Ch. 21- Fisher Tiger the Pirate

One Piece © Oda

On the Sun Pirates' ship…

"We finally found the Eternal Pose for Koala's hometown," Tiger said.

"Hooray!" Hachi cheered. "Hear that, Koala?! You can finally go home!"

That's right. After a few weeks of searching, the Sun Pirates had finally found the Eternal Pose that points to Koala's home. During that time, Koala's hair had brushed down, washed, and trimmed. She was also wearing a light yellow dress and a pair of brown loafers.

"Uh…" Koala mumbled, fiddling with her fingers.

"Well, look at you!" Hachi said. "It's amazing how people can change in a few weeks!"

Everyone else except for Arlong laughed at how shy Koala was being. They found it a bit cute, actually. Even Jimbei and Tiger couldn't help but smile at her.

"Um…this is a bit…" Koala said, but then she trailed off.

"Come on, now," said Hachi. "We all pitched in to buy that nice dress and pair of shoes for you, not to mention that haircut. Now you'll look like nice and shipshape when you see your mama again!"

"Um…m-maybe I'd clean up a little!" Koala said as she grabbed a rag and began to scrub the deck.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Hachi cried. "You gotta break yourself out that! You can't just start cleaning when you get nervous, kid! You're not on Mariejois anymore, remember?!"

"Let her do what she wants, Hachi."

Hachi turned and saw Aladdin, the Sun Pirates' doctor. Aladdin is a tall, muscular Brotula Merman with slanted, thin eyes, black hair that is tied in a long ponytail falling on his back in many curves. He also has a full beard with a goatee in the same color. His long tail is light brown in the uppermost part, but it gets darker near the fins where spots start to appear and eventually becoming a plain dark brown.

His attire consists of a long, dark blue open vest with the Sun Pirates' mark on the back, and his weapon of choice is a silver trident that he has strapped to his back. He also has a tattoo that says "1TC" on his left bicep and the mark of the Sun Pirates branded on the left side of his stomach where the Hoof of the Celestial Dragons used to be.

"It takes time for psychological traumas to heal, you know," said Aladdin.

"Oh, yeah," Hachi said, scratching the back of his head. "I forgot about that."

"You seem to know quite a lot, Aladdin," said a smirking Arlong. "Are you speaking from experience as a former slave?"

"…" Aladdin was silent.

"C'mon! Tell me the truth!" Arlong said as he pointed to Koala. "You'd like to kill the brat, wouldn't you?!"

Koala looked up and gasped silently when she heard those words.

"After all, she's no different from the human who used to own you!" Arlong continued.

"Arlong, stop it!" Tiger ordered. "You're scaring her!"

Arlong then turned to Koala, who resumed cleaning the deck.

"Quit the act, kid!" Arlong said. "Tell us all what you're really thinking! What did your mama really tell you about us?!"

"Arlong!" Tiger shouted. "I said stop it! Leave her alone!"

"Your parents look down us Fishmen, don't they?!" Arlong questioned. "SHAHAHAHAHA!"

He then turned to the rest of the Sun Pirates.

"That's how it is in human society," he continued. "They think they're better than anybody else, and then their kids adopt the ideas of their parents! Someone's gotta crush them and break their pride! You've all seen it yourselves these past three years! You've all felt the scorn of human eyes! I don't know what I would have done if the Captain here hadn't been around!"

"They don't all look down on us, Arlong!"

Arlong turned to see Jimbei.

"Oh, is that so?" he questioned.

"That's right," Jimbei said. "Some seem different to me. Many humans…seem to fear us."

"Fear us, huh?" asked Arlong. "Good! They should be!"

Jimbei then walked over to Koala and sat down next to her.

"Tell me, young Koala," Jimbei said. "Do humans fear us because we're pirates? Is that the real reason why they're afraid of us?"

"No," Koala answered before she looked up at Jimbei, still smiling out of nervousness. "It's because…they don't know anything."

Jimbei's eyes went wide as he remembered what Otohime said about the humans. The Fishmen of Fishman Island know little to nothing about the human race, and yet they seemed to fear them just as much.

"So they fear what they don't understand?" asked Jimbei. "Do you think that maybe things will change if they get to know us?"

No answer.

"Koala? Did you hear me?" asked Jimbei before he turned and saw the little girl…playing a game with Hachi.

"If you guess which hand I'm holding the candy in, you can have it!" Hachi said. "Nyuu~! Come on! Take a guess!"

