Chapter 108: 108. Merman Kills The Dragon, A Shocking Event

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Mariejois was breached, and the slave farms were reduced to ashes. This was not news the World Government could hope to suppress. The escape of a massive number of slaves turned them into living testaments to the event, spreading the story like wildfire. By the time they reached the Sabaody Archipelago, the prestige of the World Government had already taken a severe blow. Two days later, while whispers of the incident had already begun circulating across the seas, Morgans' powerful news network ensured the full details of the event became public. The dramatic tale was chronicled in the biggest newspaper headline of the year and distributed across the world. The story was astounding: A single man scaled the 10,000-meter Red Line with his bare hands, infiltrated the Holy Land of Mariejois, liberated countless slaves, and set the slave fields ablaze. Amidst the chaos of the rebellion and the blazing fires, Fisher Tiger had performed an even bolder act. Against all odds, he snuck into the heavily guarded quarters of the Celestial Dragons, assassinated the noble who had enslaved him, and escaped. The audacity of this act earned Fisher Tiger his first bounty—an extraordinary 865 million berries. In the aftermath, a group called the Sun Pirates, composed entirely of fish-men, formed and took to the seas, fleeing from the World Government's wrath. Fisher Tiger became a name known worldwide. Across the world, reactions to the news varied wildly. "This guy... he's like a hero standing against authority!" "Finally, someone brave enough to stand up to those Celestial Dragons... even if he's just a fish-man monster." "My child might have been liberated too. Could she be at Sabaody Archipelago? I have to go find her!" On islands far and wide, ordinary people cheered Tiger's actions. Few shed tears for the destruction at Mariejois, as the Celestial Dragons were more feared and loathed than respected by the common folk. The event even reignited long-standing hatred toward the Celestial Dragons. Doflamingo is the best example of their anger and resentment. Meanwhile, on Fish-Man Island, inside Ryugu Palace, the mood was far more somber. King Neptune and Queen Otohime were deeply troubled by the events. While they understood Tiger's actions to liberate slaves, the assassination of a Celestial Dragon had escalated the situation beyond repair. "This is a disaster," Neptune muttered gravely. He could already envision the World Government's retaliation against Fish-Man Island once the dust settled. Their proximity beneath the sea to Mariejois made them an easy and vulnerable target. Turning to his wife, he asked, "What should we do?" Otohime remained silent for a moment, her expression shadowed with worry. Tiger's unbridled anger and actions had caught even her off guard. Finally, she shook her head and replied, "I don't know... but perhaps we should prepare to offer more Heavenly Tribute to appease the World Government's wrath." Neptune's fists tightened. "If I had known it would come to this, I never would have allowed Tiger to act. But thinking about it... how could anyone suppress their rage after enduring such abuse and pain for so long?" Otohime lowered her gaze, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. This was not just about Tiger anymore—it was about the future of Fish-Man Island itself. King Neptune was visibly angry. The incident had escalated to a level that endangered the safety of Fish-Man Island itself. Otohime, sitting silently by his side, was speechless. She couldn't help but wonder how things had spiraled so out of control. When she had spoken to Tiger, his intentions seemed far from this outcome. Meanwhile, aboard the Sun Pirates' ship, the escaped crew were still processing the gravity of the situation. Among them, Fisher Tiger's younger followers from Fish-Man District were proudly celebrating the news they had read in the papers. The future tyrant of East Blue, Arlong, slapped the newspaper triumphantly. "Big Brother Tiger, you're incredible! Killing the man and leaving that female Celestial Dragon alive—it's like you wanted the whole world to see the greatness of your actions!" The others nodded in agreement. Many aboard the ship shared an intense hatred for humans, especially the Celestial Dragons. However, not everyone was so enthused. "I think this might've been the wrong approach," said Jinbei, his tone serious. "Sure, it's a grand event, but it's reckless. The Marines won't let this slide. They might even send an Admiral... or worse." "What Admiral?" Arlong sneered. "We fish-men are superior to humans! And don't forget, the sea is our territory!" The discussion grew heated until someone noticed Tiger's unusually grim expression. Tiger had been staring at the newspaper, his face dark and tense. Finally, he slammed the paper down and growled through clenched teeth: "I didn't kill that bastard! This news is a lie!" His outburst shocked the crew into silence. Tiger's thoughts were racing. He knew the consequences of such an act. Being hunted didn't concern him, but the implications for Fish-Man Island were devastating. If the world truly believed he had killed a Celestial Dragon, the World Government's wrath would fall on his homeland. He couldn't return to Fish-Man Island now—it would only worsen the situation. As Fisher Tiger and the Sun Pirates fled across the seas, chaos brewed in Mariejois. In a lavish chamber, Palazzo Lor Jabbert, the widow of Saint Colmer, was in a violent rage. Her husband had been killed during the uprising, and she was one of the few witnesses to the event. When the guards finally arrived that night, they found her clutching a pistol, trembling with fear, and screaming at the scene before her. Saint Colmer lay dead, his chest pierced by a fist, while Tiger had fled the area after the struggle. The damaged Den Den Mushi equipment left behind and Lor Jabbert's testimony painted a clear picture: the merman Fisher Tiger had assassinated her husband. The story was soon corroborated by Morgans' reporters and published worldwide. Now, in the aftermath, Lor Jabbert was unleashing her fury on those around her. "You useless fools!" she screamed, her once elegant face twisted in rage. "I was nearly killed by that filthy thing! Why don't you all just die along with Colmer!" She lashed out, viciously kicking one of the CP agents kneeling before her. Though they bore her abuse without resistance, their faces betrayed the weight of their shame. Despite being top-level operatives, they had failed to protect their assigned noble. Now, with Lor Jabbert becoming the new head of her household, their positions were precarious. "Lady Lor Jabbert, please, calm yourself," one of the CP agents said carefully. "The merman responsible is being pursued by the Marines as we speak. It's only a matter of time before he is captured and brought to you for execution." Lor Jabbert's eyes flared with disdain. She kicked the agent again, harder this time. "You think I'd sully my hands with that filthy blood?!" Her fury subsided slightly as she looked down at the trembling CP agents. Their submission brought her a cruel sense of satisfaction, though her face remained contorted with anger. "I don't want anything to do with disgusting creatures like fish-men. But they all come from Fish-Man Island, don't they?" Her lips curled into a malicious grin. "Then that wretched island must pay for what happened to my husband. I want every last mermaid on that island enslaved. Let them all become my property!"