"So what if she figured it out?"
Arlong burst into wild laughter, his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight.
"She dared to side with a bounty hunter in Orange Town—what did she expect?"
"I've heard about that man. A real monster, they say. Took down Buggy's entire crew by himself."
"Maybe she thought she could use that bounty hunter to take us down, huh?"
His grin widened, cruel and amused.
"Well then—let's call that ninety million Berries a lesson she'll never forget!"
Originally, he had planned to let Nami finish gathering the full hundred million before crushing her spirit.
But when he learned she was getting close, he sent Captain Nezumi ahead to seize the money early.
And now, Arlong could sit back and laugh at her despair.
"Brilliant move as always, boss!"
His Fishman underlings erupted into laughter, showering him with praise.
Arlong leaned back lazily in his chair, basking in the attention—until an angry voice tore through the air.
"ARLONG!"
Nami stormed into the courtyard, fury burning in her eyes.
"Oh? Well, if it isn't our diligent little cartographer," Arlong said mockingly, spreading his arms in false welcome.
"What's with that face? Who made you so angry?"
Before he could blink, Nami had grabbed him by the collar.
Her voice shook with rage.
"Was it you?!" she shouted. "You and your pet Marine—did you steal my money?!"
"We had a deal! You swore you'd never break your word!"
"How could you betray me like this!?"
She had already heard everything from the villagers before she came.
It could only have been him.
Only Arlong could have ordered Nezumi to find her hidden fortune.
"Break my word?" Arlong sneered, his sharp teeth glinting.
"When did I ever do that?"
With a sudden jerk, he flung Nami backward.
"Where's your proof, girl?"
His cold laughter filled the air, venomous and mocking.
The look on his face said everything: Yes, I did it. And what can you do about it?
Nami hit the ground hard.
Her palms scraped against the dirt, but she barely felt the pain—her heart hurt far worse.
"Damn you…" she whispered, trembling with anger.
For ten long years, she had endured humiliation, danger, and loneliness—risking her life time and again just to save her village.
She'd stolen from pirates.
She'd bartered with devils.
She'd crawled through blood and darkness, chasing a single dream—freedom.
And just when she had finally reached it…
Arlong crushed it in his claws.
"Pathetic," Arlong said, his tone dripping with contempt.
"Crying over ninety million Berries? So what if it's gone?"
"Earn it again."
He leaned closer, his grin widening.
"For you, that's only a few more years of work."
"Or…" his tone darkened, eyes glinting with malice, "you could always quit. But if you do, every last villager in Cocoyasi dies."
He threw his head back and laughed.
The other Fishmen joined in, their cruel, throaty laughter echoing across the courtyard.
Nami's tears fell silently, one by one, splashing onto the dirt like shattered glass.
The dream she had clung to all her life was gone—snatched away by the monster she hated most.
Her fists clenched.
She pounded the ground again and again, the sound of each blow echoing her despair.
"Why… why am I so weak!?"
And then—
Footsteps.
Steady. Confident.
"...Nami."
A familiar voice cut through the noise.
She froze.
"Ron?"
When she looked up, she saw him—standing at the entrance to Arlong Park, the sunlight behind him.
And behind him… dozens of villagers.
Armed with pitchforks, hoes, and makeshift weapons.
At their front stood Nojiko and Genzo, their faces pale but resolute.
"Ron…" Nami whispered, eyes wide. "You shouldn't be here. It's too dangerous!"
"Danger?" Genzo barked, stepping forward.
"After what these monsters did to you? We're done being afraid!"
Nojiko's voice rang out beside him.
"Today, we fight—together!"
Arlong burst into laughter again, pounding his knee with his webbed hand.
"HAHAHAHA! A bounty hunter brings me money and farmers with sticks?!"
He grinned at Ron.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Ron stepped forward calmly, unbothered by the mocking tone.
"Arlong," he said, voice steady, "we're here for one reason."
He placed a hand on his sword hilt, eyes locked on the Fishman captain.
"To free Nami."
Arlong's grin faded slightly, his sharp teeth catching the light.
"Free her?" he repeated coldly. "You think that's up to you?"
He raised one clawed hand slightly, signaling his men.
Immediately, Kuroobi, Chew, and several others spread out, circling the villagers like sharks scenting blood.
"Stupid humans," Chew spat, loading the water jets in his mouth.
"You'll regret ever setting foot here."
But before the tension could snap, Genzo's voice rang out:
"We've made up our minds, Nami!"
He looked straight at her, his weathered face hard with determination.
"These monsters used you and bled us dry. We won't let it continue!"
"Even if it costs our lives—today, we take our home back!"
"Even if we die!" the villagers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the air.
For the first time in eight years, they stood tall.
Nami's heart twisted in pain.
"Stop! Please! If you fight them, you'll die!" she cried, stepping in front of them.
"Don't do this! Not for me!"
Tears streamed down her face.
She'd dreamed for so long of saving them—
not of seeing them die for her.
"Don't you see?" Genzo said quietly. "That's exactly why we must fight."
"As long as you keep living for us, Arlong will always have a way to control you."
He met her eyes.
"So this time, Nami… live for yourself."
The villagers nodded.
"This time, we fight back."
Nami's vision blurred with tears.
She turned desperately to Ron, grabbing his arm.
"Ron, please—stop them! Talk some sense into them! If they fight, they'll all be killed!"
Ron looked down at her—at her trembling hands, her tearful eyes.
And then, slowly, he smiled.
"Don't worry, Nami."
He looked toward Arlong and his crew.
"Before anyone dies today…"
"…I'd like to discuss a little business deal."
The words stunned everyone.
Even the villagers froze, mid-breath.
"Business…?" Nojiko repeated in disbelief.
Arlong cocked his head, amusement flickering in his cold yellow eyes.
"Oh? A human who wants to negotiate with me?"
He leaned forward, his sharklike grin returning.
"Tell me, bounty hunter—what kind of deal could you possibly offer me?"