One Piece : From Slave to Fleet Admiral Chapter 277

Since Fisher Tiger's death, Jinbe had made his way back to Fish-Man Island.

Towards humans, his feelings had become a complex tapestry.

Honestly speaking, Jinbe held his own viewpoint concerning Fisher Tiger’s staunch refusal to accept a human blood transfusion, even when facing the brink of death.

To put it plainly, Fisher Tiger had been somewhat excessively emotional and extreme in this particular matter.

He hadn't truly considered the immense impact his demise — brought about by his refusal of human blood — would cast upon his fellow fish-men.

If Fisher Tiger's audacious act of liberating human slaves alongside fish-men had been a magnificent feat capable of fostering peace between merfolk and humans, then his rejection of the transfusion and subsequent death… had instead carved an irreparable chasm between humans and fish-men.

Fisher Tiger never grasped the monumental prestige he commanded amongst their race.

He remained unaware that the notoriously violent fish-men of Fish-Man Street answered to no one but him—not even King Neptune's dictates.

He understood even less the terrifying disparity in power that existed between humans and fish-men.

Among the fish-men alive today, Jinbe unreservedly considered himself the most formidable.

Yet, this very realization only filled him with a deepening dread for their collective future.

As the strongest among the fish-men, he might not endure ten exchanges against humanity's most elite warriors.

The gap in top-tier combatants was simply far too vast.

Were it not for the watchful protection of Whitebeard, Fish-Man Island would have long ago devolved into a veritable living hell.

Fish-Man Island was currently reliant on human aid for its very survival.

Should the fish-men decide to oppose humanity, only two potential outcomes loomed:

Complete extinction... or perpetual subjugation as a race deemed inferior!

Even with the fish-men's inherent tenfold physical advantage over humans, it was insufficient to offset the sheer numerical superiority and the profound difference in elite fighters.

Furthermore, Jinbe had observed that human cultivation and power growth rates vastly outstripped those of the fish-men.

Given these undeniable circumstances, imposing a rigid "one or the other" ultimatum between the races was an exceptionally ill-advised course of action.

Yet, as Fisher Tiger's most trusted comrade, Jinbe intimately understood the reasoning behind his actions.

He had extended genuine sincerity to those humans, only to be met with their ultimate betrayal.

In comparison to the pain inflicted by his wounds, the agony stemming from that betrayal was likely what Fisher Tiger found most difficult to endure.

It was precisely due to Jinbe's profound understanding of this that he found it even more challenging to sway Fisher Tiger from his path.

Every single time he replayed the scene of Fisher Tiger's passing in his mind, Jinbe felt an oppressive tightness constricting his chest.

Fisher Tiger's death signified not only the disbandment of the Sun Pirates but also heralded the resurgence of extremist supremacist elements among the fishmen, poised to incite yet another wave of retaliation against humans.

And if the fishmen were to pursue such a course, it would undoubtedly provoke a retaliation from humans that was a hundredfold more severe. In terms of sheer numbers and technological prowess, the fishmen would be akin to fragile eggs hurled against an unyielding rock.

Moreover, the fishmen were currently under the protective umbrella of Whitebeard.

If those impetuous individuals were to commit acts of slaughter against humans...

Considering Whitebeard's temperament, he would absolutely refuse to continue offering shelter to Fish-Man Island.

In fact, it would be considered fortunate if he didn't personally descend to administer punishment!

However, thrust into this precarious situation, Jinbe felt as though he were perpetually walking a tightrope, utterly drained—yet utterly devoid of viable solutions.

The deep-seated animosity between humans and fish-men was not something that could be dissolved overnight.

This profound resentment was like ice forged over countless centuries, impossible to melt through conventional means within such a limited timeframe.

Although Queen Otohime was currently making efforts to dismantle the fish-men's ingrained hatred, the results were not particularly encouraging.

Concurrently, the chorus of voices opposing Queen Otohime grew increasingly vocal, particularly within the Fish-Man District.

Now, a perpetrator was causing bloody havoc within the Fish-Man District.

Regardless of Jinbe's personal feelings towards those disreputable individuals from the district, he could not simply stand idly by.

No matter their wickedness, they were, after all, his people!

Jinbe's form moved with lightning speed across Fish-Man Island, drawing a multitude of watchful eyes.

Even Queen Otohime, who was delivering a speech at Fish-Man Square, took notice of Jinbe's swift passage.

Her gaze followed the direction he had taken, her eyes clouded with palpable anxiety.

Even before Jinbe arrived at the Fish-Man District, he could feel the terrifyingly frigid temperatures that seemed capable of freezing his very soul.

A chilling female voice then echoed through the air.

"Jinbe the Knight of the Sea, one of the current candidates for the Seven Warlords. Bounty: 250,000,000 Berries."

Upon hearing that frigid declaration, Jinbe's expression became profoundly serious.

"Are you the architect of this massacre?" he questioned.

"If you are willing to cease your actions now and provide a proper explanation, I am prepared to spare your life."

At that precise moment, those trailing behind Jinbe caught sight of the utter devastation within the Fish-Man District.

An octopus fishman gestured frantically towards the frozen figures opposite, his voice cracking with sheer terror, "Boss Jinbe! Look over there!"

Jinbe followed the indicated direction, and his eyes widened at the sight of the Fish-Man District's perimeter, now choked with what appeared to be ice sculptures of corpses.

As the swirling white mist of icy air slowly receded, Jinbe finally managed to get a clear look at the woman responsible for this chilling scene.

"Commodore Monet of Marine Headquarters! If you're here, then that means... Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, the Executioner Jake, must also be present, right?!"

The moment Jinbe's words left his lips, a thunderous bolt of lightning, bright enough to scorch the heavens, crashed down nearby.

Queen Otohime, having guided her group closer to the Fish-Man District, watched with undisguised shock as Jake emerged from the blinding flash. The sight of this god-like figure sent an unnerving dread deep into their hearts.

Logia-type Devil Fruit users invariably projected such an aura; they were, in essence, the very embodiment of natural calamities.

"Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, it's an honor to be remembered. However, if your intention today is to impede me, our discussion might very well turn rather disagreeable."

As Jake spoke, he casually hurled a blackened corpse at Jinbe's feet. The fishmen present instantly identified the unfortunate soul – it was one of Hody Jones' most fearsome captains!

The Giant Squid Fishman! Icarus Muchy!