Chapter 27
Thousands of subordinates, a vast gray industry—classic underground emperor.
In a mafia novel, he'd be the perfect protagonist template.
Too bad this was the One Piece world.
Arlong even felt a bit sorry for Bartolomeo.
He patted the guy's shoulder in consolation. "If you pull all your key people, who'll manage your operations?"
"Besides, I haven't established a foothold in the Grand Line yet. I can't protect everyone."
Joking aside—Arlong hadn't even brought all his fishmen. No way he was hauling dead weight.
He put it politely, but most would catch the meaning.
To a fanboy, though, it sounded different.
Bartolomeo was deeply touched (￣▽￣)~*
Big Bro Arlong really cared about his little brother!
"Big Bro Arlong, is this the new crewmate?"
Chew and the others approached.
"Yeah."
Arlong nodded and made introductions.
"Captain Bartolomeo, come on—I'll show you around the ship."
Hatchan enthusiastically dragged Bartolomeo away.
At a corner in the cabin,
Crack crack crack—mixed with yelps.
The trio had planned to haze the newbie, but couldn't lay a finger on him.
Instead, they hurt themselves.
Arlong didn't interfere with "bonding."
He lounged on a deck chair, replaying the fight with Akainu.
Thrilling. Dangerous.
If Akainu hadn't been worn down earlier, escape might've been impossible.
A bit too risky.
"Damn system, can't you level me up faster?"
[Host can bond with more beauties.]
Arlong: [●′?｀●]
…
Akainu returned to the docks—now a sea of fire.
The water was littered with debris and charred corpses.
People fought the flames desperately, but Akainu ignored them and flew back to his warship.
He gathered his thoughts, then dialed Sengoku's Den Den Mushi.
After explaining,
"Arlong's strength is close to mine?"
The Den Den Mushi looked shocked (＃?д??).
"It must be some temporary boost."
Akainu analyzed. "He started weak, then suddenly surged.
His techniques and moves were basic, but his Conqueror's Haki was fully developed—top tier."
Of course, just a theory.
Sengoku: "Could it be ES?"
"Probably not."
Akainu shook his head.
ES only boosted raw power—no Haki development.
"Either way, we need to visit Fish-Man Island."
After a long silence, Sengoku said,
"Since you didn't catch him, return. I'll send other vice admirals to intercept at Reverse Mountain."
"Understood."
Akainu hung up without hesitation.
Soldiers obey orders—even admirals.
After hanging up, Sengoku personally visited Mary Geoise and spoke with the Five Elders.
What was said remained known only to them. He left after an hour.
Back at Headquarters, he immediately raised Arlong's bounty to 880 million berries.
The news shocked the world.
In days, Arlong's bounty had multiplied over seven times.
Only after reading the papers—Arlong escaped Akainu—did people accept it.
Ordinary vice admirals were helpless against admirals.
Escaping Akainu meant at least top vice admiral level.
880 million wasn't excessive.
With such a huge incident overshadowing it, Akainu's collateral damage was quietly settled with compensation.
…
"Big Bro Arlong, this isn't the way to Reverse Mountain!"
Nami noticed the course change by chance.
Three days had passed since the Loguetown battle.
"Yeah."
Arlong explained casually.
"Reverse Mountain will be heavily guarded. We're going through the Calm Belt."
"Big Bro Arlong is amazing—he saw through the Navy's plan instantly!"
Bartolomeo fanboyed immediately.
BAM~
Nami punched his head.
"Idiot!"
Even a knee could figure that out!
The real issue: how to cross the Calm Belt?
It was crawling with Sea Kings. Normal ships couldn't sail it—entering was suicide.
Bartolomeo had a villain's face but was a total fanboy.
He praised everything Arlong said.
Usually fine, but now it affected the whole ship's safety—stop messing around.
Bartolomeo looked wronged but didn't dare complain.
Nami was Big Bro Arlong's woman.
Arlong couldn't help laughing. "Skwahahaha~"
Nami still loved hitting people.
In the anime, no one on the ship wasn't scared of her.
"Big Sis Nami, don't worry. We crossed the Calm Belt to get here."
Hatchan explained.
BAM~
Nami punched him too. "With Big Bro Arlong, of course it was fine. Now go train!"
"Oh!"
Hatchan rubbed his head and ran off.
"Big Sis Nami is awesome!"
Bartolomeo worshipped.
Seeing Nami's glare, he bolted after Hatchan.
"Hatchan, wait for me!"
"Don't worry. We'll be fine."
Seeing Nami still anxious, Arlong ruffled her hair.
"Yeah."
Nami nodded.
Coo coo~
A bird call suddenly rang out.
Nami looked up—a news coo.
"One newspaper!"
Nami waved a bill from her cleavage.
The coo dropped a paper and swooped down.
Just as it neared the money, Nami rubbed her fingers—the bill turned to blank paper.
Free newspaper.
Arlong didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Nami really was stingy to the core. Hard-earned money for the bird?
Nami tucked the "money" away and stuck her tongue out at Arlong. "100 berries is still money."
"Big Bro Arlong, you're front page again!"
Nami stared at Arlong's portrait and exclaimed ?(?\u0027?\u0027?)??????.
"880 million berry bounty."
Her eyes turned to berry symbols.
Nami Affection +2
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Nami's affection reached 95. Reward: 1 Gold Treasure Chest.]
Arlong: ┐(?～?)┌
Damn, treating me like a treasure vault now!
He flicked her forehead.
"You little money-grubber. Careful or I toss you into the Calm Belt."
"Big Bro Arlong wouldn't bear to!"
Nami hugged his arm, pressing it into her cleavage.
"Save it—doesn't work on me." Arlong pulled free ruthlessly.
He sent the money-grubber away.
Mentally, he called the system.
"Open the gold chest."
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