Chapter 26
"No regard for anyone!"
Arlong muttered under his breath at Akainu unleashing his big move behind him.
He was glad his ship had already left the harbor—being blocked would've been disastrous.
Magma meteors rained down over Arlong's head.
Truly indiscriminate.
Arlong used Observation Haki to dodge constantly.
But the ships and people below weren't so lucky.
Anyone hit turned to ash. Ships exploded into fragments. Seawater boiled.
00:50
"Sakazuki, you call yourself a Navy admiral—attacking innocent civilians?"
Arlong shouted, projecting his voice across the entire dock.
By tomorrow, headlines would scream about Akainu harming civilians.
If he couldn't hurt the man, at least he could disgust him.
"As long as I capture you, destroying Loguetown means nothing!"
Akainu meant it—and he would do it.
"Admiral!"
The crew aboard the ship stared in shock (〃?A?) (′?д?`).
They couldn't believe Arlong had provoked such a monster.
Fear aside, Nami pulled out the Clima-Tact.
"Cool Bubble."
"Heat Bubble."
The bubbles merged overhead, forming massive clouds.
"Thunder Bubble."
The clouds turned into storm clouds, lightning crackling within.
Nami swung the Clima-Tact—a million-volt bolt shot toward Akainu.
"Big Bro Arlong, please be safe."
Nojiko and Carmen prayed silently.
Akainu was focused entirely on Arlong—he never expected a sneak attack.
By the time Observation Haki warned him, the lightning was inches away.
He had to interrupt his technique to dodge. It wouldn't hurt much—but the insult was real!
"Take that!"
(?′▽｀)??
Nami pumped her fist in excitement.
Arlong accelerated. With 30 seconds left, he landed on the ship.
Then he used Conqueror's Haki to generate a push, propelling the Shark Sparb forward at high speed.
"So fast!"
Carmen exclaimed as the scenery blurred past.
Even a big ship could feel like lightning!
"Huh?"
Hatchan and the others at the helm looked baffled—how did the ship suddenly speed up?
They didn't have Momoo pulling!
Fast as they were, Akainu caught up quickly.
"Meteor Volcano!"
He intended to destroy Arlong's ship—and everyone aboard.
Magma meteors fell.
One direct hit would sink them.
"Ah!"
The three women screamed, tongues out in terror!!!∑(?Д?ノ)ノ.
00:20
Twenty seconds left.
Arlong multitasked, shielding the ship.
Faster—just a little faster!!!
If they got far enough, they'd be safe.
BANG BANG BANG~
Magma meteors grazed the hull, splashing boiling seawater.
Dead fish floated to the surface.
00:09
Nine seconds. Arlong pushed the ship out of range.
Akainu refused to give up and kept chasing.
"Sakazuki, I appreciate the send-off—no need to see us further!"
Arlong waved cheerfully at him.
To outsiders, they looked like friends.
Akainu's reminder made him realize he was too far from the island.
His powers couldn't sustain flight much longer—going further might strand him.
In moments, he chose.
He punched. "Dai Funka!"
A room-sized magma fist hurtled toward the pirate ship.
"Hard to starboard!"
Nami shouted instinctively.
Hatchan and the others didn't hear—and even if they did, a ship this size couldn't turn on a dime!
00:05
Five seconds.
Arlong raised a hand to shatter it—when a flying fish leaped from the water.
A figure jumped from its back—Bartolomeo.
He yelled at Arlong, "Big Bro Arlong, keep pushing the ship—I'll block it!"
His fingers formed a strange pose. A transparent barrier appeared from nowhere.
BOOM!
Crash~
In a blink, the barrier flickered and vanished.
Pale-faced Bartolomeo felt fear. That's admiral power!
One hit drained all my stamina!
He lasted barely a second—but it was enough for Arlong to push the ship to safety.
The massive fist grazed the hull and plunged into the sea, its explosion giving the Shark Sparb one final shove.
Arlong waved at Akainu. "Thanks for the boost! Dinner's on me next time."
Akainu seethed, watching the ship flee and the island behind him. In the end, he reluctantly turned back.
Who knew where Dragon was hiding!
…
[Three-Color Haki Experience Card ended.]
The system notified.
"Phew~"
Arlong exhaled in relief. Good thing Akainu gave up.
Otherwise, abandoning ship would've been the only option.
He turned—and saw Nami and the others collapsed on the deck, while Bartolomeo stared at him in awe.
"Little Barto, not bad—blocking an admiral's attack."
Arlong praised with a smile.
"Not at all!"
Bartolomeo scratched his head shyly at the praise. "Nowhere near Big Bro Arlong."
With his stamina, he lasted one second.
Premature… kinda depressing.
But being praised by Big Bro Arlong was thrilling ヾ(?°?°?)??!
"Huh?"
Nami and the others finally noticed the extra person on board.
Green mohawk, fangs—didn't look like a good guy.
The three instantly hid behind Arlong.
Bartolomeo: o_O ||
"Don't worry. This is Bartolomeo—our new crewmate."
Arlong pulled them out.
"B-Big Bro Arlong… you'll really take me as a subordinate?"
Bartolomeo was stunned—this good fortune?
He wasn't even a proper pirate yet.
"Of course."
Arlong nodded. "That's why I was looking for you earlier."
"I'm sorry."
Bartolomeo bowed. "Making Big Bro Arlong waste a trip."
"No problem. From now on, you're the First Division Commander of the Arlong Pirates."
Arlong waved it off and made the appointment.
Bartolomeo froze, then beamed with joy.
"Big Bro Arlong, rest assured—I won't tarnish the Arlong Pirates' name!"
"Big Bro Arlong, is she going to eat people?" Nami whispered.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Arlong flicked her forehead. "Only I eat you—who else dares?"
Nami blushed shyly.
"Little Barto, this is Nami, Nojiko, and Carmen."
Arlong introduced the three.
"Big Sis Nami."
"Big Sis Nojiko."
"Big Sis Carmen."
Bartolomeo, a gangster, respected hierarchy—he bowed politely to each beauty.
After some chatting, they warmed up and stopped being wary.
"Big Bro Arlong, I'll prepare the welcome banquet."
Carmen noticed the time and excused herself.
Nojiko and Nami followed to help.
"Big Bro Arlong, do we need more crew? I have thousands under me."
Bartolomeo asked.
==============================================================
Support me and be 100 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/inkshield