"Hmm, rescuing slaves?" Nero looked at Fisher Tiger in front of her, a little surprised.
"Instead of rescuing people who have nothing to do with you, I would have thought you'd have more backbone and choose to kill a few Celestial Dragons as revenge."
"...Rescuing slaves and causing a ruckus in Mary Geoise is my revenge against the Celestial Dragons!" Fisher Tiger clenched his fists, blood seeping from them.
"If I kill Celestial Dragons, Fish-Man Island won't be able to stay out of it..."
"Hmm, well, it seems you do have a plan then!"
Nero jumped onto the table, her emerald eyes turning crimson, her voice becoming filled with a demonic allure: "I will join you this time. Kill to your heart's content. I guarantee this slaughter won't involve Fish-Man Island."
"Hmm, you want revenge too, don't you?"
In Nero's blood-red pupils, Fisher Tiger's own reflection appeared.
In a burning Mary Geoise, he stood atop the corpses of Celestial Dragons, bathed in their blood.
Flames consumed the sins, blood washed away past shame, and the surrounding wails celebrated his rebirth.
His heart pounded violently, and a layer of cold sweat seeped from his body. Nero's words were like a devil's temptation.
"I... I..." Dry-mouthed, Fisher Tiger couldn't even string a complete sentence together coherently.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and punched himself hard. Under the intense impact, his eyes regained clarity.
"I won't do that!" His body still seemed to be trembling from holding something back, but Fisher Tiger's gaze became firm.
"If I kill humans out of hatred, then humans will retaliate out of hatred against those Fishmen who know nothing."
"My goal is freedom and liberation! Hatred alone will lead to no future!!"
"Hmm, I see!" Nero returned to her usual self, sat back in her chair, leaned against the backrest, and propped her legs on the table.
"It's a little different from my philosophy!"
"However, I am an emperor who understands the greater good! Do as you wish. Fish-Man Island still flies Newgate's flag and will not be implicated."
"I will also take some action, which, in terms of results, should help you tie up a good number of troops."
Nero spoke casually, as if she had taken two unopened bottles of wine from the dinner table, tossed them to Tiger, and said, 'Little brother, take these home and enjoy!'
Her condescending attitude should have been what Fisher Tiger disliked most at the moment, yet he bowed in gratitude.
Nero accepted the thanks without hesitation... Fisher Tiger returned to Fish-Man District, intending to say his final goodbyes.
Nero, having nothing to do, walked alone on the streets of Fish-Man Island for the first time in a while.
"...We must understand humans! Most of those who come to Fish-Man Island are a group of villains called pirates! Only a very small number of nobles trade Fishmen and mermaids..."
A passionate speech drifted from a nearby square. Nero paused; the two groups mentioned in that speech... the aggression and targeting were a bit too explicit!
Following the sound, it was indeed Otohime, that idiot, doing useless work again. Looking at the figure who was even smaller than herself, Nero sighed and prepared to take another path.
But before she could leave, she was called out by Otohime, who possessed extremely strong Observation Haki.
"Nero!"
"Hmm, I can't hear anything!" Covering her ears, Nero quickened her pace.
But Otohime also sped up, calling out incessantly.
"Nero! Nero! Can you hear me? Nero!"
Why was her special Observation Haki, which understood human hearts, deaf at this moment?
Nero didn't understand, but Otohime tightly hugged her arm.
"Hmm, let go of me, Otohime! I don't want to do these idiotic things with you."
Dragging Queen Otohime forward, Nero still showed no intention of stopping.
"Please! Nero! With your name as one of the Four Emperors, everyone will surely believe it!"
Otohime mustered all her strength to try and pull Nero back, but her meager strength couldn't even make Nero bend a finger.
"Isn't that fraud? Hmm! I won't do such a thing!"
"It's not fraud! Will those who go to Nicuss still be bought and sold?"
"That's because of the deterrence of my name! It's not the same as you wanting to go to Sabaody to die!!"
"As long as they understand us better, humans will definitely accept Fishmen and mermaids!"
"I also believe their fish tanks will definitely accept them!"
"Nero!!!" Otohime shouted loudly.
"Hmm, so annoying!!" Nero retorted impatiently.
"It's going to break!" Otohime's voice weakened slightly.
"Snap!"
Nero stopped, her face full of black lines, looking at the idiotic queen who had dislocated her own joint trying to hold her back.
This was an indispensable part of every visit to Fish-Man Island. Nero skillfully reset Otohime's bone.
Otohime was probably her best friend on Fish-Man Island; they had been close for over a decade.
Nero truly couldn't bring herself to dislike this hot-blooded idiot, even if her dream seemed unrealistic to Nero.
Humans, these creatures, wouldn't even spare themselves, let alone the scarce merfolk.
However, dreams are things that are initially ridiculed, which is perfectly normal. Yet, one still takes action, constantly striving and persevering for them.
No one would dislike such a figure, would they?
Even Nero occasionally thought that perhaps one day Otohime's dream would truly come true, and humans, merfolk, and Fishmen might truly coexist peacefully.
Bringing the merfolk and Fishmen back to Nicuss was mostly a small show of support for this old friend.
Some see death, some see peace, some see the unrealistic, some see striving for a dream... "Thank you, Nero! You really are a kind and gentle person!" Otohime looked at Nero, her eyes teary, her face smeared with snot and tears from emotion.
"Hmm, then don't cause me any more trouble!" Nero stood up grumpily: "And you should know about Tiger's matter, right? I also plan to get involved, so this timing isn't suitable for helping you with any promotion."
"Is that so..." Otohime was still sniffling: "That's okay! I won't dislike you, Nero!"
Nero's eye twitched: 'But I dislike you very much right now!'
However, she ultimately didn't say it out loud. She sighed, picked up Otohime, and gave a look to Otohime's guards nearby, signaling them to disperse the crowd.
She then carried Otohime towards the palace: "Hmm, Otohime, stop making a fuss. Shirahoshi has been born, and the day of change will eventually come. Just settle down."
"Then now is even more reason to make changes!" Otohime, nestled in Nero's arms, her eyes firm, seemed determined to continue.
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