One of the major advantages of William's Steam-Steam Fruit was its ability to generate immense steam pressure. This pressure could be harnessed in two ways: first, by converting it into raw physical strength, and second, by releasing it in explosive bursts to devastate opponents.
As William developed his Devil Fruit powers and his proficiency grew, his body became capable of producing virtually limitless amounts of steam. Using the Life Return technique, he compressed and stored this steam within himself, with rising temperatures further intensifying the pressure. When released, the resulting impact surpassed even conventional explosives in destructive force.
The Karakusa Warabite Seiken from Fish-Man Karate similarly relied on shockwave force to damage enemies. William integrated the key principles of this technique to enhance his steam explosions. By leveraging his intrinsic connection with steam as a Devil Fruit user and applying Life Return, he gained precise control over the direction of the explosive force, making his attacks not only more lethal but also more versatile and unpredictable.
William spared Kuroobi's life. Out of appreciation for the Fish-Man Karate secrets he had extracted from him, William instructed several soldiers to carry the severely injured manta ray fish-man away for medical treatment.
After issuing his orders, William strode purposefully toward Arlong Park, with Aramis, Dampier, and the others following closely behind.
The group donned specially designed gas masks along the way. By the time they reached the gates of Arlong Park, they found the air filled with a mixture of William's white steam fog and an ominous pale purple mist.
This purple haze was the chemical weapon developed under William's direction by Dampier: the M.H.5 poison gas. Though perhaps not as lethal as the poison gases William recalled from his previous life—possibly due to the enhanced physical constitution of this world's inhabitants—it was remarkably stable and effective. The gas possessed powerful corrosive properties, causing severe irritation to the eyes, respiratory tract, and lungs.
The "whoosh" sounds Kuroobi had heard earlier were the poison gas bombs being launched.
With the exception of Nami, all residents of Arlong Park were fish-men. Since water was essential to their daily existence, the compound featured several massive swimming pools connected directly to the sea.
Now, these connections between the pools and the ocean appeared devastated, as though ravaged by explosives. Debris and water were scattered everywhere, with lifeless fish-men corpses floating on the surface—some missing limbs entirely.
William and his group merely glanced at this scene before proceeding into the park. Inside, they found the ground littered with fish-man pirates. Each clutched at their throats, blood pouring from their mouths, eyes bloodshot. They had lost all strength to fight for survival and could only writhe on the ground in agony, their sanity nearly shattered by the excruciating pain.
Cold-hearted, William quickly averted his gaze from these dying creatures. He ordered his masked soldiers to provide basic treatment to those still clinging to life, then headed directly for the small building opposite the park's main entrance. More than the dying fish-men, William was interested in the sea charts reportedly created by the fish-men—the true reason behind his orders to treat the survivors.
Halfway to the building, chaos erupted. A shadow shot out from a nearby pool with lightning speed, hurtling toward William.
Already on high alert, William's Heightened Alertness talent activated instantly. With a swift pivot, he dodged the shadow, which crashed violently into the wall behind him.
Boom!
The solid stone wall crumbled under the impact. Only then did Aramis and Dampier, standing behind William, realize that the shadow was none other than Arlong, leader of the Arlong Pirates.
The fish-man staggered to his feet from the rubble. His eyes blazed crimson—whether from the poison gas or the sight of his fallen comrades remained unclear. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his labored breathing echoed harshly in the air.
When the poison gas bombs had first struck the park, Arlong had immediately recognized the danger. He had always been wary of William and never trusted him. Though he hadn't anticipated this specific attack, he had mentally rehearsed confrontations with William countless times.
Knowing that Devil Fruit users were vulnerable to water while fish-men excelled in aquatic combat, Arlong's first instinct had been to dive into the pool. This allowed him to avoid the most intense effects of the poison gas. Some quick-thinking fish-men near the pool followed his example, escaping the worst of the toxic cloud.
However, those who had already inhaled the gas before falling into the water suffered a grim fate. Arlong watched helplessly as they convulsed and went still. Though not yet certain that William had orchestrated the attack, he decided to retreat through the pool's channels to the open sea to regroup.
To his horror, he discovered the pool's exits littered with strange, round black objects floating on the water's surface.
Curious subordinates who reached out to touch these objects—specialized underwater mines crafted by William—were instantly killed in the resulting explosions, terrifying the remaining fish-men into keeping their distance.
As Arlong struggled to formulate a strategy, he spotted through the water's surface a group of humans entering the park.
Despite their gas masks and the distortion of the water between them, Arlong recognized William by his distinctive golden hair and physique. The pieces quickly fell into place.
Rage consumed Arlong completely. While undeniably a racist who treated humans with cruelty and violence, he genuinely cared for his fellow fish-men—a key reason why he had successfully drawn so many crew members away from Jinbe when they parted ways.
The agonized screams of his comrades tortured by poison gas echoed in his ears. Before his eyes lay the mutilated bodies of his subordinates and the sea stained crimson with their blood. Hatred and fury obliterated all reason.
Just as he had once fearlessly charged at Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino), Arlong now launched himself from the water directly at William.
"You damned... humans!" Arlong snarled through labored breaths, his speech fragmented by the poison's effects. "Only you... would invent such... disgusting weapons."
Before William could respond, Dampier stepped forward, his tone measured and contemptuous. "This is the pinnacle of human ingenuity, you fish-headed fool. A weapon's only measure is its effectiveness. Evidently, this one isn't quite effective enough, since it hasn't permanently silenced your mouth and spared us your drivel."
As he spoke, Dampier approached the heaving Arlong, drawing his sword from its scabbard.
Unlike the katanas wielded by William, Aramis, or Edmond, Dampier's weapon was a double-edged rapier—custom-forged after he mastered the Six Powers (Rokushiki). Though less suited for slashing than katanas, it was perfectly designed for devastating thrusting attacks.
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