"Umm…that one!" Koala said, holding to Hachi's right upper hand.

"Nope! Try again!" Hachi said.

"Okay…it's that one!" Koala said as she pointed to Hachi's left middle hand.

"Wrong! It's this one!" Hachi said as he opened his right bottom hand, revealing a piece of candy.

Everyone (except for Arlong) couldn't help but laugh, while Jimbei stared, pondering on Koala's earlier words.

XXX

For several weeks, Koala sailed with the Sun Pirates on their journey to take her home. Along the way, she began to bond with her newfound friends. Even Jimbei began to open up to her a little. The only ones who refused to bond with her in anyway with her was Arlong, Kuroobi, and Chu.

While they were in a human town, carrying supplies back to their ship, Koala tried to help by carrying a bag around her neck that was a bit too heavy for her. Luckily for her Aladdin decided to carry it for her. He understood that Koala was only trying to be useful, but he told her not to push herself. However, the sight got some rather odd looks from the locals, who not only seemed afraid of the Fishmen, but also thought they might've been using Koala for their own means.

Then one day, while they were sailing, Hachi jumped into the water for a quick swim, but when he came back, he brought back a beat-up giant squid! Koala was shocked by such a feat, but then she learned that the Sun Pirates were going to eat it for dinner later, she became rather excited. Then later, it began to snow. Koala began to enjoy herself, more, especially when she made little snowmen with Makuro and sat on Jimbei's shoulder.

Then later that night, the crew had a banquet. Koala had been trying to eat a whole crab, even though Hachi told her to slow down and take little bites. Of course, she couldn't help herself, since it had been quite some time since she ate so well. During the feast, even Kuroobi and Chu couldn't help but laugh and smile at her, but Arlong still refused to make any bond with her, whatsoever.

Unfortunately, Koala had to go to bed, early. She had eaten so much, she accidentally gave herself a bit of a stomach. After Aladdin gave her some medicine to help her feel better, Tiger decided to let Koala sleep in his cabin with him for the night.

Yes, it was a very fun time for little Koala…but alas, all fun times had to come to and end, for a weeks later, the Sun Pirates had finally reached her homeland: Foolshout Island.

"Koala!" Tiger called. "Time for you to get off the ship! This is your home!"

Koala disembarked from the ship with Tiger.

"Where's your home village, Koala?" asked Tiger. "I'll escort you there."

"Okay," Koala said.

"BWAAAAAAAAAAAH~!" Makuro, Gyaro, and Tansui sobbed as they watched Koala leave.

"Koala! Don't leave!" Makuro cried. "Let's have more adventures together, huh?! You're a good kid, even if you are a human!"

"Will you stop your blubbering?!" Kuroobi snapped.

"Goodbye, everyone!" Koala called. "I'll tell everyone in the village that there are lots of good Fishmen out there!"

The Sun Pirates cheered at this.

"Take care!" Hachi exclaimed.

"Farewell, Koala!" Aladdin added.

With that, Koala followed Fisher Tiger away, playfully holding his hand the whole way. Tiger seemed a bit exasperated, but he seemed to accept it, nonetheless.

"When that kid grows up," said Arlong, "she'll be just like all the other humans."

"Arlong, stop it!" Jimbei barked. "You don't even know that for sure!"

"Yeah, Arlong, you bastard!" Makuro added.

"Listen to yourself, Big Brother Jimbei," said Arlong. "I think you've gone soft in the last three years. Think about it. What good will it do for a single human brat in a sleepy little village like this to talk about how great we Fishmen are? It's as futile as Otohime's useless dream! Nothing will change!"

Jimbei glared at Arlong as he said this.

XXX

At Koala's home village, Tiger and Koala herself had arrived, and when the people saw the little girl rushing over, they were completely stunned, but their surprise quickly turned to joy, but none of them were more than joyful than Koala's teary-eyed mother. Koala ran into her mom's arms, her tears coming at full force.

Tiger smiled at the sight, but then he spotted the townsfolk…seemingly sneering at him. At that moment, Tiger decided to take his leave, so he turned and left, but not before Koala could give him her thanks.

"I hope to see you again, Big Brother Tiger!" Koala shouted.

Tiger chuckled before he waved to Koala and continued to leave.

However…just when he was about to reach his ship…he ran into…an ambush. Before Tiger realized, he was surrounded by a troop of Marine soldiers…led by none other than Rear Admiral Strawberry.

