230. Tiger Explodes

On Foolshout Island in the Grand Line, Tiger found himself surrounded by heavily armed Marines. They ruthlessly unleashed artillery fire upon him, causing a significant amount of blood to spray out. His once robust body was now covered in wounds and blood.

"But... What's happening? Why hasn't he collapsed yet?!"

As the Marines observed Tiger, who continued to glare with anger, fear gripped them all.

What incredible determination!

What frightening resilience!

"Hey! Don't underestimate him. He's the man who dared to attack Mariejois alone!"

On the side, Strawberry shouted sharply.

No doubt, Tiger's bounty could reach as high as 230 million. Even considering his attack on Mariejois, his personal strength is not to be underestimated.

The wrist strength of fish-men is ten times that of humans, especially for a leader among the fish-men like Tiger!

If it weren't for the early ambush and the intense firepower, Strawberry alone would have had a hard time accomplishing anything!

"You guys..."

"Damn humans!!!"

Despite the gunfire, Tiger managed to rise to his feet, roared in anger, and defiantly charged towards the shore, facing the fierce attack!

The Sun Pirates and the others aren't too far away. Otherwise, Jinbei and the rest wouldn't have noticed Tiger's alarming situation so quickly.

Soon, Tiger, covered in blood, finally caught up with Jinbei and the others.

"Fish-Man Karate Murasame!!"

Jinbei shouted, forming a water ball in the center of his palm. The water ball expanded and grew larger before he forcefully hurled it at the pursuing Marines!

Bang!!!

A massive explosion echoed, and a terrifying mist of water enveloped the surroundings. Strawberry's group of Marines suddenly tumbled, unable to see anything.

Fish-man Karate is the perfect martial arts style for the fish-men clan, especially effective when in the sea, providing a 200% advantage.

Even though they were on land, they were close to the sea, and there was enough water vapor in the air for Jinbei to execute his techniques.

"Kairyu Ipponzeoi!!!"

Jinbei seized control and showed no mercy. He joined his five fingers together, manipulating the water vapor's movement. A substantial amount of water jets shot out from his palm!

Swoosh--!!!

Among the Sun Pirates, while Tiger is beloved by the crew, it doesn't imply that Jinbei is any less powerful than Tiger.

On the contrary, Jinbei's proficiency in fish-man karate makes him undoubtedly the strongest within the entire pirate group!

"Damn it, it's Jinbei from the Sun Pirates!!"

Strawberry glared at the collapsing Marine soldiers around him, cursing angrily.

He knew all too well that they might not be able to withstand these guys today.

Unless Vice Admiral Kizaru intervenes!

Vice Admiral Kizaru… Vice Admiral Kizaru...

Strawberry felt like he had forgotten something.

On the other side, Arlong and others who had already submerged into the sea surfaced one after another. Their eyes widened in shock as they witnessed the dying Tiger.

"Brother Jinbei, quickly get Boss Tiger on board. We've commandeered a warship. There's no Marine personnel on the ship!!"

...

Grand Line.

Gazing upwards, the vast ocean stretched in all directions.

A Marine warship sailed leisurely, its deck devoid of any Marine presence.

In the medical room.

A tall red sea bream fish-man lay on the hospital bed, covered in blood. A group of anxious fish-men surrounded him, all nervously eyeing Aladdin, the ship's doctor.

They were the Sun Pirates who had recently evaded Strawberry.

As the favorites of the sea, as long as the strength gap isn't too significant, once fish-men touch the sea, hardly anyone can prevent them from making their escape!

"Boss, quit talking nonsense!!!"

The octopus fish-man, Hatchan, stared at the dying Tiger, moving his mouth as if he had something urgent to say. He was sweating profusely and appeared quite flustered.

"Boss Tiger, you've lost a lot of blood. If you don't get a blood transfusion soon, your life will be..."

"But boss, your blood type is extremely rare. There's no one in our crew with the same blood type as you!!"

After examining Tiger's physical condition, the ship's doctor, Aladdin, finally reached a conclusion.

"Fortunately, the blood stored on this Marine ship happens to have the same blood type as yours, Boss Tiger."

Aladdin said with joy, holding up the blood bag in his hand.

Thankfully, as the ship's doctor, he promptly checked the medical supplies in the ship's infirmary.

He was well acquainted with everyone's blood types within the pirate group and swiftly located the matching blood for Tiger.

"But..."

"The blood stock on this Navy ship must be... Phew..."

"Human blood... Phew..."

Tiger intermittently inquired as he took in oxygen from the air.

Apparently, the previous Marine bullet had damaged his lungs, and coupled with the significant blood loss, Tiger was struggling to breathe.

"Yes, humans have the same blood as us!! Human blood can be used to save you!!"

Aladdin clearly didn't grasp Tiger's emotional state.

That's ironic.

Despite never being considered the same species by humans, the same substance flows in their veins.

"So, let's proceed with the blood transfusion first..."

"No!!!"

"I rather die than live with their blood!!!"

Suddenly, Tiger, lying on the hospital bed, erupted, roaring loudly with a fierce expression.

"Their blood is filthy."

"They never stop disrespecting us Fish-men!"

"I don't wanna owe them anything!! I don't need mercy from them"

Confronted with a life-and-death situation, Tiger, who had been holding back his emotions, finally erupted and unleashed his hatred for mankind!!

"I don't wanna give in to humans!"

"...?!!"

"Boss Tiger..."

"Boss..."

Everyone in the Sun Pirates looked surprised.

Tiger had always portrayed the role of a calm and kind elder brother in front of them.

On regular days, he didn't even display any hostility towards humans.

Even in battles with the Marines, he enforced a rule of 'no killing.'

Despite engaging in dozens of skirmishes with the Marines over the past three years, they had refrained from taking the lives of any Marines!

Therefore, when they suddenly saw Tiger like this, everyone felt a strong sense of discomfort.

Just like...

What secret is about to be revealed in front of them!

"I didn't want to tell you this..."

"On my last trip, I... "

"...Hooah..."

"I was a slave!!!"

Tiger roared with almost all his strength, tears of anger and humiliation flowing down to his ears.

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I still remember how I felt while watching this episode, Man, that was a real ride.

Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari