Defeated in battle and bound during the night, the fishmen are left sprawled on a roadside near the mountains, away from the village.
The sea's edge is too risky, but letting them into the village isn't an option either. So, they're abandoned on land, far from prying eyes.
The plan is to call the Marines later to hand them over, wrapping everything up.
But last night, Kiri asked to delay contacting the Marines.
He had compelling reasons, enough to convince the skeptical villagers. Arlong had bribed the Marines to cover his crimes. For eight years, despite crushing threats, the Marine headquarters did nothing—because Arlong manipulated their corrupt elements.
The Marines can't be trusted. Reporting to them would be futile.
Kiri, half-forcing the issue, insisted the fishmen be left alone for now.
Dawn breaks.
After sleeping and treating their wounds, the Straw Hat crew appears before the bound fishmen, joined by Nojiko and Genzo as witnesses. A strange tension hangs in the air.
Only Nami and Luffy know the full plan. The others are in the dark, standing there unaware.
The atmosphere is taut, different from the battle's intensity.
Kiri steps forward, taking charge, standing before Arlong.
The fishmen, every joint tightly bound to neutralize their strength, can't move. Arlong, seated, glares with raw hostility, powerless to act.
Kiri, wearing a relaxed smile, brushes off the animosity and speaks. "Morning. How's the mood? No beds—must've been rough."
"You think you'll get away with this?" Arlong snarls. "The fishmen's rage doesn't die. I'll tear you apart someday and show you our true terror!"
"Scary stuff. Let's cool off and talk calmly," Kiri replies, sitting on the ground to meet Arlong's gaze.
It's odd. His tone is friendly, but there's no warmth. Beneath the casual voice lies a cold, unsettling edge that stirs fear.
His smile is calm, his voice warm yet chilling.
"I've got a proposition," Kiri says.
"Not listening to your demands," Arlong snaps.
"Hear me out. This ending's boring for you too, right?"
"Hmph. I'd rather rot in a cell than accept human charity," Arlong retorts.
Arlong's stance is unyielding, refusing to engage. Understandable—he despises humans, and these are the ones who crushed his ambitions.
His unrelenting glare and anger are no surprise.
Defeat hasn't softened him.
The crew watches tensely, unsure of Kiri's intent. But Kiri, unfazed by their reactions, presses on calmly.
His next words cut to the core.
"I'm thinking of untying those ropes. Must be cramped. We won't take your flag, and though your base is wrecked, your ship's intact—I checked. You can keep pirating as Arlong's crew, same as before."
"What's this about?" Arlong growls.
"There's a condition. Just one, really."
"I said I'm not taking your orders—"
"Raise a straw hat mark above your flag. That's it," Kiri says, smiling thinly.
Arlong falls silent, stunned.
He understands. Raising another's flag alongside your own signifies submission—joining their fold.
It's an outrageous proposal. Arlong's men pale, as shocked as their leader. This man is unhinged.
Joining the Straw Hats' fold—a mere seven human pirates—is unthinkable.
Arlong's refusal erupts. "Don't screw with me! Us, your underlings!?"
"Not underlings. Comrades with shared goals, maybe? Call it what you want—just get along. No ulterior motives," Kiri says.
"Liar! Raising your flag proves we're under you! Why would we bow to humans? Don't mock us, brats!" Arlong roars.
"Think about it. We won, fair and square. Offering to negotiate instead of taking your lives? That's mercy. We're being pretty kind," Kiri counters.
"You're insulting us! You really think we'd accept that!?" Arlong bellows, his fury palpable.
Kiri's smile widens. "Honestly? I figured you wouldn't."
"Of course not!" Arlong snaps.
"But who's mocking who?" Kiri asks, his smile vanishing.
The air shifts. Even Arlong flinches, startled by the change.
An oppressive force radiates, freezing the atmosphere. The crew, Genzo, and Nojiko feel it—a commanding presence absent until now.
Kiri's demeanor is unrecognizable.
"We're pirates. You know what that means. You act high and mighty, but when you lose and get threatened, you whine about likes and dislikes. That's your resolve? Surprised you survived this long," Kiri says coldly. "You can talk big, but we're not politicians. Words don't cut it here."
"What, you arrogant—" Arlong starts.
"Don't underestimate pirates. Weaklings without resolve are just trash," Kiri cuts in.
He stands slowly, looking down at the fishmen. His eyes are devoid of warmth, sharp and merciless, as if he sees neither human nor fishman—just targets.
Arlong, heart pounding, can't look away.
"If you're a pirate, live free, but don't complain about how you die. This world doesn't forgive whining or weakness. Winners are just, losers are evil—that's the rule. Crybabies who lose and wail aren't even pirates. Just trash like you," Kiri says.
"Shut up! A rookie pirate mouthing off like—" Arlong roars.
