Takero's words, like a resounding bell, struck Fisher Tiger's heart, plunging him into deep contemplation. Yes... yes! Why did they possess such powerful, uniquely advantageous conditions, yet have to be like rats scurrying across the street, hated by everyone? Why, as children of the sea, did they not receive any of the respect they deserved?
Takero seemed to see through his internal struggle and confusion, and spoke, "Want to know the reason?"
Tiger looked up sharply, his deep eyes fixed intently on him.
Takero, in the simplest and most direct way, gave Tiger the answer he sought. "To put it bluntly. It's because you have never truly shown this world... your 'fists'!"
"Do you think this world is about some bullshit 'laws,' 'benevolence,' and 'peace'? Wrong! From ancient times until now, there has only been one true principle of the world—and that is 'power'! Power makes the King! The 'respect' you want, the 'equality' you want, and even... the 'peace' you want, will never be obtained through pleading and tears! Instead, you must use your own 'fists' to fight! To strive! To forcefully... snatch it back from those high-and-mighty bastards!"
"Just like this island, Ambury Island, where do you think it came from? A kind person gave it to me?"
"But..." Tiger's eyes were filled with intense struggle. After all, Queen Otohime's peace philosophy of "mutual understanding" was truly too deeply ingrained in his heart.
"But what?" Takero scoffed, and continued to speak. "Do you know, Tiger? Do you know what I've done all these years?"
"...Done what?" Tiger asked in confusion.
"I punched Celestial Dragons. I beat a former Marine Admiral. I, alone, destroyed the Marine's Buster Call fleet. I captured the World Government's most elite secret agents and put them to work mining in my mine." He paused, a look of extreme disdain on his face. "Even that bullshit, high-and-mighty 'World's Highest Authority'... the Gorosei, weren't they still severely rubbed on the ground by me?"
Tiger was utterly stunned! Takero... he... he actually... even beat the Gorosei?! This was beyond "shocking to hear"! This was simply... a myth!
Takero ignored his shock and then smiled. "Do you know? After I've done so many things that would be enough for the World Government to grind me to dust ten thousand times over, why don't they even dare to fart now? Isn't it because I showed them... the power that is enough to make all of them feel fear, feel dread!"
"But..." Tiger suddenly snapped back to reality, finally remembering the most crucial and realistic question, "Lord Takero... we Fish-Man Island don't have that kind of powerful strength, strong enough to contend with the entire world, like you do!"
That's right. Their Fish-Man Island was not like Takero, fearless of everything. For example, if he really caused a huge ruckus like Takero, and acted against the World Government, even if he himself could escape into the deep sea unharmed, and get away with it. But... Fish-Man Island couldn't run away. His friends and compatriots were all still there. If a full-scale war with the World Government truly broke out, Fish-Man Island would surely face the World Government's most insane and cruel... retaliation! Unless Tiger could be completely indifferent to the lives of millions of his compatriots on Fish-Man Island, or he could persuade all his compatriots to abandon their beautiful home—Fish-Man Island. But, unfortunately, he couldn't do either of these two things.
Hearing this, Takero, however, showed a very mysterious smile, filled with powerful confidence. "Don't worry."
He stood up, walked to Tiger, and patted his broad and firm shoulder. "Before, you didn't have it. But, from now on..."
His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable power that could make the entire world tremble.
"...As long as you are willing to follow me... You will soon possess that power."
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