The coral streets of Fishman Island glimmered under the floating lantern fish, vibrant and alive — yet carrying an undertone of unrest.
Fisher Tiger walked through them with steady, deliberate strides. Ada's earlier words clung to his mind like the gentle pull of the tide.
"If you lead them… they'll follow."
The Sun Pirates.
A fleet under the crescent moon of Nyx.
Not slaves. Not rebels.
A banner powerful enough to shield fishmen everywhere.
He made his way toward the Fishman District — the place of his childhood, where hope and bitterness intertwined like coral roots.
Eyes watched him as he passed — cautious, curious, and sometimes resentful.
The shadows deepened as he reached the heart of the district.
Jinbe was there, training young fishmen with calm authority. Aladdin observed nearby, arms crossed, while Arlong sharpened his saw-nose blade, the metallic scrape echoing harshly.
Jinbe was the first to notice him.
"Brother Tiger?" he called out, surprise flickering in his eyes. "I didn't expect you back so soon."
Tiger stepped forward, voice firm. "I'm forming something new. A crew… no, a fleet. Under Ada. The Nyx Pirates."
Aladdin raised a brow. "A fleet?"
Tiger nodded. "A place where fishmen stand together. Where no chain can reach us."
Jinbe's expression softened. "If it's your leadership… then I will gladly join."
"If it's you leading… I'll follow." Aladdin said with quiet conviction.
Arlong froze mid–nose swipe.
Then slowly… he stood.
"You're joking," he snarled.
Arlong shot to his feet, fury twisting his features.
Arlong spat. "You want us to follow a human?!"
Tiger met his enraged stare evenly. "I'm following Ada."
"Same damn thing!" Arlong roared, nose-blade glinting. "Human blood! Human cruelty! And you want us to kneel?!"
"No one kneels," Tiger said firmly. "We stand side by side."
"Bullshit!" Arlong's voice shook with bitterness.
Arlong's teeth gnashed. "You disappoint me, Brother. After everything they did to you… to all of us…"
His voice cracked — just slightly.
"You side with them?"
Tiger's voice lowered, calm but cutting. "I'm choosing justice. Ada is not like them. She's saved more lives than you've counted victims."
Arlong lunged, but Jinbe intercepted him with one strong arm.
"Enough," Jinbe warned.
Arlong ripped himself free, seething.
"Keep your fleet," he hissed. "Keep your human-loving dreams. I won't follow a traitor."
He disappeared into the shadowed coral tunnels, leaving the air heavy and tense.
Jinbe exhaled. "He won't return soon."
Aladdin sighed. "Arlong has a deep seethed hatred for humans. He won't come back easily."
"He will decide his fate," Tiger replied quietly. "And we will decide ours."
Together, the three turned and headed back toward the palace.
The future followed them like a distant rumble.
—————————-
As they approached the upper district, a rush of sound met them — crowds gathering, voices rising in hope.
There she was.
Otohime stood at the center of Gyoncorde Plaza, surrounded by scattered petition sheets. Her voice rang through the water like a warm current.
"Please! We must open our hearts! The surface world is not our enemy!"
She spoke with such shining conviction that even passing children paused to watch.
But Tiger suddenly froze.
Something was wrong.
His instincts — those honed in slavery and war — screamed danger.
He scanned the plaza.
There — behind a coral lantern pillar.
A faint glint of metal.
A sniper's barrel.
No one else saw it.
Otohime turned, smiling gently at the crowd.
The gun cocked.
Tiger moved.
He surged forward, faster than thought, throwing himself between Otohime and the hidden threat.
BANG.
A bullet tore through his side.
Blood spiraled through the water in dark ribbons.
Otohime gasped, reaching toward him desperately.
"T–Tiger?!"
He collapsed, the world tilting.
The plaza erupted in chaos.
"WHO SHOT HIM?!"
"WHERE—?!"
Then Hody Jones shoved through the panicked crowd, pointing dramatically into the shadows.
