Chapter 21: Cocoyasi Village – Arlong Park Assault Begins
On the distant horizon, a single structure rose sharply against the sky. Nami stood at the bow, orange short hair whipping in the sea wind, her nails unconsciously digging into her palms.
"There… that's Arlong Park."
Sol shaded his eyes with one hand, peering ahead, a grin tugging at his lips. "Oh? Looks like that sea cow's actually useful!"
Ahead of their bow, the massive sea cow Moo Moo strained against the tow rope. The unlucky beast had been lured by Sanji's cooking smells that noon—only to get knocked dizzy by Luffy's Gum-Gum Pistol, flattened by Sanji's Diable Jambe kick, and finally cowed into submission by Sol's burst of Conqueror's Haki. Now it served as temporary tow beast.
"Moo~" Feeling eyes on its back, Moo Moo let out a pleading cry and pulled harder, picking up speed.
Nami took a deep breath and turned to face her crew. "Today's Arlong's monthly banquet day. All his officers will be gathered in the park…"
"That's perfect!" Luffy pressed down his straw hat, rubber arms already stretching eagerly. "No need to hunt them one by one—we charge in and wreck everything!"
Sol cracked his knuckles with a satisfying pop. "Couldn't agree more."
His gaze swept over every crewmate's face. "Today we show those fish-men what happens—"
"When you mess with our navigator."
At Arlong Park's entrance, Hatchan stood blowing a conch horn with one of his six arms, cheeks puffed from effort.
He scratched his bald head in confusion, staring at the empty sea. "Strange… Moo Moo should've come rushing back starving by now…"
A roast suckling pig sizzled on coals nearby, aroma drifting far.
Hatchan swallowed hard and prepared to blow again—then squinted. A huge shadow appeared on the horizon.
"Moo Moo! Over here!" He waved all six arms excitedly—then realized the black mass was approaching at terrifying speed, waves parting violently, spray flying meters high.
"Wait—Moo Moo… hey! Stop! Are you crazy?!"
BOOM—!!
The massive impact launched Hatchan skyward like a cannonball. His six arms flailed wildly as he became a twinkling star in the distance.
On the Going Merry's deck, Sol frowned and kicked the trembling Moo Moo. "Didn't I tell you to ram straight in? Why'd you brake at the last second?"
"Moo… mooo!" The sea cow thrashed its tail desperately, big eyes full of terror—but no one understood cow language.
"Whatever," Sol waved dismissively and jumped ashore. "We'll walk the rest."
"Charge! Beat Arlong and take back the village!" Luffy rocketed off the bow, straight into Arlong Park.
"Wait, Luffy! Leave some for us!" Zoro and Sanji shouted in unison—both still sore from Sol's daily beatings and itching for a fight. "Wait for us, Big Bro Luffy! Big Bro Zoro!" Johnny and Yosaku hoisted the trembling Usopp between them, stumbling after the leaders.
At the rear, Nami's steps slowed. Sol stopped beside her without a word. The wind lifted her orange hair.
"Need to grab something?" Sol glanced at her clenched fist.
"Yeah…" Nami looked toward the familiar building, eyes resolute. "All the sea charts I drew… I have to take them back." She suddenly turned to Sol and winked. "As for my safety… I'll leave that to you~"
Sol waved without looking back. "Let's go, Nami." His gaze swept toward the distant explosions. "Before those idiots tear the place down."
"Arlong! Where are you?! Are you Arlong—or what?!" Luffy roared as he burst into the main hall, rubber fists raining like a storm. Fish-men flew in every direction.
"Burp—who's that? Human?" Hatchan—drunk on sake—swayed with his bottle, squinting at the intruder.
"Enemy attack! Human invaders!" A fish-man grunt shouted—only to be cut down by a flash of steel. Zoro reversed his grip, frowning. "Having only one sword still feels off." He dropped low instantly, drawing in a flash—his Iaido slash sent a line of enemies flying.
Meanwhile, Sanji leaped skyward, pressing one fish-man's face for leverage. His long legs drew elegant arcs. "Banquet Table: Spinning Kick!" Shoes connected with temples in crisp pops, sending foes scattering like bowling pins.
"Where'd these humans come from?! Hurry—tell Big Bro Arlong!" Chew roared, then locked eyes with Sanji. Muscles bulging, he launched like a cannonball. "Damn it—no sign of Hatchan at a time like this!"
"Fish-Man Karate: Sharkskin Palm Bottom!"
Chew leaped, leg chopping down like an axe toward Sanji.
Sanji's lips curled. His right leg snapped up—bang!—blocking cleanly.
"Hm? Finally a decent opponent." He exhaled smoke, eyes igniting with battle spirit. The two clashed instantly.
Meanwhile, waves surged. Hatchan—blasted away earlier—swam back battered and climbed ashore. He froze at the sight of Zoro carving through fish-men like vegetables with his long sword.
"Damn—!" Hatchan's eyes bulged. All six arms gripped sword hilts. "Take this—Six-Sword Style: Sheath-Foot Miracle Swords!" He roared, charging Zoro, six blades flashing like a storm!
Clang clang clang—!
Sparks flew as blades met. Zoro blocked the frenzied assault single-handed, steady despite the onslaught, brow furrowed. "This guy… he's just swinging wildly!"
"Big Bro Zoro—catch!" Johnny and Yosaku felled a grunt and hurled their swords toward him.
Suddenly a slash grazed Hatchan's face. He spun and bolted toward Usopp's direction.
"Save me, Big Bro Usopp! We can't handle this guy!"
"Hey hey hey! Don't drag dangerous enemies my way!" Usopp paled, fumbling for his slingshot. "Sure-Kill: Lead Star!" Pellets shot out, intercepting incoming water bubbles mid-air in watery bursts.
Johnny and Yosaku slid behind Usopp, striking heroic poses. "Attack freely, Big Bro Usopp! We'll handle the enemy!"
Usopp's forehead vein throbbed. "You two dragged him here—stop posing!" He bared shark teeth and roared, slingshot already aimed at the pursuing fish-man.
The pursuer was Chew—the kissing fish-man, master of high-pressure water jets ("Water Gun") and charged area attacks ("Water Cannon").
"Oh? Looks like the little mouse found its nest," Chew sneered.
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