I could feel my chest collapse, I felt as if a freight train had run straight through my body. Several ribs are broken, it hurts to even breathe. Yet I had to suck in the greatest breath possible and draw more oxygen into my lungs. My body was thrown into the water against my complaints and the only thing I could do, was make sure that I didn't make things harder for the others up there. Fishman or not, he's not going back up there unless I'm dead.
The ridiculously long ponytail attempted to untether from the knot it had formed around my torso, I gripped it with my shaking hands and held until that fishman would be dragged into the watery battlefield against his will.
He emerged with a sly smile.
"It's impressive enough that you're alive. I'll give you kudos for that... But it would've been a lot smarter if you had just swum away after being thrown in the water. I mean, you don't really think you can beat me, do you? Here?"
My voice wouldn't carry, nor did I need it to. I simply gestured for the fishman to approach and do his worst.
"This will be your grave, fool."
Working quickly to tighten the knot in his hair, I couldn't afford for this fish to swim freely in the water, that would be giving him too great an advantage. I wrapped the tether twice around my leg and kicked backwards with all my strength, causing the fishman to rush towards me, meeting his body with my knee which smashed directly into his face.
Tch.
It's muffled. Even a direct hit like that feels like it has a third of the usual force. Then there's already the damage I've sustained. A few cracked ribs, barely any breath.
"Kuhahahaha! That all you've got runt?" He blew a clot of blood out of a single nostril seemingly unaffected by the damage.
His sledgehammer like appendages wafted through the water cleanly, the wing like hammer smashing directly into my torso. Aggravating the already severe injuries, forcing more breath out of my lungs.
Another swing.
I brought my leg up to meet it, however... even that was stopped in short order.
"I don't think so." The fishman used his hair to pull me closer, the distance making it difficult to stop blows from above. One hit. Two hits. A final third collision wracked my body with pain. I need to find a different option. I can't get the appropriate distance like this, my time is limited.
"Did you know? You humans are incredibly weak. Not just in terms of muscular strength, but also organ strength. Survivability. A simple change in atmospheric pressure, it's enough to burst your lungs." His eyes glinted with enjoyment. "Do you see where I'm going with this?"
"-!" I kicked forward with all my strength to gain some distance, I could already feel my muscles scream, deprived of oxygen. His arms came into a bear-grip around me.
"Let's take a trip to the bottom!" We descended to the bottom of the sea, as fast as a fishman could manage. It felt like my innards were seeping out of my body, trying to find any method to escape.
But...
The ocean is a sadistic mistress.
For humans and fish alike.
You think I'd be beat by something I serve up on a daily basis?! My arms covered his gills. Bubbles spurted out, a gasp for air and muscles spasming upon the fear of realising, death was a possibility. Noone could change that natural reaction regardless of whether they had trained or not.
Cough!
His eyes were bloodshot, though a grim smile overcame that as he watched the blood seep from my mouth.
I just smiled. Even if I die here, I'll take you with me. Who'll survive longer? Human or fish? You're the type that'll take that gamble, won't you? You can't stomach the idea of being beaten by the person in front of you.
He choked out. Couldn't reply, but I could tell. One of us or neither would return above the water again.
So be it. Saving a damsel in distress, there couldn't be a more fitting job for this prince.
[Piracy?]
"Vice-Admiral? You haven't turned away from that direction for hours." The galleon was currently full sail and encroaching the archipelago of Cocoyashi, where Arlong had made his nest. They would inevitably arrive by nightfall. Even for the strongest on the sea there was no way to beat time. Everyone was constrained by it.
"Just a bad feeling. We might be too late." Garp huffed a heavy breath. Clearly bothered by the realisation but already understanding nothing could be done.
"The fighting's already started then?"
"..." He didn't bother with a reply, his head just nodding forward ever so slightly.
"...That's the nature of the job. We can't save everyone."
"Where's your manly spirit, Bogard? If you're a man say it with your chest, that you'll save everyone, isn't that why you joined the marines?"
"I don't plan to shout things I can't live up to. Besides, I'm a realist."
"Pfft. Realist schmealist. Just an excuse not to take action."
"...Are you a child?"
"..."
"I didn't think the great hero of the navy would pull a tantrum because he can't save everyone. It sounds like a pipe dream."
