Thunderous roars shatter the night's silence.
The cacophony erupts from a single point, its echoes shifting—sometimes muffled, sometimes ringing far and wide.
The sounds of battle reverberate through the first floor of Arlong Park.
Luffy and Arlong's one-on-one duel rages on.
Their clashes are relentless, yet neither has landed a decisive blow. Still sizing each other up, they've exchanged attacks without inflicting serious damage.
Luffy dodges Arlong's savage sawblade with nimble grace, while Arlong's ironclad physique shrugs off Luffy's punches with barely a flinch. The blows must hurt, but Arlong shows no sign of slowing, his movements as steady as ever.
The battle, tearing through the building, has reached a stalemate.
Luffy evades; Arlong endures. Both maintain an air of confidence.
Taking a moment to disengage, they face each other on the battered first floor, walls shattered around them, locked in a tense stare.
"Damn pest, scurrying around like that…! Think your human fists can touch me!?" Arlong snarls.
"Gotta try to find out, don't I!?" Luffy shoots back.
Frustration mounting from the prolonged fight, Arlong hefts his massive sawblade, Kiribachi, and charges. Forged to withstand his monstrous strength, its blade carves through walls with ease, untouched by wear. It doesn't slice—it smashes.
If it connects, even Luffy's rubber body won't hold up.
Forced to dodge, Luffy leaps as the blade bears down. Arlong's speed is formidable—countless humans would falter against it—but Luffy's agility gives him the edge, allowing both evasion and counterattacks.
A nearby table is cleaved in two, splintered wood flying, but Luffy remains untouched.
Arlong, overextending, leaves an opening. Luffy's stretching leg delivers a kick square to his chest.
"Gomu Gomu no Stamp!"
"Tch!" Arlong grunts.
He blocks with his left arm just in time, but the impact sends him skidding back, widening the gap. For Luffy, distance is an advantage—his reach makes it so.
Yet this offers Arlong no real disadvantage, and Luffy finds no comfort in the space between them.
Retracting his leg and landing, Luffy eyes his foe with calm focus.
People often mistake him for a reckless fool, but he's no simpleton. Words don't come easily to him—he doesn't bother voicing every thought. His instincts guide him, and right now, his gaze is locked on Arlong with unwavering intensity.
Luffy's observed enough to understand Arlong's arsenal. His raw strength surpasses Luffy's, wielding not just Kiribachi but fists, kicks, and razor-sharp teeth capable of crushing stone. Those teeth could tear flesh apart with ease.
Arlong's entire body is a weapon.
Unlike Krieg, with his arsenal of gadgets, Arlong's power—save for Kiribachi—is innate. Every move is a lethal threat.
Caution grips Luffy, leaving no room for carelessness.
But he doesn't strategize victory. He focuses solely on the fight itself.
That's enough. Extraneous thoughts are unnecessary.
Thinking was never his strength. Better to act on instinct, as his brothers taught him during childhood training. It's how he fights best.
Clenching his fists, spreading his stance, Luffy faces Arlong head-on, shedding all pretense of trickery. His resolute posture speaks volumes.
Arlong's anger flares at the sight. A human standing fearless against a fishman, exuding defiance—it's infuriating. Humans should cower before his might, yet Luffy's eyes burn with the will to win.
This is the kind of opponent Arlong aches to crush.
"Arrogant little punk! Scum like you tramples the pride of fishmen!" Arlong roars.
"Don't care. Fishman, human—doesn't matter. I just wanna kick your ass," Luffy replies.
"Think you can!?"
Kiribachi swings down with terrifying speed.
Luffy ducks low, evading, and counters with a punch.
"If I don't, I can't protect my crew!"
His fist slams into Arlong's gut, lifting him off the ground.
Arlong tumbles but springs back up, the insult of hitting the dirt fueling his rage. The damage isn't crippling, but it stings.
Luffy presses the attack, not giving Arlong a moment to recover.
Kicking off the ground, he leaps, whipping his head back to stretch his neck for a follow-up strike. Arlong, still unsteady, can't react in time.
"Bell!"
"Guh!?"
A rubber-powered headbutt crashes into Arlong's forehead, forcing him to reel back.
Before landing, Luffy unleashes a kick.
"Whip!"
The blow strikes Arlong's torso, staggering him. Luffy closes in, refusing to let up.
"Bullet!"
A fierce punch to the gut sends Arlong's massive frame crashing into a wall.
Luffy's hands move in a blur, launching a barrage of fists in a relentless storm.
"Gatling!"
The onslaught pummels Arlong, driving him through the wall and out to the sea-facing courtyard where they first clashed. He collapses, motionless for a moment.
Luffy catches his breath, retracting his arms.
The fluid combo was brutal, but it's not over.