Suddenly, Arlong's jaw is struck, sent crashing into his men. The blow dazes him, vision blurring, but the air stifles any cry.
Kiri's paper fist, extended without him moving, delivered the hit. Unfazed, he continues. "I've been a pirate in the Grand Line since I was a kid. You came from there, right? Then you know—on Pirate Island, whiners like you get torn apart by everyone. You're a disgrace. Don't lower yourself further."
"Guh…!" Arlong groans, writhing in pain, unable to rise.
Kiri walks slowly through the fishmen, ignoring their fear, and looms over Arlong again. His cold eyes hold no emotion.
"You don't want to die or obey? Then get stronger. Win, and pirates live free. Can't even try? Can't face death? You're a joke. You don't deserve to call yourself a pirate."
The paper around his left hand falls limply. Kiri pulls a pistol from his coat, aiming it steadily at Arlong's forehead.
One shot could end him.
"I'm not ordering you. I'm giving you a choice: pirate under us or die here. No Marines. Don't get that wrong," Kiri says.
His finger rests on the trigger, ready to fire.
"No resolve to be a pirate? Die now."
His finger tightens. Everyone, including Arlong, expects the shot.
Then, Nami's voice cuts through. "Wait, Kiri. Calm down."
"Wait for what?" Kiri asks, not turning.
"You're seriously about to kill him, aren't you?" she presses.
Her tense voice comes from behind, but Kiri doesn't look back. Nami bites her lip, waiting.
This wasn't the plan.
The Grand Line is perilous. More fighters are better, and fishmen, skilled in sea combat, could broaden their strategies. Kiri proposed taking Arlong's crew along.
Nami agreed, ensuring they'd leave Cocoyashi Village forever. But Kiri's not acting now. His pistol feels too real.
Knowing his usual self, this coldness shocks her.
It's new, but she understands—he's a pirate.
"Forget the deal. I'll handle it if we're ending them," Kiri says.
"Hold on! Why're you so heated?" Nami snaps.
"I learned everything as a pirate kid. Punks like them, acting big while disgracing pirates—they're worthless," Kiri retorts.
"Wait! Just calm down. This is my call," Nami insists.
She holds Kiri back, his pistol still raised. Nami locks eyes with Arlong, her gaze stern. "I'll never forgive you. I'm not saving you either. But you in Marine hands doesn't make me feel safe. So we're taking you to the Grand Line. Like it or not, you'll never touch Cocoyashi again."
"Damn it, Nami…" Arlong mutters.
"Got it? Losers like you get two choices: live as Luffy's pirates or die here," she declares.
Her voice carries authority, unyielding, shaking the air. Genzo and Nojiko are speechless, awed by her resolve.
She's made her choice, beyond their reach, with her pirate crew.
"For eight years, you used me," Nami continues. "Not anymore. I won't let you go. No matter your regrets, you'll work for me until you die."
She stands tall, no longer just a villager but a pirate, resolute on their stage.
Arlong, seething, can't respond. Rage clouds his mind, no strategy forms. He's at their mercy.
Words alone won't suffice—he needs power to silence them.
Before he can speak, Luffy, quietly eating prosciutto e melone, interjects. "Oi, Arlong. I don't like you, and I don't care about underlings or whatever."
His tone is flat, emotionless.
"But Nami says we're taking you. So I'll keep you in check. No more attacking villages or causing trouble. Try it, and I'll stop you," Luffy says, swallowing his last bite and grinning.
It's a boyish yet piratical grin, taunting Arlong's pride.
"Want freedom? Beat me. I'll let you go, no questions. Until you do, I'm captain. Hurt my mark, and you're done."
It's unlike Luffy, who cherishes freedom and shuns control. Yet he means it.
Arlong, swallowing his frustration, thinks. Win, and freedom's his. Simple.
Kiri's voice cuts in. "As long as you live, you've got a chance. Die, and it's over."
Arlong, hearing his thoughts voiced, grits his teeth and decides. It's humiliating, shredding his pride, but he can't die yet—not until he makes them pay.
Swallowing his rage, he speaks, voice trembling but eyes unwavering. "Fine… I'll agree, for now. But mark my words—I'll slaughter you, build my fishman empire, and conquer the world! This isn't over. I'll be the true victor!"
"Anytime you want a fight, I'm ready. I never lose," Luffy taunts, his grin defiant.
The tension breaks. Kiri's usual relaxed smile returns, as if nothing happened. "Guess we've got a deal."
He pulls the trigger, aiming at Arlong. The fishmen gasp, but only a bean pops out, falling onto Arlong's chest. No gunshot, just silence.
The crew stares, stunned. Kiri smirks, holding up the pistol. "Toy guns these days are wild. Looks real, huh? Like it?"
"You bastard!" Arlong roars.
Kiri tosses the toy aside, chuckling as he rejoins the crew, back to his usual self.
