One Piece Chapter 621: Otohime and Tiger

This is the Fishman Island sixteen years past. A voice says, 'Let us take a step back in time...' Chaos erupts as someone shouts, 'STOP THAT THIEEEF!!!' A fish-man criminal with spotted clothing holds a gun and a hostage, yelling 'OUTTA MY WAY!!!! I'VE GOT A PISTOL HERE, YOU KNOW!!!' while another cries 'HE JUST STOLE A SMALL FORTUNE OFFA ME!!!' and 'SOMEBODY STOP THAT THIEF!!!' A terrified hostage screams 'AA AAHH HH!!!' Queen Otohime rushes forward pleading 'PLEASE, STAY BACK!!! YOUR MAJESTY!!!' as guards shout 'IT IS NOT RIGHT!! YOU CANNOT PERSONALLY INVOLVE YOURSELF IN THESE MATTERS!! THAT IS OUR JOB, NOT YOURS!!' and 'PLEASE RECONSIDER!!' while addressing her 'YOUR MAJESTY!!!'

The fish-man thief warns 'DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YAAA!!!' and fires his gun with a loud 'BOOM'. The hostage is struck and sent flying with 'WHOOSH' as bystanders react in horror. The thief pants heavily 'WHO IS IT NOWII!!! *PANT*... *PANT*...' while a woman gasps 'EHHHI!' and another screams 'AAAAHH HHHH!!!'. The thief is then grabbed from behind by a massive clawed hand as he struggles 'GUE HHHH HH!!!'.

The massive figure, a giant sea king-like being, roars 'SAY WHATI!!!' and 'MY HAND!!' while clutching its injured limb. Queen Otohime is shown in close-up with flowing hair, her hand extended. A doctor examines the wound and declares 'IT'S A COMPOUND FRACTURE!!' as Otohime insists 'I CARE NOT!!!'. Onlookers cry 'IT'S THE QUEEN!!!' and 'QUEEN OTOHIME!!!' with sound effects 'どわぁ!!' and 'わぁぁ'. A sign identifies her as 'WIFE OF KING NEPTUNE Queen Otohime (GOLDFISH MERMAID)'. The fish-man thief, now restrained, pants in shock 'THE QUEENI!'

A desperate fish-man thief levels a pistol at Queen Otohime, roaring, "SHADDUP!! I DON'T EXPECT PAMPERED ROYALS LIKE YOU TO UNDERSTAND MEEEE!! I'VE GOT TEN CRYING KIDS AT HOME TO PROVIDE FOR!!!" The gun clicks. Otohime, tears streaming, cries out, "WHY WOULD YOU STOOP TO COMMITTING SUCH A VILE ACT AS THIEVERYI!!!" The thief is struck from behind with a heavy blow, "KA-THUNK," as bystanders plead, "YOUR MAJESTY!!!! PLEASE STOP ASSAULTING THE CRIMINAL!!" The thief snarls back, "I CARE NOT IF MY HAND SHATTERS INTO A THOUSAND PIECES! IT IS FOR THIS MAN'S SAKE!!" Otohime continues, voice trembling, "AND YET...... I TOO MUST APOLOGISE......!! A MAN SHOULD ONLY LIVE A LIFE THAT HE CAN SPEAK TO HIS CHILDREN OF WITH PRIDE!! CAN THEY TRULY BE HAPPYI!! TELL ME!! IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE RAISED ON STOLEN MONEY..."

Otohime weeps heavily, apologizing, "I AM SO SORRY!!! FORGIVE ME FOR FAILING TO NOTICE YOUR SUFFERING, EVEN THOUGH WE DWELL IN THE SAME COUNTRY..." The thief, shaken, mutters, "UUURGH...!!! I NEVER... NEVER WANTED TO DO THIS...!!!" while the crowd reacts in horror. Otohime presses on, "THE PAIN THAT DWELLS IN YOUR HEART... IS AS A KNIFE THROUGH MY OWN...!!!" The thief protests, "...AND YET!! I MUST APOLOGISE!! WE RULERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR OUR SUBJECTS IN NEED... IT IS THE BLAME LIES WITH US, AS WELL..." A shopkeeper wails, "MY SHOP WAS BURNED DOWN BY ARSONISTS...!!! ALL THE MONEY I HAD WAS STOLEN...!!! I'M CLEAN OUT OF WORK...!!! MY DEBTS JUST KEEP RISING...!!! AND I CAN'T STAND TO SEE MY CHILDREN GOING HUNGRY...!!!" Others cry, "YOU'RE TOO KIND!!!" and "I'M SO SORRY!!"