"They've been here more than five years. Who knows what troubles they've been kicking up in that time? It wasn't stopped because of labour shortages, cowardice and bureaucracy. Now we come out here and might be too late to save them. There are times when I disdain what the navy has become..."
"Justice and freedom have their place. If there was anything to break the balance, well I'd say it's just about even right now. If that'll last though, I can't say... You've already done everything you can to try and turn the tides, haven't you? The very fact we're here should be proof enough."
"Hmph, as if. There's always more to be done in the pursuit of peace. Number one would be grabbing fresh seedlings for the next generation."
"Those two?" He nodded at the short pink-haired and blonde chore boys that were furiously scrubbing the deck as they spoke.
"Hmph... And my grandson when I finally get my hands on him."
"Sir... I don't say this to be pedantic... But don't you think-"
"It won't be the same. Luffy likes his freedom, that's fair enough." Bogard levelled a suspicious look at him before sneaking in a few words of his own.
"Seems it runs in the family..." Garp ignored the callous comment.
"He probably got his stubbornness from him as well. SWORD would serve Luffy well. The main branch's justice would never suit my grandson anyway. He never was the type to fall in line! Hopefully, a bit of time has wiped those stupid ideas out of his head." The old marine chortled as the memory of his grandson played faintly in his head.
"..."
"You still haven't given me your answer." Garp regarded his taller partner with nary a glance, his vision sticking to the horizon.
"Haah... I have. You just don't accept no for an answer, Vice-admiral."
"It really is a shame. You could make a real difference if you joined, the newer recruits could use senior leadership like you."
"...I only repeat myself because of my respect for you. But I believe in the balance we've established on these seas. You might have a greater reach because of your new position, but to me you've all lost sight of a greater picture. To sever yourselves from the navy in all but name, is there much difference to lawlessness? To the very pirates and outlaws which you detest?"
"We protect what is most important. The future." Garp retorted with full confidence.
"I have no doubt that's important, or that you fully believe in your motives. However, you are a movement not an organisation. Your directives are decided by a single entity, it's the same reason the navy no longer take responsibility for your actions. You may think you swing the gavel of justice, but in the hands of anyone other than a judge, you're just outlaws playing whack-a-mole."
"I see..."
"..."
"..."
"...You're just going to ask me again later, aren't you?"
"Yeah." The old man stated resolutely whilst picking his nose.
"The answer will remain the same."
"Then all you have to do is keep on declining. Doesn't mean I have to stop asking."
"At a certain point this is just workplace harassment. I'll send a complaint to HR."
"Good luck with that. I'm officially resigned, what are they gonna do; fire me?"
"...That's playing dirty, sir."
"Gahaha! Might as well just give up then!"
Bogard reluctantly shut his mouth in response to the raucous laughter of his superior. The large vessel wading through the sea, gradually approaching the island. Though it was still to be seen if they would make it in time.
[Piracy?]
I was drifting, my body slowly losing feeling, floating in the deep blue. Suddenly I felt the displacement of water around me.
I felt something warm and soft against my lips. What is this sensation?
It feels kind of nice. Then the sudden ejection of something into my mouth and a comfortable rising in my chest.
What the-?
My breath is back...
My eyes regained their focus. An ethereal figure appeared before me, what must have been a halo floated above her head. Was she an angel or a mermaid, or both?
Who is she?
"Who-?" I attempted to speak under the water, concluding it was some sort of dream, I mean what was a mermaid doing all the way out here with me?
"MMMFFFF!" She covered my mouth with her hand weakly and pointed behind her, several metres ahead. Desperately looking around with a sad, weak expression. So frail, yet she saved me. I followed her direction to him... Where that same fishman struggled with another person on his back. He's blocking his gills...
I mentally slapped myself.
What was I falling asleep for?! The fight isn't over damnit!
I kicked off of the water, gathering as much speed as I could.
The hammering blows of the fishman could be heard even under the water, his sledgehammer like appendages glanced off of the human's arms as he continued to struggle. I heard the distinctive crack of a bone and the release of bubbles in the water. Upon the pain he still attempted to cover the gills of my opponent; but with a broken arm, it was only forgoing the inevitable. He was thrown aside by the shark's movements.