"A HUMAN!" he shouted. "A human sniper! They tried to kill the Queen!"
Shock spread like wildfire.
"A human?! Here?!"
"They attacked us AGAIN?!"
"Damn them—!"
Tiger struggled to speak, to warn them, but consciousness slipped from his grasp as the water dimmed.
Hody's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
——————
The palace vibrated with sudden tremors — hurried footsteps, guards shouting, the sound of seashell-den-den mushi ringing furiously.
Ada and her crew had been in a meeting chamber with Neptune, discussing the Sun Pirates and the expansion of the Nyx Fleet.
Fisher Tiger had excused himself earlier.
They never expected the doors to burst open.
A palace guard stumbled in, pale and shaking. "Y–Your Majesty— Lady Ada—there's been—there's been an incident—!"
Neptune stood immediately, trident clattering softly as he gripped it. "What happened?"
The guard swallowed hard. "At Gyoncorde Plaza—Queen Otohime—there was an assassination attempt!"
The entire crew froze.
"And Fisher Tiger—"
The guard's voice cracked.
"H–He jumped in front of the bullet!"
Ada's eyes sharpened instantly.
Okiku gasped. Hiyori covered her mouth.
Tesoro cursed violently.
Enel's shoulders crackled with lightning, the lights in the room flickering.
Mihawk said nothing — but the slight tilt of his head showed even he was taken aback.
"Where is he?" Ada demanded.
"In the plaza— he's losing a massive amount of blood! W-We're trying to bring him to the palace ward now!"
Neptune slammed the butt of his trident to the floor, the crack reverberating through the chamber. "How could this happen in our kingdom?!"
Lilith was already reaching into her pack. "Tiger's blood type… he said once it's extremely rare—if they can't find a donor—"
"That doesn't matter," Ada said, already walking to the door.
Bullet stepped aside, letting her pass. Even Mihawk turned his head toward her — reading her intent instantly.
Neptune rushed toward the exit. "We must get to him—NOW!"
Before they could take two steps, another guard skidded into the hallway, panting hard.
"There's more—!"
Ada stopped. Neptune turned sharply.
Mihawk's voice was soft, but dangerous. "What more?"
The guard hesitated, terrified.
"T-The citizens… someone shouted that the shooter was… a human."
The room darkened.
Tesoro's eyes narrowed. "How convenient."
Lilith shook her head. "A planted lie."
Hiyori whispered, horrified, "This will destroy Otohime's work…"
Perona whispered, shaken, "If the crowd believes that… everything Otohime worked for—her dream—"
Neptune clenched his fists. "If the crowd turns against humans—against Otohime—"
Ada stepped forward, expression unreadable.
"Then we clear the truth."
No fear.
No hesitation.
Just certainty.
Her steps resumed — faster.
"Everyone," Ada said quietly, but her voice echoed like thunder.
"Move."
The Nyx Pirates surged after her, their presence shaking the coral halls as they raced toward the chaos.
They did not know what awaited them in the plaza — only that blood had already been shed, a lie was spreading like poison, and Fisher Tiger's life hung by a thread.
And Ada was going to cut through all of it.
———————
Healers rushed Fisher Tiger into the nearest medical ward, their voices overlapping in frantic, panicked waves.
"Pressure's dropping!"
"He's losing too much blood!"
"Get the bandages—no, more, more!"
"His wound's too deep—dammit—!"
Another healer shouted from across the coral-lit room.
"His blood type—! We don't have anyone with this type!"
"Check the palace registry!"
"We checked—there's no match in the entire kingdom!"
"Someone—anyone—!"
The room spun in terror. The air itself felt suffocating.
Then—
A voice cut through the chaos like a blade gliding through still water.
Calm. Sharp. Absolute.
"Move."
The healers froze.
Ada stepped through the doorway, her cloak trailing behind her like a shadow that demanded silence.
