Chapter 48: Heading for Conomi Island2 de noviembre
In the Going Merry's kitchen, everyone celebrated Sanji's joining the crew. They raised their beer-filled glasses high.
"To Sanji joining the crew! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Their glasses clinked, and they downed their beers in a few gulps. After setting their glasses down, they eagerly dug into Sanji's cooking. Luffy ate so quickly that he started choking and began pounding his chest. Nami, who was sitting beside him, immediately poured some water into a glass and handed it to him.
"That's what you get for eating so fast. Here."
Luffy gulped down the water. "Thanks, Nami."
Nami simply nodded and returned to her meal, though the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
"Luffy-aniki, where are you guys heading next?" Johnny asked between bites.
Nami froze for a brief moment. A second later, however, she resumed eating as though nothing had happened.
"Conomi Island," Luffy answered with his mouth full.
"Conomi? Don't tell me it's the island I'm thinking of," Yosaku said uncertainly. Conomi Island was known as the territory of one of the most notorious pirate crews in the East Blue. He hoped Luffy was referring to somewhere else with a similar name.
"No, it's exactly the island you're thinking of. We're heading into the territory of Arlong the Saw, that fish-man pirate," Luffy replied casually after swallowing his food.
"Are you sure you want to go there, Luffy-aniki? From what I've heard, fish-men are, on average, ten times stronger than ordinary humans."
Johnny and Yosaku warned them, but neither was particularly worried. They had Zoro-aniki on their side. Although he had just been defeated, he had earned recognition from the world's strongest swordsman. And then there was Luffy-aniki. They had never seen him fight in person, but according to the Baratie chefs, Luffy had defeated Don Krieg with ease. In their eyes, the crew stood a decent chance if they ended up facing Arlong.
"Ten times?!" Usopp cried in fear.
"Relax. We're not going there to fight them. We're just accompanying Nami while she settles her agreement with Arlong," Luffy said nonchalantly.
He finished his drink, set the glass down, and patted his stomach, which had bulged from eating too much.
"An agreement? What agreement?" Sanji asked.
Zoro and Usopp's expressions tightened slightly. Both of them already knew the story behind that agreement.
"Well..." Nami began, maintaining a casual expression as she explained, "I've been saving money for years. Arlong agreed to let me buy my village's freedom for one hundred million Berries. Once I pay him the full amount, the villagers will be free from his control. I'm going there to settle the deal."
She made it sound like an ordinary business transaction, as though all she needed to do was hand over the money and the matter would be settled. She didn't mention the suffering the villagers had endured under Arlong's rule, nor did she reveal how much she had sacrificed to save enough money.
Her explanation managed to convince Johnny and Yosaku. They accepted it as a straightforward agreement between Nami and Arlong, without realizing how much was at stake for her.
Sanji, however, noticed the change in Zoro and Usopp's expressions. Neither looked convinced by Nami's explanation. There was clearly more to the story than she was letting on. He decided to look for an opportunity to speak with the two of them in private.
...
Once the small celebration ended, everyone returned to their usual routines. Johnny and Yosaku went fishing, Usopp worked on making new ammunition, Nami drew maps, and Sanji cleaned the kitchen. Meanwhile, on the middle deck, Zoro and Luffy continued their training.
After finishing his work in the kitchen, Sanji headed down to the middle deck. Zoro appeared to be repeatedly stomping his feet against the deck. Curious, Sanji approached Luffy, who was lifting a barbell.
"Hey, Luffy, what's that mosshead doing?"
Zoro was too focused on his training to hear the question. Luffy paused and turned toward Sanji.
Mosshead? Oh, he means Zoro.
"He's practicing Soru," Luffy answered briefly before resuming his weightlifting.
"Soru? What's that?"
Luffy explained how Soru worked and introduced Sanji to Rokushiki. From his explanation, Sanji gathered that Rokushiki was a martial art that allowed someone to hone their body into a deadly weapon.
"In that case, teach me, too," Sanji said. As both a chef and a fighter from the Baratie, he had no intention of being outdone by anyone when it came to combat ability.
Luffy lowered the barbell and took a Rokushiki training manual out of his Inventory. Sanji stared in amazement at the book that had suddenly appeared out of thin air.
"No matter how many times I see it, I'm still amazed. That power really is useful."
"Right?" Luffy replied proudly as he handed over the book. "Here. Take a look and choose whichever technique you want to train."
After accepting the book, Sanji found a place to sit and began reading. Before long, he decided to start with Geppo.
He trained not far from Zoro. During breaks, Sanji took the opportunity to ask about Nami. Zoro didn't hide anything and told him the whole story.
As Sanji listened, his expression grew hard. He wanted to head straight to Arlong and beat him and his men to a pulp. However, out of respect for Nami's wishes, he held himself back for the time being.
