Some time later, Tiger's injuries had recovered well.
He came to Christopher's room, his footsteps still heavy from his recent severe injuries.
His tall figure almost blocked the light coming through the doorway, casting a heavy silhouette in Christopher's bandaged eyes:
"How do you feel? The doctor said your bones are almost healed."
Christopher could already sit up; he slightly tilted his head.
The bandages restricted his vision, but he could recognize the unique outline; it was Tiger.
"I'm alright; at least my life was saved."
Christopher grinned:
"Seeing that you're okay, I can rest a little easier."
"Honestly, if we hadn't caused such a big commotion, you probably would have escaped with the Slaves much earlier."
Tiger slowly walked into the room and sat on a reef:
"Don't say that."
"If you hadn't stopped that crescent-headed guy, I might not have had a chance to come back at all."
"You didn't need to rush into battle with them either."
"Actually, I was the one who implicated you."
Saying this, Tiger sighed.
He merely wanted to free the Slaves, so how did things get so out of hand?
"We've been through life and death together; saying such things seems a bit distant."
As soon as Christopher said this, both of them smiled at the same time.
Then came a period of silence.
After a long while, Tiger's calm gaze swept over every well-bandaged wound on Christopher's body, filled with deep concern:
"Don't think too much; overthinking is the worst thing for someone recovering from severe injuries."
"When you're a bit better, I'll take you to see Fish-Man Island."
Weeks later, when Christopher could finally walk out of his room under his own power, he saw Tiger waiting outside.
Unlike their first meeting, Tiger's movements had regained their former agility, and his injuries seemed to have completely healed.
"Seeing you recover so well, the guilt in my heart can finally be put to rest."
Christopher's voice was filled with genuine joy.
Tiger carefully observed him, noting that the bandages on his body had been removed, leaving large, irreparable burn scars on his exposed skin.
He walked closer, raised his strong arm, and clapped Christopher firmly on the shoulder:
"Seeing these scars, I know you've climbed out of hell."
"Yes, I survived…"
Christopher showed a carefree smile, his tone filled with a mix of lament and a hint of relief.
He had not only escaped the fire in Mary Geoise that day but had also fled the oppressive, confining cage that place had been for him.
In the following days, Tiger, as promised, took Christopher on a tour of Fish-Man Island.
They walked past the fountains in Gyoncorde Plaza, watching the mermaids play in the sunlight.
They navigated between the buildings of Coral Hill, feeling the unique rhythm of the underwater city.
Tiger was highly respected on Fish-Man Island; both Fishmen and mermaids would politely greet him.
At the end of their tour, they arrived at the Sea Forest.
In a soft blue glow, the red poneglyph stood silently.
The two stood before the stone tablet, facing the weight of history, silent for a long time.
After a long while, Christopher gazed at the poneglyph and slowly spoke:
"The World Government is so afraid of this erased history being uncovered…"
"What they fear is precisely the truth about the 'Void Century' recorded on these stones."
Tiger crossed his arms, his thick fingers lightly tapping his bicep:
"The scholars of Ohara proved this with their lives."
He responded in a deep voice, which sounded particularly heavy in the seawater:
"They would rather destroy an island than allow a question to exist."
"Yes! Ohara…"
Christopher nodded:
"The scholars there proved with their lives that history cannot be completely erased."
"As long as the truth existed, it will definitely leave traces."
"These two stones, and the other stones scattered across the world, are the most fatal traces."
He turned to Tiger, his tone growing deeper:
"In Mary Geoise, by chance, I learned a piece of information…"
"These red poneglyphs are unique 'Road Poneglyphs'."
"Road poneglyphs?"
There was confusion in Tiger's eyes.
"Yes! Road poneglyphs!"
Christopher's eyes, which had been somewhat lost and world-weary, gradually began to shine, as if he had found a new direction in life:
"Collecting four of these red Road poneglyphs can pinpoint the location of the final island."
"What is buried there has never been Roger's treasure."
"But… the complete truth of this world!"
This news left Tiger stunned for a long time.
After a good while, he tentatively asked:
"So you mean…"
Christopher had already made his decision, his voice calm yet containing an unshakable resolve:
"I cannot let it continue to sleep here; who knows when the World Government might find it."
"I'm taking it, Tiger."
Tiger's finger-tapping sped up:
"Then where do you plan to take it?"
"To the end of the world!"
Christopher's eyes became incredibly clear and firm; he had completely found the path he was to take next:
"We have fought, and we have failed."
"But as long as we still hold fragments of the truth, there is still hope for victory."
"I will wait at the end of the world…"
"Waiting for that person who is destined to come, who has the ability and determination to do what we could not…"
"The one who will uncover all of this and truly liberate the world."
"You're right!"
Tiger stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Christopher:
"I will help you!"
He recalled the brief night they fought side-by-side in Mary Geoise; that trust forged in the fires of battle now transformed into the most solid support.
Tiger's tone was resolute:
"As for Fish-Man Island, I will explain it to King Neptune."
"This is not a betrayal of our guardianship, but a way to fulfill it."
...Neptune was actually an indecisive monarch.
In fact, many so-called wise kings in this world are like that.
As long as they don't like to cause trouble, they can be made to look wise by their peers.
After listening to Tiger and Christopher, Neptune turned to Queen Otohime, who nodded slightly.
Her innate Observation Haki allowed her to perceive the fiery emotions in their hearts.
Neptune immediately made up his mind:
"In that case, I'll leave it to you!"
Days later, a pitch-black sailing ship departed from Fish-Man Island, heading for the New World.
At the bow stood a giant red poneglyph.
Christopher stood at the ship's prow, wearing a hooded trench coat, but the burn marks on his face were still evident.
The power of the Twist-Twist Fruit activated, and whirlpools propelled the black sailing ship towards the end of the world...
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