Inside Arlong Park in Coco Yashi Village, Arlong sat heavily on his chair, discussing recent developments with his crew.
“That rat called two days ago,” Arlong said, his tone laced with annoyance.
“He told us to stay quiet for a while and avoid causing trouble.
The Marines in East Blue have started cleaning up pirates.”
Most of those gathered were Fish-Men who had followed him from Fish-Man Island.
Among them stood a single human, Nami.
She was the only human in the Arlong Pirates.
After taking over the village, Arlong had recognized her exceptional talent for navigation and map-making.
He intended to use her abilities to create sea charts that would one day help him dominate the seas.
To ensure her obedience, he forced her into becoming his partner, promising that if she gathered 100 million Berries, he would release both her and the village.
Despite the hatred burning inside her for the man who had killed her adoptive mother, Nami had no choice but to endure and comply for the sake of everyone in the village.
Arlong was not foolish.
He had no desire to clash with the Marines while they were actively suppressing pirates in East Blue.
Because of this, he ordered his crew to stop their usual plundering activities for the time being.
“Even if we stop raiding,” Arlong continued, shifting his gaze toward Nami, “there are still other ways to make money.
I heard about a group called the Buggy Pirates.
They supposedly have a sea chart of the Grand Line, and their captain might be hiding a valuable treasure.
Go find them and bring back that chart.
If you can get the treasure too, maybe it will be worth 100 million Berries.”
Nami kept her expression neutral, concealing her disgust.
“Understood.
I will leave in a few days.”
After giving his orders, Arlong turned to the rest of his crew.
“Since we are lying low, increase the toll.
Every merchant ship that docks in our territory pays 100,000 Berries.”
“Understood, Boss!” the Fish-Men shouted eagerly.
At that moment, a smaller Fish-Man rushed into the park.
“Boss, a merchant ship is approaching!”
Arlong smirked.
“Kuroobi, go deal with it.
Anyone who refuses to pay gets killed.”
Kuroobi, one of Arlong’s strongest fighters and a master of Fish-Man Karate, grinned viciously.
“Leave it to me.”
At the port, Light and Zoro stepped off the merchant ship without trouble.
Nearby, several Fish-Man pirates were already inspecting the vessel.
The ship owner quickly handed over money without resistance, clearly familiar with the routine.
Zoro glanced at the Fish-Men with curiosity.
“Those are the Fish-Men you mentioned?”
Light nodded.
“Their strength is about ten times that of ordinary humans, and they are even stronger in water.
With that kind of advantage, it is strange they are not ruling the seas.”
There was a trace of contemplation in his voice.
Fish-Man Island lay deep beneath the ocean, naturally protected and difficult to attack.
Their race possessed immense physical gifts, and even their royal bloodline held one of the Ancient Weapons, Poseidon.
Yet despite all this, they remained oppressed and hesitant to resist.
As the two prepared to leave the port, Kuroobi and his men approached.
“You two,” Kuroobi barked, pointing directly at Zoro.
“Stop right there.
New rule, protection fees.”
Zoro’s expression darkened instantly.
His hand twitched toward his sword, but he restrained himself and glanced at Light, waiting for his decision.
Before Zoro could say anything, a dark energy gathered in Light’s hand.
In the next instant, a massive hand cannon materialized, its size almost absurd in comparison to his grip.
Kuroobi froze, stunned by the sudden appearance of the weapon.
Light pulled the trigger.
A deafening explosion echoed across the port.
Flames burst from the barrel as the projectile slammed directly into Kuroobi at point-blank range.
The impact was devastating.
Kuroobi’s upper body was completely obliterated.
His lower half was torn apart, flesh and blood scattering across the ground.
The force sent what remained of him flying dozens of meters before crashing down in a gruesome heap.
The surrounding area fell silent for a brief moment, the brutality of the scene overwhelming.
Light lowered the cannon and glanced at Zoro.
“Why are you staring?
You were not planning to talk to them, were you?”
Zoro exhaled slowly, his grip tightening on his swords.
The sheer violence of the attack was shocking, but it did not disgust him.
If anything, it confirmed something important about Light.
“No,” Zoro replied firmly. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Light gave a faint nod.
“Good.
Then stop standing around.
These are pirates.
Kill them.”
Zoro moved instantly.
Steel flashed as his blades were drawn.
Before the remaining Fish-Men could react, he stepped forward and cut them down in two clean strikes.
The fight ended almost as quickly as it began.
The explosion from the cannon had already alerted Arlong Park.
Inside, Arlong shot up from his seat, his expression turning dark.
“What was that noise?”
The other Fish-Men looked around in confusion, but Nami’s eyes flickered with a sudden spark of hope.
She had recently read about Marine activity in East Blue.
Perhaps this was their chance.
Before anyone could speculate further, the gate burst open and another subordinate rushed in, trembling.
“Boss Arlong, something terrible has happened!
Two humans have arrived at the port.
They killed Kuroobi and are cutting their way here!”
Arlong’s eyes widened before rage consumed his face.
“Kuroobi is dead?”
Unlike his cruelty toward humans, Arlong valued his fellow Fish-Men deeply.
The news ignited his fury instantly.
“And it was not the Marines,” he growled.
“Just two humans who do not know their place.”
His killing intent surged.
However, he did not need to go far.
Moments later, the main gate was kicked open.
Light stepped inside casually, his posture relaxed as if he owned the place.
Zoro followed closely behind, his swords still stained.
“Good afternoon,” Light said with a faint smile.
“I heard there is a very skilled and beautiful navigator here.
I came to invite her to join our crew.”
His gaze shifted to Arlong, his smile turning colder.
“And while I am here,” he added, “I will also be taking your ship.”