"What?"
Zoro, who was about to beat the two of them up, turned at the voice. A fishman had suddenly jumped forward, glaring at him with clear irritation.
"We're... saved."
Usopp and Johnny both collapsed in relief, as though they had just escaped certain death.
The two fishmen shouted at Zoro:
"What's that look in your eyes? Do you want to die?"
They lunged.
Zoro's thumb slid the blade just slightly from its sheath. His voice was low and dangerous:
"You came just in time. I was worried there wouldn't be anyone for me to cut… Now I'm pissed."
Whoosh—
Slash—
"Uh—!"
Thud.
The two fishmen fell, cut cleanly in half.
"How scary!"
Usopp and Johnny clung to each other in terror, staring at the bodies.
"Is this a fishman? He looks so weird."
Luffy squatted beside the corpse, scratching his chin with an oddly curious expression.
Hearing this, Johnny snapped at him:
"Brother Luffy, you've got no right to call anyone weird—your drawings are even worse!"
Zoro wiped the blood from his blade and sheathed it.
"Luffy, since you're here, what's next? Do we attack head-on, or wait and see?"
"That's not what you said earlier, hey!"
Usopp and Johnny shouted back in unison.
Zoro turned toward them, scowling.
"What are you babbling about? Luffy's the captain. Of course, we listen to him. Besides, just be glad I didn't cut you down, too!"
He suddenly drew again, pointing the blade at them.
"You got a problem with that?"
"Eh!"
The two shrieked, clinging together in fear.
"S-sorry!"
Luffy tapped his chin in thought. Then he grinned.
"Lock, tell me what to do. You're smarter."
He turned—only to find the spot empty.
"Eh? Where's Lock?"
Zoro pointed toward the shore.
"Over there."
"Then what are you standing around for? Head for the shore! Rudder to the right, move it!"
"Okay, Brother Luffy!" Johnny shouted as he and Usopp rowed frantically.
Meanwhile, on the shore, Lock had already caught up to a fishman attempting to run and raise the alarm.
Lock grabbed him by the throat with a pleasant smile.
"Sorry, but I can't have Arlong finding out just yet."
"Arlong… Captain Arlong will never forgive you…!"
The fishman struggled with all his strength, but Lock's grip was iron.
Snap—
Lock broke his neck and tossed the body into the sea.
"Lock!"
Pat—
The boat landed just then, and Luffy stretched out, rubber arms wrapping Lock up.
"Why'd you run ahead without saying anything?"
Lock coughed, shoving him off.
"Sorry, I'll give you a heads-up next time. But…"
"But what? Uh—"
"First, get off me! Man, boundaries!"
…
Inside Arlong Park, Arlong's eyes drifted toward Nami's neck.
"Where'd you steal that pendant? Looks nice…"
Snap—
Nami slapped his hand away.
"This is mine. Don't touch it."
"Well, well, don't get mad. Just asking. Hahahaha!"
Arlong laughed, pulling his hand back.
"Don't forget our deal. I'll have one hundred million Berries soon—and I'll buy back Cocoyasi Village."
"Hahahaha! Of course. Money's sacred. I'd sooner kill myself than betray it. That's the kind of man I am!"
Nami narrowed her eyes.
"Then you'd better keep your word."
She turned and walked back toward her room.
Creak—
The door closed behind her. She leaned against it, whispering:
"Eight years… After eight years, I can finally be free."
…
"My beautiful lady, might I know your name?"
Sanji appeared with a bouquet from who-knows-where, bowing before Nojiko.
She accepted the flowers with a small smile.
"Thank you. My name's Nojiko. But I already asked yours—no need to be so formal."
"No… a beauty like you deserves formality. Especially since you're Nami's sister."
Sanji kissed her hand like a true gentleman.
Nearby, Usopp frowned at the ruined streets.
"What's with this town? Everything's wrecked. There's a massive hole in the road, and the houses are trashed."
Nojiko's voice was steady.
"It's the monsters Arlong's crew brought from the Grand Line. Every month, we pay tribute just to survive. If even one person can't… everyone dies. That's what happened to Gosa Village next door."
Usopp's jaw dropped.
"An entire town wiped out—just because they couldn't pay…"
"That's Arlong's rule," Nojiko said quietly. "He's a racist. Killing means nothing to him."
Smack—
Luffy slammed his hand down on the table. His expression was furious.
"People like that are trash. I've decided—I'm gonna beat those guys into the ground."
"Wait, calm down!" Usopp yelped. "That's Arlong, the fishman!"
Zoro's hand rested on his sword hilt, eager.
"Better this way. Let's cut them down already."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, glancing at Nami's room.
"It must be hell for Miss Nami, working under a guy like that. Don't worry, I'll get her out of it."
Lock chuckled, arms crossed.
"Since they've done this much evil, wiping them out sounds fair enough."
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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