"...You no longer need to worry about this matter."
"Imu will handle it herself."
On the throne, Imu spoke slowly in her emotionless, god-like indifferent voice. The Gorosei below dared not ask any further questions. They merely knelt on one knee, bowing their heads even lower, and responded in unison with an incredibly respectful tone, from the depths of their souls: "...Yes."
Then Imu waved her hand, and they retreated silently, like five shadows.
Thus, only Imu remained in the vast and immense hall. She sat alone, quietly, on the 'Empty Throne' that symbolized the 'King of the World'. Then, she slowly raised her hand, and in it, at some unknown point, there was a wanted poster with the image of Strange Tail Takero.
Her eyes, hidden beneath her dark robe, gazed quietly at the wanted poster, at the black-haired young man who was smiling arrogantly and uninhibitedly at the entire world. After a long time, she murmured to herself in a voice only she could hear: "...Takero..."
"...That power of yours, capable of slaying gods..."
"...It should be... used by Imu."
The Champion's Request
At this moment, Takero didn't know that he had been targeted by the true, highest existence in this world. Of course, for him, even if he knew, he probably wouldn't care.
Takero was currently in his villa, meeting the final champion of this World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament.
"Congratulations on becoming the champion, though there was a bit of luck involved." Takero leaned casually on a large sofa, a wine bottle dangling from his hand, his legs crossed, as he scrutinized the tall, tower-like Fishman before him with an "acceptable" gaze.
"I acknowledge your strength." He continued, "So... what reward do you want? A billion Berries? Or... a rare Devil Fruit? Or do you want to follow me, live, and fight me? Speak, anything I can give, you can have." Takero was very generous to those he admired.
But Fisher Tiger heard these words without being moved; he didn't immediately answer Takero. He merely observed the incredibly young yet arrogant North Sea Emperor before him with a serious, probing gaze. He, Fisher Tiger, could finally speak to this man. This process, though difficult, yielded good results.
Finally, under Takero's somewhat curious gaze, Tiger slowly spoke. He first showed Takero a respectful gesture, then began to introduce himself. "My name is Fisher Tiger, an adventurer from Fish-Man Island."
He continued: "I don't want any rewards."
"I came to see you just to... ask you a few questions." Tiger's eyes were bright, showing a determination to achieve his goal.
"Oh?" Takero grew even more curious, so he magnanimously waved his hand, "Ask away."
Tiger's first question was direct. "Lord Takero, what are your thoughts on our Fish-Man race and Merfolk Race...?"
"No thoughts at all," Takero replied casually. "Aren't they just people who look like fish? Just an ordinary race."
Tiger looked into Takero's eyes. He could tell that the other party's words were sincere. There was no pretense, nor any special treatment. This pure, unbiased attitude of "equality" brought a long-lost joy to Tiger's heart.
So, Tiger then proceeded to ask his second question. "Then... do you think we, the Fishman and Merfolk races, can achieve true... peaceful coexistence with you humans?"
"What are your views on 'slavery' and the 'World Government'?"
"And the Celestial Dragons, do you think they are right?"
A series of questions made Takero's head spin. He directly waved his hand, interrupting the other party's questions, which were full of "philosophical speculation." "Stop! Stop! I say, are you a philosopher, you fellow? Why so many strange questions?"
Upon hearing this, Tiger merely sighed slowly. Then, he began to tell the story of his homeland beneath the deep sea—Fish-Man Island—and the tragic fate of their entire race. They are a "rare race" in the world. In the dirty slave auction markets on land, a healthy Fishman or Merfolk would be auctioned off at the highest price. Therefore, they are often hunted by those deranged slave hunters. They also face deeply ingrained discrimination and persecution from the human world. Life was unbearable.
At the height of his emotion, Tiger suddenly took off his shirt! "Hey! Stop! Stop it!" Takero was startled by his sudden action and quickly said, "I'm warning you! I don't like men!"
But Tiger seemed not to have heard him. He continued, displaying his broad, scarred chest. And in the center of that chest, a hideous, hoof-shaped scar, like a devil's brand, was clearly visible!
"I, once..." Tiger's voice became hoarse and deep, "...was also a slave to the Celestial Dragons."
"Many of my compatriots, even now, are still suffering from that persecution, which is worse than death." Tiger's eyes revealed towering resentment! He thought of the past, of the endless suffering he and his innocent compatriots had endured, and felt deep sorrow.
Takero listened, then fell silent for a moment. He picked up the wine bottle in his hand and took a big gulp.
Then, he said indifferently. "Oh. ...That's truly, miserable."
However, from his flat, almost indifferent tone, Tiger detected a hint of... disdain and contempt? So, he instinctively and somewhat angrily questioned: "Lord Takero! I heard that under your jurisdiction, the existence of 'slaves' is absolutely forbidden! I thought you were a true 'benevolent one' with great love and compassion! Could it be... that the tragic experiences of my compatriots cannot make you feel... even a shred of sympathy?!"
"Sympathy?"
Upon hearing this, Takero merely scoffed. Then, he spoke with a tone full of disdain and... a pure, utterly unreasonable "Saiyan logic":
"If you ask me... ...This is all your Fish-Man race's... ...own doing."
"Just endure it, and it's over."
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New Year Giveaway Update
To celebrate the New Year, I'll be randomly dropping a membership giveaway code in the Patreon community chats on January 2nd.
It will be first come, first serve—the first person to use it gets the membership access.
Keep an eye on the Patreon community chats. Once the code is claimed, the giveaway ends.
Happy New Year 🎉
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion