Chapter 15
"Big Bro Arlong, are you free right now?"
After sailing away from the Marine base, Nojiko gazed at Arlong with affectionate eyes.
Nami rolled her eyes. Nojiko was beyond saving.
Ever since following Arlong, her bold and straightforward personality had turned outright shameless. Thinking about that stuff in broad daylight?
If she wanted to show gratitude, at least wait until night!
"I've got time, but I prepared a gift for you two. Sure you don't want to see it first?"
Arlong smiled and pointed east on the top deck. "Go check it out."
The moment he finished speaking, Nami was already dashing over.
"Nami, that's not fair!" Nojiko chased after her.
Arlong withdrew his gaze and headed to the cabin.
He wanted to see what was in Nezumi's suitcase—the rat hadn't forgotten to grab it while fleeing for his life.
"System, open the silver chest first."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Obtained Observation Haki (Beginner) Comprehension Card ×1.] [Ding! Congratulations, Host. Obtained Weapon Enhancement Card ×1.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Obtained Three Types of Haki Experience Card (Top-Tier) ×1 (Duration: 10 minutes).]
"Observation Haki—now Mom doesn't have to worry about me getting snuck up on by East Blue overlords!"
"The enhancement card is perfect for upgrading my weapon. Otherwise it's too embarrassing to even use."
"Top-tier three-color Haki… shame it's just an experience card."
Arlong was fairly satisfied with the three rewards.
Status panel:
Host: Arlong (Sawshark Fishman) Age: 41 Techniques: Iron Teeth Technique, Shark On Darts, Shark On Gears, Navy Rokushiki Skills: Armament Haki (Beginner), Observation Haki (Beginner), Life Return (Beginner) Quest: Overthrow the World Government → Establish the Divine Dragon Empire Items: Zanba (sword), Kitchen-Utensil Fruit, Weapon Enhancement Card ×1, Three-Color Haki Experience Card ×1 (10-minute duration) Beauties Collected: Nami, Nojiko
"Ah!"
A scream came from above—Nami and Nojiko.
Nami Affection +2 Nojiko Affection +1
Arlong's lips curved upward. I may be ugly, but I'm gentle.
After checking the rewards, he pulled the black suitcase from storage and opened it.
Inside were document folders.
Deeds to properties, farms, hotel shares, bank accounts, and more.
All together, roughly over 3 billion berries—equivalent to Arlong collecting thirty more beauties.
He couldn't help but marvel. That rat was an investment genius.
Ill-gotten gains really did smell sweet! (￣▽￣)~*
"This is…"
The last folder was stamped with bold black letters: TOP SECRET.
"No way… he actually…"
The contents shocked even Arlong.
But how had a mere colonel gotten hold of something like this?
…
On the eastern platform atop the cabin, Nami and Nojiko clung to each other, tears streaming down their faces.
They never imagined Arlong had prepared an entire grove of tangerine trees.
So what if he was ugly? A man this thoughtful was perfect.
"Grown women still crying—have you no shame?"
Nami wiped her tears and shoved Nojiko away.
"You bit me?"
Nojiko huffed playfully and gently touched the trees.
These were the ones she had planted—every single tree was familiar.
"Cocoyasi Village will never be oppressed again."
"Belmere… please forgive our selfishness."
"Big Bro Arlong, thank you for the gift. We love it."
"As long as you like it. Skwahahaha~"
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Hatchan, at the helm, scratched his head. "There's no wind… why is the ship rocking so much?"
…
Half a day later,
A massive warship pulled into what remained of Branch 16.
"A warship! Reinforcements!"
The surviving Marines cheered—then fell silent when they saw the marking.
G-5 was clearly painted on the hull.
The branch infamous for taking in Navy troublemakers!
Under the shocked gazes of the soldiers, a huge cloud of smoke drifted down from the ship.
Voices emerged from within.
"Colonel, be gentle… I'm a girl."
"Heh. The moment you boarded my ship, you stopped being a woman."
A natural-type Devil Fruit!
The soldiers looked on with envy. Turning into an element made one nearly invincible!
The smoke cleared, revealing a man and a woman.
The man was tall and imposing, silver hair slicked back, two cigars in his mouth.
The woman was tall and slender, short black hair, quiet and cute.
It was Smoke-Smoke Fruit user Smoker and Sergeant Major Tashigi.
"Attention!"
A young lieutenant shouted.
The soldiers snapped crisp salutes.
"Where's Nezumi?"
Smoker surveyed the ruined base and asked the lieutenant.
"Buried under that."
The lieutenant pointed at a pile of rubble, sweating nervously.
Same rank as Nezumi, but the pressure was a hundred—a thousand—times greater.
No wonder he had his own warship.
Without a word, Smoker raised a hand and formed a massive smoke fist, smashing it into the rubble.
BOOM~
Debris flew. A mangled corpse was revealed.
One punch stronger than a cannonball!
"Wow!"
The lieutenant and soldiers stared, jaws dropped.
After confirming it was Nezumi, Smoker dialed Navy Headquarters.
"This is Headquarters."
"Smoker here."
"Branch 16 is heavily damaged. Nezumi is dead."
"Good. Very good!"
The operator on the other end laughed in fury.
"It's been years since anyone dared challenge the Navy's authority. And in the East Blue of all places…"
"Get to the point."
Smoker cut him off impatiently.
The lieutenant's mouth fell open!
That was Headquarters—how could he talk like that?
The operator choked but knew Smoker's personality. No reprimand came.
Instead, he asked Smoker to pursue Arlong with full force.
"Got it."
Smoker hung up.
"Let's go."
He turned into smoke, wrapped Tashigi in it, and flew back to the warship.
"Colonel, not so tight…"
"Talk again and I drop you in the sea."
As soon as Smoker landed on deck,
Headquarters called again.
"Colonel Smoker, the fishman Arlong has appeared at Branch 77. Proceed there immediately for support."
"Understood."
Smoker hung up and ordered Tashigi.
"Tell the helmsman: destination Loguetown."
"EH?!?!"
Tashigi's eyes widened. "Colonel, are you disobeying orders again?"
"Idiot. Can't even figure out something this simple? Don't ever say you're under me."
Smoker scolded her without explaining.
"Oh…" Tashigi pouted sadly.
An old veteran sidled over with a sleazy grin, rubbing his hands. "Tashigi-chan, want to know why?"
"No."
Tashigi.
Veteran: ⊙▃⊙
…
Navy Headquarters
An emergency meeting was convened.
Two branches destroyed in a row—Arlong's actions had enraged the Navy.
Over a dozen vice admirals sat around the table.
"Everyone has seen Arlong's file. What bounty do you think is appropriate?"
The presiding vice admiral asked.
"This is a direct challenge to Navy authority. We must punish him severely, or where does that leave the World Government's credibility?"
A stern-looking rear admiral spoke passionately.
"I think we shouldn't escalate."
A conservative rear admiral analyzed calmly.
"The criminals on Fish-Man Island are getting restless. If Arlong becomes a major pirate, it could trigger a chain reaction."
"If they cause trouble, wipe them out." That was the hardliner's view.
The officers debated fiercely, each making their case.
Finally, all eyes turned to the presiding vice admiral, awaiting his decision.
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