And not a moment too late.
"Kuhahahaha! Still got some life in you? Bring it-!"
"Mouton Shot!"
I didn't bother to listen to the drivel coming from his mouth. Kicking once and again, countless times into his torso as we pushed up into the water, ascending towards the land once again. A barrage of kicks helped our ascent and gave me the much-needed air I was struggling for.
"You think I'll let you!?"
I kicked one final time, completely ignoring the strike he tried to retaliate with. Our bodies emerged from the water and continued gliding several metres into the air.
"Collier!" My right leg impacted against his thick neck.
"Epaule!" Then both shoulders.
"Cotelette!" Then the ribs again.
"Mouton Shot!" Finally I delivered a barrage of kicks into his body, sending him crashing into the sturdy ground.
"And you can have this for dessert!" Right foot ascending and then descending rapidly, hammering into the ground and his head with a final axe kick. The same sort of kick I was used to receiving from the old man just a few days ago.
The whites of the fishman's eyes were all I could see. I didn't bother to wait and see if he would get back up. If he did, I'd put him right back down again.
"You made her cry, you jackass." Even in the blue depths, I wouldn't mistake the tearful appearance of a sorrowful woman.
I didn't have time to waste here. I needed to make sure the two of them made it back. I thought as much for a single moment, not caring to look at the surroundings for even a second before descending back into the water.
Sure enough, I found her with the old man draped around her arm, weakly pushing her legs back and forth, the two of them making attempts to reach the surface. That broken arm and the lack of oxygen weren't going to help either of them. I approached as quickly as I could, practically running in the water before coming to the other side of the young woman. Looking again she didn't seem to have a tail, so she wasn't a mermaid or some kind of angel.
Well doesn't matter. All the same she was like my guardian angel.
I silently wrapped my hand around her waist and grabbed the shirt of the old guy, before pushing off the water to the surface again.
The thought replaying in my mind.
She definitely kissed me, right? I mean that's the only way that could happen...
What are you supposed to do at this point? I mean doing nothing would just be dishonouring her, that said we don't know each other either... Well, not like I have any problems. She's cute and saved me.
I guess I'll ask her after this mess is over.
Ah, but All Blue as well...
Regardless of dreams, I suppose some things come first.
I couldn't stop myself from stealing a glance at the young woman as we swam side by side, the thought of how stunning she was never leaving me for a moment.
Well, this is fine too...
[Piracy?]
Ayanokouji ignored Nami's reluctance, defeating the majority of the fishmen pirates currently standing against the villagers. Whilst the current threat to their lives was somewhat contained, she couldn't wipe the apprehension from her mind as Nojiko and Genzo remained under the surface of the water.
In the meantime, the battle had raged between the fishman captain and the straw hat's first mate for a few minutes. The answer to their match was becoming more obvious by the moment. His wounds were simply too extreme.
Arlong gripped him by the head and raised him off the floor, his legs limp, but his eyes filled with a grit and determination which betrayed his deathly visage.
"Is that it? I was expecting a bit more from the infamous pirate hunter." Arlong stated unbothered by the glare levelled at him. He had been sent threats of death, looks which could make the skin crawl all his life, this wouldn't even leave an impression.
"What's with all the bandages? You're practically mummified. Take a bad trip or something? Humans are so fragile, aren't they?" He struck him once in the chest, Zoro, coughed and keeled over as best he could in the air at the fishman's mercy.
"Hm? Ah, was I aggravating your injury? I really should apologise!" Arlong tore at the bandages. Bandages that were almost holding the scraps of the swordsman's body together.
"-!"
"What kind of scar is this?"
Zoro coughed, his vision growing hazier by the moment. But he still struggled out a small hollow laugh. "If you sit still, your wounds tend not to open..."
"You find your situation amusing?"
He looked down at the fishman holding him by his neck.
"We're not the type to sit around..."
"You should learn some patience, the situation might be different if you had. You weaklings are all that's left. The rubber-man is already gone. The only one I have any business with, is the infuriating bastard who has yet to do anything-" Arlong's speech was abruptly cut short from a sudden crash in the water.
"Cotelette!"
