A rumor now circulates the Grand Line.
Arlong, the Saw, is hunting pirates.
Once a scourge in East Blue, he's returned to the Grand Line, flying the Straw Hat flag, attacking any pirate in sight, especially bounty heads, sinking countless ships.
Coupled with news of East Blue events, their name spreads rapidly.
Dozens of pirates have already fallen.
They seize and keep enemy flags, unburned—an odd act questioned widely, suggesting some purpose.
Arlong's crew stirs talk of the Straw Hats, too. Their ship bears both their mark and the Straw Hat's, rippling speculation.
Are Arlong's crew under the Straw Hats?
A rookie, barely notable for odd incidents, already commanding a crew? Outrageously bold. Unthinkable, yet it fuels interest in them.
Among pirates, warnings spread: beware Arlong's crew.
In naval battles, they unleash their true strength, boasting undefeated confidence.
But today, they chose to strike on land.
An unnamed, uninhabited island.
A sailboat rests near the sandy shore; Arlong's ship lies offshore.
For them, combat is routine. No foe matches their innate Fish-Man abilities, and land holds no fear.
Today was a challenge.
Arlong, the crew's sole bounty head at 30 million Berries, targeted a pirate worth over 100 million.
By bounty alone, a superior crew.
Minutes into the fight, they dominated.
Over fifty humans lay unconscious on the beach, weapons scattered, blood staining the sand.
Arlong's crew stood unscathed, looking bored.
"Chuu! This is a 100-million crew? Pathetic."
"Yeah, no different from the last lot."
"Nyuu~ Maybe their captain's strong. He's the only bounty head."
Three officers chatted casually.
The beach battle was over. Not all enemies were down—some hid in a nearby cave, where Arlong led a few men.
To them, the fight was already won.
Arlong couldn't lose.
He'd faced higher-bounty pirates, often defeating them unscathed.
The gap between humans and Fish-Men was clear; his defeat was unimaginable.
Chuu and Kuroobi, arms crossed, sighed in disappointment. Underwhelming.
Each bounty head or crew they crushed strengthened their confidence.
Not metaphorically—they'd grown stronger since fighting Luffy's crew.
Starting with bounties below or equal to Arlong's, they'd already taken down a 95-million-Berry head, claiming their flag.
Stronger foes came with higher bounties, yet they remained undefeated.
Even after crushing underlings, they felt unsatisfied, deeming it trivial.
The fallen enemies groaned, but the beach was quiet.
No sounds came from the cave.
Hachi grew concerned, though Chuu and Kuroobi saw no need to act.
"Arlong-san okay?"
"Idiot, who're you talking to, Hachi? Think he'd lose?"
"No, but I'm worried…"
"He doesn't need your worry. Chuu! He's strong."
"He might even beat Straw Hat now. It's what he wants. We just wait for that day."
"Nyuu~… Got it."
Hachi pondered, then smiled.
"But I don't hate those guys."
"What? How naive are you? They forced us to submit."
"Where's anything to like? Chuu!"
"They started that way, but it wasn't so bad, right? Plus, we did awful things to Nami. We got what we deserved."
"Don't forget our grudge against humans, Hachi."
Kuroobi pointed sharply.
Hachi's mind flashed to past memories.
"Never forget. Hero Fisher Tiger died hating humans. We fight because they drove Fish-Men to the sea's depths. Right?"
"Nyuu~ But that's not their fault…"
"It's not about individuals. It's the species. Don't side with humans too much."
Hachi was too soft, even fond of humans. Since mingling with the Straw Hats, some crewmates grew similar, with Hachi as the bridge.
Not all could be like him.
Deep-seated hatred, carved by history, lingered in their hearts, Arlong included.
His rage wasn't just for "Straw Hat Luffy" but all humans.
Killing Luffy for freedom wouldn't quell it.
Knowing this, Hachi fell silent, head bowed.
A sudden roar from the cave broke the quiet.
Crewmates flew out, blasted back.
"Uwaaaah!?"
"What happened!?"
"Arlong-san!"
Most Fish-Men tumbled across the sand, but Arlong slid low, glaring at the cave.
Blood trickled from his mouth.
He was struggling—his blood, unseen in ages.
His pupils shifted, a seriousness not shown since Luffy.
"Arlong-san, you're hurt!? You okay—"
"Shut up, Hachi! Be quiet!"
He was livid.
Shouldering Kiribachi, his clenched teeth grated loudly.
From the cave, a massive figure emerged slowly.
A muscular giant over two meters, broad-shouldered, imposing.
An iron mask hid his face.
"Gauntlet Alan," bounty 115 million Berries.
True to his name, he wore sturdy gauntlets, a master of close combat.
