Sorry… I probably can't leave the island right now.
Faced with Fang Yi's invitation, Fisher Tiger hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
"It's fine." Fang Yi gave a helpless smile. Most of the people he had wanted to invite personally had turned him down, so he was already used to rejection.
"That kid, Kitt, actually has good talent—it's just his temperament that's a little… rough. If you're willing, you can take him with you." Tiger glanced at the boy arguing loudly with Arlong and Jinbe in the distance, smiling faintly.
Fang Yi studied Tiger silently, sensing there was more he wanted to say.
"That child is an orphan. His personality is a bit withdrawn. I've been looking after him for years. I always knew he wanted to set sail. If I hadn't held him back, he probably would've left long ago. Now that you've appeared, even I won't be able to stop him anymore. You're all strong enough to protect him. If he goes out to sea alone… I'm afraid he wouldn't survive very long." Tiger's voice was low, tinged with concern.
"Why?" Fang Yi asked in surprise. "If a fishman sails, couldn't he just jump into the sea and escape if there's danger?"
Tiger chuckled bitterly. "As a fishman… in this world, we have no friends. Only our own kind."
Fang Yi fell silent. It was true—fishmen had immense advantages at sea, but once they set foot on land, the entire world treated them as enemies.
"That's why I'm asking you. Please, take that child with you." Tiger's eyes met Fang Yi's.
"So that's why you rejected me," Fang Yi realized. At last, the reason for Tiger's refusal made sense.
Tiger nodded. "Yes. I also want to see the world, but not as a pirate. I want to search for a way to change Fishman Island's fate."
"I understand." Fang Yi nodded firmly. "I'll take Kitt with us. I look forward to meeting you again on the seas."
"Thank you." A genuine smile spread across Tiger's face. "I believe our paths will cross again."
After reaching this understanding with Tiger, Fang Yi spoke with his crewmates. Fortunately, everyone had a good impression of Kitt, and his natural speed-based talent made him a promising fighter. Soon, Fang Yi formally extended an invitation.
"You're really inviting me onto your ship? But I'm a fishman—not a human," Kitt asked, blinking in disbelief.
"Of course I know. But what does that matter? If you accept, you'll be our crewmate, our partner." Fang Yi stretched out his hand with a smile.
Kitt wanted to shake it immediately, but he instinctively looked at Tiger first. Seeing Tiger nod in approval, Kitt's eyes lit up. "Then, Captain… please take care of me!"
"Welcome aboard the Dragonwolf Pirates! From now on, we're all comrades." Fang Yi stepped forward and hugged the boy.
Kitt stiffened awkwardly. Having grown up in the backstreets, he had never been embraced before.
Tipani quickly ran up and hugged him too, laughing loudly at his embarrassed face.
"Welcome aboard. I'm the first mate… Red-Haired Shanks," Shanks said warmly, hugging him as well.
"Douglas Barrett, combat leader. Kid, don't hold us back." Barrett even allowed himself a rare smile.
Jessica and Lucky Roo both came over to offer their welcomes as well.
For the first time, the fishman boy Kitt felt a true warmth in his chest.
Off to the side, Arlong watched, his face twisted between envy and jealousy. His mouth spat barbed words of mockery.
"Hey, you over there." Fang Yi slowly lifted his gaze. "I don't care what grudges you and Kitt had before, but now he's my crewmate—my partner. I won't allow anyone to hurt my partners, not even with words."
"What are you gonna do about it?" Arlong shot back defiantly.
"Nothing much. I didn't come to Fishman Island looking for trouble. So shut your mouth… or accept my challenge." Fang Yi calmly drew the bow from his back.
"Captain!" Before Arlong could respond, Kitt stepped forward. "Let me handle this! I'll settle things with him once and for all. No matter who wins or loses, our past grudges end here. Agreed?"
"Hmph! As if I'd ever back down. You think I'm afraid of you?" Arlong snarled, stepping forward.
"Arlong!" Jinbe and Tiger both moved quickly to stop the fight.