"Mouton shot!" The chef suddenly screamed and erupted into a barrage of kicks as him and his opponent flew from the water to the open-air landing on the paved ground with a crash. The chef not sparing a second glance before jumping once again into the water.
"Kuroobi..."
"Looks like all I had to do was buy some time." Zoro laughed weakly.
"Then let's make this quick, shall we? Before I get to my business with him... I absolutely will finish you off. Here. For good."
"Are you leaving yourself open on purpose?" The object of their discussion said from behind the fishman captain.
"You... might regret not taking the chance to attack me whilst my back is turned." Arlong didn't even attempt to bargain with the swordsman's life, it would be pointless. Besides, he was itching for revenge against the apathetic threat.
"No need to be so on guard. Unless of course you need me to save you, Zoro?"
"I'd rather die." The swordsman struggled out between gritted teeth.
"Shame. I thought we were finally becoming friends; you and I."
"Even if it wasn't you that took the ship, I don't trust you as far as I can throw you."
"...If I had known about this injury I may have stepped forward sooner. Though, I suppose it's pointless thinking about what-ifs."
"Enough of your babbling. Just you wait till I finish with this lot. You will get my undivided attention after, I promise you that."
"I don't think that'll come about."
"Hmm?"
"Your empire is falling all around you. Your commanders have been defeated, the rest of your lackeys are incapacitated. It's only a matter of time before Arlong Park falls as well."
"...You think you are capable of bringing me down?"
"Don't need to."
"..."
"I guess what I'm saying is... I'd worry about actually defeating your opponent first."
"Him? Shahaha! He's as good as dead." He dangled Zoro from his neck, haphazardly swinging him back and forth without a single care. Almost as if displaying his helplessness.
"ZOROOOO!"
"Luffy?"
"SWAP!"
"Huh?"
"ARLOOONG!" The sudden abrupt screaming voice of a rambunctious stretchy captain emerged from the woods. The young man stampeding towards us with full force.
"Let's fight!" Rubber arms rocketed towards the fishman they grasped the green-haired swordsman by his shoulders before throwing him fifty feet into the air, towards the forest where Luffy had emerged.
"AAAAHHHH! If I survive this, I'll kill you!" Zoro weakly shouted in the distance as he went hurtling towards the army of trees that awaited his landing.
"One after the other, worms keep on coming out of the woodwork." Arlong sighed as if he were tired of this already.
"Luffy..." Nami sighed with relief shortly before turning slightly to the sea once more, eagerly awaiting Genzo and Nojiko to resurface a half-step from jumping in herself.
"How many of you insufferable humans do you need to defeat me? It's pathetic."
Without a word the straw hat captain picked up two swords from the floor and ran towards Arlong.
"I didn't know Luffy could use swords..." He swung them around with little care for technique or the durability of the blades. Arlong dodged them with ease, time spent fighting on the seas with a six-sword style user gave him the experience he needed to dodge these haphazard slashes.
"He can't." Ayanokouji replied watching the ensuing battle. It was clear from his posture and the strikes he made, he wasn't using the sword naturally as an extension of himself, it was more like how one would use a bat or a pipe as a weapon. Just a random blunt object used for striking. Anyone with even the slightest experience would be able to discern his lack of experience.
"Sloppy." Arlong bit one of the swords as it came towards his face, shattering the blade into tiny pieces. Luffy threw the other to the side.
"Are you running out of tricks already?"
"I can't use swords."
"Hmm?"
"I can't cook."
"Hah?"
"I can't navigate or even tell lies."
"So you're incompetent? I feel sorry for your crew."
"I can't do any of that, that's why I rely on my crew!"
"A captain that must rely on his crew for everything, how weak."
"...But there is one thing I can do."
"Oh. And what would that be?"
"I can kick your ass."
"Rocket!" Arlong was sent crashing into the wall of the pagoda, the wall crumbling to pieces as they both entered the large multi-storied building.
Villagers and the strawhat's watched the building with apprehension as the walls crumbled, dust plumed, and the rubber man's long limbs flew wildly in and out of the different stories.
[Piracy?]
"Pistol!"
"Shark-on-darts!"
The two exchanged blows as they jumped from one level to the next with blinding speed, destruction from the battle changing the building, removing footholds and obstacles that held distance between the two.