The crowd erupts in cheers as Otohime comforts the thief. Voices call out, "THANK YOU SO MUCH... FOR SHEDDING TEARS FOR THE LIKES OF ME!! YOUR MAJESTY!!!" and "I'LL TURN OVER A NEW LEAF!! MAKE A NEW LIFE FOR MYSELF!!!" Onlookers remark, "THEY DON'T CALL HER THE QUEEN OF LOVE FOR NOTHING... AND JUST LOOK HOW POPULAR SHE IS WITH THE CHILDREN!" and "SHE CERTAINLY IS A MOST UNUSUAL QUEEN...!" Others note, "YET QUEEN OTOHIME CRIES GENUINE TEARS FOR HER INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS AND EVEN SLAPS THEM AROUND THE FACE..." and "IT'S UNUSUAL ENOUGH FOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TO EVEN LEAVE THE CASTLE AND WALK AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE..." Children shout, "QUEEN OTOHIME EEEEEEE!!" as the queen wipes her face amid the joyful chaos.

Narration states, "EVERY DAY, SHE DESCENDS TO THE ISLAND, AND MINGLES WITH HER SUBJECTS." Otohime declares passionately, "WE MUST RAISE OUR RYUGUU KINGDOM ABOVE THE WAVES!!!" She continues, "BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR US TO WAIT FOR THE DAY WHEN THE HUMANS COME TO UNDERSTAND US!! THEIR SKIN MAY BE OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR... THEIR BODIES MAY DIFFER FROM OURS... WE MUST TAKE ACTION OURSELVES, AND STRIVE TO UNDERSTAND THEM!!!" The large title reads "OTO HIME, THE PASSIONATE 'QUEEN OF LOVE'..." as she stands tall before the bustling Fish-Man Island streets filled with merfolk and fish-men.

Queen Otohime addresses the gathered citizens from a raised platform. "THE HUMANS THAT VISIT OUR ISLAND ARE A SPECIFIC TYPE KNOWN AS 'PIRATES'!" she declares. "PLEASE DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND!! TEN THOUSAND METRES OF OCEAN WATER... THIS IS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN OUR CULTURE AND THEIRS!!" She continues passionately, "WE STILL KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT HUMANITY AS A WHOLE!! AND THOSE HUMANS WHO PURCHASE FROM THE SLAVE TRADERS ARE AN ELITE MINORITY KNOWN AS NOBLES!! THE HUMANS WITH WHOM WE ARE FAMILIAR ARE BUT A TINY FRACTION OF THEIR SOCIETY!! THAT IS WHY WE MUST MOVE OUR KINGDOM, SO THAT OUR SOCIETIES CAN LIVE TOGETHER UNDER THE SAME SUN!" Some citizens grumble in the crowd: "HMPH. IT'S USELESS." "I DUNNO..." "HISTORY HAS ALREADY MADE THE ANSWER CLEAR..." "EVEN IF IT IS A REQUEST FROM QUEEN OTOHIME..." Otohime raises her arms and pleads, "CITIZENS OF THIS KINGDOM, I ASK FOR EACH OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL SIGNATURES!!! AT THIS YEAR'S UPCOMING REVERIE COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THIS WISH TO THE WORLD AS A WHOLE!!!" A large "ばっ!!" sound effect erupts as she strikes a dramatic pose.

Otohime returns home. Her children rush to greet her. "WELCOME HOME, MOTHER!!" "I'M HOME, CHILDREN!" Shirahoshi bursts into tears with a loud "WAAAH HHH! WAAAH HHH!" and clings to her mother. Otohime comforts her while the princes and attendants react. "WE'VE BEEN WORRYING ABOUT HER THE WHOLE TIME!!" "DON'T WORRY ABOUT SHIRAHOSHI, MOTHER! SHE'S FINE, SHE'S FINE!" "MOTHER... IS YOUR HAND ALL RIGHTI" "THANK YOU, MY PRINCES." Otohime smiles warmly, "AH, SHIRAHOSHI, MY HAVEN OF TRANQUILITY... I AM SORRY I COULD NOT RETURN TO YOU SOONER... AHH, EVEN WITH SNOT DRIPPING FROM ONLY ONE OF YOUR NOSTRILS, YOU ARE SO ADORABLE...!" Later, Otohime reflects privately with a minister: "SHE MUST BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO FEEL HER SUBJECTS' HEARTS; IT IS PART OF HER NATURE. EVEN I CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS. THAT MAY BE, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT THERE ARE MANY HUMAN PIRATES STAYING ON THE ISLAND! IF ONLY QUEEN OTOHIME WOULD CONCEDE TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC VIA BROADCAST RATHER THAN IN PERSON... THE POWERFUL OBSERVATION HAKI SHE WAS BORN WITH WILL NOT PERMIT HER TO DO SUCH A THING! MY PRINCES... I WILL ENSURE THAT THE FUTURE YOU GROW UP IN WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD OF TODAY!"

