"Although I don't know how strong you are, I still advise you to leave quickly before being discovered by Arlong."
"Arlong and his gang are very strong. The Navy has tried to encircle and suppress him before, but they always failed," Nojiko reminded everyone.
"It's okay, we're very strong," Luffy said in a serious tone.
Hearing this, Usopp and Johnny quickly waved their hands:
"No, no, no! You're the strong ones—we're very weak!"
Boom—
Just then, a little boy suddenly ran in, grabbed Nojiko's hand, and pulled her outside.
"Sister Nojiko, come with me quickly!"
"Let's go and take a look first," Lock said calmly to everyone.
Everyone nodded and followed.
"Hurry up!"
"What happened?" Nojiko asked as she was pulled toward the coast.
"It's the Navy… the Navy is coming!"
"The uncles who survived in Gosa managed to get in touch with the government," the boy explained excitedly.
"The Navy is here to pick us up!"
When they reached the shore, he pointed at a ship with the Marine flag anchored near Arlong Park's gates.
"Look! We can be saved—we can finally escape this island!"
Nojiko stared at the ship, saying nothing.
At that moment, Luffy, Lock, and the others arrived at the coast.
"Since the Navy's here, we don't need to rush into Arlong Park to look for Nami," Usopp said, smiling. "She should be able to slip out on her own… hahaha…"
He thought to himself: The Navy should be able to get rid of the terrifying fishmen…
Seeing Usopp's relieved grin, Lock knew exactly what he was thinking. But Lock just smiled and said nothing.
Luffy and the others decided to wait and see.
...
"Is that the legendary Arlong Park?"
"The world is over if pirates can build a base and run a business like that…"
A Marine officer muttered as he gazed at the fortress.
Then he turned to his men.
"Listen up, everyone!"
"Our mission today is to rescue the survivors of Gosa Village and evacuate them safely."
He clenched his fist.
"But we see these pirates living arrogantly here. And yet… we pretend not to notice? Will our justice forgive us?"
The Marines saluted in unison.
"No forgiveness!"
Morale surging, the officer shouted:
"Then today we annihilate Arlong and his gang! Prepare for battle!"
"Yes!"
...
"The 77th Navy Branch?" Arlong repeated after hearing his subordinate's report.
"Yes, that's what they called themselves," Chew replied, his prominent mouth curling into a grin.
(Chew is one of Arlong's officers, capable of spitting destructive blasts of water.)
"So it's just a new branch."
Arlong smirked.
"Who wants to negotiate with their commander? Tell them not to act rashly. If two hundred million Berries isn't enough to buy them off… then kill them."
Boom—
Biu—
Just as Arlong finished speaking, a cannonball shot toward the Park.
"They're opening fire right away?"
"Arlong, be careful!"
Screech—Bang!
Arlong didn't dodge. He opened his massive jaws and bit down, shattering the cannonball into pieces.
"He chewed up the cannonball!"
"What terrifying jaws…" his men gasped.
Kuroobi looked at his captain, smoke still trailing from his mouth.
"Do you still want to negotiate, Arlong?"
Spitting out the iron fragments, Arlong snarled.
"No need."
"Alright, everyone—it's time to fight!"
"Damn Marines, we'll sacrifice your blood!"
The fishmen raised their weapons and roared.
"Jeez, you're just cleaning up garbage. Why make such a fuss?" Chew said disdainfully, hands in his pockets.
Hachi cracked his six fists.
"Leave it to us."
(Hachi, the octopus fishman, fights, wielding six swords at once.)
Kuroobi crossed his arms.
"To challenge us in these seas… foolish."
The fishmen laughed.
"Three of our officers against one Navy ship? That ship won't last three minutes!"
...
"Strange," the Marine officer murmured. "Why hasn't Arlong Park exploded yet?"
"Brigadier General, the shell didn't detonate."
"Then fire another! This is the signal to begin. Don't underestimate them just because they're fishmen!"
"Yes, sir!"
Bang—
Biu—
As they fired, Chew suddenly leapt from the water, spraying a pressurized jet.
Zzz—
"Ugh—!"
A Marine's throat was pierced clean through, his body collapsing instantly.
"Battle positions!"
The Marines surrounded Chew, ready to strike.
"Wait, calm down," a voice cut in.
Everyone froze, turning toward a young officer with styled hair.
"You must be one of Arlong's men," he said confidently. "I am Commodore Brin Brin of the 77th Marine Branch. We are a first-class elite force in the Navy. If you don't want to die, surrender now."
Smug and self-assured, Brin Brin didn't even raise his weapon.
Biu—
"Ugh—!"
Bang—
Chew spat again, dropping Brin Brin in an instant.
"Commodore!"
"They got the Commodore—kill him!"
Boom—
Crash—
But before they could advance, the ship rocked violently.
"What's this impact?"
"Is there a fishman under the ship?"
Chew sat casually at the edge of the deck.
"Sorry to bother you. We just removed your rudder."
Brin Brin, clutching his wound, glared.
"You… what did you say!?"
"Relax, I avoided the vital points," Chew said mockingly.
Rumble—
"Let me give you an analogy. If you move a massive reef into the current, what do you think happens to the sea?"
At that moment, Hachi was beneath the ship, shoving huge boulders into place.
The Brigadier's eyes went wide.
"Move… a reef? Impossible!"
"That's enough, Hachi," Chew said.
Boom—
"Commodore! A whirlpool suddenly formed ahead! The ship's breaking apart!"
"What—?!"
Whoosh—
The sea spun violently, sucking the ship toward the vortex.
"Didn't I say… without a rudder, the only destination is the deep sea," Chew sneered.
"Aaaaaah!"
Boom—
In an instant, the Navy ship was swallowed whole.
The fishmen returned triumphantly to Arlong Park.
From the town's shore, Lock, Luffy, and the villagers could only watch in shock as the Marine ship suddenly vanished beneath the waves.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San