Chapter 192: Tom’s Compromise
"In that place, not only was I drained of blood every day for research, but I was also forced to work endlessly, day and night."
"And I wasn't the only one there. People from every race—Fishmen, Giants, Longarm Tribe, Mink Tribe, and so on—were all imprisoned there!"
"There were even Devil Fruit users among them."
"Just like me, they were constantly having their blood drawn for research, forced to work non-stop, and even made to entertain those idiotic Celestial Dragons!"
"We were nothing more than a bunch of slaves, completely at their mercy, with no way out!"
Kaido's tone suddenly shifted, becoming eerily calm. He glanced at Master Tom with a blank expression and spoke softly:
"But one day, I escaped."
"From that moment, I vowed that one day, I would liberate every slave in this world!"
"Just like Joy Boy did 800 years ago!"
"But—"
The veins on Kaido's forehead bulged as his voice grew louder:
"But I came to realize that such a dream is utterly unrealistic!"
"No matter where you are in this world, there's always a hierarchy!"
"Humans are like this, and so are animals!"
"Marines obey the orders of their superiors, while commoners kneel to kiss the boots of nobles!"
"It's all the same in essence!"
"The concept of slavery will never disappear!"
"And true equality will never exist!"
"This is how the world is, and how it will always be!"
"And I... I am not Joy Boy!"
"So, my dream has changed!"
Kaido tilted back his head, downing another gulp of sake, and pointed above him with a drunken gleam in his eyes.
"If I can't change this world, then I'll overturn it!"
"Why should the Celestial Dragons sit in their Holy Land, enjoying everything the world has to offer without lifting a finger?"
"Why are they the so-called gods, while the rest of us are forced to bow beneath them?"
"I'll drag them down from their pedestal!"
"If someone has to crawl in the dirt like a slave, why shouldn't it be them?!"
Kaido's furious roar left Tom silent. King, however, stepped forward, his voice trembling with passion.
"Kaido-sama, you will become the Pirate King! You will change this world! You are Joy Boy!"
Kaido shook his head and patted King on the shoulder, his voice choking with emotion.
"Ugh... King!"
"That doesn't matter anymore!"
He then turned to King and commanded, "Take off your mask. Let Tom have a proper look at you."
King hesitated for a moment but soon removed his mask, revealing a mature, rugged face, brimming with understated charm.
Several Fishwoman ladies couldn't help but brighten, openly staring at King with fiery gazes.
"Tom! Allow me to introduce him!" Kaido gestured toward King.
"This is my right-hand man, King! His race is Lunarian!"
"The Lunarians are the true gods of this world—the rightful rulers of the Red Line!"
"As for the Celestial Dragons, they're nothing but thieves, usurpers, and perhaps even former slaves!"
"That's why they look down on every other race so much."
"Whether it's the numerous humans or the original divine race of Lunarians, to them, we're all just disposable slaves."
"And Fishmen? They're despised by most races in this world. You must know this, don't you?"
Kaido leaned closer to Tom and said in a low voice, "In this world, there may be forces willing to accept your kind, but those that can protect you? Aside from the World Government, only the Beasts Pirates can."
"As for Whitebeard and Big Mom... ha! They're past their prime!"
"The Beasts Pirates' base, Onigashima, already houses many Fishmen."
"I'm planning to allocate half of Wano's territory and half of Elbaf's land as a haven for Fishmen."
"These lands are vast enough to accommodate everyone from Fishman Island!"
"There, Fishmen can live under the sunlight, above the surface!"
"No more abductions! No more discrimination! You'll be the masters of your land!"
"And the only price for this life of freedom is your strength!"
Kaido approached Tom, speaking softly:
"Isn't that fair?"
"If you want something, you must pay the price."
"I'll give you land and protection, and in return, you'll give me your strength."
"No tricks, no oppression—everything is voluntary."
"Isn't that right?"
"HAHAHAHA!"
Kaido's laughter echoed, and the crowd erupted in agreement.
"We'll trade our strength for what we desire! We won't care about the opinions of humans!"
"This is fair!"
"No one will dare discriminate against us, and we won't have to worry about being captured!"
"We're grateful to the Beasts Pirates! And especially to Kaido-sama!"
"Tom-san! Join us in the Beasts Pirates!"
"Our people need your strength!"
Faced with the Fishmen's persuasion, Tom fell silent.
When everyone quieted down, gazing at Tom with hopeful eyes, he finally opened his eyes and stared directly at Kaido.
"To overthrow the world and drag the Celestial Dragons off their pedestal... How do you plan to achieve that?"
"Worororororo! By building strength, of course!" Kaido's gaze was resolute as he spoke.
"No one knows the power of the World Government better than I do!"
"Until we've gathered enough power to resist them, I'll endure!"
"Don't worry. I won't lead the Fishmen to their doom!"
"I know exactly what forces they're hiding."
"So, trust me on this!"
"With your help, the safety of the Fishmen will be greatly increased!"
"After all, to the World Government, a nation of a few million is nothing more than a flick of the wrist!"
Tom understood the implication in Kaido's words. Glancing at his hopeful fellow Fishmen, he finally nodded.
"I'll join you. But remember your promise!"
"Wororororo! Of course!" Kaido raised his cup and roared, "Boys! Let's welcome Tom-san!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Wooooo!"
After setting his cup down, Kaido leaned closer to Tom and whispered,
"To confirm just how much the World Government values you, I need to ask one thing."
"Tom-san, do you still have the blueprints for Pluton?"
"Don't hide it from me. This could spark a war!"
"You..."
Seeing Tom's reaction, Kaido let out a strange laugh, patting Tom on the shoulder.
"Wororororo! That's all I needed to know!"
"Now, drink!"
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg