Arlong lounged arrogantly on his stone chair in Arlong Park. His crew laughed and jeered around him, they are talking about how they had tortured the human
Then the gates creaked open.
Nami stepped inside, Sanji following close behind. For the first time in years, she wasn't trembling. She wasn't hiding her disgust behind a fake smile. Instead, she wore a sharp grin that caught Arlong off guard.
"Hm?" Arlong tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. "What's with that face, Nami? Did something good happen?"
Without a word, Nami hefted a heavy sack forward and let it slam onto the stone floor. THUD!
The gold brick inside clattered loudly, spilling through the floor.
"One hundred million Beli," Nami said coldly. "All yours. Every last coin you asked for."
The fishmen went silent. Even the fish-men pirates who normally mocked her looked at the pile in disbelief.
Arlong leaned forward, baring his sharp teeth. "…One hundred million?" Arlong completely caught of guard.
His clawed fingers twitched. He had been waiting on Nezumi to swoop in and confiscate her savings, breaking her spirit. He had known that Nami place where she is hiding her treasure, by account she should have around 80 million. Just this morning he had called Nezumi, yet that useless Marine never came. Something was wrong.
"I don't care what you thought," Nami snapped, fire burning in her eyes. "This is what you promised me. Freedom for Cocoyashi Village in exchange for one hundred million Beli. So take it… and honor your word."
Arlong grin faltered. He stared at the gold, then at Nami's expression. For the first time, he saw not the frightened little girl he manipulated, but a woman standing her ground.
Sanji frowned and looked serious toward the Fishman captain. "A man who breaks a promise to a lady isn't worth a damn." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "So I suggest you think very carefully before you open that ugly mouth of yours, fish-face."
Arlong's crew growled at the insult, but their captain raised a hand to silence them. His shark-like eyes flickered with irritation. He wanted to laugh, to declare that no deal was ever real, but something about the sudden turn of events… gnawed at him.
Nami turned her back on him. "We're done here."
She walked out of Arlong Park with Sanji at her side, the doors creaking shut behind them.
Outside, as she stepped onto the familiar path leading toward her home, her chest tightened. For years, she had carried this burden alone. But now… she is free.
"Let's to my home," said Nami.
"Ok nami san," replied Sanji.
Ahead, she spotted them.
Luffy. Zoro. Usopp. And with them, Johnny and Yosaku trailing behind.
Her eyes widened. For a moment, the mask she wore cracked.
Sanji smiled softly, hands in his pockets. "Looks like our crew's been waiting for you, Nami-san."
Her steps slowed as she approached, her heart caught between relief and fear of what came next.
...
Nami guided Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Johnny, and Yosaku into her backyard followed by her sister Nojiko. Rows of orange trees stretched neatly, each branch heavy with a fresh fruit.
"This…" Luffy wide eyes sparkled. "Smells amazing!" He reached out for a tangerine, only for Nami to stop him.
"Hands off, Captain," she muttered. "These aren't for you."
"I am your captain," replied Luffy.
"This one is not fresh," replied Nami. "Just take this."
Nojiko watching the scene with gentle eyes. "It's been years since Nami showed anyone this place," she said softly. "Consider yourselves lucky."
Sanji gaze softening as he looked at Nami tending to the garden. "A lady garden is a prohibited place," he muttered. "Not even a Captain should steal from it."
Nami led them further until she reached at the ground that is not flat. She hesitated for a long moment, her fingers trembling as she dig the ground. Inside was her treasury, neatly packed sacks of coins, jewelry, and Beli she had painstakingly collected for years.
"This…" Nami's voice cracked. "This money isn't mine. It belongs to Cocoyasi Village. I saved it for them, not for me."
The crew watched in silence as Nami clutched a handful of coins to her chest. Her shoulders shook. "I thought… if I could just buy our freedom, maybe everything would be fine. But it was never about me."
Nojiko placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder, silently, she didn't say anything.
Before Nami could respond, a thunderous boom echoed from the direction of Arlong Park.
Nami eyes went wide. "No… no, it can't be."
.....
Inside Arlong Park, the fishman captain slammed his clawed fist into the table, splintering the wood. His crew flinched at the sound.
"That damned human girl," Arlong snarled. "She dared to throw the money in my face and walk away? And that Nezumi, how dare he ignores my call?" His jagged teeth ground together. "Fine. If they think they can cheat me, then I'll show them why the East Blue fears Arlong."
He stood, towering and monstrous, his gills flaring. "Rally the crew. We march on Cocoyasi Village. Tonight, the humans learn what happens when they cross Arlong!"
A chorus of fishmen cheered savagely, their webbed hands gripping weapons as they prepared for bloodshed.
The village bell tolled frantically as a wave of shadows approached on the horizon. Villagers rushed to hide children, but many knew there was nowhere to run.
From the north, Arlong and his fishmen stormed into the heart of Cocoyasi Village. Their webbed feet pounded the dirt roads as villagers shrank back in terror.
"Humans!" Arlong bellowed, his deep voice booming across the square. "Did you really think you could fool me? That pathetic deal meant nothing!"
He raised his jagged saw-toothed blade, pointing it at the trembling villagers. "I own you. Your land, your money, your lives. Cocoyasi belongs to Arlong!"
The villagers gasped, despair heavy in their eyes. Some raised farming tools, but the towering fishmen sneered, ready to crush them like insects.
Then a voice rang out.
"Oi, fish-face!"
Everyone turned.
Standing at the edge of the square was Monkey D. Luffy, straw hat tilted back, fists clenched. Zoro cracked his neck beside him, Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke, and Usopp shakily readied his slingshot. Behind them, Nami stood frozen, tears spilling from her eyes.
"Arlong…" she whispered, rage and sorrow mixing. "You lied…"
Luffy's jaw tightened. "Nami," he said firmly. "Leave this to us."
Arlong let out a guttural laugh. "So the brat with the straw hat thinks he can challenge me? Foolish." He lunged forward, moving with terrifying speed, his massive blade cutting through the air.
CLANG!
Zoro intercepted with his swords, the clash sending sparks flying. "He's fast," Zoro muttered, pushing back. "But not invincible."
Sanji spun in with a strong kick, striking one of Arlong's officers square in the jaw. The fishman roared as he crashed into a wall.
"Don't touch Nami-swan's village!" Sanji shouted.
Usopp, trembling but determined, fired a barrage of lead stars at the fishmen, striking their weapons and faces. "G-get away from my friend!"
Meanwhile, Luffy had locked eyes with Arlong. "You're the one making Nami cry, huh?" His face hardened, his fists tightening. "I'll never forgive that."
Arlong roared and swung his blade, but Luffy's body stretched and dodged. "Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!" Luffy's fist shot forward, slamming into Arlong's jaw with bone-cracking force.
The fishman staggered, stunned that a human's punch carried such power. "What… are you?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," he said, his straw hat glinting in the sunlight. "And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
The battlefield erupted into chaos. Zoro carved through fishmen despite his injuries, Sanji kicked opponents aside with fiery grace, and Usopp distracted enemies with smoke bombs and trick shots.
But the true storm was between Luffy and Arlong.
Arlong lunged, biting with his saw-like teeth. Luffy grabbed his jaws and forced them open, muscles straining. "Your teeth are gross!" he shouted, snapping them apart.
Arlong howled, fury blazing in his eyes. He ripped a chunk of stone from the ground and hurled it like a cannonball. Luffy stretched his arms, catching it mid-air. With a grunt, he swung the boulder back at Arlong, smashing him through a building.
"Arlong!" Nami cried, watching the fight with wide, tearful eyes.
Luffy emerged from the rubble, dust covering his hat. He pointed at Arlong. "This village… belongs to Nami, not you."
With a final surge of rage, Arlong lunged again. Luffy twisted, his body coiling like a spring.
"Gomu Gomu no… Bazooka!"
Both of Luffy's palms slammed into Arlong chest, launching the fishman flying towards Arlong Park's tower. The structure crumbled, stone and timber collapsing as Arlong vanished beneath the wreckage.
Silence followed. Dust filled the air. Then… nothing.
The villagers stared, hearts pounding. Slowly, realization dawned, Arlong was defeated.
Nami hands shook as she stepped forward. She looked at the rubble, then at Luffy, standing firm with his hat tilted low.
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. For the first time in years, they weren't tears of despair.
"Luffy…" she whispered. "Thank you."
Luffy turned, his grin wide and unwavering. "Of course. You're my nakama."
The villagers erupted in cheers, some weeping openly. Nojiko wrapped her arms around her sister as Cocoyasi finally felt the weight of Arlong's oppression lift.
Author Notes: I have open a patreon channel, you can support me there.
It is as low as $1 month, don't subscribe other tier first because I don't have enough chapter as I promised.
-patreon.com/zerelix