Chapter 34:The Betrayal and Farewell

The sun was beginning to set over Foulshout Village as the Sun Pirates docked their ship at the island. The gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore created a calm atmosphere that contrasted with the heavy aura hanging over the crew. Fisher Tiger and Jason stood at the bow of the ship, watching as Koala led them to her home. It was a modest village, with small, worn-down houses scattered around a dirt path. Koala, brimming with excitement, ran ahead and knocked on the door of one house in particular.

A middle-aged woman opened the door, her eyes widening as Koala launched herself into her arms. Tears welled up in the woman's eyes as she embraced her daughter, tears of both joy and pain. Koala's return after being freed from slavery was a miracle, something the woman never thought would happen.

"Oh, my dear child, you're safe. You're finally safe," the woman sobbed, holding Koala tightly.

Fisher Tiger and Jason watched from a few feet away. The mother, still clutching Koala, looked up at them with a mixture of happiness and fear. Her eyes flitted between them, realizing these were the men who had freed her daughter.

"Are you the ones?" she asked, her voice trembling. "The heroes who freed the slaves from the Holy Land?"

Fisher Tiger gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Yes. We've come to return your daughter. She's a brave one."

The woman, still overwhelmed with emotion, smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you."

Jason remained silent, observing the scene. Fisher Tiger spoke up again. "We'll camp here for the next few days to spend time with Koala before we leave. We want to make sure she's fully safe and comfortable."

The woman nodded in appreciation. "Of course. You're welcome to stay here, in the village."

For the next two days, things seemed peaceful. Jason and Fisher Tiger remained camped at the edge of the village, spending time with Koala. Jason watched as the young girl began to laugh and smile again, regaining some of the joy that had been taken from her in the Holy Land.

But things took a dark turn on the evening of the second day. As Koala made her way back to the camp, she overheard something that made her heart sink. Hiding behind the trees, she listened as her mother and a group of villagers spoke in hushed tones.

"We're going to make a fortune from this," one villager said. "The marines are on their way. A billion berries will set us up for life."

Koala's eyes widened in horror.

"Those pirates, they're monsters," her mother said bitterly. "They may have saved my daughter, but they're still responsible for the death of my husband. They deserve to rot in hell."

Tears streamed down Koala's face as she heard her mother's words. The betrayal cut deep. She couldn't believe her mother, the person who was supposed to love and protect her, would betray the very people who had rescued her.

Koala ran back to the camp, her heart pounding in her chest. Jason and Fisher Tiger sat by the fire, unaware of the approaching danger.

"Jason! Fisher!" Koala cried as she reached them. But before she could explain, three marines emerged from the trees, attacking with blinding speed. Jason, sensing them at the last second, tried to dodge, but it was too late. These marines had a powerful aura about them, and they moved like seasoned warriors.

Before the marines could land a fatal blow on Jason, Fisher Tiger leaped in front of him, taking the full force of the attack. He was hammered into the ground with brutal force, blood splattering the dirt beneath him. Jason's eyes widened in horror as Fisher Tiger fell.

Something snapped inside Jason. He realized they had been betrayed. He had been careless, not keeping his Observation Haki active. A flood of anger surged through him, boiling to the surface. His hair fell over his eyes, and a crazed, dangerous look appeared on his face.

A wave of immense energy burst from Jason, shaking the island itself. Two of the lower-ranking marines collapsed, fainting from the sheer pressure of his Conqueror's Haki. The higher-ranked one, a Vice Admiral, was stunned but remained conscious.

Jason's aura shifted as his killing intent surged. Without a word, he dashed toward the Vice Admiral, his sword flashing with deadly precision. The marine, realizing the danger, activated Iron Body to protect himself, but it was futile. Jason subconsciously wrapped his blade in Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki, cutting through the marine's defense like paper. The Vice Admiral gasped in shock as the blade cut deep into his chest.

"Who are you?" Jason demanded, his voice cold and lethal. "Who sent you here?"