"Whip!" Luffy's leg extended smashing into the fishman and sending him barrelling into a wall decorated with multiple armaments. Arlong lazily gripped a large sword with serrated teeth, each large enough to be the blade to its own sword, sharing a stark similarity with the owner's maw.
"SHAHAHA!" Blood had pumped to the predator's head, his eyes bloodshot and madness screaming from his own wide twisted smile. He was immersed in the hunt. The large sword ripping and tearing through walls and furniture like wet paper, debris was thrown about by the power of his swings.
Luffy evaded, punching holes through the floor to greet higher and higher floors until they finally reached the top, when the attacks suddenly stopped and Luffy found himself surrounded by a litany of maps, sea charts and paper stacked one upon the other until they were so dense they could act as furniture themselves.
In the corner he could see a desk and on the floor beside it a pen. Reaching down to grab it, he sat for a moment pouring over its details. It was a pen, one that was worn beyond its age with the faint imprint of red smeared along the hilt. A sword bloodied by age, the faint smell of iron still lingering on it.
"..."
Shink!
The faint sound of the Kiribachi coming to a rest at his neck, yet Luffy didn't stop for a moment his eyes resting on the pen which he slowly gripped with a bit more strength.
"Do you see this room?"
"..."
"Humans are worthless, inherently lacking. But every so often one that has use comes along."
"..."
"From as young as eight years old, Nami could make sea charts with incredible accuracy. This here is a testament to my future, all fishmen's futures. You think you can use that brat's abilities better than I can? Don't make me laugh."
"Use?"
"..."
"Nami isn't some tool for you to wave around without a care."
"She's our nakama!" Luffy's hand rested on a single blade of the Kiribachi, stopping it in place. Applying pressure...
Crack!
Crack...
Shatter!
The blade fell to pieces as the young captain risen to his feet once more.
"Gum Gum storm!" Luffy twisted and shot his hands and legs around wildly, destroying furniture and collapsing piles of maps, numerous ripped and dirtied beyond use.
"Stop! Do you have any idea how many years have been spent on these!"
"RRRRAAAAGGGGHH!"
"Enough!" Arlong sunk his teeth into his exposed neck.
"AAHH!" He coughed, a river of blood swimming down his torso and heading towards his feet.
"You've gone too far human!"
"...I was wondering how to help her. I've finally found it..." He gripped the long saw-like nose of Arlong from behind his back and pulled ferociously a large snapping sound accompanying the motion.
"URRAAGGHH!" Arlong fell back in pain, his eyes set on Luffy like a predator eyeing his prey.
"She can't leave because of this room. I'll destroy it all."
"...I won't be brought down by some humans." With a gruesome snap he bent his nose back into the shape.
"Gum Gum-" Luffy threw his foot high into the air, breaking through the roof of the large pagoda and even higher into the air.
"Shark on drill!" His large incisors once again delved into the flesh of Luffy, blood gushing from the injury.
"Battleaxe!" His foot came recoiling towards the ground once again, making contact with Arlong's body and crushing him into the ground alongside the rapidly crumbling remnants of the building, each level crashed and collapsed as his foot impacted each and every one of them. The building shifted and cracked around both of them, burying them in a heap of rubble.
[Piracy?]
So this is the end... I watched the building fall apart with the rest of the villagers and straw-hat crew.
A hand reached out of the rubble, dragging itself from the bricks and standing atop the destroyed remains proudly.
"NAMI!" The victorious captain shouted from atop the rubble. A full smile on his energetic features. "You are my nakama!"
Nami clasped her hand over her mouth, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She must've felt over the moon. They were free. Most of her people survived. The cook, her sister and the old man had all emerged from the sea and the only casualty of consequence was a single villager. The marksman had arrived a few moments ago as well, his head shyly peeking out through the cracks in the cobblestone.
It was time for the final test. I already had my answer, but I suppose this still needed to be done to truly close the curtains.
He actually managed to do it... It was looking shaky there for all of them, but I guess they get passing marks... The only one who has failed... Well, that was pointless to think about anymore. Instead, we should just finish this.