The others are half-dazed. Nami and Luffy, in on the plan, are calm, but Silk and Usopp are shaken, speechless. Zoro and Sanji sigh, exasperated.
They've seen a new side of Kiri. Which is the real him? The contrast is jarring.
"Warn us next time," Zoro grumbles.
"Gotta fool allies to trick enemies," Kiri replies. "Zoro, Silk, cut their ropes. We've got prep to do—they're working now."
"Uh… yeah," Silk stammers.
"Do it yourself," Zoro snaps.
"Resisters are your sword practice. Deal?" Kiri offers.
"Fine," Zoro agrees.
Zoro moves, Silk following hesitantly. The air still hums with lingering tension.
Usopp, staring at Kiri, exhales shakily. "Scared me half to death… I thought we couldn't cross you."
"Lies and bluffs are pirate tricks. You know that," Kiri says.
"Yeah, but that vibe! You flipped the air!" Usopp protests.
"Haha, sorry. I'll explain next time," Kiri laughs.
Sanji, smoking, reassesses Kiri. "You're full of surprises. Quite a guy."
"Pirates are like that. Your lady-chasing's fine, but watch out for women—especially pirate ones," Kiri warns.
"Idiot. Ladies are different. I trust every woman—Nami-san, Silk-chan, all of them!" Sanji declares.
"Sure, sure," Kiri brushes off.
Nami eyes Kiri differently. She'd heard the plan but felt the same dread. That moment, she feared him.
"I thought you'd really kill him," she says.
"Would've been fine. If they'd refused outright, I'd have taken out a few," Kiri replies.
"Including us?" Nami asks.
"Threats and negotiations? I'm trained to make them say yes," Kiri says confidently.
Nami's view shifts. He's not just a quirky strategist. His gentle demeanor hides something deeper. Is any of it real? She's less sure who he is now.
Ignoring the changing gazes, Kiri turns to Luffy, who's finished his prosciutto e melone, hands behind his head, utterly relaxed. Kiri apologizes with a grin. "Sorry, Luffy. Made you bend your principles."
"It's fine. Nami wanted it, and I know you're thinking of the crew," Luffy says.
"Thanks. They'll be useful someday," Kiri replies.
"Still don't like Arlong, though," Luffy admits.
"That's fine. We're not here to be buddies," Kiri assures, patting Luffy's head, sparing him the heavy thinking—Kiri's job as vice-captain.
As they talk, Zoro and Silk free the fishmen. Some might resist, but Kiri's intimidation and Arlong's beating keep them subdued. They sit, heads bowed.
Genzo and Nojiko watch, conflicted. Will the fishmen attack again? Can Luffy handle Nami's choice to become a pirate?
Nami approaches. "Nami…" Genzo starts.
"You sure? They won't obey easily," Nojiko adds.
"Thanks for worrying, but I'm fine. I'm a pirate now," Nami says, smiling without a trace of doubt, radiant and free.
Even with the fishmen, she shines. Genzo and Nojiko, awed, fall silent.
"If anything happens, Luffy'll stop them. The crew'll fight too, and I won't run. I'm on this ship now. I'll protect Cocoyashi with Luffy and take them to the Grand Line. No one needs to fear anymore," Nami declares.
"You're taking it all on again!" Genzo protests.
"Just doing what I want. Pirates are free, right?" Nami replies, grinning brightly.
Genzo, overwhelmed, looks down, unable to argue. They couldn't save her. Pirates did.
He has no right to stop her, yet he's proud of her growth.
"Sorry… we keep burdening you," he says, voice shaking.
"Stop it. It's not like that. I'm just living my way," Nami insists.
"You're going with them, right?" Nojiko asks, smiling softly.
Nami's grin turns playful, like a child's. "Of course. They'd get lost without me. It's a long journey, but I'll get them to their destination."
Nojiko's worries vanish. Nami's fine. She'll never hide her feelings or silently beg for help again. She has a crew to call.
Relieved, Nojiko knows she can send her off with a smile.
"Alright, first job!" Kiri claps, drawing everyone's attention. Luffy tilts his head. "Doing something?"
Kiri, beaming, looks energized. "The fight's not over. Arlong's crew is done, but they weren't the only ones hurting this village."
"Huh?" Luffy blinks.
"The Marines?" Silk ventures, sheathing her sword.
Kiri nods, then looks at Arlong, who's sulking but curious. "Arlong, you thought you were using them, but they used you too. They took your bribes and stayed quiet, not because they respected fishmen. You were all pawns. Wanna hit back?"
"First, I'd love to crush you," Arlong mutters. "Never saw them as allies."
"Good. That makes it simple. Treat everyone's wounds, prep, and we move," Kiri says, scanning the group with a gleeful grin.
His excitement piques their curiosity. While the crew harbors concerns, Kiri alone laughs, driven by pure emotion.
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