As expected, Arlong rises, his steps steady, his body unyielding. Few could withstand Luffy's attacks like this—his fishman resilience is undeniable.
Luffy's brow furrows. The punches felt like hitting thick rubber, a testament to Arlong's natural toughness and honed muscle. This fight will drag on.
"Phew, tough bastard. Gotta step it up," Luffy mutters.
"Did you… do something just now?" Arlong taunts.
"Yeah. Warm-up," Luffy replies, cracking his knuckles.
His words are honest. The bandages from earlier injuries were bothersome, but moving has acclimated him. He's ready to go all out.
Arlong takes it as mockery. Though he acknowledges the hits, they haven't slowed him. Luffy's casual dismissal—likely not even grasping the taunt—only stokes his fury.
He can't lose to this human. Shouldering Kiribachi, Arlong smirks, revealing he's been holding back too.
"Still running your mouth, huh? Guess I've been going too easy," Arlong says.
"Not running my mouth. It's the truth," Luffy retorts.
"Say what you want. You don't know the terror of fishmen…"
His tone is triumphant, a warning.
Arlong pauses, fixing Luffy with a question.
"Kid, what's the hopeless gap between us?"
"Your nose," Luffy answers instantly.
Arlong's brow twitches. That's not it.
"Uh… your jaw?" Luffy ventures, studying him.
He scans Arlong, noting differences. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he adds, "Webbed feet!"
"Species!" Arlong bellows.
Fury erupts, and he charges, gripping Kiribachi with both hands, swinging with full force. Spinning like a top, he closes in.
Luffy leaps to dodge, the blade slicing air and shattering wall debris with a harsh clang that grates the ears.
Landing, Luffy tracks Arlong, who whirls back, raising Kiribachi again. Blocking it barehanded is impossible—rubber or not, it'll carve flesh. Dodging is the only option.
Luffy springs back, creating distance. Within a second, Kiribachi slams into the ground, gouging it with a screech, leaving a deep scar. Rubble flies, but Luffy's out of reach.
The noise is deafening, yet the duel feels eerily quiet, both fighters sharpening their focus.
Luffy's playful responses belie his seriousness. His keen eyes track Arlong's every move, waiting for an opening. The weapon's danger limits reckless attacks, but he's not slacking.
Arlong, despite his rage, keeps a cool head. Luffy's strong for a human, but their bodies are fundamentally different. If he can catch the agile monkey, no amount of rubber resilience will save him.
"Let's see a fishman's true power," Arlong sneers, eyes glinting.
Luffy narrows his gaze, wary.
Arlong spins, slashing Kiribachi. Luffy dodges with another leap.
In that moment, Arlong releases his left hand from the weapon. Water droplets form on his skin—a fishman trait—arming him further. His dripping hand becomes a weapon.
"Water Shot!"
He flings the droplets. Luffy sees them but hesitates, unsure if they're an attack. Tilting his head, he freezes.
A mistake.
The water hits like pistol bullets, sending Luffy spinning through the air. It doesn't pierce, but the force is brutal, knocking him down.
The attack's abnormality is clear—not ordinary by any means. Spitting blood, Luffy presses a hand to the ground.
Arlong lunges, Kiribachi roaring as it swings down.
"Uoraa!"
Luffy rolls aside just in time, shifting his position to narrowly escape. The blade carves the stone floor, screeching harshly.
Tumbling to safety, Luffy rises, shaken. The water attack lingers in his mind.
"Phew, what was that…? Just water, but it hit like a gun," he mutters.
Arlong ignores him, shouldering Kiribachi and advancing. Then, abruptly, he stops.
Luffy, poised to counter, is caught off guard, his expression shifting.
"Shahhahaha! Coming out here was a mistake," Arlong laughs.
"Huh?" Luffy blinks.
"Fishmen shine brightest at sea. You can't beat me here."
With a light thud, Arlong leaps backward, diving into the ocean with a splash.
He's not fleeing—his intent to fight is clear. But what's coming next is anyone's guess.
Luffy, fists ready, stares at the sea.
The night is quiet, save for the gentle lapping of waves. The water's surface is calm, Arlong's presence undetectable.
The stillness feels unnatural in this tense moment, as if taunting Luffy's nerves. He has no choice but to focus, waiting for the attack.
"Where'd you go, shark?" he mutters.
He knows Arlong hasn't fled. An attack is coming, and with no swimming ability, Luffy can only wait, eyes fixed on the water, unshaken by doubt.
Then it happens.
A torrent of seawater erupts, and Arlong launches from the surface like a torpedo, his pointed nose a weapon.
Like a flying fish—deadlier.
By the time Luffy registers him, Arlong's nearly upon him, too fast to react fully. Luffy twists, but the impact sends him flying.