I urged the trembling navigator forwards. She was overcome with emotion, the item of Luffy's trust and affection still nestled on her head. I was glad they had properly bonded, perhaps she even has a future with this crew after today. However, as nice as all that was... I still needed to see the choice she would make. I don't even know if this would change anything for me, it was a small chance. No more than a hypothesis with low odds of reproducibility, all the same I needed to see it.
"SHAHAHA! So this is what it came down to in the end. So close. I was so close. I could practically taste it." His webbed hand raised from the rubble, closing around the sun and weakly falling back to the earth, his eyes still held their earlier fire. Though the embers had clearly ebbed from the rest of his body. Hopeless. A fish out of water.
"It's up to you to end it, Nami." I said standing beside the older girl. Her features covered with the straw hat still seated atop her head.
"Those eyes of yours, I hate them. Being looked down on by your kind. Tch. All too familiar." Arlong uttered strongly, an unfamiliar distaste directed at me. Or was it both of us?
"..."
"I bet it was all too enjoyable... to watch us stage a war in the palm of your hand, huh? Shahaha... damn bastard's looking down on me... Make no mistake. Your death, whenever it comes about won't be an easy one! I only wish I could be there to see it!" Unrestrained glee formed on his face, you could mistake him for someone fully healthy at this moment. That was how much reprieve just imagining such a thing gave him. I suppose I can't really blame him. We were the only thing standing in his way. That must be frustrating to realise and still be hopeless to change the outcome.
"Arlong-san!"
"B-Brother!" Hack! The fishman spat blood and a single fang onto the ground. Waking up even after the beatdown that chef had given him. Impressive, I suppose he really did train thoroughly. Though, now wasn't the time to be thinking about such things.
"Even villains have their families. Does this stir your heart at all, Nami?" I don't think such fruitless attempts at empathy would change her mind even for such a soft-natured person. Even saints were capable of crimes. Everyone had the capacity for it, it just depended how far they were pushed.
"..."
I reached to the rear of my waistband. Grasping the flintlock pistol I had prepared for this exact moment, just so it could be given to the navigator stood by my side.
"..."
"Look in his eyes. Even through those desperate cries and pleas for mercy, do you think this person and his crew are redeemable? You could say as the leader he should be held the most accountable for these crimes. Look deep in his eyes. Remember the things he and his family have put you through. Do you think it is possible to forgive him? Do you think a person like this should be allowed to live? If he survives, he may just do this to another town. Another family."
"If you're going to do it, then shoot already. Shahaha... fitting that it's you that puts an end to me. Nami. Almost poetic. Does that nice warm and fuzzy feeling sink in your chest? I know it did when I put a bullet through that head of your Mother's! SHAHAHA! Just make sure you don't bury me next to that old woman of yours! Though..." He coughed once, blood sputtering from his mouth onto the destroyed remains of the large pagoda that once stood proudly. "I didn't think you'd need the devil whispering in your ear to pull the trigger. Shahaha!"
"Please, Nami... Even if you have to take my head instead. Please, leave Arlong!" The fishman wearing a Gi threw his head into the dirt, a dogeza of such proportions it gave credence to his believability.
"Enough, Kuroobi! To think you would lower your head to humans. Pathetic. I will not have yours, mine or the names of the Arlong pirates sullied by such an action!"
"But Brother-!"
"Sullied...? Sullied! You think that your name isn't already dirty enough? Do you know how long I... How long we've had to put up with your ridiculous demands and sacrifices just to appease you?! To extend an offer to us and only lie through your teeth at the last moment... Your name is already worth less than dirt."
"Shahahaha! What need do I have to accept deals with animals like you? You don't negotiate with animals or slaves; you take and take and take until there's nothing left. You humans should understand that more than any other. Just get it over with, even looking at your faces fills me with disgust." He turned slightly, not bothering to give us anymore of his attention.
"..." She had yet to pull the trigger.
"Are you wavering?"
"..."
"Did you really think there would be no rhyme or reason to their hatred of humans?"
"..."
"Does it matter?"
"...I-"
"Does the reason behind mass enslavement and murder matter? Does motive redeem the crime?"
"..."
"Did you really think someone who could so efficiently break others hadn't been broken once before?"
"..."
"Did you not think he had known to mark and demean you because he had learnt it first hand?"
"...!"
"Do you know what his end goal was?"