While Sanji was busy studying the training manual, Luffy decided to take a short break. He lay on top of the Going Merry's sheep figurehead, letting the sea breeze wash over him as he enjoyed some free time.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. After sailing across the sea, Conomi Island finally came into view in the distance.
ComentariosCampo de comentariosPublicaciones relacionadasChapter 49: Momo, the New Pet3 de noviembreTwo days passed in the blink of an eye. After a long voyage across the sea, the silhouette of Conomi Island finally appeared in the distance. The sun shone brightly, its light reflecting off the surface of the water. The cries of seagulls drifted faintly through the sea breeze as the Going Merry continued cutting through the waves.
Usopp, who was on lookout duty in the crow's nest, pressed his telescope to his eye. The moment he spotted land in the distance, his eyes widened.
"Hey, everyone! I can see the island!"
He quickly climbed down and ran to the foredeck. The others stopped what they were doing and gathered there as well. In the distance, the landmass of Conomi Island stretched out before them.
Conomi Island had more than twenty villages, all of them under Arlong's control. Every village was forced to pay him tribute. For those who couldn't afford it, there was only one possible end: death. Over the past eight years, his oppression had devastated the lives of the island's inhabitants, plunging one village after another into misery.
"Yahoo! We finally made it!" Luffy cheered excitedly.
Beside him, Nami smiled with relief. She had managed to gather the money needed to buy back her village and secure her own freedom. If everything went according to plan, the nightmare that had haunted her for so long would finally end today.
Meanwhile, the delicious aroma of food from the Going Merry's kitchen drifted across the sea, spreading through the surrounding waters. Unbeknownst to the crew, something enormous was moving beneath the surface, drawn by the scent.
Suddenly, the water beside the ship churned violently. A sea monster with a cow's head emerged from beneath the waves, spraying water into the air before roaring at the Going Merry.
"Moo!"
Nami's expression changed instantly.
"M-Momo! Why is he here?"
"Momo?" Luffy tilted his head, staring curiously at the monster rising from the sea.
"He's a sea monster that Arlong brought back from the Grand Line," Nami explained, her expression tense.
"A monster from the Grand Line?!" Usopp shrieked in terror.
"A sea monster, huh?" Luffy wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. His eyes sparkled as he stared at Momo. "I wonder if his meat tastes good."
Momo seemed to sense the danger threatening him. His neck slowly shrank back as he began retreating in fear.
Just then, Sanji arrived and stopped Luffy.
"Wait, Luffy. It looks like he's hungry."
Sanji turned toward the kitchen and returned with a plate of food. He then held it out toward Momo.
"Hey, come here. You're hungry, aren't you?" he called gently.
Momo had indeed come because he had caught the scent of delicious food from the ship. Seeing the plate in front of him, he slowly approached and opened his mouth wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
However, the moment Momo got close enough, Sanji's expression abruptly changed. Without hesitation, he delivered a powerful kick that struck the monster and sent him flying back into the sea. The impact created a massive wave that rocked the Going Merry.
"Sanji-aniki, why?!" Johnny and Yosaku cried in shock at his sudden change of attitude.
"That bastard was trying to eat me too," Sanji replied irritably, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Momo resurfaced and stared at the ship in terror.
"Why don't we just cut him up for dinner?" Zoro suggested, nudging his sword slightly out of its sheath with his thumb.
"Sounds good." Sanji nodded in agreement. Resting a hand on his chin, he studied the still-trembling Momo. "Should we roast him or fry him?"
"Wait!" Luffy quickly stopped them. "I have a great idea. I'm going to make him my pet!"
"What?!" everyone shouted in unison.
"Shishishi." Luffy simply grinned before walking over to the railing and raising one hand toward Momo.
"Paw."
For an instant, a red glint flashed in Luffy's eyes. An invisible wave of pressure spread from his body, bearing down on Momo.
The sea monster shuddered. His instincts screamed at him to flee from the terrifying presence before him. Cold sweat trickled down his body as he slowly approached Luffy, too frightened to resist. Trembling, he lowered his head and placed his long fin in Luffy's outstretched hand.
Luffy turned toward his friends with a proud grin.
"See? He's tame, right?"
Everyone aboard the ship had the same thought.
That's not tameness. He's just terrified!
Luffy ignored their stares. He stretched out his arm and gently patted Momo on the head. Then he jumped off the ship and sat atop the monster's head.
"Hey, tie a rope to our ship! I want Momo to pull us to the island!"
Before long, a rope was fastened to the Going Merry. Momo bit down on the other end and began pulling the ship swiftly toward Conomi Island.
...
On a beach near Cocoyasi Village, several fishermen had just dragged their boats ashore when one of them noticed a dark silhouette out at sea. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight and squinted, trying to make out the approaching figure.