"My apologies—Arlong means no real harm," Tiger said with an apologetic smile to Fang Yi. Then he turned back, his voice cold. "Arlong, are you ignoring even my words now?"
"But Big Brother Tiger, it's that brat who's too arrogant! He's always relied on his strength. Now that Jinbe's surpassed him, he can't take it and provokes me instead!" Arlong protested angrily.
Fang Yi rolled his eyes. He hadn't seen everything, but from what he'd witnessed since arriving, it was always Arlong picking at Kitt. Before, Kitt hadn't been part of the Dragonwolf Pirates, so Fang Yi had stayed out of it. But now that Kitt was his crewmate, he would never let Arlong keep harassing him.
"Arlong, enough talk! Do you dare to fight me or not?" Kitt shouted, stepping forward boldly.
He had already lost twice earlier today. This was the perfect chance to prove himself to his new crewmates. Of course, he had no intention of truly harming Arlong—they were still fellow fishmen, after all.
"Fight it is! Big Brother Tiger, you heard him—he's the one asking for it!" Arlong roared.
"Brother Tiger, let them fight," Fang Yi added calmly. "Sometimes men can only settle things with their fists. According to Kitt's terms, once this is done, their grudge ends. They'll still be comrades."
Tiger sighed and nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But stop before it goes too far."
On the backstreets of Fishman Island, Tiger's position as leader was unchallenged—but who was second had always been debatable.
Kitt had once believed that spot was his. Raised by Tiger, he had trained hard and thought himself second only to his mentor. But after Jinbe appeared, everything changed. Despite his simple, honest demeanor, Jinbe's talent and strength quickly surpassed Kitt's.
After several confrontations, Jinbe had finally agreed to a duel, and Kitt had lost badly. As the future vice-captain of the Sun Pirates, later a Warlord of the Sea, Jinbe's talent was monstrous even at his young age.
Kitt simply couldn't match him.
But against Arlong, who had far less talent, Kitt's speed gave him the upper hand.
Sure enough, as the duel began, Kitt completely suppressed Arlong. Out of respect for their kinship, he held back his full power, showing his strength without going for serious harm.
"This kid's speed really is something. If he hadn't underestimated me earlier, I wouldn't have beaten him so easily," Lucky Roo muttered around a mouthful of food.
"With proper training, he could become a real asset," Barrett admitted, watching closely. "Especially in water battles—pair him with Wang Zai, and their synergy could be dangerous."
"Oh ho~ did I just hear Barrett talk about tactics?" Tipani teased, covering her mouth with a laugh. "That's not like you at all."
Barrett flushed and looked away, pretending not to hear.
Meanwhile, in the ring, Arlong was quickly being overwhelmed. Embarrassment twisted to fury. His strikes grew wilder, less like sparring and more like a desperate struggle.
Twice now, he had been humiliated by faster opponents. His eyes were bloodshot with rage.
"Big Brother Tiger…" Jinbe looked uneasily at Tiger. He knew how much Tiger cared for Kitt.
Tiger hesitated. "…Let's wait. Kitt should be able to handle this."
But even as he spoke, Kitt noticed something was wrong. Taking advantage of an opening, he kicked Arlong away and declared firmly: "Arlong, you've lost!"
"Lost? Me? To you? Never! Die!" Arlong roared. He staggered up, opened his jaws wide—and yanked out his own teeth.
With a sickening crunch, he fixed them into his hands like jagged blades.
As a sawshark fishman, he could regrow teeth quickly. This was his unique technique.
"Enough, Arlong! Stop this now!" Tiger barked, realizing things were getting out of control.
Kitt nodded at Tiger's words. He glanced once more at Arlong, then turned to walk back toward Fang Yi. The fight was over.
But that single glance ignited Arlong's fury even further. Interpreting it as mockery, his bloodshot eyes widened in rage.
Ignoring Tiger's command, Arlong launched himself forward with a savage leap—his shark teeth aimed directly at Kitt's throat.
If they struck, the boy's life would be in danger.