The clouds parted, moonlight flooding the Conomi Islands, casting a restless glow over the usually quiet archipelago. Cocoyasi's villagers marched toward Arlong Park, armed and resolute, led by Yosaku and Johnny as escorts, with Genzo at the forefront. Their faces burned with determination, an unprecedented air of defiance surrounding them.
They were headed to confront the fishmen at Arlong Park, but before reaching it, they stumbled upon a battlefield. Six fishmen stood with their backs to the path, facing five humans blocking the way to Arlong Park. The ground bore scars—burnt grass, upturned soil—yet the outcome was clear. All lesser fishmen lay unconscious, defeated by the five Straw Hats, unscathed, leaving only the officers and their lieutenants.
From a distance, Yosaku and Johnny cheered. "Man, our brothers are something else! They've practically won already!" Yosaku said.
"Those are the officers, right? No way our brothers lose!" Johnny added.
The villagers, including Genzo, stood speechless, stunned. Having lived under fishman oppression, they couldn't fathom anyone defeating them. They'd armed themselves for a desperate last stand, but now Genzo growled softly, hope flickering—maybe these pirates could succeed.
A voice broke his thoughts. "Gen-san!" Nami called, wearing her straw hat, clutching her three-section staff, blood seeping through her bandaged left shoulder. Nojiko followed. Genzo, too shocked to question her injury, stared as Nami and Nojiko gaped at the scene.
"Did they do this?" Nojiko muttered, incredulous.
"We just arrived, but probably," Genzo said.
"Luffy's not here," Nami whispered.
No one pursued her comment; the battle was poised to resume. The Straw Hats, unshaken, chatted casually. The grunts were down—only the officers remained. "So, who takes who?" Kiri asked.
"I'll handle all of 'em. Good for rehab," Zoro said.
"Big talk from the half-dead guy. I'll kick 'em all," Sanji said.
"Usopp, you look pale. You okay?" Silk asked.
"I-I'm fine with zero! I'll let you guys have this one!" Usopp said.
Each wore a different expression, but their confidence held. They faced the officers—Chu (kissing gourami), Hachi (octopus), Kuroobi (ray)—and their lieutenants—Tsubo (eel), Aoka (squid), Kurura (pirarucu).
"Our men are down… Tch, this ain't funny," Chu said, smacking his lips.
"How dare you harm our kin!" Hachi growled.
"We underestimated them. But they're still human," Kuroobi said.
"No way fishmen lose!" Tsubo shouted.
"With us officers here, this is where we shine," Aoka said.
"Let's end this and crush that runaway!" Kurura roared.
The fishmen stood, brimming with resolve, eyes locked on their foes. The tense air snapped as Usopp yelped, "Oi, the villagers caught up! Isn't that dangerous?"
"Yeah, but Yosaku and Johnny are leading, so it's fine," Kiri said.
"Go help 'em if you're worried," Zoro said.
"Don't joke! Don't underestimate my weakness!" Usopp cried.
"What's with that pride?" Sanji muttered.
Whether they overheard or sensed the presence, Chu turned, eyes narrowing. Already enraged by his fallen comrades, the sight of armed villagers, defiant, pushed him over the edge. Glaring, he faced them. Usopp, reflexively, acted. "Oh no!" he gasped, firing his slingshot. "Special Attack: Lead Star!"
The lead pellet slammed into Chu's back, staggering him. He crouched, enduring the pain, and glared at Usopp, who stood ready. "I'm your opponent!" Chu roared.
"Guess you really wanna die!" Chu added, his face twisting.
Usopp, sweating buckets, realized his mistake. He'd acted to distract Chu from the villagers, but hadn't thought it through. Terror gripped him. Glancing at his crew, he saw Kiri and Sanji misread his intent. "Nice one, Usopp! Didn't expect you to pick first!" Sanji said.
"No, no, no!" Usopp wailed.
"Worthy of Captain Usopp! He's yours!" Kiri said.
"It was just a distraction! I'm not fighting him!" Usopp pleaded.
"But he's ready for you," Kiri said.
"Trade with me, please!" Usopp begged, ignored as the others focused inward. One opponent was claimed, leaving five fishmen. Someone would need to take two.
Hachi, the octopus fishman, bellowed, brandishing six sabers in his six arms. "You're done! I'm Hachi, Fishman Island's number-two swordsman, master of Six-Sword Style! You two-armed punks can't match my skill!"
"Six-Sword Style, huh? Interesting," Zoro said, stepping forward, sword on shoulder.
Silk stopped him. "Wait, Zoro. You're injured. Don't push it."
"I'm fine," Zoro said.
"No. You'd say that even if you weren't. I'll take him. Rest," Silk said.
"Don't need rest—why me?" Zoro protested.
"No," Silk said, stepping closer, resolute.
Zoro faltered, muttering, "You're starting to sound like them…"
"Maybe. Just don't overdo it," Silk said.
"Ha, he's in trouble!" Kiri laughed.
"You too, Kiri," Silk said.