King Neptune and a minister discuss Otohime's safety. "THE WORLD THAT OTOHIME DREAMS OF, MINISTER... HAS A HISTORY SPANNING HUNDREDS OF YEARS." "SHE IS QUITE AWARE OF THE DANGERS." "CERTAINLY, THE SUPPORT OF YOUR FRIEND, THE PIRATE WHITEBEARD, GRANTS US A MEASURE OF PROTECTION... BUT EVEN THAT IS NOT ABSOLUTE!" Neptune continues, "I CANNOT STOP OTOHIME FROM PURSUING HER IDEALS. I CAN ONLY ASK YOU TO KEEP HER SAFE...!!" The minister replies, "IT IS ONE AND THE SAME AS THE DREAM THAT OUR DISTANT ANCESTORS FERVENTLY PURSUED..." "...I! WHATEVER DO YOU MEAN BY THAT...I" The scene shifts to a street where Arlong rampages. Citizens yell, "HEY!!! STOP THIS AT ONCE!!!" "WHAT'S THE POINT IN COLLECTING THESE SCRAPS OF PAPER, ANYWAYI!" "DO I LOOK LIKE I CAREI SHAHA HAHA!" "GIVE IT BACK!! HOW MANY PEOPLE'S SIGNATURES DO YOU THINK ARE ON THAT PIECE OF PAPER!!" Someone shouts, "YOU'RE ARLONG FROM THE FISHMAN DISTRICT, AREN'T YOUI!" A sign reads "ONE DAY..." and a "STOP" sign lies on the ground.

Arlong looms over the crowd, declaring, "...OF THE ARLONG PIRATES!! I'M CAPTAIN ARLONG..." He laughs, "URG HH... THAT'S NOT QUITE RIGHT. HMM MI!" Arlong explains, "WE MAKE OUR LIVING HUNTING IN THESE WATERS FOR INFERIOR PIRATES WHO CAN'T EVEN BREATHE UNDERWATER. BASICALLY, WE'RE DOING THE WORTHLESS ARMY'S JOB FOR IT. SO WHY DON'T YOU FORK OUT SOME CASH AS THANKS, EHI!" A sign identifies him: "CAPTAIN OF THE ARLONG PIRATES Arlong (25) (SAWSHARK FISHMAN)". Jimbei appears and calls out, "JIMBEI...I" Arlong's underlings panic, "DON'T JUST SIT THERE WATCHING! HELP ME OUT, PLEASE!!" "B... BOSS JIMBEI!!!" Arlong continues to intimidate the citizens while Jimbei watches from the side.

A soldier from the Neptune Army bursts in shouting, "FROM THE NEPTUNE ARMY!!" Others cry out in relief, "IT'S BOSS JIMBEI!" and "WHAT A RELIEF!!" Jimbei, labeled "SOLDIER IN THE NEPTUNE ARMY Jimbei (30) (WHALE SHARK FISHMAN)," stands tall with his trident, calmly stating, "AND THOUGH I CAN'T SAY I'M INTERESTED IN THOSE SIGNATURES MYSELF... THE SAME CAN'T BE SAID FOR THE QUEEN. GIVE IT BACK." Arlong, holding a struggling figure, retorts, "YOU HEARD THE ROOKIE, PUNK. PUT HIM DOWN! THAT'S MY SUBORDINATE YOU'RE MANHANDLING." A voice laughs wildly, "SHAHAHAHAHAH!! 'BOSS', IS ITI! WELL, THAT'S A NEW ONE!! I'VE NEVER SEEN A SOLDIER WHO LOOKS LIKE SOME KIND OF MAFIA BOSS BEFORE!!" Jimbei orders, "JUST DO AS I SAY, ARLONG!!" Arlong snarls back, "DON'T LUMP ME TOGETHER WITH YOU. ARE YOU STILL DEVOTING YOUR LIFE TO THE LIKES OF PIRACYI PIECE OF TRASH." In a flashback panel, Jimbei pleads, "IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!! I DON'T YOU REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE USED TO HAVE......BACK IN THE FISHMAN DISTRICTI!" Arlong replies, "DON'T GET SO MAD, OLD FRIEND!!" and finally yields, "FINE, FINE!! WHATEVER!!" as the captive yells "AARGH!" amid impact effects.

