In the ocean, the essence of Fishman Karate lies in harmony with the resistance of water.
Those who master it learn to turn that resistance into strength, channeling the pressure of the sea to multiply their own power.
This was why Fishman Karate was feared as the ultimate martial art beneath the waves.
Yet even with all its techniques, a human could never truly match a Fishman underwater.
Fishmen were born of the sea.
It was their home, their element, their strength.
They moved through water like storms, weaving between currents faster than thought.
Even when defeated, they could vanish into the deep, untouchable and unseen.
They were the sea's chosen race.
Humans, by contrast, struggled against the weight of the deep.
For those who had eaten a Devil Fruit, the ocean was not just hostile—it was death itself.
Even ordinary humans who could swim for long periods were rare.
Rayleigh's legendary feat of crossing the Calm Belt alone was something beyond imagination.
Before mastering the ability called Lightning-Speed Swim.
Ron's combat ability in the sea was strong, but his speed was nothing special.
Still, with his supreme technique—Heaven-Splitting Sword Will—he was no mere man to be slowed by water.
Even beneath the waves, his sword intent shone like the first light of dawn, cutting through all resistance.
As Arlong fled deeper into the ocean, Ron opened his eyes wide.
In that instant, his body became a streak of light, moving like a dragon through the depths.
The water parted around him.
His speed grew faster and faster, far beyond what any Fishman could imagine.
Each surge of motion built upon the last, his power fusing seamlessly with the flow of the sea.
He no longer fought against the current.
He was one with it.
Pushing his body to the limit, Ron drove forward at full strength, his speed breaking through every boundary.
He was no longer a man—he was a living submarine, unstoppable in the dark.
Far ahead, Arlong cursed and gritted his teeth.
"Nami, just wait! Even if you run, I'll make your village pay!"
He plunged deeper into the dark sea, fury burning in his chest.
His empire was gone.
His fortune—stolen.
His crew—slaughtered.
He had lost everything.
But if he could escape, if he could survive, he would rebuild it all.
He would find new followers.
He would plunder more riches.
Money could be regained.
Life could not.
Then, something caught his eye.
A shadow beside him.
He turned—and froze.
Ron was swimming right next to him, his face calm, his lips curved into a faint smile.
Impossible.
A human moving faster than a Fishman?
His mind refused to believe what his eyes saw.
Who was the Fishman now?
Arlong's thoughts scattered. For a moment, he wondered if this was a dream—or a nightmare.
Back at the surface, by the open pool of Arlong Park,
Nojiko and the villagers waited anxiously.
"Why hasn't Ron come back yet?" she asked, unable to hide the worry in her voice.
In the sea, Fishmen were unmatched. Everyone knew that.
No matter how powerful Ron was, could he really win underwater?
"Don't worry," Nami said softly. "Ron never acts without confidence."
Her tone was steady, her eyes bright.
As she thought back on everything that had happened, her heart filled with quiet admiration.
If only she had trusted him sooner, perhaps she would never have fallen into such despair.
But she had hesitated—because she cared too much.
She feared seeing her friends hurt, feared risking the village again.
Now, thinking of the times they had shared—facing Buggy, defeating Don Krieg, even clashing with Mihawk—
she realized Ron had never once faltered.
He had always stood tall, unshaken, unbroken.
Her cheeks warmed slightly as she whispered to herself, "My navigator…"
The words made her heart flutter with a faint sweetness.
Meanwhile, Nojiko clenched her fists.
"If Arlong escapes," she said quietly, "he'll come back. He always comes back."
Everyone knew she was right.
If Ron failed, all of them would suffer again.
He was their only hope now.
At that moment, a sudden cry echoed from the distance.
"We brought the Berries! Don't hurt Arlong!"
It was Hatchan and Chew, rushing back with bags of money.
Nojiko's face paled. "Oh no… Ron still isn't back!"
But before panic could spread, the water erupted.
Waves exploded upward, and a powerful figure shot from the sea, spinning in midair before landing with a heavy thud.
Water cascaded off his body as he stood tall.
In his hand, he held Arlong's limp, unconscious body.
He threw it down like a piece of trash.
The ground shook when it hit.
Everyone fell silent.
Ron smiled faintly, brushed a drop of water from his brow, and looked at the two Fishmen who had just arrived.
"Good timing," he said.
"Now, it's your turn."
There was no mercy in his voice.
Two sharp cracks echoed through the courtyard.
Both Fishmen collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Ron turned back to the villagers, his expression calm.
"They can no longer fight. Do with them as you wish."
His voice was cold, almost indifferent.
"Just make sure to take their heads. The bounty will be useful later."
Even Arlong's twenty-million-berry reward seemed trivial to him now.
But a reward was still a reward.
And justice—however small—was justice.
He wanted the villagers to claim that victory with their own hands.
Then he turned to Nami, and without hesitation, took her hand.
Their eyes met.
No words were needed.
The battle was over.
The nightmare was finished.
And the people of Cocoyasi Village surged forward, their cries of rage and relief mingling as they took vengeance on their oppressors.
For the first time in eight long years, their chains were broken.
That night, the village held a celebration under the open sky.
Tables lined the streets, filled with food, fruit, and laughter.
Even Sheriff Genzo joined in, his usual stern face softened by joy.
Music filled the air.
"We're free!" the villagers shouted, dancing and singing.
"Eight years we've waited, and now—freedom at last!"
"Arlong's tyranny is over! Nami can chase her dream again!"
"May this peace last forever!"
The night glowed with lantern light and laughter.
And for the first time, the stars above Cocoyasi shone without fear.
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