Chapter 14
WHAM.
Arlong shook off Luffy's bazooka like it was nothing. His massive frame barely flinched. The cocky grin was gone—replaced by pure, murderous rage.
"Enough games, rubber boy!" he roared, voice shaking the courtyard.
"You think you can waltz in here and steal MY navigator?! She belongs to ME!"
Luffy's face darkened, straw hat casting a shadow over his eyes.
"Nami doesn't belong to anyone, fish-breath."
"WRONG!" Arlong's claws extended, gleaming like knives in the crimson light.
"She's been mine for eight years! My pet thief, my little human tool! And when I'm done crushing you, she'll watch me burn this village to ash!"
Luffy's head snapped up. For the first time since the fight began, he looked furious.
"Say that again," he said quietly.
"I dare you."
---
While the captains stared each other down, the rest of the battlefield reached its breaking point.
Underwater, Sanji's lungs screamed. Black spots danced in his vision. Kuroobi pressed the advantage—brutal, relentless.
"Fishman Karate: Thousand Tile True Punch!"
The fist tore through the water like a torpedo.
But Sanji was ready. He grabbed a chunk of broken stone, used it as a shield. The impact shattered it, clouding the water with debris. Just enough time.
Sanji kicked off the pool bottom, leg whipping around—
CRACK.
Kuroobi's jaw snapped sideways. Sanji burst from the water, gasping, coughing, somehow still cool as he landed on the edge.
"Mouton Shot," he wheezed, cigarette still in his mouth.
"Don't... mess with... a cook's... ingredients."
Kuroobi floated face-down. Out cold.
---
Up top, Zoro was done playing.
"Six Sword Style: Octopus Pot!" Hatchan spun his blades again.
"Boring," Zoro muttered, blood soaking through his bandages.
"You keep using the same attacks. No wonder you're stuck playing sidekick."
"What did you say?!"
"I said you're weak." Zoro's swords gleamed.
"Three Sword Style..."
He vanished.
"Tora Gari!"
SLASH. SLASH. SLASH.
When the dust settled, Hatchan's six swords were buried in the ground. The octopus collapsed with three clean cuts across his chest.
"That's how it's done," Zoro grunted, sheathing his blades.
---
Silas was having the time of his life.
Quadshot was slowing down. Four guns were heavy. Fancy footwork drained stamina fast.
"Getting sloppy, fish-face!" Silas taunted, sabre deflecting another barrage.
"Twenty years of training and this is all you got?"
"Shut up!" Quadshot snarled, firing all four pistols—BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.
But Silas was already inside his guard. His sabre hooked one arm, yanked the fishman off balance.
"Flash Reload: Red Fang Special!"
BANG.
Point-blank. Quadshot's eyes went wide. He toppled. Four guns clattered to the ground.
"Should've stuck to two," Silas muttered, spinning his pistol before holstering it.
---
Chew? Chew was done.
"Will you... just... HOLD STILL!" he panted, barely able to spit straight.
"Never!" Usopp declared, pulling out a tiny pellet.
"Behold! Usopp's Secret Weapon: The Destroyer of Worlds!"
"That's just another one of your stupid—"
THWIP. BOOM.
Chew flew into a wall. Stuck like paste.
"...explosive pellets," Usopp finished weakly.
"But it worked."
---
With the side fights finished, every eye turned to the center.
Luffy and Arlong. Two titans. The air crackled.
"Your crew got lucky," Arlong snarled.
"But you? You're about to learn why I'm the terror of the East Blue."
"And you're gonna learn," Luffy said, cracking his knuckles,
"why I'm gonna be Pirate King."
Arlong laughed—grinding steel.
"GAHAHAHA! Pirate King? You're not even worthy to lick my boots!"
He grabbed a chunk of wall and hurled it. Luffy dodged. Arlong lunged, claws raking stone.
"Gum-Gum Pistol!"
Luffy's fist shot out. Arlong caught it in his jaws.
"My teeth cut steel!" he growled.
But rubber doesn't work that way.
"Thanks for the grip!" Luffy grinned.
"Gum-Gum Rocket!"
He launched forward—forehead crashing into Arlong's nose.
CRACK.
The fortress shook. Arlong staggered, blood pouring from his broken nose.
"You... little... BASTARD!" he roared, grabbing his massive saw-sword.
"I'LL CUT YOU INTO FISH BAIT!"
He swung. Luffy ducked. The saw's teeth whistled past his head.
"Too slow!" Luffy taunted.
CRASH. The saw smashed through a pillar. Stone rained down. The ground trembled.
"This place is falling apart!" someone shouted.
"They're gonna bring the whole building down!"
Arlong backed toward the main building, lips curled in a vicious grin.
"You want to fight, rubber boy? Fine!" He smashed through the doorway.
"Let's do it where I have the advantage. Come to my map room—if you dare!"
The challenge hung in the air like a blade.
Everyone knew that room. Arlong's fortress. His throne. His trap.
Luffy didn't hesitate.
"Luffy, wait!" Sanji called, still catching his breath.
"Don't be stupid!" Zoro growled, wincing.
"It's obviously a trap!" Usopp wailed.
But Luffy was already walking. Sandals slapping stone. Stepping over rubble. Fists clenched.
"Luffy..." Nami whispered, clutching his hat tighter. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
The courtyard held its breath.
Villagers pressed against the walls. Defeated Fishmen groaned. The Straw Hats watched their captain disappear into the dark.
This was the final step.
In that room full of maps and memories, Luffy would face the tyrant who'd tormented Nami for eight long years.
And somewhere in the shadows, Arlong's laughter echoed—sharp, cold, and ready.