Luffy, walking with a steady, unhurried pace, finally spotted his destination: Arlong Park, looming against the sea. The five-story structure bore a shark statue and flag atop its roof, the Arlong Pirates' Jolly Roger displayed boldly. Luffy reached the gate in no time.
The door was shut, but that was no obstacle. Clenching his teeth, he swung a fist, shattering the wooden gate with a thunderous crash. Debris flew, clearing a path ahead.
His eyes locked onto a figure—a hulking fishman lounging carelessly in a chair by a makeshift pool connected to the sea. Though Luffy had just faced fishmen, this one's presence was different, radiating authority. This was the captain, no doubt. Even as the gate crumbled, Arlong remained seated, head lowered, unmoving. Only when Luffy stepped onto the grounds did Arlong's gaze lift.
To Arlong, Luffy looked weak—ordinary, not tall, just one human. Yet he strode forward confidently. Arlong's voice rumbled. "You're Arlong, right?"
"Who're you, kid?" Arlong asked.
"I'm Luffy."
"Luffy, huh? What are you?" Arlong said.
"Pirate," Luffy replied.
The slap of Luffy's sandals echoed as he approached, unconcerned. Arlong's eyes never left him. "What's a pirate want with me—"
Before he could finish, Luffy's fist smashed into Arlong's left cheek. The impact sent him crashing into the opposite stone wall, collapsing it with a boom, dust billowing. Pain seared through Arlong, amplified as his body settled on the ground. Kneeling, he glared up, meeting Luffy's furious expression.
"What the hell…" Arlong growled.
"Don't make my navigator cry!" Luffy shouted.
That one sentence clarified everything—this man was here for Nami.
Arlong's mind raced. Nami was a skilled navigator but troublesome, plotting assassinations, attempting poison, and defying orders. He'd spared her for her sea charts, exploiting her talent. He'd overlooked her defiance, but she'd grown bold. His hatred for humans, already deep, surged, fueling his rage.
As Arlong's anger swelled, Luffy advanced, fists clenched, composed yet vigilant. His stern face was unmistakable. Arlong stood, sneering. "Nami's doing, huh? Think a human can beat a fishman?"
"Yeah," Luffy said.
"Cocky bastard," Arlong spat.
He stepped forward, closing the distance. A heavy silence hung, illuminated only by moonlight, their shadows stretching. The two approached unhurriedly, and as they neared striking range, Arlong swung first. But Luffy, faster, landed a punch to Arlong's stomach, freezing him. A kick to the jaw followed, making Arlong stagger. Another left fist to the gut sent Arlong's massive frame crashing into the wall again, cracking it. He slid to the ground, seated, glaring at Luffy.
Luffy, shoulders tense, snorted, unfazed by Arlong's stare. "You…" Arlong muttered.
He hadn't expected this. Arlong, tall and powerful, wasn't slow—his fists moved too fast for most to dodge, his presence paralyzing. His blows could kill in one strike. Yet Luffy evaded effortlessly, countering with ease. Compared to Garp's fists, honed by childhood training and battles, Arlong's were sluggish. Those encounters, from his grandfather to his voyages, had forged Luffy's strength.
Luffy stood relaxed, while Arlong, suppressing rage, studied him coldly. The hits hurt, but Luffy's speed and reactions were the real problem. Arlong realized Luffy moved after seeing his attacks—a dangerous foe. Still, he was human, beatable. Feigning calm, Arlong spoke. "Funny guy. Nami's my crewmate. Calling her your navigator's a bit selfish, even for a pirate."
"She's—" Luffy started.
"Hm?" Arlong said.
"If she's really your crewmate, why's she look like that?!" Luffy roared.
Nami's face flashed in Luffy's mind—her bravado crumbling on this island, tears streaming. The fishman before him had forced her pain, made her cry. Luffy's resolve hardened, his intensity shaking Arlong, whose brow twitched.
"Her face? Everyone's got hard times. Me, you, Nami—it's life. She's not special," Arlong said.
"You made her cry," Luffy said.
"She say that? Judging good and evil from one side's selfish. Hear my side," Arlong said.
