Cocoyasi Village.
The Arlong Pirates had occupied it for some time. However, due to the inaction of the Marines, specifically Captain Nezumi, who had been bribed by Arlong, the leader of the Arlong Pirates, they had consistently turned a blind eye. The villagers suffered greatly from bullying, and it was unknown how many had died during this period of occupation.
In the past... villagers wouldn't have dared to complain to the Marines, because some who had tried before were handed over to Arlong by the Marines and brutally murdered.
But now, with Cage's decisive action against a large number of corrupt Marines, especially after Captain Nezumi's downfall, the oppressed villagers saw new hope. That's why someone came, willing to take a chance.
Splash...
On the azure sea, a Marine warship sped forward at full throttle.
Inside Cage's cabin, besides his adjutant Ain, there was also a young girl.
She had a cute appearance, with large, watery eyes, bright and clear like a spring.
However, the child was covered in scars, reportedly from being abused by Arlong's gang. Ain immediately ordered the ship's doctor to bandage her up.
Oh, and this child was named Nami...
"I didn't expect it to be her."
The most surprised person was undoubtedly Cage.
"Can you really defeat Arlong's group? They're very strong," Nami asked anxiously, looking at Cage, who seemed only a few years older than herself.
"Don't worry," Ain gently smiled. "Commodore Cage is incredibly powerful. He can even defeat pirates with bounties over 100 million Berries. A pirate with a 20 million Berry bounty is just a small fry."
"Really that strong?"
Nami's eyes filled with admiration at the words. To an oppressed weakling, powerful individuals were figures to admire and revere.
"What an innocent child..."
Cage sighed inwardly. If Captain Nezumi in the original story had handled things impartially, Nami probably wouldn't have become a pirate.
"Commodore Cage, we've arrived at Cocoyasi Village."
A soldier's voice came from outside the cabin.
"Excellent. Once we arrive, show no mercy. Immediately commence carpet shelling of Arlong's main base."
"As long as they're pirates, whether human or Fish-Man, kill them all without quarter!"
Cage declared with cold, ruthless resolve.
About ten minutes later, the Marine warship approached the shore. Cage first sent personnel to scout Arlong's main base. After confirming the coordinates, all cannons fired simultaneously.
Boom boom boom... boom boom boom... boom boom boom...
A dense barrage of cannon fire rained down on Arlong's main base. His territory instantly turned into a pile of rubble. Many Fish-Men didn't even have time to react before being buried alive by the debris.
"Damn it... What's going on?! Where are these cannonballs coming from?!"
Arlong, who had been basking in the sun, was startled. He quickly opened his eyes.
Rumble!
Just then, a cannonball exploded next to Arlong. The resulting shockwave directly sent him flying. He tumbled across the ground for a dozen rotations before scrambling to his feet, disheveled.
"Boss, the cannonballs seem to be coming from the eastern port."
A Fish-Man said, looking at the cannonballs flying through the distant sky.
"Gather all brothers! Let's go see which suicidal bastard this is right now! I'll personally chop him to bits!"
An enraged Arlong rushed over with a large group of his subordinates.
Bang bang bang...
Meanwhile, Cage's Marine warship continued its relentless bombardment, as if intending to permanently erase Arlong's territory.
"Isn't that enough? We've been firing for ten minutes; those Fish-Men must be burnt to crisps by now," Ain reminded him. Hundreds of cannonballs had been fired; the Arlong Pirates' small territory had long since been leveled.
"Burnt to crisps isn't enough. I want absolutely nothing left, not even dust! Keep firing!" Cage commanded coldly.
"Marines? Are you all tired of living?!"
A furious roar came from near the port. Cage and the others looked over. It was Arlong, leading his subordinates.
Arlong's gaze instantly fell on Nami beside Cage, and his eyes turned bloodshot. He said with a bloodthirsty tone, "Nami, you little piece of shit, you went and tattled, didn't you? Once I've dealt with these Marines, I'll slice your body into little pieces, bit by bit, and throw them to the dogs!"
Gulp!
Nami choked in fear, quickly hiding behind Cage.
"A mere 20 million Berry bounty, yet you speak so arrogantly? Anyone who didn't know would think you were a great pirate with a 200 million Berry bounty," Cage said indifferently, looking at Arlong and the Fish-Men behind him. "Are you all here? Good, then I won't have to hunt you down one by one."
"You're the new Cage?"
Arlong had naturally heard about Cage. He had been cooperating very well with Captain Nezumi, but this guy's arrival had ruined everything for him. Arlong was fuming but helpless; after all, the other party was a Marine Commodore.
Anyone who could become a Commodore possessed a certain level of strength, and Arlong dared not easily initiate a fight.
"If you hand Nami over to me and turn a blind eye to the Arlong Pirates' activities, I can give you 30% of the treasures I've amassed," Arlong tempted.
Nami instantly grew incredibly nervous, clenching her small fists tightly. Captain Nezumi had succumbed to precisely this kind of temptation and cooperated with Arlong.
As for Cage...
He paid no attention, simply raising the rifle in his hands.
BANG!
Cage decisively pulled the trigger. A single bullet streaked towards the members of the Arlong Pirates.
Boom boom boom!!!
That bullet was like super explosive, detonating immediately. A scorching mushroom cloud of flame rose into the air, and a large number of Fish-Men died tragically on the spot, screaming amidst the flames.
"Ugh, ahhh..."
Arlong, on the other hand, was relatively lucky. The explosion only slightly grazed him, not taking his life. But even so, he lost both his legs, lying on the ground screaming hysterically, his entire body severely charred. If left unattended, he would likely die from excessive blood loss.
"One shot wiped out a pirate crew?!"
Nami's small mouth dropped open in shock, her eyes filled with awe.