“They can’t really be with the World Government and were just waiting for us to let our guard down, right…?”
Earlier, the Revolutionary Army didn’t really suspect the people of Arceus Cult. If their target was them, they wouldn’t openly use Rokushiki. Looking at it now, the Revolutionary Army members felt the other side might have been waiting for them to lower their guard.
“Don’t be stupid. If that were the case, they wouldn’t bother with a sudden attack. I think there’s some misunderstanding here…”
The Revolutionary Army members whispered among themselves but still picked up their weapons, preparing for any potential situation.
“Sabo! What did you do this time?!”
“It wasn’t me! I have nothing to do with this. It was already like this when I got here—they just seem really angry…”
Sabo, carrying a metal pipe over his shoulder, looked helpless. Back when he was on the small boat, he had been bombarded by a Celestial Dragon. Luckily, Dragon rescued him, leading him to join the Revolutionary Army.
However, that attack injured his brain, causing memory issues, leaving him with no recollection of his past. As for why he was holding a metal pipe, he just felt it was handy for some inexplicable reason.
The girl suspecting him was Koala. After the news of Tiger’s “death” spread across the seas, Koala felt deeply lost. Eventually, she left her hometown and joined the Revolutionary Army as well.
In the process, she met Sabo, and the two grew together.
“Um, everyone, I think there’s a misunderstanding. We’re not bad people, and you were just helping the townsfolk earlier. If there’s an issue, we can sit down and talk it out…”
“Blasphemer. There’s nothing to discuss.”
The shield that had just been knocked away by the metal pipe returned to its wielder’s hand. Though the shield looked like equipment, it was actually an ability-generated item, a part of their ability. While they couldn’t control it freely with their mind, they could easily recall it back.
At the very least, they didn’t have to worry about retrieving a shield that had been sent flying.
To ordinary people, their muttered words were incomprehensible and didn’t seem significant. But to the people of Knights Templar, those words questioned their belief in the powers of their god.
The shield was hurled again, but it was intercepted by Koala with the soft force of Fish-Man Karate
“Wait! There’s definitely a misunderstanding! There’s no need to fight!”
Preserving vital forces and developing allies is the current development path of the Revolutionary Army. Arceus Cult’s actions of helping the weak make Koala want to avoid battle, as she believes such bloodshed is unnecessary.
What she didn’t know, however, was that her actions not only reduced bloodshed but also saved her own life. Once these people of Knights Templar got into a frenzy, ordinary people couldn’t hold them back.
Koala’s attempts to dissuade them didn’t have much effect. They were incredibly stubborn in this regard—whoever dared question their faith would have to pay the price. And if anyone tried to help, they’d be targeted too.
“Hold on a moment.”
Just as the leading knight was about to issue a command to fight, Tiger walked over from behind. He had been heading this way as soon as he noticed the conflict.
“Did Hack teach you Fish-Man Karate?”
Looking at Koala, Tiger asked his question. Although the Fish-Man Karate didn’t vary much, it could be subdivided into different styles. Hack’s style left a strong impression on Fish-Man Island.
While humans could learn Fish-Man Karate, few succeeded. Seeing traces of Hack’s style in Koala’s movements piqued Tiger’s curiosity.
“Unc…Uncle Tiger! You’re definitely Under Tiger, aren’t you?!”
“You’re alive?!”
Compared to a few years ago, Koala’s appearance had changed quite a bit. Tiger never expected that the little girl from back then would end up on this path. With her hat obscuring part of her face, he hadn’t realized this was Koala.
But to Koala, Tiger was someone she could never forget. The news of his death had indirectly led her down this path, and her goal of fostering equality between Fish-Men and humans was inspired by him.
“You are…”
To humans, Tiger had been killed by Marines. Even if Marines encountered him now, they’d simply assume he was another Fish-Man who looked similar. According to official records, Tiger was no longer alive.
Most people would choose to believe their superiors, and apart from the Fish-Men, he’s never really met anyone who had been so certain of his identity.
“It’s me, Koala! I’m Koala!”
She removed her hat and adjusted her hair, her features gradually aligning with the Koala he remembered.
“You’ve grown so much…”
Seeing that little girl from back then had now grown into a young woman, Tiger couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. Koala, overcome with excitement, hugged him tightly and burst into tears. She was really happy that Tiger was alive. However, some things did not come to an end with the reunion of old friends.
“Uncle Tiger, what really happened back then…?”
“That’s a long story. Let me handle a few things first.”
Circling around Koala, Tiger approached the person who had misspoken earlier. However this startled Koala—she knew Tiger all too well. Even during their time with the Sun Pirates, he tried to shield her from scenes of violence, so she had come to understand what Tiger looked like when he was truly angry.
“Wait, Uncle Tiger! This is really a misunderstanding! He’s usually a bit of a smooth talker, but he’d never do anything intentionally disrespectful. Hey, what did you even say?!”
“I just muttered that how could it be useful…”
“He’s questioning the power of the Lord.”
The knight didn’t argue, merely stating what he had heard.
“Thuré, we’re here to spread the Lord’s glory, not to make the world fear the Lord. If we do that, won’t we become the apostles of an evil god?”
“If we kill someone over an unintentional remark, wouldn’t we be no different from those ignorant fake gods?”
“For those who offend unintentionally, they should be given a chance to repent—that is the Lord’s mercy. Have you forgotten?”
At this time, Misu arrived. As one of the earliest believers, she remained composed, remembering the mission of their journey.
She understood that not everyone could understand their faith, and some people deep down wouldn’t accept them. But as long as the other person didn’t say anything insulting, even if they didn’t believe, she wouldn’t react too strongly.
The “ignorant false gods” referred to the Celestial Dragons. Due to them claiming to be gods, the word “god” had become a derogatory word on the seas.
Misu wants to change this perception and let them know how different is a real God.
For such unintentional actions, she would give the other party a chance to repent, but only once. For the Lord is merciful but also has to maintain his prestige.
Repentance was an opportunity; if one failed to seize it, atonement could only be achieved through other means.
“Sir, the Lord is merciful. If your words were unintentional, I allow you to repent. Otherwise, you will atone for it in our way.”
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