His words aimed to rattle Luffy, create an opening. But Luffy's expression didn't flicker, his anger smoldering. "I treated Nami like a sister, gave her what she wanted. Sure, we had disagreements, but I fed her, clothed her, gave her work. When danger came, I protected her. Healed her injuries. What more does she need?" Arlong said.
"She's missing something. Something she wanted, and you never gave," Luffy said.
"Oh?" Arlong said.
"Freedom," Luffy said.
Each word shifted Arlong's thoughts. Outtalking Luffy wouldn't work—his will was unshakable, his gaze fixed on his enemy, immovable. Force was the only answer. Arlong's plan solidified: kill him.
"You stole her freedom, chained her. I won't forgive you," Luffy said.
"And? What'll you do?" Arlong asked.
"I'll beat you. You can't be trusted. Nami's my crewmate!" Luffy said.
"Big talk for a human…" Arlong sneered, his grin menacing, emotions erupting.
"Shahahaha! Make Nami yours? Beat me? Try it! Fishmen are the supreme race. One human can't win! Stop underestimating us, inferior scum! Come, Momoo!" Arlong roared, raising his right hand.
The sea erupted, a massive sea cow—Momoo—emerging with a splash. Its cute face belied its ferocity, its thirty-meter body a weapon itself. Though limited to water, its strength was undeniable. Luffy turned, unfazed, eyeing the beast calmly. Raising his right arm, he prepared.
"Shahhahaha! You land-breathers can't match this! We fishmen command beasts like Momoo! Crush him!" Arlong shouted.
"Mooo!" Momoo bellowed, lunging with sharp teeth.
"Gomu Gomu no…" Luffy said, pulling back his fist, aiming. His arm stretched like rubber, slamming Momoo's cheek. "Pistol!"
"Moo?!" Momoo cried, its massive body lifted by the blow, soaring from the sea and crashing headfirst, sending up a towering splash. Luffy stood under the falling droplets, while Arlong was speechless.
The stretching arm shocked him, but the blow that felled Momoo was worse—an inhuman feat. Arlong realized Luffy was a Devil Fruit user, but smirked, seeing opportunity. All ability users shared a weakness: they couldn't swim. Fishmen, able to breathe on land and sea, swam faster than humans could match, with superior strength. In water, fishmen reigned supreme, and ability users were helpless. Arlong saw victory—drag Luffy underwater and kill him.
Kicking through rubble, Arlong charged the turned Luffy. "Don't get cocky, kid!" he roared. No need for a direct hit—just grab him and drown him. Luffy couldn't escape.
"Gomu Gomu no…" Luffy said, spinning back.
Arlong didn't stop, leaping forward. But Luffy's leg swung up, a powerful kick piercing Arlong's stomach. "Stamp!" Luffy shouted.
"Guoh?!" Arlong gasped, the sandal's impact jarring. The leg stretched, pushing Arlong beyond his starting point, crashing into the cracked wall. It shattered, his body tumbling inside, collapsing to the floor.
Unbelievable—Luffy's speed and counter were flawless. Had Arlong underestimated him, or was it luck? Clutching his head, he rose as Luffy stepped through the broken wall, crushing debris. They faced off, inside and out. "I know I can't win in the sea. Kiri told me. I'm a hammer, can't swim, and fishmen breathe underwater," Luffy said.
"Tch…" Arlong hissed.
"But on land, I won't lose. I'll beat you," Luffy said.
"Don't mess with me, inferior scum!" Arlong roared.
To Arlong, being underestimated by a human—belittling fishmen—was unforgivable. Fishmen were the supreme race, a belief unshakable. No matter the foe, he'd fight. A human who couldn't swim or breathe underwater—why should he lose?
Rage fueled him, pain forgotten. He'd never let Luffy escape, no matter his pleas. Glaring, Arlong met Luffy's cool gaze. "Fishmen are the strongest! No human can overcome that wall! Fine, I'll kill you on land! No tricks needed!" Arlong said.
"Don't care. I won't forgive you," Luffy said.
Arlong scanned the room, grabbing a weapon from the wall—a long saw with multiple blades, his signature "Kiribachi." Facing each other, emotions raw, they stood ready. Both were at their peak, no advantages or disadvantages—just the stronger would win.
They charged simultaneously.
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