"...No."
"Supposedly, in the Grand Line, there exists a place called the Sabaody archipelago. He intends for it to act as a mirror of what this place would once become. His grand vision come to life, so to speak." Or at least that was what I had gleamed from the plans in Arlong's private room.
"How did you-" The fishman was stunned into a silence more than anything else.
"Those in power often have a hard time remaining cautious. Do you really need to ask that question when the end is so near?" I threw the rhetorical question his way. The time was too late to be wondering why he was in this position. He should be able to understand just what awaits him, he's probably already made peace with the fact.
"Humans... the lot of you..."
"Nami. How do you think these two places mirror each other? I'm sure you can understand."
"They were going to... to every last person here?"
"Here. And beyond. In this insignificant ocean they would rule over the humans. A slave trade the likes of which most people couldn't imagine."
"..."
"But who's to blame them? It isn't like they haven't been victims of the same crimes. That gives them more than enough reason to do the same to you all, right? Even though you are completely unrelated to the atrocities that were done to them. Don't you feel sorry for them?"
"Throw your pity into the ocean, human. It's less than worthless."
"So? What will you choose? Kill him? Leave them to go free? Or some other third choice?"
"If you think this measly threat will be enough to stop me, you're dumber than I give you credit for, Nami. If I live, I'll return and massacre the lot of you. Your children's, children's, children will become mere exhibits for fishmen to point at in enjoyment for a passing moment. I live with that express dream in my mind!" Despite his injuries, his voice carried thoroughly throughout the remains of Arlong Park, a mad smile on his face all the while.
"Could it be, you don't know how it works? Or perhaps you're scared?" My hand lightly glided to her side, encompassing the pistol in her hand, slowly forming around them. My grasp light but restrictive all the same, the finger that twitched on the trigger supported by my own.
"Taka!" The captain stood above a pile of rubble shouted towards me. Obvious hostility in his tone.
"You don't have an issue with this do you, Luffy?"
"Get your hand off her."
"Hm?"
"This isn't a game! We aren't playing pirates. They put their lives on the line. If you're going to make the decision. Then you'll do it with your own hand, Nami." He folded his arms, his eyes unwavering as they stared into hers.
"..." So he didn't have an issue with the act itself? Perhaps I didn't accurately understand him. It seems freedom of choice was the most important thing to the straw hat captain.
"Wh-What happened to you?" Nami's distinctive voice echoed despite its fragility. Obviously directed to the fishman before her. Though, I figured soon enough the same question would come my way.
"Hah?"
"What happened for you to become so... so cruel...?" Her voice barely more than a whisper.
"SHAHAHA! Kuroobi! Hachi! Get a load of this. What do you think we're going to do? Share our trauma and sit around a campfire singing kumbaya? SHAHAHA!" His raucous laughter aggravated the bleeding and coughing he experienced. All the same he looked truly entertained by the idea.
"..."
"SHAHAHA! I always knew it... It was just so obvious. Even now, with a gun to my head. Even with all the power in your hands... For all that talk, you are just so remarkably... WEAK!" Reaching under the rubble his hand emerged once again with a shard of the broken sword the Kiribachi. The shark tooth like shard rushing towards the porcelain neck of the navigator. Her finger trembling on the trigger, still unsure whether to claim life.
Too little too late, the decision was out of her hands.
"NAMIII!" Townspeople and the crew collectively shouted for the navigator. Urged on by the lingering threat that was Arlong.
In the span of less than a moment, my hand encompassed her own once more. The finger that once supported her trembling, squoze with little thought or feeling for her wishes.
The familiar smell of gunpowder wafted through the air. A single body crashing to the ground in the rubble once more. The rubble of what was once to be his utopia standing upon the backs of all humankind. The same humans that likely done unspeakable things to him and his people.
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Word count: 6017
One more chapter for the end of the Arlong saga. I wanted to end this a bit sooner with a long chapter, but the next one is long enough already. I'll try to summarise the character moments and interactions as best I can in that chapter, though I think it'll be around 10,000 words total. I wanted to break it up. But it just doesn't feel right.
Feel free to visit patreon.com/Shir0249
Hopefully you all enjoyed. Let me know your thoughts below.
Until next time.