Shakky had had her fun and wasn't about to keep teasing the hot-blooded young red Fish-Man any longer. With a smile, she turned to Brook, waiting for her captain's praise.
"You've really gotten the hang of those combat tools! As a 'reward,' I'm doubling your physical training."
Brook had noticed that Shakky was becoming a bit too reliant on her Jet Boots and Wind Knot in battle. Lately, she seed almost obsessed with them. The only solution was to physically correct her course.
"Captain Brook! How could you?! Not only do I not get a reward, but I'm also being punished?!"
Shakky pouted in protest. Just as she was about to unleash her Wind Knot on Brook, Redfield let out a crackling burst of lightning. Though he remained smiling, the unspoken warning was clear. Shakky clenched her fists, her cheeks puffing out in frustration.
These n were all bullying her—a weak, innocent, and pitiful girl! If only she were strong enough to teach them a lesson!
...
Fish-Man Tom dragged the battered and bruised Tiger back onboard. The crew's doctor, Crocus, imdiately stepped in to treat his injuries. While tending to him, he also nonchalantly drew a large vial of blood.
Watching this, Den felt a chill run down his spine.
"Oh, don't mind ," Crocus said with a professional smile. "It's just a habit. I'm a doctor, after all. A little blood work helps develop better treatnt plans."
'The hell it does!' Den internally raged. 'What kind of blood test needs a syringe that thick?! It's as big as a damn arm!'
"Oh, I see! Well, I trust your dical expertise, Doctor Crocus. I'll leave Tiger in your capable hands."
Den smiled politely. He wasn't about to pick a fight with this crew of ridiculously strong pirates. Better Tiger than him, anyway.
"If you trust so much, how about I draw a sample from you as well? Don't worry, I'm good friends with Tom. His brothers are my brothers, and I'll make sure to check for any hidden health concerns. You'll walk away with a clean bill of health!"
Crocus grinned 'kindly' at Den, his massive syringe gleaming ominously.
"Haha! No need for that! I'm in perfect health! Oh, I just rembered—I left food cooking! Gotta go serve it up!"
Without another word, Den bolted, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the terrifying doctor.
...
"Crocus, since when did you beco so... devious?" Brook asked, watching the exchange with amusent.
"Captain, would you like a blood test as well? I've always been curious about your frozen blood."
Seeing Crocus twirling his oversized syringe, Brook swiftly changed the subject.
"So, uh, this Fish-Man's injuries aren't too serious, are they?"
He stepped forward to examine Fisher Tiger, who was still recovering from the thrashing Shakky had given him—while simultaneously keeping a safe distance from Crocus.
"He's incredibly resilient," Crocus said, adjusting his glasses. "With his natural strength, he should be fully recovered in a day or two. No need to worry."
If not for the terrifying sight of that monstrous syringe in Crocus's hands, Brook might have actually believed him.
...
Fisher Tiger, now more alert, eyed the vial of his own blood with lingering dread. But more than that, his desire to join this pirate crew had only grown stronger. If even a young human girl could defeat him, then the rest of the crew had to be even more formidable!
"Uncle Tom! Human Captain! Please let join your crew! I'll do anything—even if I have to start as a cabin boy cleaning the decks!"
Tiger knelt before Brook, his voice filled with conviction as he pleaded to join the Hell Pirates.
"The captain's na is Brook, not 'human captain,' you overcooked fish!"
Still fuming from earlier, Shakky was the first to speak up, making sure Tiger addressed Brook properly.
"Captain Brook, I don't think Tiger should set out to sea. He's way too weak—he couldn't even beat Shakky."
Tom imdiately voiced his opposition, shooting Tiger a disapproving look. Tiger, however, only glared back stubbornly, refusing to back down.
"Oi, Uncle Tom! What do you an 'couldn't even beat Shakky'?! Are you saying I'm the weakest one here?!"
Shakky puffed out her cheeks in indignation. Then she hesitated.
Well... there was Silva. Never mind, she couldn't beat him.
And Crocus... Yeah, he was out of the question too.
But there was still Antonio, Parrot, and mory Seahorse! She could definitely take those guys!
"Er... my bad, Shakky. I didn't an it like that." Tom rubbed his temples, exasperated. This girl always had a way of twisting his words just to argue with the crew. Maybe it was just her idea of fun.
...
"Captain Brook, please let join you!" Tiger pleaded again. "I have far greater physical strength than most Fish-n. Once I grow up, I might even be able to scale the Red Line with my bare hands! I promise I'll beco a powerful fighter for the crew!"
Tiger was confident in his own talent. The only reason he'd lost to Shakky was that he lacked proper guidance. If he could train under this crew, his strength would grow by leaps and bounds!
Brook studied the future Fish-Man hero. He wasn't concerned with 'changing history'—he'd already altered the fate of multiple Emperors. What was one more pirate?
What he needed to consider was Tiger's role and combat potential.
At his peak, Tiger had climbed the Red Line with raw physical power, freed countless slaves, and ford the Sun Pirates. But his final bounty had only reached 230 million Belly.
In the end, he had been ambushed on Foolshout Island by Marine Headquarters' elite Rear Admiral Strawberry. Severely wounded, he was rescued by his crewmates aboard a captured Navy ship. However, due to the Fish-n's lack of compatible blood donors, the only available supply was human blood.
Tiger, having suffered years as a slave, harbored deep-seated hatred toward humans. Even at the brink of death, he refused the transfusion, declaring that he would never submit to humans. In the end, he bled out, passing away at the age of 48.
Despite the legend surrounding him, Tiger's true strength had likely never surpassed that of an elite Rear Admiral. His reputation ca from being the first pirate to openly challenge the World Governnt by storming Mary Geoise.
Because of that, people naturally assud he had been an unstoppable powerhouse.
Brook crossed his arms, considering his options. This wasn't just about taking in another crewmate—it was about reshaping destiny itself.
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100 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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