CHAPTER 13 - ARLONG PARK: NAMI'S CRY FOR HELP
The battle raged within Arlong Park, a cacophony of shouts, kicks, and the sickening thud of Fish-Man flesh against bone. Luffy was locked in a brutal struggle with Hatchan, the eight-limbed octopus-man. Sanji, ever the gentleman, was still dispatching Kuroobi, ensuring no harm came to any of the female villagers. Zoro, though heavily wounded from Mihawk's attack, fought with a savage intensity, his swords a blur of steel.
Adam, however, had one specific target for his ire: Arlong. He knew this was the pivotal moment, the emotional core of the entire arc. Nami's breaking point. And he was going to make sure Arlong was the one who pushed her over the edge. "This is it, Nami. The moment you ask for help. It's going to hurt like hell, but it's going to free you. And I'm going to make sure that fish-faced monster is the catalyst for your liberation. Because sometimes, the villain needs to be the one to push the hero to their true strength."
Arlong, still reeling from Adam's relentless mockery and the chaos he'd caused, was increasingly unhinged. Adam continued his verbal assault, a constant, annoying buzz in Arlong's ear.
"You know, Arlong, for someone who claims to be a superior being, you're remarkably bad at managing your temper," Adam taunted, easily dodging a lunge. "It's almost as if your 'superior' intellect is being overshadowed by a severe case of 'little man' syndrome. Though, in your case, it's more like 'little fish' syndrome. No offense to actual fish, of course. They're usually far more intelligent than you."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: ARLONG][LIKE METER: 0%][HATE METER: 55%][ACQUIRABLE SKILLS: GILL BREATHING (BASIC), BLOOD LUST (TEMPORARY BOOST)]
"Fifty-five percent hate. We're almost there! And 'Gill Breathing (Basic)'? So I can probably breathe underwater. Excellent. Very useful for... well, for breathing underwater. 'Blood Lust (Temporary Boost)'? So I can get a temporary burst of rage. My inner berserker is intrigued."
Adam then noticed Arlong turn his attention to Nami's hut, the small, quiet structure where she had meticulously drawn maps for years, a desperate attempt to buy her village's freedom. Arlong began to approach it, a cruel smirk on his face. He intended to destroy it, to break her spirit once and for all.
"No, no, no. You don't get to do that, Arlong. Not after everything she's done. You don't get to destroy her hope. But you do get to make her scream. Because that scream is going to save her."
Adam moved swiftly, not towards Arlong, but towards a few straggling Fish-Men who were trying to flank Luffy. He intercepted them with a surprising display of his copied "Black Leg Style (Improved Kicks)," using his legs to deflect their attacks and send them sprawling, creating a clear line of sight for Nami.
"Stay focused, fish-heads!" Adam barked, delivering a powerful kick that sent a Fish-Man tumbling. "Your Captain's busy having a meltdown! Don't you dare interfere with his existential crisis!"
He was ensuring that nothing would stop Arlong from reaching Nami's hut, but also that nothing would stop Nami from seeing what he was about to do.
Arlong reached the hut, a triumphant, sadistic grin on his face. He raised his arm, his powerful hand poised to shatter Nami's life's work. The villagers, watching from the sidelines, cried out in despair. Genzo, his eyes wide with horror, lunged forward, but it was too late.
"STOP IT!" Nami screamed, her voice raw, desperate, filled with years of agony. "STOP IT! DON'T TOUCH IT!"
Arlong merely laughed, a cruel, guttural sound. "It's all over, Nami! Everything you've worked for! It's mine to destroy!"
And with that, he plunged his hand into the hut, tearing apart the maps, the drawings, the instruments. The symbols of Nami's hope, shredded to pieces.
Nami watched, tears streaming down her face, her body trembling. She fell to her knees, clutching her head, the eight years of torture, of sacrifice, of false hope, crashing down on her. Her voice was a choked sob. "Help me..."
Then, a single, powerful cry burst from her, a desperate, raw plea that echoed across the village. "LUFFY! HELP ME!"
Adam felt a wave of profound relief, mixed with a deep ache for her pain. "There it is. The scream. The beautiful, heartbreaking scream of liberation. You did it, Nami. You finally asked. And now, you're free."
Luffy, who had been fighting Hatchan, heard Nami's cry. His eyes, usually filled with mischievous joy, turned cold, hard, and utterly furious. He walked towards Nami, his straw hat shadowing his face. He slowly, deliberately, removed the hat, placing it on Nami's head. It was an unspoken promise, a sacred vow.
"OF COURSE!" Luffy roared, his voice shaking the very foundations of Arlong Park, a primal declaration of loyalty and fury. He then turned to Arlong, his face a mask of pure, unadulterated rage.
Adam watched, a proud smile on his face. "That's my Captain. Never betraying a friend. Never abandoning hope. And always, always, absolutely epic when he's pissed off."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: NAMI][LIKE METER: 60%][HATE METER: 5%][ACQUIRABLE SKILLS: BASIC NAVIGATION, CARTOGRAPHY (MASTERED), BO STAFF SKILLS (PRACTICAL), COMPASSION (INNATE POTENTIAL)]
"Sixty percent like! Her hate is practically gone! This is a massive victory! And 'Bo Staff Skills (Practical)'? So she can probably use a stick as a weapon now. Excellent. 'Compassion (Innate Potential)'? She's becoming a fully realized human being. I'm basically a superhero of emotional development."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: ARLONG][LIKE METER: 0%][HATE METER: 75%][ACQUIRABLE SKILLS: SHARK ON DARTS (MASTERED), FISH-MAN KARATE (IMPROVED BLOCK)]
"Seventy-five percent hate! Almost there! And 'Shark on Darts (Mastered)'? I can probably throw a dart like a professional shark now. Excellent. 'Fish-Man Karate (Improved Block)'? So I can probably block a punch with more style. My combat skills are steadily climbing, despite my general aversion to actual fighting."
Adam moved to intercept Arlong's officers who, seeing Luffy's rage, were attempting to get in his way. He used his "Black Leg Style (Improved Kicks)" to send Kuroobi sprawling, then activated his "Gum-Gum Pistol (stable)" to send Chew flying into Hatchan, creating a temporary pile of stunned Fish-Men.
"Oh no you don't, gentlemen!" Adam declared, standing between them and Luffy's furious charge. "This is a private conversation between a Captain and a very, very stupid fish-man. You are not invited. Please enjoy your temporary paralysis. Or, you know, just watch the fireworks. It's going to be glorious."
Luffy, his face a picture of terrifying resolve, lunged towards Arlong, ready to deliver justice. Adam smiled grimly. Arlong had no idea what was coming.