Sea Circle Calendar 1507 – Near the Sabaody Archipelago
Thunder cracked across the sky. Rain hammered down. A storm churned the usually calm Sabaody seas into a raging monster.
A blinding flash lit the ocean. A girl in black ninja gear popped into existence mid-air.
Seabirds screeched. Nothing but endless blue. A giant wave swallowed her whole.
"Holy shi—"
Ice-cold water flooded her mouth, choking the rest.
The sea radiated some weird energy—Devil Fruit powers dead in her veins, strength draining fast.
'System, you absolute bastard…'
She blew out a lungful of air. Limbs heavy as lead, she sank deeper.
The drumming rain faded. Darkness swallowed her vision. Only the bubbling of her last breaths proved she was still alive.
Far off in the currents, a deep-red fishman saw it.
"That's… a human kid…"
Her young face stirred something in him. He instinctively swam to save her.
But the second his hand moved— searing pain from the brand on his chest froze him solid.
A fire roared in his heart.
Why? Why save a human?
Everything—his ruined dreams, trampled dignity—was their fault.
Cold currents brushed past. Bloodshot eyes. A silent scream in his soul.
Let the sea take her. She deserves it. Every human does. Just watch. Nothing wrong with that.
But… why were his rock-crushing hands shaking?
"If I turn that cold… wouldn't I just be… like them?"
The last shred of kindness tore at him. This huge man sobbed, tears lost in the sea.
His heart roared. Emotions clashed.
Hatred born of pain couldn't shake the iron will forged by reason.
Even after humans beat him bloody, he chose a future that could tie fishmen and humans together.
—At least kids are innocent.
His mind cleared. Superhuman strength surged. He shot through the currents like a torpedo.
In a blink, he was at her side.
Grabbed her hand. Rocketed to the surface.
SPLASH!
Sabaody, Tree 16. The red fishman dragged her ashore. No response. Panic hit.
"Crap, she drowned too long—need a doctor!"
He scooped her up, ready to sprint inland.
COUGH COUGH COUGH!
"No need—I am the doctor. Thanks!"
She jolted awake, pounded her chest, and spewed seawater.
Sakura gasped, legs shaky, but stood with his help.
'System, explain. NOW.'
[Cross-realm jump targets destiny fluctuations. Not under my control.]
'Destiny?'
Her blurry vision sharpened. The tall red fishman came into focus.
A face from memory—one that died full of hate.
"Fisher Tiger?"
He flinched, stepping back in a defensive stance.
First human contact in years—he remembered who he was. A slave escaped from Mariejois. Wanted.
Are humans gonna—
"Hey, let me say it properly this time."
"I'm Sakura Haruno. Thank you for saving me."
No casual grin this time. She looked dead serious at her rescuer.
A hand reached out.
No monster treatment. No slave-market stare. Just genuine human kindness.
Tiger's heart shook. His dripping hand hovered, unsure.
For once, he wasn't proud of his strength—terrified it might scare off this fragile goodwill.
SLAP!
Warm fingers grabbed his. Shook hard.
"You… I… wait, no—I'm Fisher Tiger."
After endless journeys, tortured by Celestial Dragons, he finally saw on land what Princess Otohime preached.
So beautiful.
The ideal nearly burned away by hatred… twitched.
His other hand clutched his rough hemp shirt over his chest.
Too late. She's too late.
All that was left was a demon driven by vengeance. His blood ran hot with hate.
He couldn't walk Otohime's path anymore.
Revenge on the corrupt rulers—that was the ash left after his dreams burned.
"Then I'm coming with you."
!!!
The storm's howl vanished. Waves slapping his face? Gone. Tiger's brain buzzed.
This giant man choked out: "What did you say?"
"I said I'm coming with you to get revenge on those in power. I can't stand them either."
Like she was just popping out for a walk and grabbing soy sauce on the way.
Dark lightning crackled around her words. Pure will shredded the gloom in his eyes.
Blazing light rode the shockwaves, shaking the earth, rattling the mangrove roots.
"You…"
The red fishman paled. Mouth hung open. Eyes bulged—veins popping.
Not just because she wielded the same power as Otohime back on Fish-Man Island.
But because she looked at the World Government like it was nothing.
For the first time, Fisher Tiger was curious about a human.
What kind of life made a girl like this?
"That's the World Government…"
His voice cracked, thick with emotion.
"So what? I'm a pirate. They're my enemies anyway!"
Sakura laughed—no hesitation.
In Tiger's eyes, her wild grin became the only thing in the world.