Her eyes—cold, focused, unshakeable—swept over the room.
Behind her came Mihawk, expression unreadable.
Bullet, radiating barely restrained fury.
Lilith, frantic but determined.
Okiku and Hiyori, pale with worry.
Enel, electricity crawling across his skin in violent arcs.
The room tensed under the overwhelming presence of the Nyx Pirates.
Neptune hurried in after them, his massive frame shaking the coral flooring.
Jinbe and Aladdin arrived moments later from the plaza, both stained with Tiger's blood, both breathing heavily.
The healers parted instinctively.
Ada went straight to Tiger's bedside.
He lay there—massive, powerful—but weak, blood pooling beneath him.
His breathing hitched. His fins trembled.
His eyes lifted only slightly.
"…Captain…?"
Her gaze softened just a fraction. "You idiot."
Even bleeding out, he managed a faint, shaky smile. "You should've seen… how fast the bullet was."
"You should've dodged." Ada said.
He huffed something like a laugh—but it turned into a cough.
A doctor approached, hands trembling.
"Lady Ada—we… we don't have anyone with his blood type. It's— it's one of the rarest among fishmen. We tried every guard, every healer—"
Ada turned her head slightly.
"What is it?"
The doctor swallowed.
"Type AB."
Gasps filled the room. Even Jinbe stiffened.
"That's almost extinct," Jinbe murmured. "Even among fishmen… only a handful are born with it every generation."
Aladdin stepped closer, horror creeping into his expression. "If no one matches— Brother Tiger will—"
"Die," another healer whispered.
No one said anything.
Everyone already knew.
Tiger closed his eyes, breath trembling.
"Looks like… I caused trouble again."
Ada did not respond immediately.
Then—without hesitation—she rolled up her sleeve.
And said.
"I'm the match."
The entire room exploded in shock.
"What?!"
"No way—"
"H-Humans don't have AB blood types—!"
"That's impossible!"
Jinbe staggered back. Aladdin's jaw dropped.
Even Neptune looked as if struck by lightning.
"Lady Ada," a doctor stammered, "a human giving blood to a fishman—there's no record of this—this could kill both of you—"
Ada's expression did not waver.
"I'm not asking for permission."
Her eyes cut through the doctor like sharpened ice.
"Start the transfusion."
"Captain—!" Tiger protested weakly, trying to lift an arm. "You shouldn't—this is dangerous—"
Ada placed her hand gently over his, pushing it down.
"You said fishmen were your family," she said softly. "So your life isn't yours to throw away."
Tiger swallowed, vision blurring.
His fins trembled.
"Captain…"
For the first time in years—Fisher Tiger looked afraid.
And for the first time in his life—he looked grateful for a human.
The healers, still trembling, set up the transfusion.
Tubes clinked. Coral lamps glowed brighter.
Every fishman in the room leaned forward, breath held.
Ada did not flinch as the needle slid into her arm.
A soft drip echoed.
Human blood—pale and bright—flowed through the tube.
And into a fishman's veins.
The room fell silent.
Dead silent.
Gasps.
Cries.
Whispers.
"This… this is history…"
"A human… giving blood to a fishman…"
"Is this real…?"
"Lady Ada… she's actually—"
Some healers cried openly.
Some stared in disbelief.
Some bowed their heads, overwhelmed by the weight of what they were seeing.
Jinbe's hands shook.
Aladdin covered his mouth, tears gathering in his eyes.
For fishmen—who had suffered under humans for centuries—this moment was unthinkable.
Tiger's breathing slowly steadied.
His wound stopped bleeding.
Color returned to his skin.
Ada remained seated, perfectly still, eyes locked on Tiger—calm and unwavering, even as blood drained from her arm.
Neptune whispered, voice cracking,
"Ada… you're saving him."
She didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Across the room, in the shadows—
Hody Jones watched.
His fists clenched so hard his nails pierced his palms.
Rage simmered in his eyes.
