The cool-headed Tiger, the legendary leader of the Sun Pirates, was completely stunned when he heard Takero's casual suggestion for Fish-Man Island to simply follow him. His usually resolute face went completely blank with bewilderment.
How was he supposed to respond to something like that?
Agree? No, he absolutely couldn't.
"Lord Takero..." He finally chose a more careful and tactful reply. "Thank you... thank you very much for your high regard, but I'm just a commoner, an ordinary explorer. The future of Fish-Man Island, a major matter that could determine the fate of our entire race... I can't make any decisions for King Neptune and Queen Otohime."
"Oh, it's fine," Takero said, sounding completely unsurprised. He waved his hand casually and spoke in a relaxed tone, as if thinking, "Then we'll just try another plan". "Since you can't decide, it's simple. When you're ready to head back to that... what's-it-called, Fish-Man Island, I'll go with you."
"Then I'll personally have a good 'talk' with your leader ." He made sure to emphasize the word "talk".
When Tiger heard this, his heart, which had just started to calm down, immediately leaped back into his throat!
Almost subconsciously, a terrifying scene flashed into his mind —
The black-haired youth would descend upon their beautiful and dreamlike Ryugu Castle like some kind of god or demon. Then, he would declare to King Neptune and Queen Otohime in an unquestionable voice, "You'll either follow me, or... you'll die".
Without any logical reason, a wave of tension and resistance instantly flooded his heart. He felt that letting Takero, this "monster" who couldn't be measured by normal standards, go to Fish-Man Island was simply too terrifying! Heaven only knew what earth-shattering disaster this unpredictable "Emperor" would cause in their peaceful homeland!
Of course, these were thoughts he only dared to ponder silently; he would never voice them aloud.
On the other side, Takero seemed to notice Tiger's worry and reluctance. He smiled.
"I know what you're worried about," he said. "Don't worry, I'm always very reasonable and never force people to do things they don't want to do."
'...Do you call what just happened 'being reasonable'?' Tiger grumbled silently in his head, remembering how he had just been forcefully pinned to the ground.
"So," Takero said as he stood up. "Before visiting your place, I think it's necessary to let you completely understand the sincerity of our 'Golden Empire'."
Demonstrating The Golden Empire's Power
Takero led the still-confused Tiger back to the training grounds behind the mountain.
At that moment, hundreds of Saiyan Guard reserve members, all wearing special weighted suits, were going through the most basic Turtle Hermit Style physical training. Each of them was giving off a formidable aura, a Ki far surpassing that of ordinary people!
"Watch closely," Takero told Tiger.
Then, he casually waved to a man on the side who looked like an instructor supervising the training. The instructor's expression immediately became serious when he saw Takero. He jogged over and knelt on one knee with the utmost respect!
"Lord Takero!" he exclaimed.
"Hm," Takero nodded. "Find someone to demonstrate for him."
"Yes!" The instructor stood up and chose a reserve member from the training crowd.
The reserve member walked to a large stone monument in the center of the field, which was specifically designed for strength testing and made of incredibly hard granite. He took a deep breath and slowly brought his hands together at his waist. A faint yet incredibly focused Ki began to gather between his palms!
"Ka...me...ha...me...ha!" the member roared!
Accompanied by his shout, a blue-white energy beam—not yet thick but already fully taking shape—shot out from his palms! It slammed fiercely into the massive stone monument!
"Boom—!!!!"
Stone chips flew everywhere! The hard monument, strong enough to withstand cannon fire, was instantly blasted through by the Ki energy beam, leaving a charred hole!
Tiger's eyes widened instantly! "This... what is this?!" he gasped.
"This is the power of Ki," Takero explained calmly. "A power that even an ordinary person can master, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks ." He then handed Tiger a pre-prepared Turtle Hermit Style Training Manual.
"And this manual is the 'key' to mastering this power ." He continued, "Later, if I truly 'negotiate' well, I can pass on this miraculous training method to your Fish-Man race without reservation. At that time, the combat power of your entire Fish-Man Island will see an incredible leap forward!"
In addition to the Ki demonstration, Takero also showed Tiger other "black technologies" possessed by the Golden Empire that could drive the entire world crazy —
The Omni-Capsules that could store almost anything. The Senzu Beans that could instantly heal even the most severely wounded. And... the special, futuristic battle suits, custom-made by Germa 66 specifically for the Saiyan Guard.
A Difficult Choice
After experiencing all of these wonders firsthand, Tiger felt a shock he had never known before. Is this the power of technology? he thought.
Setting aside the exact difference between this so-called Ki and Haki for a moment. Just the battle suit that offered powerful defense and strength amplification, and those Senzu Beans that were nothing short of a "miracle of God"... were enough to make his heart pound with frantic excitement!
If... if every one of my compatriots could wear such powerful battle suits... he pondered. If, after unfortunately getting injured, they could all receive timely treatment from 'Senzu Beans'...
Then... then would they no longer have to fear those damned slave hunters?!Would they finally possess the true power to protect themselves?!
For a moment, Tiger's heart was caught in an unprecedented internal struggle. On one side, there was Queen Otohime's ideal of peaceful coexistence with humans. On the other, there was this thorny path, full of "iron and blood" and "resistance," that Takero had laid out. This was a truly difficult choice to make.
Ultimately... for the future of the race he loved so deeply. He made his decision.
Tiger slowly raised his head, his eyes now burning with a fiery resolve!
"I am willing..." He bowed deeply to Takero, "...to take you to Fish-Man Island to meet King Neptune and Queen Otohime."
"You have made the wisest decision," Takero said with a smile.
The Ultimate Destination
In the time that followed, the two talked happily. Takero even enthusiastically invited Tiger to have dinner with him.
At the dinner table, Takero asked curiously, "Speaking of which, I'm still a bit curious. You traveled all this way to the North Blue on this voyage... was it just to meet me?"
Tiger was stunned at the question. He suddenly remembered! Oh right!My... my ultimate goal for this voyage was to go to Mary Geoise to rescue those enslaved compatriots, wasn't it?! How had their conversation somehow turned into this current situation?
So, Tiger briefly explained his original plan, a plan big enough to shock the world, to Takero. Then, he said in a very serious tone, "Lord Takero, I know that I'm now practically your subordinate. My decision might bring you some trouble, but... this is something I absolutely must do!"
"I hope you won't stop me!"
Unexpectedly... "Go to Mary Geoise?" Takero didn't get angry. Instead, his eyes lit up, and a very excited smile appeared on his face!
"This sounds fun!" he exclaimed. "To be honest, I've wanted to visit that place called Mary Geoise for a long time! I just never had the time!"
"But..." He changed the subject. "...now is not the time. When the time is right, I'll go with you!"
Tiger was a bit bewildered. How... how did it feel like his new boss was even more eager than he was?
However, Tiger also felt that Takero was right. The most urgent task was still to return to Fish-Man Island first, to stop Queen Otohime's dangerous "nationwide signature" plan!
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