But the moment he realized what he was looking at, his eyes widened and his pupils shrank to pinpoints. His face instantly turned deathly pale.
"T-That's..."
"What is it?" his companion asked.
The man didn't answer. He could only point toward the sea with a trembling hand.
His companion followed the direction of his finger. The moment he saw the enormous figure approaching, his expression froze.
"It's Momo! He's coming here!"
"What?! Where?!"
The fishermen all turned toward the sea. As soon as they realized that the sea monster was truly heading for their beach, their faces filled with terror.
Chapter 50: Eight Years' Worth of Savings5 de noviembre"What?! Where?!"
The fishermen all turned toward the direction their companion was pointing. The moment they realized that the sea monster was indeed heading for their beach, their faces turned pale. They assumed Arlong and his men had come to demand something from them again. Without wasting any time, they hurried toward Cocoyasi Village to warn the others.
Meanwhile, the Going Merry finally reached the shore. The crew dropped anchor and secured the ship along the beach. Momo had already returned to the sea after Luffy and the others fed him.
With Nami leading the way, they headed toward the village. The villagers had stopped their work and were waiting anxiously for Arlong's arrival. However, when they caught sight of Nami, their expressions briefly softened with relief and gratitude. Some even nearly stepped forward to welcome her, only to quickly reconsider.
Nami waved at them cheerfully. "Everyone, I'm home!"
No one answered. The villagers looked away and pretended to be busy, while others immediately walked off as though they wanted nothing to do with her.
Nami's smile slowly faded. She lowered her hand, trying to hide the disappointment that briefly crossed her face.
But that wasn't what they truly wanted. They wanted to welcome Nami, ask how she had been, and hear stories about her travels. However, they knew she had spent eight years of her life gathering money to buy her freedom from Arlong. They also knew just how much she had sacrificed for their village.
That was why Genzo and the villagers had made an agreement. They would act coldly toward Nami, even if it meant pretending to dislike her. If Nami ever failed to fulfill her deal with Arlong and decided to leave the village, they didn't want her to feel obligated to stay just because she was worried about them.
They would rather be misunderstood and shunned by Nami than become the reason she continued sacrificing her own freedom.
"What's wrong with them?" Luffy tilted his head, confused by the villagers' behavior.
"It's nothing. Come on, let's go to my house." Nami forced a smile, trying to appear cheerful as she led the others onward.
As they reached the orange grove, they heard angry voices arguing inside.
"Stop it! That money is our village's only hope of salvation! What gives you the right to lay a finger on it, you rotten Marines?!"
THUD!
The sound of someone falling to the ground came from within the grove.
"Gen-san! Why are you doing this? Are you even worthy of calling yourselves Marines?"
"Chichi, we're simply carrying out our duties. We've received information that stolen funds are being kept here. As Marines, it's our obligation to seize them and return them to the World Government."
Hearing the commotion, Nami's expression darkened instantly.
"Oh no!"
She rushed into the grove, followed by Luffy and the others.
Inside the grove stood a young woman with short, purplish-blue hair beside a middle-aged man. A vine-patterned tattoo covered the woman's right arm and extended up to her shoulder. She was Nojiko, Nami's sister.
The man beside her had a sturdy build and wore a dark brown police uniform complete with a matching hat. His face and body were covered in thin, line-shaped scars. He sat on the ground, clutching his bleeding forehead. This was Genzo, the sheriff of Cocoyasi Village, who had raised Nami and Nojiko after Bellemere's death.
Standing before them was a group of Marines led by a man with a rat-like face.
"Gen-san!"
"Nojiko!"
"Na-chan!"
Nami hurried over to Nojiko and Genzo.
"Are you both all right?"
The moment she saw the blood on Genzo's forehead, her expression darkened. She then turned her gaze toward the Marines.
Before Nami could say anything, the leader stepped forward. A brief glint of greed and cunning flashed in his eyes.
"Chichi, I'm Captain Nezumi of Marine Branch 16. I've received information that stolen funds are being stored here. They will be confiscated and returned to the World Government."
After explaining himself, he ordered his men to begin searching the area.
Nami fell silent. Her thoughts raced as she tried to figure out how they had learned about the money.
Who told them? Nojiko? No, I'm sure Nojiko wouldn't betray me. Then who else knows about the money...? Arlong!
That bastard! Nami gritted her teeth. "Did Arlong send you here?"
"Chichi, what are you talking about?" Nezumi replied with a sly smile, as though her question were nothing more than an amusing joke.
He rarely visited this island. When he did, he usually went straight to Arlong's base with his trusted subordinates. This time, however, he had come because Arlong had informed him about the hundred million Berries buried in the grove. The two had agreed to split the spoils evenly, with fifty million Berries going to each of them.