"Huh?" Kiri blinked.
"Obviously, idiot," Zoro said.
Silk faced Hachi, her sword ready, both swordsmen eyeing each other warily, neither yielding. Sanji, watching, couldn't stay silent. "Silk-chan, maybe let these idiots handle it? I'm worried you'll get hurt…"
"Thanks, but let me. I want to test everything I've trained," Silk said.
"Alright, but call me if it gets rough. I'll—" Sanji started.
"Pathetic," Kuroobi interrupted, arms crossed, sneering. "Playing knight? I've seen countless fools die spouting chivalry, lacking strength. You can't protect anything."
"Big words, fishman. Saying I can't protect anyone?" Sanji said, stepping toward Kuroobi, glaring.
"Of course. I'll end you," Kuroobi said.
"Don't forget those words. You know nothing of chivalry," Sanji snapped.
Sanji claimed Kuroobi, leaving Kiri and Zoro to shrug and chat. "Injuries suck. Feels like we're getting sidelined," Kiri said.
"Silk's deciding for me," Zoro grumbled.
"It's fine. Three left," Kiri said.
They eyed the remaining fishmen—Aoka, Tsubo, Kurura—who braced themselves. Kiri wiggled his fingers, moving paper; Zoro sighed, gripping his sword. "Wanna team up, injured duo? Tag match?" Kiri said.
"Wanna slack? I'll cut 'em all," Zoro said.
"Didn't you struggle with one-sword style?" Kiri asked.
"It's training," Zoro said.
"Fair enough. I'll join," Kiri said, smiling.
"Could use three-sword style for training," Zoro said.
Kiri's fingers shaped paper into two swords, floating before Zoro. "Not for me—can't use my left arm. You take 'em," Kiri said.
Zoro grinned, tying his black bandana. He took the paper swords, holding one in each hand, his own in his mouth. A tag match—new, but intriguing. "These cut okay?" Zoro asked.
"Less sharp than real blades, but your strength compensates. Careful—they weaken when wet," Kiri said.
"Shoddy swords," Zoro said.
"Better than nothing," Kiri replied.
The fishmen, sensing the shift, roared. "They think they can win?" Tsubo said.
"We'll show them fishman strength!" Aoka said.
"Don't forget teamwork," Kurura said.
Aoka readied his spear, but Tsubo, impatient, lunged alone, his eel-like neck extending, jaws wide with razor teeth, ready to tear flesh. Kiri moved, kicking Tsubo's jaw shut, stopping his attack. Pain shook Tsubo, who collapsed, dazed, unable to move.
Kiri landed, smiling, while Zoro looked bored. "When's it starting?" Kiri asked.
"Already has, feels like," Zoro said.
Tsubo's swift defeat stunned Kurura and Aoka. "They're good," Kurura muttered.
"We'll get crushed if we don't step up," Aoka said, spinning his spear.
Kiri and Zoro assessed the three enemies. "Preferences?" Kiri asked.
"Squid. Never fought a spear," Zoro said.
"I'll take the eel, then. He's close," Kiri said.
Aoka charged Zoro, thrusting his spear. Zoro parried with his right-hand paper sword, unmoving, deflecting each rapid strike. "Behold my spear!" Aoka shouted.
"Seen it. Decent training," Zoro said.
Aoka's relentless attacks couldn't breach Zoro's defense, even with paper swords. Kiri, watching, muttered, "Parrying like that, half-dead? Impressive."
"You bastard!" Tsubo roared, rising, rubbing his jaw, glaring at Kiri.
"Oh, you're up," Kiri said, smiling warmly, unfazed by Tsubo's glare.
Kiri reflected—lately, he'd been too lax. His Paper-Paper Fruit's strength lay in its versatility. Unlike Luffy's rubber-powered brawling, Zoro's swordplay, Silk's ranged attacks, Usopp's sniping, or Sanji's kicks, Kiri's power blended all: punches, slashes, shots, kicks, and unique paper-based tactics. Hardening paper, shaping it, adapting to the situation—that was his edge.
He'd trained to master paper manipulation, but his body's transformation was his true strength. To reclaim his edge, he'd fight all-out. Jumping back to gain distance, Tsubo chased, neck extending to bite. "No escape!" Tsubo yelled.
"Scary!" Kiri teased, enraging Tsubo further, stripping his composure.
As Tsubo's teeth neared, Kiri dodged, his body flattening into paper-thin sheets, fluttering like they'd blow away. "What the—your body's paper?!" Tsubo gasped.
"I am paper," Kiri said, returning to normal.
He transformed his right arm into layered, hardened paper, iron-tough. Punching Tsubo's cheek, the blow shook him like a metal weapon. "Guh?!" Tsubo grunted.
"No mercy," Kiri said, hammering Tsubo's other cheek, stomach, and jaw. The hardened paper's force rocked Tsubo's body and mind, making standing agony.
Kiri fought coldly, recalling his ruthless training days. He'd hidden his body-transformation to lure enemies, but that was a crutch. True strength required relentless, merciless attacks from the start. Remembering lost comrades, he sharpened his focus.
