower quality goods. Rather than relying solely on quantity, it was better to create value as a brand and use the money earned that way to develop new trade goods. This, Tiger explained, was good for the development of the island.
King Neptune nodded in understanding and stroked his beard.
"I see... So there's that way too. You've become quite a shrewd merchant yourself-jamon."
"No, I am still far from it."
"If you are still far from it, then others would be mere fledglings-jamon."
In any case, if the working environment could be improved, there were things that needed to be done in the meantime.
"We will use the freed-up manpower to recruit new personnel and focus on their training. Even those from the Fish-Man District, if properly educated, should be able to work in the factories."
"In that case, the Fish-Man District will inevitably become unnecessary... We will also need a place for those people to live-jamon."
"We'll need to make an estimate, but if we relocate them in stages, the entire current Fish-Man District should be dismantled in about one to two years."
"...You seem quite concerned about the Fish-Man District-jamon. Is there something there?"
"...It's not that there's something specific. It's just that the resentment towards humans has accumulated too much there. If we wish to coexist with humans, it needs to be dismantled as soon as possible. Otherwise, an irreversible situation could arise."
"Hmm..."
It wasn't that he had a specific prediction. But still, as someone born and raised in that district, Tiger had his thoughts on the matter.
Besides, he believed it was a good thing to demolish the Fish-Man District, a negative aspect of the Fish-Man race, and transform it into a symbol of hope, an amusement park.
That was about all Tiger could say.
And, one more crucial piece of information.
"King Neptune. I would like you to dismiss everyone except myself, Jinbe, and Queen Otohime."
"Mu...? Is it such an important matter that it requires dismissing everyone?"
"Yes. It is a matter that could even affect the future of Fish-Man Island."
At Tiger's serious expression, King Neptune's face naturally tensed, and he dismissed the princes and ministers who were present.
Even Arlong was made to leave with Tiger's subordinates, leaving only four people in the reception room.
"──Now, what happened?"
"Kanata is going to wage war on 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate, it seems."
"What did you say-jamon!?"
The first one to cry out in surprise was Jinbe, who was behind Tiger.
When the Great Pirate Era began, Whitebeard had declared Fish-Man Island his territory out of friendship with King Neptune, which was how the current strained relationship began.
Kanata, who had suppressed the raging seas and headed for Fish-Man Island, had been a step too late. Later, after Tiger began to be pursued by the Navy, she started to lend a hand to improve Fish-Man Island's position, leading to the division of interests.
Jinbe had deep ties with both of them, which was why he showed agitation at the news that the two were going to war.
"Why would those two...!?"
"Well, it's true that their animosity is well-known... but this is indeed sudden-jamon."
"I don't know if there have been any specific movements. I just received the information myself──However, she is a woman who will do what she declares. Whatever happens, Fish-Man Island will be shaken."
The name "Whitebeard," who claimed Fish-Man Island as his territory, was now practically meaningless.
Even many citizens recognized that it was Twilight that brought them wealth and peace. This was especially true for the younger generation who didn't know the tragedy immediately after the Great Pirate Era began.
A war between the two who protected Fish-Man Island was anything but calm. King Neptune and Queen Otohime exchanged troubled glances.
"Regardless of who wins, Fish-Man Island will have to declare its position... Tiger, what are your thoughts?"
"Kanata will win. That woman will accomplish anything, no matter how reckless or impossible it seems. Since she declared war, she must have sufficient confidence in her victory."
"Even if Kanata-san is strong, I can't imagine her fighting Old Man Whitebeard and coming out unscathed..." Jinbe worried.
"At that level, it's beyond our comprehension, isn't it? In any case, thank you for the report. We must also prepare ourselves," Queen Otohime said.
Nodding at Queen Otohime's words, Tiger bid farewell to the two and turned his back.
That was all he had to report. The two royals were busy. Believing he shouldn't overstay, he excused himself along with Jinbe.
"Tiger-aniki, about what you said earlier..." Jinbe began.
"We don't know who's listening where. Don't speak carelessly... Besides, I don't know any more information than that. If you absolutely must question someone, you'll have to ask Kanata herself."
"Is that the only way..."
By the time Tiger rejoined Arlong and the others waiting at the castle gate, Jinbe, his face contorted in thought, was swimming towards the New World side of the sea.
…
"By the way, Aniki, how are my brethren doing? Are they being treated the same as me?"
"Basically, yes. Some said their bodies would get dull so they asked to work, and those guys are assigned to heavy labor."
"I see..."
Not everyone had their spirit broken and lost all motivation like Arlong.
Those who had spoken up were put to work loading and unloading cargo at the port. Trade had increased, and so had the work of loading and unloading. Fish-Men, with ten times the strength of humans, were valued because they could transport cargo more efficiently than ordinary humans.
Pirates also visited Fish-Man Island quite often, but the port was patrolled by Neptune's army soldiers and Hyouzou, Fish-Man Island's top swordsman, who had been hired by Twilight. So far, nothing major had happened.
Well, Hachi seemed to be running around helping his mermaid friend after someone asked him for help.
"Can't be helped. I'll work too. There'll at least be booze, right?"
"Yeah. I'll treat you to drinks until you get your first paycheck. I have money."
Arlong had caused trouble, and Tiger had paid reparations to Cocoyasi Village and others, but Tiger's assets were still plentiful. He worked various jobs as an executive of Twilight, but he himself didn't spend much money other than on alcohol and food, so it just kept accumulating.
Regarding the Fish-Man District, he believed that large-scale construction should proceed quickly, even if it meant using his private funds, and had already begun calculating the costs.
If Tiger and Arlong, former leaders of the Fish-Man District, called out, they could probably gather a decent number of people. Since the work would be underwater, it would be difficult for human craftsmen to help, but the more people they had for demolition, the better.
Much of the manpower was allocated to trade, but the craftsmen mostly only had national projects. If they obtained King Neptune's permission, the project would move forward as soon as they gathered the money and manpower.
"...Money really is a good thing."
"What's with you all of a sudden? That's not like you, Aniki."
"No, I just thought that when you want to do something, there aren't many weapons as reliable as this. In this world, most things can be solved with money."
Arlong, who had been bought as a slave with the power of money by Tiger, grimaced and fell silent.
Whatever the case, Tiger's ideal was still far off. An ideal he didn't even know if he could achieve in his lifetime. He had no time to stand still.
"Let's do this, Arlong. Make sure you keep up."
"I'll do it even if you don't tell me!"
Unable to cause any more trouble for his foolish older brother figure, who had made a fool of himself yet still looked after him without abandoning him, Arlong put strength into his belly and replied.