Fisher Tiger remained silent, listening intently as Claudius spoke.
"Your hatred can't change the past, and perhaps it can't change the future either. But I can," Claudius said with a calm smile. "So, Fisher Tiger, would you be willing to help me?"
Fisher Tiger was quiet for a long moment before finally asking, "Your Highness, are you asking me to help you manage the chaos of Fish-Man Street? To work for you?"
Claudius touched his chin thoughtfully before responding. "Yes, it's for me. But it's also for Fish-Man Island, and for yourself. Honestly, I'm not particularly interested in the people of Fish-Man Street. I don't intend to control you as subordinates in the strict sense. Think of it more as… a labor contract, or employment."
Tiger didn't care much about the terms Claudius used, such as "labor contract" or "employment." What struck a chord with him was the mention of working for Fish-Man Island and for himself.
In the past, Fisher Tiger had been the leader of Fish-Man Street in name, but he hadn't thought much about Fish-Man Island's overall future. His focus had been on his personal journey—he wanted to see the wider world, driven by a desire to explore and perhaps even a faint echo of Fish-Man Island's age-old dream of freedom.
But becoming a slave in Mariejois had changed him. Seeing the cruelty of humans and the suffering of his fellow Fish-Men and Merfolk had sparked a transformation in his soul. For the first time, Tiger truly understood what he wanted, to free his people and make Fish-Man Island a better, safer place, free from oppression.
And yet, for all his resolve, he didn't know where to start. He couldn't even protect himself, let alone others.
"You don't want to see Fish-Man Street continue as the cancer of Fish-Man Island, do you? Watching your fellow Fish-Men harm their own kind and drag the island down with them?" Claudius asked with a knowing smile.
Tiger nodded slowly. "If Fish-Man Island is to change its fate and escape its current humiliation, it must first unite its people and grow stronger. Cleaning up Fish-Man Street wouldn't just restore order to the island, it would also reduce internal conflicts and allow us to focus on external threats. It would be a great benefit to both Fish-Man Island and Fish-Man Street."
Claudius smiled approvingly. "I'm glad you understand that."
Fisher Tiger hesitated before continuing. "Although I hate the World Government, I have to admit objectively speaking that Fish-Man Island has no future without it. At least for now."
"Correct," Claudius replied, nodding.
"Meeting someone like you, a reasonable Celestial Dragon… perhaps this is the best opportunity Fish-Man Island has had in centuries," Tiger said softly.
Claudius raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more Tiger wanted to say.
After a pause, Tiger continued, his voice firm. "But it's not enough, Your Highness. What you've done so far… it's not enough."
Claudius raised his teacup, took a small sip, and asked evenly, "What's missing?"
"Above Mariejois, there are thousands of my people still enslaved. Fish-Men and Merfolk alike are native to Fish-Man Island. If you, Your Highness Claudius, truly wish to unite the power of Fish-Man Street, then you must also extend your protection to them," Tiger said, his gaze locked onto Claudius.
Claudius set his teacup down slowly, meeting Tiger's eyes. "And what is it you want me to do?"
"As you've done before, liberate my people. When there are no more Fish-Man or Merfolk slaves in Mariejois, I, Fisher Tiger, will pledge myself to you—to work for you, for Fish-Man Island, and for our future.
"But if you can't do this, then even if it costs me my life, I will never let go of my hatred for humanity. I can't afford to trust anyone anymore… but this is the only time I'm willing to put my trust in someone. This is your one and only chance," Tiger said, his voice deep with conviction.
Claudius stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression unreadable as silence filled the room. The atmosphere grew heavier with each passing second.
Just as Tiger began to wonder if he'd pushed too far, Claudius finally spoke. "Are you threatening me?"
Tiger shook his head, his eyes filled with sincerity. "As I said, I am deeply grateful for everything you've done so far. This is not a threat.
"If anything, think of it as a reminder. If you refuse, I'll use my death to make sure you remember this moment. Perhaps one day, in some quiet afternoon, you'll think of me, and that memory might soften your heart enough to act. That's all I can hope for."
Claudius gazed out the window, lost in thought. The sunlight streaming into the room was warm but not harsh, illuminating his contemplative face. He had always understood that Fisher Tiger was a man of integrity and courage, but in this moment, he felt something deeper.
The idea of using one's own death to make a statement was easy to talk about, but how many people could actually do it? Tiger wasn't asking for immediate change; he was gambling on the faint hope that Claudius might one day recall this conversation and honor his wish. The despair and determination behind such a gamble struck a chord in Claudius's heart.
"If you don't understand someone's pain, can you ever truly empathize with them?" Claudius wondered to himself.
Up until now, everything Claudius had done had been driven by practicality by interests and goals. Even his actions on Fish-Man Island were calculated, aimed at building alliances and securing influence. But in this moment, he could feel the weight of Tiger's despair, a despair so profound it had driven the man to risk everything for even a glimmer of hope.
He now understood why Tiger would one day scale the Red Line with his bare hands and burn Mariejois to the ground. It wasn't mere anger; it was a desperate cry for justice.
"I have to admit, I'm impressed, Tiger… Fisher Tiger," Claudius murmured, still staring out the window.
The sound of movement behind him caught his attention. When he turned, he saw Fisher Tiger kneeling on the floor, his forehead pressed to the ground.
"Thank you for your kindness!" Tiger choked out, his voice thick with emotion as he repeatedly bowed his head.
Claudius sighed softly as he watched the man before him. After a moment, he spoke with quiet resolve. "In the name of Donquixote Claudius, I promise you, Fisher Tiger—I will do everything in my power to ensure there are no more Fish-Man slaves in Mariejois."
Tiger's eyes turned red, his restrained emotions bursting forth. His choking sobs became full-blown cries of anguish. Tears and mucus flowed freely as he pressed his head against the floor, repeating over and over, "Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for your kindness."
Claudius observed Tiger's raw, unfiltered display of emotion and couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.
"What kind of sorrow and despair must a man endure to reach such a breaking point?" Claudius thought to himself. "To be reduced to this… it only shows how deeply the world is broken. And seeing this… it only strengthens my resolve to change it."