The Paper-Paper Fruit let him manipulate paper—his body included. A final punch sent Tsubo flying. "Buoh?!" Tsubo cried, crashing, barely conscious.
Kiri approached, ready to finish him, but Kurura blocked his path, arms spread, scales gleaming. "No further! I protect my crew!" Kurura said.
"Whoa," Kiri said, glancing at Zoro, still parrying Aoka effortlessly.
"Zoro, stop playing, or I'll take another," Kiri said.
"That's cheating! Wait a sec," Zoro said.
"You're not finishing," Kiri said.
"Studying his range. Spears are rare," Zoro said.
"Not that interesting," Kiri said.
"Fine, I'll end it," Zoro said.
Their casual banter stunned Aoka. "You underestimate me? Think you can win so easily?" Aoka roared.
"Yep. I've seen your spear," Zoro said.
"Don't mock me!" Aoka shouted, thrusting harder.
Their weapons clashed, both leaping back. Aoka spun his spear skillfully; Zoro crouched, eyes sharp. "My spear's ultimate move is yet to come! Dodge this!" Aoka said.
"Bring it," Zoro said.
Aoka's full-force overhead strike came down, but Zoro stepped forward, deflecting with his mouth-held sword, creating a massive opening. "Oni Giri!" Zoro roared, slashing.
"Guah?!" Aoka cried, his body slashed, blood spraying as he fell, unconscious.
Three sword wounds marked him. The blood-soaked paper swords weakened, peeling apart. Zoro discarded them, holding his real sword. "Sorry, you're not worth my time. Play elsewhere," he told Aoka.
"Should've done that from the start," Kiri said.
Aoka, a skilled lieutenant, was felled effortlessly. Even Tsubo's recklessness didn't compare. Kurura, now alone, shuddered as Kiri and Zoro eyed him. "Tough, but wet, they're fragile," Zoro said.
"One hit's enough. Or punching," Kiri said.
"Need new swords. Gotta buy some," Zoro said.
"Get good ones. You'll use them forever," Kiri said.
Their casual dismissal of victory unnerved Kurura, who braced, fists raised, confident in his iron scales and massive frame. The fight continued. "One left," Kiri said.
"Guy Sanji couldn't beat. Iron-hard," Zoro said.
"Was a melee, though," Kiri said.
"Need to cut iron. Perfect. I'll take him," Zoro said.
"I'm just getting warmed up!" Kiri protested.
They ignored Kurura, chatting leisurely. "Rock-paper-scissors?" Kiri suggested.
"No cheating," Zoro said.
"You're the injured one. Could sit out," Kiri said.
"Hurry up," Zoro said.
They played, Kiri winning with a peace sign. Zoro, scowling, watched as Kiri faced Kurura, shaping paper into an armored gauntlet on his right arm. "Lead Paper Armament: Gauntlet. Iron meets iron," Kiri said.
"Child's play!" Kurura roared, charging.
Kiri ran forward, faster, his gauntlet smashing Kurura's chest. "Ugh?!" Kurura gasped, nearly flying back but digging in, grabbing Kiri's fist. "Forgot to mention—I'm a liar," Kiri said.
The gauntlet morphed, jaws-like, clamping Kurura. Kiri freed his arm, directing the paper skyward. "Fishmen can't fly, right?" he said.
The paper soared, dragging Kurura high. He thrashed, realizing a fall would be fatal, but staying trapped was no better. "Wait! I surrender!" Kurura pleaded.
"Let's see if iron scales survive this," Kiri said, swinging his finger down.
The paper shifted, flipping Kurura downward, plummeting like lightning, a dragon-like swarm. The impact shook the earth, a thunderous roar echoing. Kurura lay unconscious in a crater, white-eyed.
Kiri, collecting his paper, shrugged. "Couldn't take it. Good he's not dead," he said, condition fine despite his injury.
Tsubo, battered, lunged at Kiri's back, jaws wide. "You'll pay, human!" he roared.
"Zoro," Kiri said.
Zoro dashed, slashing Tsubo mid-leap. Blood sprayed; Tsubo collapsed, finished. The villagers stood speechless. Neither pirates nor Marines had ever crushed Arlong's crew so effortlessly. The Straw Hats acted like it was nothing.
Kiri turned to Zoro. "So, you got two, I got one?" he said.
"Doesn't matter. Not worth counting," Zoro said.
"Kinda underwhelming," Kiri said.
"No more small fry. I'm taking officers next," Zoro said.
"Sure, sure," Kiri said.
"You're not satisfied either," Zoro said.
"Feels like old times. Room to grow, right?" Kiri said.
"Always knew you weren't normal. Wanna spar?" Zoro said.
"Sounds suggestive. Smiling like that's creepy," Kiri teased.
"I'll cut you," Zoro growled.
Their banter showed no intent to aid their crewmates, already finished. Hope stirred among the villagers, their bet forgotten, now cheering. Eyes turned to the remaining battles.
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