On an isolated island in the Calm Belt, not far from Amazon Lily, a large crowd of people bustled about on this primitive land where no one had ever set foot. These were mostly strong men from the Fish-Man Tribe, working hard to develop the island.
Fisher Tiger, formerly the leader of Fish-Man Street and a world-class adventurer, who would have been infamous as the arsonist of Mariejois, was now the head of this large labor force. His chest bore the scar of the Celestial Dragons' brand, but it had since been overlaid with the emblem of the Donquixote family. This symbolized that Fisher Tiger had now fully joined Claudius's growing ranks, just like Enel, Crocodile, and others. However, he wasn't aiming to be a pirate but rather an "engineer" under Claudius's leadership.
The development of undersea minerals on Fish-Man Island had been spearheaded by him, utilizing idle Fish-Men to provide raw materials for both Doflamingo and Crocodile. Once the mining business there stabilized, Fisher Tiger led his team into the Calm Belt, ready to embark on the second spring of his career.
Holding a Calm Belt chart acquired from Amazon Lily, Fisher Tiger studied the map. It marked dozens of islands around Amazon Lily, highlighting the safer routes for entering and exiting the Calm Belt. Four islands were marked with the symbol of crossed harpoons, these were the islands Fisher Tiger and his team had previously surveyed. They lacked significant resources, no mineral veins, and only rich flora and fauna, making them potential agricultural hubs for food production. However, for now, the priority was finding islands that could generate immediate profits. The best resource? Mineral veins. Gold, copper, or iron mines, anything that could be mined and sold would enrich the coffers of the Marines and CP-X. Over time, this development could even become a major economic pillar.
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Arlong, the younger brother of Shyarly from Fish-Man Island's Mermaid Café, had also joined this venture. Originally, he was one of the troublemakers of Fish-Man Street. In the original storyline, he would have become a petty tyrant in East Blue, bullying nearby villages and establishing the so-called "Arlong Empire." But under Fisher Tiger's influence, Arlong's path had changed. Now, instead of becoming a villain, he was working hard as a small foreman, helping to build a better future for his people.
"Big brother, you're here!" Arlong greeted Fisher Tiger enthusiastically as he approached.
Fisher Tiger looked at him and laughed. "A few years ago, you were just a troublemaker on Fish-Man Street. Look at you now, leading your team. Not bad at all."
The previously chaotic Fish-Man Street had undergone a transformation. With stable jobs and incomes, many of its residents had turned over a new leaf. Gone were the days of bullying and infighting among their own kind. Now, everyone worked toward a shared goal.
"I heard you found a valuable island here, so I came to take a look. How's it going?" Fisher Tiger asked with a smile.
Arlong's face lit up with excitement. He replied eagerly, "Unlike the last few islands, this one is full of resources! Hachi and the others have already found iron ore in the mountains and forests over there. The quality is good, and the deposits seem plentiful. This island is definitely worth developing!"
He paused before adding, "And we haven't even surveyed the whole island yet. Who knows? We might find a gold mine next! Hahaha!"
Fisher Tiger laughed along with him, marking the island on his chart. "Iron ore is good enough for now. As for a gold mine… well, let's not get too greedy just yet. This is already a big win. The Marines have been pressuring us for results, they've poured a lot of resources into the Calm Belt without much to show for it. Finally, we have something to report."
As they spoke, Fisher Tiger pulled out a document bearing Claudius's signature and the emblem of the Donquixote family. "His Highness has already laid out the terms. Two-tenths of the profits from mining and sales will go to our Fish-Man Mining Company to cover wages and benefits for the workers," Fisher Tiger explained with a smile.
"What about gold mines? Same deal?" Arlong asked in surprise.
Fisher Tiger nodded and tossed him the document. "Yes, same deal. His Highness doesn't restrict the types of minerals. Whether it's iron or gold, the profit-sharing agreement stays the same."
Arlong skimmed the document, impressed. "That's really generous. His Highness is quite the benefactor."
Arlong had briefly entertained thoughts of pocketing some of the resources for himself and his crew. But after some consideration, he realized it was impossible. Without Claudius's backing and the Donquixote family's sales channels, even the most valuable ore would be useless. They couldn't eat rocks, and they certainly couldn't sell them on their own. Besides, with a fair profit-sharing arrangement, everyone stood to gain. Marine and CP-X each took four-tenths of the profits, leaving two-tenths for the Fish-Man Mining Company. It was a mutually beneficial setup.
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Amazon Lily also stood to benefit. With all Calm Belt routes passing through their territory, they had transformed a previously uninhabited island near Nine Snake Island into a bustling port town. This transfer station had become a major hub for workers and Marines, who spent their earnings freely there. The influx of spending brought prosperity to Amazon Lily, which was gradually becoming wealthier. They used their newfound wealth to import goods, improve living standards, and fund further development.
The virtuous cycle was clear. The Calm Belt's development benefited everyone involved—Fish-Men, Marines, Amazon Lily, and the Donquixote family.
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"Since we've confirmed the iron ore veins, let's start building the infrastructure here," Fisher Tiger instructed. "We'll establish a town as our base of operations, organize the workforce, and prepare for large-scale mining. I'll inform the Marines and give them some peace of mind."
"It's already underway," Arlong replied with a grin. "The guys are cutting down trees to build shelters. Once that's done, we'll construct roads and start mining!"
Fisher Tiger nodded in satisfaction. Watching the thousands of Fish-Men working diligently to secure their future, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment.
"That's right… Princess Otohime, perhaps the dream our people have cherished for 800 years, the dream of living freely on the surface can finally come true here in the Calm Belt," Fisher Tiger murmured to himself.
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