The marine coughed up blood but glared at Jason defiantly. "I am Vice Admiral Maynard...and I'll never tell a filthy pirate anything!"

With a growl, Jason delivered the killing blow, severing the marine's head from his body. His blood-soaked sword gleamed in the fading light. Jason turned to one of the unconscious marines, killing him without hesitation. The marine had been identified as Rear Admiral, and Jason wasn't going to let any of them live.

He grabbed the last remaining marine, stabbing him in the leg to wake him up. The man screamed in agony, begging for mercy.

"If you answer my question, I might let you live," Jason said, his tone icy and dangerous. "Who sent you?"

The marine, terrified, stammered, "I—I'm Rear Admiral Strawberry. We received a report from the villagers. They said you and Fisher Tiger were here...Phantom Blade and the Sun Pirate leader."

Jason's rage intensified. The villagers had betrayed them. Koala's mother had sold them out. His desire for revenge boiled over, and he considered wiping out the entire village.

But as he was about to strike down the marine, Koala's voice reached him.

"Jason! Fisher—Fisher Tiger needs help!" she cried.

Jason's dark thoughts vanished in an instant. He rushed to Fisher Tiger's side, checking his pulse. The fish-man was still alive, but barely. He was hanging by a thread.

Jason lifted Fisher Tiger's massive body onto his shoulders and headed for the Sun Pirates' ship on the other side of the island. As they approached, Jason saw a battle raging between the Sun Pirates and more marines.

Without hesitation, Jason unleashed another wave of Conqueror's Haki, causing the remaining marines to collapse. The fish-men quickly finished off the stunned marines.

All eyes turned to Jason as he carried Fisher Tiger's limp body toward the ship. The crew looked on in horror, fearing the worst. Jinbe's face darkened as he realized the gravity of the situation. He ordered the crew to prepare for departure.

Jinbe approached Jason and gently took Fisher Tiger's body from him. He carried the fallen leader onto the ship, his face etched with sorrow. The crew gathered around, somber and silent, as the fish-man doctor was called to try and save Fisher's life.

As Jason and Koala waited outside, the weight of the stares from the Sun Pirates pressed down on them. Jason felt their eyes burning into him, blaming him for what had happened. Koala clung to Jason, sobbing.

After what felt like an eternity, Jinbe called Jason into the medic's room. Jason walked in, his heart heavy. Fisher Tiger lay on the bed, bandaged and pale, barely conscious. He beckoned Jason closer with a weak hand.

"Jason," Fisher Tiger rasped, his voice barely audible. "I don't have much time left...but please...don't...don't kill the villagers."

Tears welled up in Jason's eyes. He was losing a comrade, a friend.

Koala entered the room, her face stained with tears. She confessed everything she had overheard, her voice trembling with shame and grief. She told Fisher Tiger how her mother had betrayed them, how the villagers had sold them out. Fisher Tiger smiled weakly and shook his head.

"It's...not your fault, Koala," he said softly. "It's not your fault."

Jinbe gathered the crew into the room. Arlong, seething with anger, glared at Koala with murderous intent.

"This is your kind's fault!" Arlong roared. "Because of you, Fisher Tiger is dead! I overheard the girl saying it was her mother and the villagers who called the marines. I'll kill them all!"

Koala sobbed uncontrollably, unable to bear the hatred directed at her. The rest of the fish-men stood with Arlong, their anger palpable. But Jinbe ordered them all to leave the room, his voice firm and commanding.

After the crew left, Jinbe turned to Jason. "Thank you for everything you've done. But I need you to take Koala and leave. We'll transport Fisher's body back to Fishman Island for a proper burial."

Jason nodded silently. He led Koala to the small ship on the side of the Sun Pirates' vessel. As they sailed away, Jason glanced back one last time at the ship and the crew he had fought alongside. Fisher Tiger had fallen, but his legacy would live on in Jason's heart.

And as Jason steered the ship toward Sabaody Archipelago, he vowed to protect Koala, no matter what.