When they saw the Arlong Empire collapse and shatter under Luffy's kick, the entire area was once again shocked.
The Fishmen, one by one, looked at Luffy with fearful and terrified eyes, unconsciously murmuring.
"What… what's going on with that guy?!"
"How did he do that just now?"
"Is he a legendary Devil Fruit user?"
"He shattered the Arlong Empire with one kick; is this really not a dream?"
"Terrifying, terrifying, absolutely terrifying!"
For a moment, most of the Fishmen were plunged into fear and shock of Luffy.
....
On the villagers' side, there was no panic like the Fishmen, but their shock was no less than theirs.
"That Straw Hat is really too strong!"
"He took care of Arlong with one punch and shattered the Arlong Empire with one kick. What that Straw Hat said was true; he really just moved his finger and it was resolved!!!!"
"Hey… hey! Everyone! Does this mean… we are free… from now on?!!!"
Suddenly, someone brought it up.
Immediately, all the villagers fell into a momentary daze.
Boom!
After a brief moment of stunned silence, all the villagers instantly erupted, cheering and celebrating.
"This is great, we're finally free."
"We don't have to pay Arlong and his crew for our lives anymore; we're finally free."
"Quick, I need to go tell everyone else on the island this news so everyone can celebrate."
"Nami, you can finally live for yourself!"
Nojiko looked at Nami, who was crouching there, trembling slightly, and said happily.
Just as she was about to go comfort Nami and share this joy with her, she suddenly saw Nami abruptly stand up and rush towards Luffy.
Luffy, looking at the completely shattered Arlong Empire, finally felt a little relieved.
Thinking that there was still one target left to deal with, Luffy planned to take Nami with him to find the Navy Captain who had stolen Nami's money.
Just then, he suddenly felt a presence rapidly approaching him.
When he turned his head to look, he saw a figure suddenly pounce on him, hugging him tightly.
"Luffy… thank you! Thank you!"
"Thank you for saving me! For saving Nojiko! For saving this village!"
"Really… thank you!!!"
Nami hugged Luffy tightly, burying her face in his shoulder, crying and thanking him, her voice choked and hoarse.
Luffy smiled, and the anger in his heart was instantly dispelled quite a bit.
He stroked Nami's hair and said softly.
"Didn't I tell you? I would never let anything happen to my crew."
Luffy had told her this when he first invited Nami to join him.
Now, hearing Luffy say this again, Nami cried even harder, sobbing uncontrollably.
Even though she had stolen Luffy's ship and treasure, Luffy still treated her as a crew member.
"Hey! Nami! Did you hear what I just said?"
"From now on, you'll have to rely on me, your Captain, more."
"Your Captain, me, is very strong!"
Luffy said seriously to Nami, who was still buried in his shoulder.
Nami sniffled, temporarily stopping her crying, and then nodded heavily.
"Mm! I know."
No sooner had Nami finished speaking than Luffy suddenly said in an extremely exaggerated and disgusted tone.
"Hey! I say, Nami, you didn't get snot all over my clothes, did you? That's really dirty!"
Hearing this, Nami immediately pushed Luffy away angrily, baring her teeth and cursing.
"You idiot, you super idiot! You hopeless idiot…"
Nami kept cursing Luffy, angry that he would care about such things at a time like this; he was truly hopeless.
But then, she suddenly saw Luffy grin and say.
"Hehe! You're not sad anymore, are you?!!!!"
"Let's go, Nami!"
"We'll go beat up that guy who stole your money!"
Luffy said, then turned and walked towards the exit.
Nami stared blankly at Luffy's back, muttering to herself.
"Did that idiot intentionally say that just now, not wanting me to continue being sad?"
"Is that idiot… really that smart?"
Nami was skeptical but still quickly followed Luffy.
Upon reaching the entrance, Luffy saw Nojiko, Akin, and some of the villagers still waiting there, so he said to them.
"You guys go back to the village first! I'm taking Nami to get her money back and then give that Navy Captain a good beating."
Just then, a voice came from behind Luffy.
"I'll go with you."
Without turning around, Luffy knew it was Uta.
The Fishmen here were just fodder, and those few executives were no match for Uta.
Instead of wasting time with these small fries, Uta preferred to watch Luffy beat up that Navy Captain.
More importantly, she also wanted to land a few punches herself to avenge Nami.
Luffy nodded, indicating his agreement.
Akin glanced at Zoro and the two others, who were surrounded by dozens of Fishmen behind Luffy, then looked at Luffy and asked with some concern.
"Are those three… okay?"
They had witnessed Luffy's strength with their own eyes, but they didn't know the strength of his crew members.
Facing about fifty Fishmen with only three people, he was still a bit worried.
Especially the swordsman, who was covered in bandages and looked severely injured.
Would they really be okay like that?
Luffy smiled and said.
"Those three are practically begging for more opponents right now!"
"Leaving them here is enough."
Under Luffy's stimulation, the desire of these three to become stronger grew daily; they wished for as many opponents as possible so they could grow quickly and match Luffy's strength.
After Luffy spoke, he left with Nami and Uta.
Akin and Nojiko glanced at them, then turned back to look at Zoro and the others.
Since Luffy had said so, they wouldn't worry unnecessarily.
So, they led the group back to Cocoyasi Village.
...
Inside the shattered Arlong Empire.
Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp stood in a line, surrounded by about fifty Fishmen and three Fishman executives.
At this moment, the Fishmen were still immersed in the shock and fear of Luffy instantly killing Arlong and destroying the Arlong Empire.
Just then, the Kissing Fishman executive suddenly spoke.
"That man with the Straw Hat is gone; we don't need to be afraid anymore."
"Leaving only three people, they really underestimate us Fishmen."
"Our Fishman race is a great race; humans are just trash and no match for us at all."
"Compatriots, these people killed Brother Arlong; we must kill them to avenge Brother Arlong."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the Fishmen immediately remembered Arlong's tragic state, and each one was filled with rage.
There were only three people on the other side, and they had over fifty Fishmen, plus three executives; what was there to be afraid of?
Just as the Fishmen were enraged and their morale was high, Zoro and the two others seemed to completely ignore them.
The three of them chatted among themselves.
"That octopus swordsman is mine!"
Zoro held Wado Ichimonji, his gaze fixed on the executive, Hachi the octopus swordsman.
"That big guy is mine!"
Sanji lit a cigarette, looking at the soft-boned Fishman executive, Kuroobi.
"Then the one who's talking right now is my prey."
Usopp adjusted his glasses, his gaze locked on the Kissing Fishman executive, Chew.
"What about the rest of the small fries?"
"Whoever gets them first!"
"Agreed!!!"
"Let's go! (x3)"