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"Arlong, I'm here to settle a score with you!"
A determined shout echoed through Arlong Park, immediately attracting the attention of all members of Arlong's crew.
"Have they finally arrived?" Arlong turned around to see Nami and Nojiko slowly walking through the entrance gate.
Seeing their arrival, all members of Arlong's crew stood up in anticipation.
"Nami, have you come to defeat me?" Arlong spread his arms wide and approached Nami with a menacing grin.
"That's right! It's time to settle our grievances once and for all." Though Nami wasn't aware of the agreement between Arlong and Ikki, that didn't diminish her determination to defeat the fishman who had tormented her village for years.
"Interesting. I'd like to see why you think you can possibly defeat me." Arlong stomped the ground hard and rushed toward Nami with frightening speed.
He had been waiting for this moment. Due to Ikki's restrictions, he and his crew had been unable to leave Arlong Park for the past two days. Arlong had accumulated considerable resentment, which now fueled his charge toward Nami.
"Go on, Boss Arlong! Kill this woman!"
"Yes, as long as we kill them, we'll be free!"
All members of Arlong's crew raised their weapons and cheered for their leader. However, they soon fell silent.
Nami had assumed a fighting stance, bending her knees and waist, her right hand firmly gripping Gonryōmaru's handle.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
With Nami's focused declaration, her body transformed into lightning as she rushed toward Arlong. In an instant, a deep slash appeared across Arlong's body, nearly cutting him in two.
"Impossible!" Arlong stared at Nami with wide, disbelieving eyes, but only caught a glimpse of her back as she transformed into lightning once more and charged toward the other members of his crew.
The grievous wound proved fatal, and Arlong's eyes soon closed forever.
"Sixfold!"
After striking down Arlong, Nami's attack continued unabated. Her figure moved like lightning, swiftly weaving between the gathered fishmen.
By the time Arlong's crew realized what was happening, Nami had already delivered six consecutive slashes.
"Arlong... dead?!"
Kuroobi, one of Arlong's officers, widened his eyes in shock and rage, determined to avenge his captain. But suddenly he found his lower body unresponsive. Looking down, he realized with horror that his body had been severed at the waist.
When he looked around, he saw that his companions had also suffered massive sword wounds.
"That man... how did Nami become so powerful in such a short time?!" Kuroobi's fear of Ikki reached new heights, but he would never learn the answer to his question.
"After defeating Zenitsu, Nami has truly improved tremendously," Ikki observed from his vantage point. "Thunderclap and Flash Sixfold—she's even mastered this advanced technique. Now that the officers of Arlong's crew have fallen, I can't let Nojiko fall behind."
Nojiko shook her head, drew the sword from her waist, and approached the remaining fishmen who watched in terror.
"Captain Ikki said that showing kindness to your enemy is cruelty to your own people," she stated calmly. "So, don't blame me for what comes next."
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
In a flash, Nojiko raced toward the fishmen, her body flowing among them like water. Wherever she passed, she left behind a trail of afterimages.
When Nojiko finally sheathed her sword and stood upright, the remaining fishman pirates had collapsed in pools of blood.
"We really did it!"
Nami and Nojiko looked at each other, their faces flushed with excitement. Although they had known they'd grown stronger, actually defeating Arlong and his crew left them feeling as if they were in a dream.
"By the way, where's Captain Ikki?" After defeating their enemies, Nami and Nojiko immediately wanted to share this joy with their mentor.
"I'm right here." Ikki opened the window of Arlong Park's cartography room and jumped down. "Congratulations to both of you. Bell-mère would be proud of you."
During the past two days, Genzo had told Ikki about Nami and Nojiko's adoptive mother, Bell-mère. Ikki had gained a deeper understanding of the brave woman who had protected her daughters at the cost of her own life.
When Nami and Nojiko heard Ikki mention Bell-mère, their eyes immediately welled with tears. Nami threw herself into Ikki's arms and sobbed openly.
"It's over now, Nami," Ikki said gently, patting her back. "Bell-mère would be proud of you and Nojiko."
Nojiko wiped her eyes and stepped closer. "Nami, let's visit Bell-mère's grave together. We should tell her what happened here."
Hearing this, Nami stepped away from Ikki and nodded to her sister. "I also want to tell everyone in the village. When they hear the news, they'll surely celebrate with a feast." She turned to Ikki, eyes expectant. "Captain Ikki, you'll come to the celebration too, right?"
"Of course," Ikki nodded slightly. "But we need to wait until everything is completely resolved."
After saying this, Ikki turned toward the entrance of Arlong Park. Nami tilted her head in confusion and followed his gaze.
A woman with pink hair wearing a red coat and a Marine justice cape was approaching, followed by ten Marine soldiers carrying flintlock rifles.
"Marines?" Nami frowned.