"Mr. Rayleigh!" Jinny stumbled to the side of the ship, her voice hoarse. "Go save that man! I saw you at God Valley—I remember those eyes."
Rayleigh took a leisurely sip of his wine without turning his head. "Oh? That kid sent you to find me?"
Jinny hesitated. "Yes... he said you would help..."
Shakky stepped out of the cabin, a cigarette between her fingers, a knowing smile on her lips. "Little Rhett hasn't changed a bit."
Jinny glanced between them, confusion etched on her face. "Aren't you worried? Mary Geoise is crawling with CP0 agents!"
Rayleigh chuckled. "You saw us at God Valley. You should know better than to doubt his strength."
Jinny stared, speechless.
Rayleigh patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't fret. That kid values his life more than anyone. If he wants to escape, he'll find a way."
Rhett carried the Hancock sisters through the battlefield, the port finally in sight. Rayleigh's coated ship lay anchored in the shadows, its bow faintly visible through the mist.
"We're here," Rhett said, leaping lightly onto the deck.
As soon as Hancock's feet touched the ship, she turned back toward Mary Geoise, her small hand clutching Rhett's sleeve. "What about Big Brother Tiger...?"
Rhett ruffled her hair, his tone casual. "Don't worry. That guy's tougher than he looks."
Shakky approached, cigarette in hand, crouching down to gently wipe the dust from Hancock's face. "Little Hancock, it's been a while."
"Sister Shakky!" Hancock's tears spilled over as she threw herself into Shakky's arms. Sandersonia and Marigold clung to her too, as if they'd found their last safe haven.
Rayleigh leaned against the railing, his gaze settling on Rhett. "Had enough fun?"
Rhett shrugged. "Boo hoo, you're breaking my heart. Who am I fighting for here? Hmm... CP0's quality is slipping. Not a single decent fighter."
Jinny stood to the side, her expression complicated. She opened her mouth as if to speak. "Are you really Mr. Rhett? Mr. Dragon has always wanted to see you again... and thank you."
Rhett waved her off, sprawling lazily on the deck. "Don't thank me. Thank Tiger. He's the real star tonight."
The ship sailed into the deep sea, following the plan they'd agreed on with Tiger. He'd dive into the sea and meet them.
Night deepened, the waves gently lapping against the hull. Everyone gathered around the bonfire on the deck, Jinny and the Hancock sisters wrapped in blankets, asleep beside Shakky.
Jinny sat by the ship's edge, lost in thought.
Rayleigh took a swig of wine and spoke up. "That Tiger guy should be here soon."
Rhett closed his eyes, blood mist swirling around him. "Hmm. Give it ten more minutes. If there's still no sign..."
He trailed off. Truthfully, Rhett wasn't entirely sure. The battlefield had been chaotic—slaves desperate for freedom, Marines and CP0 fighting to stop them. Both sides had fought fiercely. Even with Rhett's foresight, some things were changing, just as Jinny's presence had.
Jinny suddenly looked up. "What if he doesn't come?"
Rhett opened one eye, his crimson gaze piercing in the firelight. "Then he chose the hero's exit."
The deck fell silent.
Suddenly—
"Splash!"
A wave rose in the distance, a tall figure breaking through the water and stumbling onto the rocks.
"That's...!" Hancock shot to her feet.
Tiger was drenched in blood, breathing heavily, but a hearty smile spread across his face. He raised his arm and waved toward the ship.
"Yo, everyone!" His voice was hoarse but loud. "Am I late?"
Once pulled aboard, Tiger collapsed onto the deck, too exhausted to move.
"Old Tiger, you've got quite the look," Rhett said, squatting beside him as blood mist worked to heal his wounds. "Climbing the Red Line, taking on CP0 alone, swimming this far... Fishman stamina is no joke."
Tiger laughed weakly. "Cut the crap... Without you holding off those heavy hitters, I'd have died a thousand times over."
Rayleigh tossed him a bottle of wine. "Enough. You two can stop praising each other now. Good job."
Tiger took a deep swig, then looked at Jinny and the Hancock sisters, his expression softening. "I'm glad you're all safe."
Hancock's eyes welled up, and she threw herself at Tiger, hugging his arm tightly. "Big Brother Tiger! Thank you!"
Tiger chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Silly child. This is what big brothers do."
Shakky watched the scene with a smile, leaning toward Rayleigh. "Looks like we've got more guests than expected tonight."
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over Jinny and Tiger. "Doesn't matter. There's plenty of space at the bar."
Rhett stretched, blood mist forming a hammock behind him. He lounged lazily, watching the sky gradually brighten, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Tiger, if you pull something like this again, I won't care if you live or die."
Tiger laughed heartily. "Don't worry. There won't be a next time—"
The next day, the world erupted.
As expected, the news spread fast.
The morning sun bathed the sea as the coated ship sailed toward safer waters. On the deck, Tiger unfolded the freshly delivered "World News" and nearly choked on his wine.
"Pfft—!!"
The front page featured a clear photo of him, bloodied but determined, with countless slaves fleeing toward freedom behind him. The headline was even more dramatic:
"Fishman Hero Fisher Tiger Breaks into Holy Land, Liberates Thousands of Slaves! God's Knights Humiliated!"
Rhett had infiltrated perfectly, leaving the world to believe Tiger had acted alone.
"This..." Tiger's fingers trembled slightly. "Clearly Rhett, you—"
He didn't want to take all the credit.
Rhett lounged on his blood mist hammock, waving lazily. "Don't sweat it. Being a hero's great, right? All the mermaids in the world will cheer for you, Hero Tiger-sensei."
The Hancock sisters crowded around the newspaper, Sandersonia softly reading aloud. "'According to eyewitnesses, Tiger single-handedly defeated a hundred guards...'"
Rhett listened, amused. Perfect, he thought. Exactly the kind of exaggeration public accounts love.
Marigold blinked. "But Rhett brother also—"
"Shh." Shakky pressed her shoulder gently, the cigarette glowing in the morning light. "Rhett doesn't like these kinds of troubles."