Because the moment Ada gave her blood—
the moment she shattered the ancient wall between human and fishman—
his entire ideology cracked.
But he slipped back into the darkness.
Waiting.
Seething.
Planning.
As Ada remained beside Tiger, refusing to let him fade.
For the first time in Fishman Island's history—
human and fishman blood flowed together.
And it saved a life.
——————-
Hours passed.
The palace ward, once filled with shouting and panic, had fallen into a tense, fragile quiet. The soft glow of coral lamps lit the room as healers worked silently, checking Fisher Tiger's vitals again and again—as if afraid he might fade the moment they looked away.
Jinbe sat at Tiger's bedside, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, worry etched into every line of his face.
Aladdin stood behind him, arms crossed tightly, trying—and failing—to hide how red his eyes were from crying.
Then—
Tiger's fingers twitched.
A low groan escaped his throat.
His eyes blinked open.
"Brother Tiger?!" Jinbe stood so fast his chair crashed behind him. "You're awake! Thank the sea!"
Aladdin exhaled shakily, relief spilling across his face.
"You scared us half to death, brother."
Tiger looked around slowly, taking in the tubes, the bandages, the faint ache in his chest.
"…I'm alive…?"
"Yes," Jinbe said, voice thick. "Because of Lady Ada."
Tiger frowned. "…Ada…?"
Aladdin nodded. "She gave you her blood. Almost half her supply."
Tiger stared at him—shocked, confused, overwhelmed.
"A… human?" he whispered.
Jinbe's voice dropped, almost reverent. "Yes. For you."
Tiger closed his eyes, breath trembling.
Then the door slid open with a soft hiss.
Ada stepped inside.
Her left arm was wrapped in thick white bandages. Her skin was paler than usual, but her posture was steady, her steps controlled.
Behind her, the rest of the Nyx Pirates hovered in the hall—pretending they weren't worried, but absolutely failing.
Enel, arms crossed, sparks still crackling in agitation.
Bullet, scowling, but with his jaw clenched in relief.
Mihawk, calm but unusually attentive.
Tesoro, pretending to polish his rings to hide the tremor in his hands.
Perona, ghost floating anxiously behind her.
Lilith, still holding a tray of medical supplies she wasn't asked to carry.
Okiku and Hiyori, quiet, hands clasped in prayer-like relief.
Ada stepped forward, her cloak brushing softly against the coral floor.
"Took you long enough," she said.
Her voice was cool as ever—but softer at the edges. "I wasn't going to drag your soul back myself."
Tiger stared at all of them—his crew, his allies—unable to speak.
And Jinbe and Aladdin watched him with warm, proud eyes.
Tiger's breath hitched.
He lifted a trembling hand to his face—
—and felt wetness.
Tears.
Real, heavy tears that drifted into the water like silver drops.
He tried to hide them at first.
He turned his head.
He covered his eyes with a massive hand.
But the tears only flowed harder.
Jinbe stepped forward, voice soft. "Brother… it's all right."
Aladdin rested a hand on his shoulder. "You scared all of us, Tiger. Let us be relieved."
Tiger shook his head, trying—and failing—to steady his voice.
"I… I don't deserve this."
His chest heaved with emotion.
"I hurt humans back then. I hated them. I—"
He looked at Ada, eyes shining.
"And you still… you still gave me your blood…"
Ada didn't look away, didn't flinch, didn't soften her expression too much—but her voice lowered.
"You're part of my crew," she said. "Of course I did."
Tiger let out a broken breath.
A sound halfway between a sob and a laugh.
He bowed his head—not out of shame, but out of gratitude so fierce it hurt.
"Thank you," he whispered hoarsely.
His voice trembled as he lifted his gaze to each of them, one by one.
"To all of you. Thank you for not giving up on me."
His tears spilled freely now, drifting in the water like tiny, glowing pearls.
Enel scratched his cheek, looking awkward. "Oi, don't cry, you'll make the room all sappy."