"Shark on Darts!"
"Gah… hurts like hell!?" Luffy yelps.
Arlong's nose tears into him, splitting skin and drawing blood. The sheer force lifts Luffy into the air, pain and weightlessness overwhelming him.
Arlong reaches the building he built, deftly shifting to land feet-first on the wall. Gauging Luffy's fall, he calculates the next strike.
Kicking off the wall, he launches again.
"Shark on Darts!"
"Damn you!" Luffy curses.
Arlong aims to drag Luffy into the sea. No need for a killing blow—submerging a Devil Fruit user is enough to render them helpless, easy to finish later.
Luffy realizes the plan. He can't let himself fall into the water.
Twisting midair, he shifts his trajectory. Arlong's path is straight—he can't fly freely.
Luffy swings his right fist, landing a blow on Arlong's cheek as the nose nears. The immense force surprises Arlong, who takes heavy damage, his trajectory veering off like a shot-down plane.
Luffy stretches his arm to grab the building, pulling himself back. Arlong crashes into the sea.
Exhaling deeply, Luffy feels the weight of the moment. That split-second was pure tension, sweat pouring as he wipes his brow, eyes locked on the water.
"Close call. Can't let myself fall in, or I'm done," he murmurs.
Another splash, and Arlong rockets out, this time wielding Kiribachi. Did he drop it underwater to retrieve later?
The weapon changes the attack's nature.
Instinctively, Luffy kicks off the ground.
Escaping Arlong's blinding speed is no easy feat. Even reacting, Luffy can't outrun him. He leaps, but not far enough.
Arlong, propelled by underwater momentum, moves faster than any human, tracking Luffy's movements with precision.
Seeing Luffy dodge slightly, Arlong spins, swinging Kiribachi.
The blade's speed and range overwhelm even Luffy's reflexes.
It connects.
"Ghh!?" Luffy grunts.
"Ora!" Arlong roars.
The blade catches Luffy's raised arm, slicing through with force. Arlong follows through, ignoring his own landing to carve into Luffy, who slams into a wall, blood streaming from his arm and chest.
Dust clouds the air for seconds.
Arlong kicks through the rubble, standing first, searching for his foe.
Luffy rises, the block ineffective. The wound is deep, flesh torn from arm to chest—a brutal mark of Kiribachi's long blade.
Blood drips, staining the floor red.
Arlong smirks at Luffy's changed expression. This is how it should be—fear is natural.
He strides forward, Kiribachi on his shoulder, voice low and menacing.
"You said your body's rubber, right? Bad match for me. My teeth, Kiribachi, or the sea—plenty of ways to kill a pathetic human like you."
"Pfft, that didn't hurt a bit!" Luffy snaps back.
"Gutsy, I'll give you that. But there's an uncrossable wall between us."
Arlong shifts, lowering Kiribachi into a ready stance.
"Know your place. No human can beat a fishman."
"Then I'll be the first!" Luffy declares.
Arlong charges, and Luffy meets him, thrusting a fist.
The stretching arm catches Arlong off guard, landing a punch to his cheek.
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
"Muh!?" Arlong staggers.
The blow stings, but Arlong plants his feet, refusing to be knocked back.
Luffy presses on, stretching both arms back as he runs forward, delivering a powerful palm strike.
"Bazooka!"
The hit bends Arlong's body, the impact stronger than the punch. He grits his teeth, vision shaking.
A brief opening.
Luffy seizes it, grabbing Arlong's shoulder and leaping. Positioning above, he slams both feet into Arlong's back like a spear.
"Spear!"
"Guah!?" Arlong cries.
He collapses face-down, consciousness flickering. Clinging to awareness, he endures the pain.
Luffy lands, turning to prepare the next move.
Arlong rises slowly, clearly affected. The attack's power is wearing him down. Prolonging this could spell trouble.
This human is infuriatingly persistent.
Why does someone like him exist?
Rage surges, teeth clashing, killing intent swelling.
"Lowly scum, what did you do to a fishman like me!?" Arlong roars.
"Huh?" Luffy tilts his head.
"What did you do to me!?"
Arlong swings Kiribachi as he turns. Luffy dives into close range, dodging, and lands a sharp punch to the gut.
The blow forces blood from Arlong's mouth, and Luffy follows with an upward kick to his jaw, straightening his spine.
Retreating briefly, Luffy stretches his arms back, charging forward.
Arlong, struggling to track him, can't react in time.
"Bullet!"
A punch to the chest sends Arlong flying.
But in that instant, Arlong swings Kiribachi down, catching Luffy's shoulder post-attack, slicing diagonally across his torso. Luffy's gritted teeth hiss as he skids across the ground.
Staggering, he drops to one knee, pain searing.
Both realize the truth.