Alone, he'd knocked out many, dragging the fight outside. His crew was down, but he stood firm, bleeding from the shoulder.
His mask hid his expression, disrupting Arlong's usual tactic of exploiting fear. Against Alan, he couldn't dominate.
A prolonged battle loomed.
Furious, Arlong charged with heavy steps.
"Stay back! He's mine…!"
His rage was palpable, rare in its intensity.
This foe was that strong.
Unhurried, Arlong closed the distance, assessing. Neither was heavily injured; the fight could continue, but Alan might be stronger.
Alan didn't speak—by choice or nature, unknown. He didn't scream when Kiribachi grazed his shoulder, countering instantly. Tough, or at least pain-resistant.
The dull ache from Alan's blow lingered.
More hits would tip the scales against Arlong.
Yet he wouldn't retreat.
Facing a potentially stronger, 100-million-plus bounty head, he stood fearless.
No matter the foe, if a pirate, he'd crush them.
Defeat them, take their flag, collect a hundred as promised, then kill Luffy for freedom. That was his resolve. No backing down. Even stronger foes would fall.
He'd crushed several crews already.
A 100-million bounty was no boast—his eyes weren't on Alan but beyond.
As they closed in, Alan raised both fists, ready, silent, staring.
How to win? Arlong didn't care.
If he'd grown stronger, tricks were unnecessary.
He charged impulsively.
"Here I go!"
Raising Kiribachi, half-leaping, he reached Alan and swung down.
Alan blocked with his gauntlets, the saw-like blade grinding but only scratching, not cutting flesh.
Repelled, Arlong landed as Alan advanced, fist clenched.
Bad timing. Mid-air, Arlong couldn't dodge. Alan's punch slammed his gut, sending him flying with brutal force.
Pain seared through his organs, vision blurring.
Unable to brace, he crashed, rolling, kicking up sand. The gut pain made standing feel impossible; he nearly dropped Kiribachi. On one knee, he glared, eyes bloodshot.
"Damn it—!"
Arlong's reckless charge met Alan's counter.
The battle was fiercer than ever.
Both unleashed full force. Alan defended, but Arlong attacked relentlessly, ignoring his own safety. His will to destroy was overwhelming, all offense.
The intensity silenced his watching crew.
Alan, masked and mute, seemed to falter, his movements slowing.
They traded blows, but Arlong's momentum unleashed unimaginable power.
Kiribachi, chipping itself, scarred Alan's gauntlets, then his flesh.
But Arlong took countless punches, spitting blood, fighting on.
A gruesome sight.
Both bled profusely, vision narrowing, footing unsteady, yet they attacked relentlessly.
Arlong roared; Alan began to retreat.
Alan's damage was greater.
His gauntlets landed solid hits, but Arlong's Fish-Man strength—ten times human—wielded a jagged saw. Seizing a gap, he stabbed, tearing deep wounds.
Blunt trauma versus lacerations. Alan's panic was natural.
Blood gushed from gaping wounds.
Arlong didn't stop—Alan was still conscious.
Victory meant total defeat.
Though silent, Alan shielded his wounds, trying to flee. Arlong's rage doubled, his strength surging.
"Planning to run!?"
Coughing blood, he discarded Kiribachi—too damaged. A bold call.
Striding forward, he swung his right arm.
Water shot from his body, piercing Alan's leg like a bullet.
"Scared!? This is a 100-million bounty!?"
Alan fell, still trying to escape. Arlong caught up, straddling him, grabbing the iron mask.
Holding it with his left hand, he smashed his right fist down. One blow crushed the mask, shards piercing Alan's face. Arlong didn't stop.
"Oraa!"
Shards scattered, revealing Alan's face.
Uninterested, Arlong pummeled until unconsciousness.
His superhuman strength left Alan's face unrecognizable.
Blood pooled like a puddle.
Noticing Alan's collapse, Arlong stood, panting.
Alan lived, but his face was a ruin. A horrific sight.
Arlong, battered by gauntlets, bled from countless wounds, less severe but extensive.
Exhaling, his strength gave out, and he collapsed, unable to brace.
His crew shouted, rushing to him.
"Arlong-san!?"
They crowded around, panicked, peering at his pale, deathly face.
The ship's doctor was called, but the barren beach limited treatment. The best option: return to the ship.
Kuroobi barked orders.
"Ship for treatment! Hurry! Move him carefully!"
"Arlong-san, hold on! Chuu!"
"Nyuu~ Everyone, hurry! Save him!"
No time for victory's joy.
They rushed to the ship, tending Arlong's critical wounds. His life hung in the balance, but one truth stood: alone, he'd defeated a 115-million-Berry bounty head.
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