Tesoro grumbled, wiping under one eye. "This is costing me my mascara, damn it…"
Perona burst into soft wails. "He's so sweet when he's emotional!"
Bullet sighed. "…If you cry any harder, you're going to pass out again."
Okiku's eyes glistened. "Your heart is kind, Tiger."
Hiyori clasped her hands. "We're so glad you're alive."
Even Mihawk tilted his head, a rare warmth in his eyes.
"Do not apologize for surviving."
Tiger cried harder.
Jinbe rested a hand on his back. "Let it out, brother."
Aladdin added quietly, "You're here because your life matters."
Tiger closed his eyes, overwhelmed beyond words.
When he finally opened them again, he looked at Ada with a reverence he had never shown anyone—not even Jinbe, not even Otohime.
"Captain… thank you. For saving me. For believing in me. For… for treating me as family."
Ada finally let her expression soften—not for long, but enough.
"Rest," she said gently. "You've done enough bleeding for one lifetime."
Tiger laughed through his tears, wiping his face with a trembling arm.
For the first time in years—
He didn't feel like a monster.
He felt like part of something bigger.
Part of a crew.
Part of a family.
And as he looked at Ada and the Nyx Pirates, he knew.
He would follow this woman to the ends of the sea no matter what happens.
Tiger then let out a hoarse laugh.
The sound shook.
"Thank you Captain," he said, the words laced with raw gratitude. "Truly."
Ada's eyes softened for only a heartbeat.
Then she tapped his forehead lightly.
"Don't thank me."
A faint smirk.
"Just don't get shot again."
Behind her—
Enel scoffed. "You really made our captain bleed for you. Don't do that again, big guy."
Bullet crossed his arms. "Yeah. Don't make her do something reckless."
A beat passed. "…That's my job."
Tesoro clicked his tongue. "Nearly died from losing blood. You owe her a fortune for that."
Perona floated closer, wiping her eye. "If you died, it would've made everyone too sad. Don't do that again!"
Lilith sniffed. "We thought we were going to lose you. Don't scare us."
Okiku bowed deeply. "We are relieved you're safe."
Hiyori smiled gently. "You're important to all of us."
Even Mihawk spoke—quiet, composed, but sincere. "Ada does not share blood lightly. Do not waste the life she preserved."
Then—
Otohime burst into the corridor.
Her eyes were already brimming with tears.
She rushed into the ward, pressing her hands together as if praying.
"Tiger!" she cried. "You… you're alive!"
He offered a weak smile. "Thanks to Ada."
Otohime turned to her—her eyes overflowing. "Ada… a human giving blood to a fishman… this has never happened in our entire history."
She covered her mouth, trembling violently. "Do you realize what you've done…? My dream… the bridge I have been trying to build… you've already begun laying its foundation."
Tears spilled freely down her face—clear, shining drops drifting in the water around her.
"Today… you brought our worlds closer than I ever could."
Ada looked away, refusing to show the warmth that flickered across her expression.
"I didn't do it for humans and fishmen," she said simply.
"I did it for Tiger."
But Otohime smiled through her tears.
"Even if that's true… your blood is now part of our people. This act will echo through Fishman Island for generations."
Neptune entered behind her, his massive shoulders slumping with relief.
"Tiger lives… and Otohime is safe… Ada, Nyx Pirates—you have our eternal gratitude."
For a moment, the ward glowed—not from the coral lamps, but from the unspoken bond forming there. A bond stronger than treaties, stronger than alliances.
A bond sealed with blood.
Tiger leaned back, exhausted but alive.
Outside, the plaza stirred once more, alive with murmurs.
"A human saved Fisher Tiger…"
"Ada shared her blood…"
"Otohime's dream… maybe it's possible…"
Whispers of a new era.
An era that had just begun.
The Sun Pirates would soon rise.
And the bond between Nyx and Fishman Island—
forged not by politics…
not by fear…
but by blood.