Chapter 3: Fire Burning the Holy Land

“What is he doing?” Marygold was utterly baffled.

Hancock and Sandersonia were equally confused, staring dumbly at Chu Yang.

The uneven dungeon stones suddenly cracked apart, and from the fissures, trees and vines erupted in wild, rampant growth, flooding the dungeon like a tide.

The prison doors, normally indestructible, were now more fragile than tofu, crushed and burst open by the force of the trees in mere moments.

The sudden transformation left the three sisters stunned, frozen in place, convinced some monster had emerged from the dungeon.

Under Chu Yang’s control, the trees had left clear paths for escape; he stood outside the prison gate and shouted: “Get out quickly!”

Hancock finally snapped out of her shock, crawling out from the dense forest, and asked hesitantly: “Are Itachi a Devil Fruit user?”

“No time for that now!” Chu Yang dodged the question, saying: “Get everyone out fast!”

“Thank Itachi!” Hancock gave Chu Yang a long, deep look, as if etching his image into her memory, then led her two sisters away.

Chu Yang used the Wood Release to destroy every prison door in a short time.

Slaves, imprisoned for years, surged out en masse, fleeing toward the dungeon’s exit.

A vast, dark tide of people surged outward—terrifying to behold from afar—and this was precisely the effect Chu Yang wanted.

As the last slave escaped the dungeon, Chu Yang set the entire place ablaze; with the abundant trees as fuel, the fire spread with terrifying speed.

Thus, under cover of night, Chu Yang lit fires along his path, using the Wood Release to spread flames across all of Mary Geoise.

Yet Chu Yang did not know…

In another part of the city, someone else was doing the exact same thing.

In the darkness, a towering figure loomed large against the glow of the flames.

His unusually red skin and appearance marked him as no ordinary human.

Fisher Tiger!

Tiger had always dreamed of becoming a traveler, but shortly after beginning his journey, he was captured by slave traders and enslaved.

For three long years, Tiger endured inhuman abuse and witnessed the depths of human greed and evil, leaving him utterly disillusioned with humanity.

Yet more than hatred, Tiger longed to free other beings who had suffered the same fate as he had.

That was why, after escaping the Holy Land, he returned.

Tiger intended to liberate every slave here.

After freeing a few slaves and setting their cages alight, Tiger noticed flames roaring skyward on the other side of the city!

Who?

Who got here before me?

Watching the fire spiral out of control, Tiger realized that if he didn’t hurry to free the slaves, everyone would be burned alive.

“Who the hell set this fire?” Tiger ran frantically from the flames, cursing in fury.

Fortunately, during his time as a slave, Tiger had memorized the layout of the Holy Land; despite the urgency, he still managed to rescue most of the slaves.

The remaining slaves fled on their own amid the chaos.

Having achieved his goal, Tiger prepared to escape the Holy Land.

But ahead, a squad of marines approached, surrounding him completely.

“How dare Itachi release so many slaves!” bellowed the marine colonel, clad in his uniform.

Tiger replied firmly: “They are innocent people, kidnapped and brought here by slave traders. As marines, Itachi do not protect the weak—Itachi aid the oppressors. It’s shameful!”

The colonel sneered: “I won’t waste words with Itachi. Burning the Holy Land is a far greater crime than freeing slaves. Itachi’re already a dead man—surrender!”

Tiger froze, then roared: “I didn’t set the fire!”

“Still lying as Itachi face death! Since Itachi refuse to surrender, don’t blame me for forcing Itachi!” The colonel ignored Tiger’s protest and ordered his men to attack.

Instantly, the crowd surged forward, dozens of muskets aimed and fired at Tiger simultaneously.

Tiger remained calm, activating Fish-Man Karate.

He seized the air in his hands, twisting it into a violent gust, then swung his arm—sending a shockwave rippling outward.

Countless bullets were knocked off course, falling like raindrops, pattering to the ground.

The colonel’s face darkened—Tiger’s skill exceeded his expectations.

The colonel said coldly: “Itachi dared infiltrate the Holy Land alone to set fire—Itachi’re no ordinary Fish-Man.”

Seeing the colonel so certain, Tiger stopped explaining. He had come here to free slaves anyway; the outcome was no different now.

With ranged attacks useless, the colonel ordered his men into close combat.

As a Fish-Man, Tiger’s physical abilities were ten times those of a normal human; he knew these soldiers could never overpower him.

But it didn’t matter—just a little more time, and a powerful marine commander would arrive to deal with this fool.

The colonel only wanted a share of the glory—he had no intention of fighting Tiger to the death.

On the other side, Tiger saw that the enemy commander had not moved, sending only weaklings to fight him—he instantly understood the man’s plan.

“End this quickly!”

Tiger surged forward, trying to break through, but kept sinking into the human tide, like both feet trapped in mud, unable to move.

The marine colonel stood outside the crowd, smirking: “Stop your futile resistance—it’s better for everyone.”

Tiger’s face darkened—the longer time passed, the fiercer the fire burned, meaning a powerful marine commander would arrive soon.

“If I must return to slavery, I’d rather die here!” Tiger glared at the marines, determined to take down as many as he could—especially the lead colonel.

Just as Tiger prepared to fight to the death, the ground beneath him began to shake violently.

Towering trees erupted from the earth, instantly toppling the marine ranks, sending countless soldiers flying.

Trapped by the trees, the colonel screamed in panic: “What the hell is this?!”

The next second, he was swallowed by the sea of wood.

This sudden spectacle was terrifying—Tiger stood on guard, watching the strange trees warily.

“Why aren’t Itachi leaving? What are Itachi doing here?”

A human boy emerged from the forest, glanced at Tiger, then hurried off the other way.

Tiger paused, then followed the boy, weaving through the trees.

At the same moment, the World Government’s Five Elders were raging.

“How dare anyone murder and burn Mary Geoise? This is trampling on the Celestial Dragons’ dignity!”

“Who is this audacious fool? Have we found him yet?”

“According to the patrol squad’s report, it appears to be a Fish-Man releasing the slaves!”

“Damn Fish-Men—they’ve grown more arrogant than ever these past few years!”

“Where is Sakazuki? Tell him to come immediately and capture these slave criminals!”

“The whole city is on fire—sending Sakazuki here would only make things worse! Better to send Kuzan!”

(End of Chapter)