"You'd better figure out how to get your feet out first!"
Nami came up to him, covering her forehead, saying exasperatedly.
This guy always acts without considering the consequences, constantly causing trouble for others.
"I'll let you make the first move."
Link gestured humbly to Arlong, "Lest you not even get a chance to strike and not know how you lost."
"You're just a mere human, don't be so arrogant with me!"
Arlong, whose anger was instantly maxed out by Link's words, roared and launched his Fish-Man Darts at him.
ON-DARTS!!"
This was a swift technique akin to a torpedo!
Its incredible speed also showcased his Fish-Man's formidable physical prowess.
However--
"Still too slow!"
Link shook his head slightly, then raised an arm and quickly reached out to grab forward.
Thwack!
Arlong's figure, which had darted in front of Link, suddenly stopped.
"Nani?!"
Arlong stared at Link, who was so close, filled with disbelief.
He instinctively wanted to take another step forward, but Link's large hand firmly gripped his serrated nose, not moving an inch.
It also held his body rigidly in place, preventing him from advancing.
"How is this possible?!"
Arlong's mind went blank; he had imagined various scenarios, various possibilities where he might be directly pierced or might nimbly dodge.
But to be so easily restrained like this, and for his proudest weapon, his nose, to be held firmly.
The immense force, and the mountain-like pressure on his nose, gradually cooled his heart.
However, sweat indeed began to bead on his forehead.
"Is he really… human?!"
Just as Arlong's mind was gradually consumed by this thought,
"Eight years ago, on the Glori Island Archipelago, he was shot through the chest by Kizaru, who was then a Marine Vice Admiral, almost losing his life and getting arrested…," Link slowly said, under Arlong's shocked gaze.
"If it wasn't for Jinbe, the knight of the sea, becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, you scum would never have been released by the World Government as a gesture of goodwill towards the Sun Pirates."
"In terms of character, virtue, and strength, you and Jinbe are worlds apart."
"No wonder he's a Seven Warlords of the Sea, dominating the Grand Line, while someone like you can only tragically come to the weakest East Blue, finding pleasure in bullying humans weaker than yourself."
"You really… don't deserve any respect at all. You've completely disgraced the Fish-Man Race!!"
Arlong's heart, which had somewhat cooled, surged with hot blood again upon hearing Link's words.
However, it was useless. If anger alone could lead to victory, then the term 'impotent rage' wouldn't exist in this world.
"Bang!!"
Link raised his foot, striking Arlong's ugly, ferocious face squarely.
He even used a fraction of his strength, kicking him flying.
Thud… Bang… Crash!!
The immense force carried Arlong's fish-man body, sending him tumbling across the ground in a series of rolls.
After smashing several rocks, he finally crashed through a wall.
Link merely shook his hand, as if he had just gripped something dirty.
"It seems the physical boost given to me by the [Super Deluxe Power Candy] is much stronger than I imagined."
Link had seen all of Arlong's moves just now and had easily tracked and subdued him.
His dynamic vision, strength, speed, and timing were all perfectly controlled.
Even his physical constitution was incredibly strong; at least, when he grabbed Arlong's serrated nose, his skin wasn't even scratched.
This led Link to a certain judgment: roughly estimated, he was at least stronger than an ordinary Marine officer.
As for how he would compare to elite Marine Vice Admiral… that would only be known after a fight.
"Come out, I know you're not dead."
With a clear understanding of his own strength, Link couldn't help but look towards the ruins Arlong had crashed into.
"You Fish-Man Race, in terms of durability, truly live up to your physical prowess."
Boom!!
Hearing Link's subtle taunt, Arlong's figure suddenly burst out of the rubble.
However, looking at his body covered in dust, his almost twisted serrated nose, the few remaining teeth in his mouth, and his swollen, blood-covered face with one eye unable to open, it was clear that his current state was very poor.
"Huff huff…"
Arlong staggered to his feet, breathing like a bellows, his chest heaving violently.
Just one kick had inflicted on Arlong a severe injury he hadn't experienced in a long time.
He felt a twisting sensation in his neck, and his upper body and skull almost seemed to have hairline fractures.
When was the last time he suffered such a serious injury?
It was exactly eight years ago, as this man had said, when Kizaru shot him through the chest.
But even that time was far less severe than the injuries he had sustained this time.
"This is simply not a power that the East Blue can possess…"
Arlong spat out another mouthful of blood, "This is strength capable of sailing the Grand Line."