Tiger’s "Death"
The influence of religious beliefs is quite significant, especially when some people experience a collapse of faith or a mental breakdown; something that seems "reasonable" can become their life saving straw.
When someone believes that this ideology is their pursuit, the spread of religion becomes particularly rapid, especially in poor places, where a bag of grains can be enough to change someone's faith, even though their faith may not be sincere, and many people are just doing it for a meal.
However, as time passes, there will always be someone among those vast numbers who change.
The current situation is particularly special. Tiger seems to have undergone some changes, shifting from aimless sailing to having more ideas.
"Boss! Are you okay?"
Watching Tiger walk out, Arlong's mood noticeably improved.
"Yeah, I'm fine now, feeling much better."
Due to Tiger's appearance, the celebration on the ship continued for another day. Many carefree Fish-Men had already passed out drunk, while Tiger went to look for Jinbe.
"Jinbe."
"What is it, Boss Tai?"
"I remember what that Marine said. I'm afraid the World Government has set its sights on me. If we just return to Fishman Island like this, it'll bring trouble for the Ryugu Kingdom.
Continuing to lead you all will be a threat to you. For the World Government, only my death would be the best outcome."
"Wait! Boss Tai, you're not planning something foolish, are you?!"
Listening to Tiger speak to him as if it were his last words, Jinbe suddenly had a bad feeling.
"You misunderstand, Jinbe. Only you all will know about my life or death. So, I need the outside world to think I'm dead. I need you to lead the others to attack a group of Marines and spread the news that I died from excessive bleeding to the Marines."
"But Boss Tai, what about Fishman Island? You must have heard about the reason they've come to save you..."
"I know. We've already discussed it. This is to give a way out to the World Government. What they care about most is their reputation. If I don't die once, they'll never be satisfied.
As long as I show up on Fishman Island, the public will believe I'm not dead yet, so there's no problem."
"But if the news reaches the World Government..."
"It doesn't matter then. Their operation will have succeeded, and I'll be dead. As long as I don't draw attention afterwards, they won't waste energy on a 'dead man.'"
World Government only needs results. After they spread the news of Tiger's death, even if they find out he's alive, they won't make a big fuss over it, as that would become embarrassing for them.
"So, Jinbe, I leave the Sun Pirates to you from now on."
"And what about you? If you're not going back to Fishman Island, Boss Tai, where will you go?"
"I've heard there are many Fish-Men living in Mandrell's territory. I'll go there first, and then if I have the chance... I'll go take a look at the New World."
Jinbe thought Tiger was going to enter into more dangerous waters, but Tiger's New World and Jinbe's understanding of the New World were completely different.
Afterwards, under Jinbe's leadership, the Sun Pirates launched their "retaliatory action" against the Marines. As they sank several warships, news of Tiger's death spread.
Borsalino also completed his task, albeit with some casualties.
After being lectured by Sengoku for an hour, Borsalino visited his injured subordinates in the Marine hospital.
To sum up the current situation of Strawberry in one sentence: not dead but undergoing a makeover.
"Hmm...Strawberry, you might want to change your hairstyle."
At this moment, Strawberry had shrunk inexplicably, his once straight head now bent backwards like a nightcap. Chinjao would be able to empathize with his pain.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino, you must be joking..."
"Can't your head be restored?"
"The doctor said the curvature is pressing on a crucial nerve, so it's best to keep it this way."
"Then, get well soon. By the way, according to the feedback from the Fish-Men side, Tiger should be dead, and that achievement will be credited to you."
After exchanging pleasantries, Borsalino left, leaving Strawberry with a crooked head but a new military merit. Among the Marines, there was now a leader with a crooked head. Meanwhile, Mandrell and others had just arrived near Fishman Island.
While the ship was being coated, the Fish-Men returned early to Fishman Island. They didn't have any rigid requirements for the coating; however, Arlong clearly had strong objections to Tiger's faked death.
"Boss, there's no need for this, right? Are you scared of those Marines now?"
"Arlong, after sailing for so many years, haven't you felt the disparity in our strength? Drop your arrogance. This world is bigger than you think, and this incident also proves the Marines' strength. Escalating it and dragging all of Fishman Island into chaos serves no purpose.
But I must commend you on one thing."
"Huh? What did I do?"
"At least now you refer to them as Marines, not humans."
Narrowing down the range from the entire group to specific enemies was a rare progress for Arlong.
"Oh, by the way, Arlong, you should come with me later."
"Sure! Boss, I'd rather follow you than Brother Jinbe."
He thought it was because Tiger regarded him highly, but in reality, it was because Tiger was concerned that Jinbe might not be able to control Arlong, leading him to do something reckless. Thus, he decided to take Arlong with him.
Even though Tiger's words ran counter to Arlong's thoughts completely, Arlong would still consider them, and only Tiger could do this among everyone on Fishman Island.
Later, they returned to Fishman Island. Initially, the Fish-Men were deeply saddened by Tiger's supposed death, but Tiger appeared alive before them once again.
Tiger cited his desire to continue exploring as the reason for his faked death, instructing the other Fish-Men not to publicize it too much. As long as they knew the truth, it was enough.
Now that news of his death had spread, as long as he didn't dance in front of a Marine base, even if the news leaked, at most, it would lead to small-scale assassination attempts.
After a brief stay of two days on Fishman Island, Tiger, accompanied by a few Fish-Men, left with Mandrell. Jinbe, on the other hand, waited for the new ship to be completed before continuing his journey. Mandrell felt something strange, though; there seemed to be more and more strange people in his private territory.
Meanwhile, in the Grand Line's waters, there was still that red Gyarados, leading its clan towards Wano Country. The reason it had arrived early was because of the plate entwined beneath its body.
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