"I am Rear Admiral Strawberry of the Marines!" declared Strawberry. "The people on a certain island told that you'd be coming here, Fisher Tiger. We've already obtained confirmation from the village you just came from that there was a commotion. However, that was under the condition that we overlook the girl who is the property of the Celestial Dragons."

Tiger's eyes went wide in horror.

The people of Koala's village…had ratted him out.

"You are already guilty of two crimes," said Strawberry. "I'm sure you already know what they are, Fisher Tiger: assault…and escape."

The Marines pointed their guns at Tiger, who remained too stunned to do anything.

"FIRE!" Strawberry ordered.

XXX

At the Sun Pirates' ship, the crew is reflecting on their adventures with Koala, when suddenly, the sound of gunshots began to fill the air! BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!

"DAH! What was that?!" Makuro questioned.

"Gunshots!" Jimbei shouted. "They're coming from the same way the captain went!"

"Wait! You don't think that-" Hachi began, but then he was cut off when Chu started shouting.

"Look! Out to sea!" he shouted. "The Marines! We're surrounded! Chu!"

"Dammit!" Arlong cursed. "The humans set us up!"

KABOOM! The Marines opened fire on the Sun Pirates' with their cannons, and one of the shots ended up destroying the ship!

"AAAAH!" Hachi screamed. "What do we do?!"

"We have no choice!" Jimbei shouted. "EVERYONE! ABANDON SHIP AND DIVE DEEP! CAPTAIN TIGER'S IN GRAVE DANGER! WE MUST SAVE HIM!"

XXX

Back on the island, the marines continued to open fire on Tiger…who was bleeding heavily, but despite this, he still managed to stay standing.

"Dammit!" cursed one of the soldiers. "Why won't he go down?!"

"Be careful!" shouted a Marine captain. "He's the one who attack the Mariejois all by himself, you know!"

Suddenly, Tiger turned to the Marine captain, and before he could have time to react, SHWAK! The Fishman punched him right across the face, sending him flying into a nearby cactus!

"CAPTAIN!" the Marines cried.

"He's a monster!" said one of the soldiers. "Where's he getting such strength?!"

"RRAAAAAARRGH!" Tiger roared, furiously.

"CAPTAIN TIGER!"

The Marines turned and saw the Sun Pirates charging at them, led by Jimbei!

"Rear Admiral! It's the Sun Pirates!" shouted one of the soldiers.

"So…that's the infamous Jimbei, eh?" Strawberry questioned.

"DAMN YOU, YOU MARINE BASTARDS~!" Jimbei roared.

XXX

Deep underwater, Arlong and the rest of the Sun Pirates have escaped the Marines after their ship had been completely sunk.

"Since they got our ship, we'll have to take one of theirs!" Arlong shouted.

"YEAH!" the crew cried in agreement.

XXX

In the village, Koala could hear the sounds of gunfire, as well as cannon-fire and cries of battle, and yet…the villagers didn't seem to be hearing any of the noise. They seemed to be too busy celebrating Koala's return. Even Koala's mother didn't seem to notice.

"Mommy?" asked Koala. "Do you hear those strange noises?"

"…No, Koala," her mother answered, not even looking her daughter in the eye. "I…I don't."

On that day, the Sun Pirates were ambushed and their Captain, Fisher Tiger, was heavily injured. However, they barely managed to escape out to sea by stealing one of the Marine's ships.

Inside the sick bay of said ship, Tiger was lying on a medical table. His entire upper body was covered in bandages…but he had lost a great amount of blood. Aladdin said that if Tiger did not get a blood transfusion soon…he would perish within the hour. Despite this…Tiger refused it!

"Captain, what are you saying?!" Hachi questioned.

"You've lost too much blood, Captain!" Jimbei shouted. "You'll die without a transfusion!"

"Your blood is a rare type, Captain!" Aladdin added. "No one else in the crew has it!"

"B…but the blood on this Marines ship…is human blood!" Tiger huffed.

"That's right!" Aladdin said. "Human and Fishmen have compatible blood! We can use human blood! We can still save you!" He then began to prepare a blood bag.

"You need a transfusion, right-" the doctor began, but then…

"NO~!" Tiger boomed. "KEEP THAT VILE HUMAN BLOOD AWAY FROM ME! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT PUTTING IT INSIDE ME! THEIR BLOOD IS IMPURE! IT'S THE BLOOD OF OUR DAMNED PERSECUTORS! I WON'T BE INDEBTED TO THEM! I WON'T ACCEPT ANY SYMPATHY FROM HUMANS! I'D RATHER DIE THAN HAVE THEIR BLOOD IN MY BODY!"