Two fish-men react in shock, "THE BIG BRO'S BACKI!!" and "BIG BRO TII" A crowd cheers, "HEY, EVERYONE!! FISHER TIGER THE ADVENTURER IS BACK!!!" and "SCRAP, THENI" Someone warns, "NOW, THAT'S GOING A BIT FAR, AIN'T IT, BROI" Fisher Tiger, a massive fish-man in a "FROGI NO. HIPPO." shirt, grins and shouts, "DAMNED IF YOU TWO AREN'T LOOKING WELL!!!" Jimbei and Arlong call out, "JIMBEI!! ARLONG!!!" Onlookers exclaim, "IT'S TIGER-SAN!!" and beg, "TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRAVELS!!" Tiger replies in narration boxes, "...STARTED OUT AS A GIGANTIC INSTITUTION TO TAKE CARE OF ORPHANED CHILDREN. THE FISHMAN DISTRICT..." He continues, "BUT RIGHT NOW, I HAVE BUSINESS AT THE PALACE. OH, YES, I'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT!! THIS LAST TRIP CERTAINLY TOOK YOU A WHILE!!" A voice calls, "WHY DON'T YOU STOP BY AT MY SHIPI!"

Narration boxes recount the past: "AND SO THE AREA BECAME A LAWLESS REGION, HOME TO THE REBELS AND OUTCASTS OF FISHMAN ISLAND. BUT BEFORE LONG, IT DESCENDED INTO CHAOS. THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE WERE UNABLE TO KEEP THEIR CHARGES UNDER CONTROL..." It continues, "AND SOME, SUCH AS THE COWARD MACRO, ENTERED INTO THE SLAVE TRADE. AND SO IT WAS THAT THEY ALL WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS." Panels show Arlong, Jimbei as second-in-command, and Fisher Tiger as de facto leader. "...BECAME A PIRATE, WREAKING HAVOC ACROSS THE OCEAN FLOOR......FOUND A PLACE FOR HIMSELF IN THE ROYAL ARMY....ULTIMATELY LEFT THE COUNTRY TO FIND ADVENTURE." The text states Tiger's attack on Mariejoa earned him the title "HERO OF THE SLAVES" yet marked him a criminal. A final box reads, "YET ONE DAY, A SHOCKING EVENT OCCURRED THAT LEFT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM DUMFOUNDED!!" as Tiger stands against the Tenryuubito with the cry, "TIGER-SAN STOOD UP AGAINST THE TENRYUUBITO!!!"

Queen Otohime pleads in multiple panels, "AND STILL YOU TELL US TO LOVE THESE HUMANS......AND TO GRANT FREEDOM...!!! SLAVERY IS PERMITTED......QUEEN OTOHIME...I!" Voices shout, "THE GUY'S NOT CONSCIOUS!!!...EACH ATTACKING VESSEL WAS SUNK WITHOUT FAIL... THAT'S ENOUGH, BRO!! PUT HIM DOWN!!!!" Tiger declares, "TAKE THE HEAD OF FISHER TIGER!!!" while narration notes, "THOUGH THE MARINES PURSUED RELENTLESSLY..." A massive clash erupts with sound effects as Tiger fights. Narration explains, "...TO PROTECT HIM FROM THE GOVERNMENT AGAINST WHICH HE HAD REBELLED. UPON HEARING OF THIS, FISHER TIGER'S ONE-TIME FELLOWS FROM THE FISHMAN DISTRICT CAME TOGETHER..." Tiger yells, "LET'S GO, YOU GUYS!!!" Jimbei answers, "I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT MY RESIGNATION!!!" Tiger continues, "...TO AVOID DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE FORMER SLAVES WHOM TIGER HAD FREED AND THOSE WHO HAD GATHERED OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL..." The Sun Pirates advance with the cry, "...AND THE SUN PIRATES CONTINUED THEIR ADVANCE. SHAHAHAH!! WELL, AIN'T THIS SOMETHING!!" as the crew becomes known as the "SUN PIRATES".

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