This war of attrition will end soon. Arlong's physical superiority gives him the edge in a prolonged fight. Luffy's bleeding heavily, while Arlong's blunt trauma, though mounting, lacks critical wounds. Let flesh be cut to break bones—Arlong can land hits on the nimble Luffy this way.
Victory is within his grasp.
Rising, Arlong stands with a sway, smirking at Luffy.
"Everything about you—there's nothing you can beat me in. Regret being born human."
"Eh, don't care about that," Luffy replies, wiping blood from his chin.
"What?"
"I said I'm gonna kick your ass, that's all."
His gaze meets Arlong's, unflinching, fearless.
Arlong's voice trembles with rage.
"For Nami, huh? Stupid bunch, dreaming of being heroes? You know-nothings barge in and make a mess."
"That's not for you to decide," Luffy counters.
"Oh, it is. This island's my territory—my kingdom. You nobodies invade, spouting nonsense about saving your friend. Who's in the right? You're just rebels threatening my nation."
"Fine by me. We're pirates."
Arlong's words burn with heat, but Luffy's voice is calm, almost restrained, yet far from emotionless.
"I don't wanna be a hero, and I don't care what the island's people think. I'm not here to save anyone. I'm fighting for myself."
"Even dumber. Just the shallow whims of a human without ambition."
"You made Nami cry."
Luffy's fists tighten, his resolve blazing in his eyes.
"I told you, Nami's my crew. If you hadn't come here, she'd have lived in peace. Her village wouldn't be in ruins. You, who knows nothing, wrecked everything—including my plans."
"You saying Nami wanted this?" Luffy challenges.
"Of course. Without you lot, she'd still be happy."
Luffy's expression shifts, emotion surfacing, his aura intensifying.
Arlong feels it—a prickling pressure. (Could he… have Haki?)
The thought is absurd, yet undeniable.
Hastily, Arlong swings Kiribachi, aiming to end him.
(Impossible!)
Luffy reacts instantly, but his counter defies expectation.
He slams his fist into the descending blade.
The impact reverberates through Kiribachi's handle, shocking Arlong's arm. Luffy's rubber fist snaps a blade segment, sending it flying. The weapon veers off, missing his body.
Blood gushes from Luffy's pierced fist, but he ignores it, clenching tight.
An unmistakable opening.
Luffy closes in, his bloodied right fist smashing into Arlong's cheek. The giant staggers, collapsing hard.
Arlong springs up, gripping Kiribachi, the oppressive aura confirming his fears. It's like the Grand Line's darkest moments.
Impossible. Not in the East Blue. Shaking his head, he swings Kiribachi.
"I'm Saw-Nose Arlong! I won't lose to you!"
Luffy kicks upward, deflecting the horizontal slash. Leaping, he spins, his rubber left leg whipping toward Arlong's face. Arlong reacts, opening his jaws and sinking sharp teeth into Luffy's leg.
The pain is excruciating. Luffy's eyes widen, teeth gritted.
Twisting his hips, he drives his right foot into Arlong's temple.
"Ghh!? Damn you!" Arlong curses.
The kick forces his jaws apart, freeing Luffy's torn leg. Both collapse, rolling across the ground.
A brutal fight.
Damage mounts, stamina draining rapidly.
They rise without pause, both charging to end it.
"Water Shot!"
"Hmph!"
Luffy punches the water droplets, scattering them, and rushes forward. Arlong swings Kiribachi to keep him at bay, forcing Luffy to halt.
The overhead swing is a lethal threat.
Luffy leaps to a nearby roof.
Arlong pursues, leaping and swinging Kiribachi to cleave Luffy from above.
Sensing he can't block, Luffy jumps higher, stretching his arms to escape.
A chase ensues. Luffy scrambles across roofs, Arlong in pursuit, demolishing walls and roofs with Kiribachi. They climb to the top floor.
Cornered, Luffy spots a small window. Smashing through, he dives inside.
Kiribachi carves the wall behind him as Arlong follows.
Their figures vanish from sight.
At that moment, the six crew members reach the gate. Usopp, alerted by the noise, points to the window.
"Hey, did you see that!? That's Luffy and Arlong!" he shouts.
"Still going, huh? They're wrecking the place," Sanji remarks, scanning the area.
"If he loses, I'm stepping in. Got it?" Zoro says eagerly.
"Go ahead. He won't lose, though," Kiri shrugs.
The men lack urgency, but Silk, sighing, notices Nami staring at the window—left side, top floor. Her expression is grave.
"Nami, what's wrong? Luffy's fine. No one can beat him—"
"The top floor, left window," Nami murmurs.
Her eyes are fixed, unblinking.
The others catch on.
"The map room…" Nami says, her voice heavy with memory.
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