The Sun Pirates stared at Tiger in complete shock and disbelief. Their captain…had just admitted his hatred towards humans!

"C…Captain?!" Jimbei questioned.

"I…I will never yield…to the humans!" Tiger panted.

"…" Arlong was silent. While deep inside, he was glad that Tiger finally admitted that he hated humans…he was also confused, as well.

"…I'm sorry," said Tiger. "I lied to all of you. I didn't want to tell anyone…but on my last journey…"

(Flashback; three years ago)

"This voyage has certainly been a long one, eh, Brother?" asked Jimbei.

"Yes, indeed!" Tiger replied. "And eventful!"

XXX

Tiger is kneeling before Neptune at Ryugu Palace, talking about going to Mariejois.

"Tell me something, Tiger," said Neptune. "What exactly did you see on your last adventure-jamon?"

"…I saw…human nature…!" Tiger whispered, angrily.

(Flashback end)

"Not long after I left on that journey…I was captured!" Tiger exclaimed. "I spent several years on Mariejois!"

"What?!" the Sun Pirates questioned.

Tiger sniffled as he began to shed tears of pain.

"…I was…A SLAVE FIR THE WORLD NOBLES!" he cried.

The Sun Pirates all stared in shock and disbelief at what they had just learned.

"…No…!" Jimbei whispered.

Arlong growled with overwhelming fury at this news, while Aladdin was completely stunned.

"C…Captain…!" Hachi whispered in shock.

Makuro's jaw hung open in disbelief.

"It was at Mariejois…that I witnessed the barbarity of humans," Tiger said. "I bare escaped with my life, but I couldn't bear to abandon the other slaves! I had to go back and save them! Even the human ones! Listen to me…I lived the life I wanted to live…and the deeds I had done…went against everything that Queen Otohime wanted to accomplish! She is right…of course everyone wants peaces!"

He sniffled, trying to choke back sobs.

"But…" he continued, "we can never change this island. That duty lies…in the youngsters, like sweet little Koala, who know nothing of the past and the years of hatred we all suffered! Please! I beg of you! Don't say anything about this to the people of the island! Don't tell them of our tragedy! Don't tell them about our rage against the humans! There are plenty of compassionate humans in this world! I know that! It's foolish to die and leave only hatred as a legacy! I know that, also! But…but…my reason is overpowered by the demon that dwells in my hearts! My very being refuses human blood! No matter how hard I try to fight it…I cannot…love humans…EVER~!"

"NO!" Jimbei shouted, his eyes beginning to form tears as well. "Don't say that, Captain! We need you to survive! YOU MUST LIVE!"

"Captain!" Aladdin shouted. "No matter what you say…the slaves that you had freed owe you their very lives! You are the Hero of Fishman Island who performed that great deed: Fisher Tiger!"

A pause…but then, a weak smile creased Tiger's lips.

"That's…good to hear…" he whispered.

(Flashback within the flashback)

A younger Fisher Tiger is seen, standing in the middle of the Fishman District.

"If no one else wants to take me on," he shouted, "then I'll be the boss of the Fishman District! I am Fisher Tiger, and I will take protect my brothers of the Fishman District with my very life!"

(Flashback end)

Suddenly…Tiger's body fell limp…and he breathed his last.

"CAAAAAAAAAPTAAAAAAAAAAAAIN~!" the Sun Pirates screamed mournfully.

On that day…the great Fisher Tiger, leader of the Sun Pirates and the Hero of Fishman Island…had died.

XXX

Sometime later on Foolshout Island…

"AAAAAAAAAAARRGGH!"

"So, you're Arlong, eh? You've got some nerve, showing your face back here. Are you stupid or something?"

It is revealed that Arlong had attempted to enter Koala's hometown, but when he got there, he had been attacked by none other than Vice-Admiral Borsalino, who pinned the Fishman to the ground with one foot.

"Get off me!" Arlong barked through his tears. "I'm going to kill all the humans who sold out Brother Tiger! I'm going back to that island that sold us out, too! Fisher Tiger is dead because of you damned humans! YOU PEOPLE OF INFERIOR SPECIES KILLED HIM!"

"Oh? He's dead, you say?" Borsalino questioned with a smirk. "Well, be that as it may…you're coming with me, Arlong."

Arlong gasped at this.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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