Of course, Nezumi had no intention of admitting to their arrangement.
"Arlong's group is a legitimate organization that always pays its taxes on time. They're certainly not pirates."
Nami lowered her head. Her bangs concealed her face as she clenched both fists, her body trembling with barely restrained rage.
Seeing Nami's condition, Nojiko stepped forward and pointed at Nezumi.
"Have you no shame?! For eight years, you've turned a blind eye while Arlong tormented and extorted the people of this island! And now you've come to steal the money Nami worked so hard to save?! Get out of here! You have no right to take even a single Berry that belongs to her!"
Nezumi frowned, irritated by Nojiko's shouting.
Just then, one of his subordinates discovered Nami's hidden treasure.
"Captain, we found it!"
A grin immediately spread across Nezumi's face. He walked over as his men lifted a treasure chest out of the ground.
Inside lay the money and valuables Nami had collected over the past eight years.
One of the Marines picked up a bundle of banknotes. Bloodstains that had yet to dry completely marked several of them.
"Captain, this money is stained with blood."
Nezumi took the banknotes and gave them a cursory glance.
"Doesn't matter, as long as they're still usable."
Nami stared at Nezumi, who now held the fruits of her eight years of hard work.
That money was supposed to buy her village back from Arlong and free her from the fish-man's grip. Watching it all being snatched away right before her eyes, Nami could no longer hold herself back.
She drew her tonfa and charged toward Nezumi.
But before she could reach him, Nojiko grabbed her and held her back.
"Nami, stop! If you attack the Marines, you could become a wanted criminal!"
Nami struggled with all her might.
"Let me go, Nojiko! Let go! I saved that money to buy this village back from Arlong!"
Nezumi was momentarily surprised by Nami's words. However, his surprise quickly gave way to a contemptuous smile.
"You'd better listen to your sister. If you attack the Marines, you'll become a wanted criminal and be hunted across the seas. Chichi."
Nami's strength drained away. She collapsed to her knees, and the tonfa slipped from her hand, clattering to the ground. Tears began streaming down her cheeks.
Nojiko immediately embraced her, trying to comfort her younger sister.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps approached.
Luffy walked toward Captain Nezumi with his head lowered. The shadow of his straw hat concealed his face, making his expression difficult to read.
Still crying in Nojiko's arms, Nami suddenly felt something being placed on her head. She reached up and touched it, realizing that it was her captain's precious straw hat. She lifted her face and watched Luffy as he walked past her.
"Luffy..." she called softly.
Chapter 51: A Betrayed Agreement7 de noviembre
Luffy strode toward Captain Nezumi, his face radiating anger. Seeing him approach, Nezumi immediately warned him in an arrogant tone.
"Stop! Don't you know the consequences of attacking the Marines?"
"Why should a pirate care about that?!" Luffy shouted as he charged toward him.
The moment Nezumi heard Luffy openly declare himself a pirate, he hurriedly ordered his men.
"What are you waiting for?! Shoot him!"
He immediately ducked behind his soldiers.
"Yes, Captain!"
The Marines raised their rifles and opened fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bullets streaked toward Luffy, but he made no attempt to dodge. He let them strike his body. His skin stretched as the bullets hit him, then bounced away without causing him any harm. Several Marines were knocked down by their own ricocheting bullets, while the others stared in wide-eyed disbelief.
"Guns don't work on him!"
"Damn it! What kind of monster is he?!"
"Idiots! Hurry up and protect me!" Nezumi cursed.
He slowly retreated behind his men, intending to use them as human shields.
Unfortunately, those shields weren't much help.
"Gomu Gomu no... Muchi!"
Luffy stretched out his leg and swept it across the line of Marines like a whip. They were sent flying to either side, leaving Nezumi exposed behind them.
Luffy retracted his leg, then stomped against the ground with Soru. In an instant, he shot toward Nezumi, his arm stretched far behind him to build momentum.
"Wait a moment! I'm a Marine captain! If you attack me..."
"Gomu Gomu no... Pistol!"
Luffy gave him no chance to finish. His fist shot forward and slammed into the rat-faced man's face with tremendous force. Nezumi's body skidded six meters across the ground, carving a shallow trench before finally coming to a stop.
His nose was broken, several teeth had been knocked out, and his eyes rolled back into his head. He collapsed unconscious.
Genzo and Nojiko stood dumbfounded. Neither had ever imagined they would witness someone attacking a Marine captain without the slightest hesitation.
After confirming that Nezumi was no longer moving, Luffy turned away and crouched in front of Nami. He looked her straight in the eyes.
"Nami, there's still something you need to do, right?"
Nami slowly stopped crying. Her brown eyes met Luffy's black ones, and she immediately understood what he meant.
"B-but that bastard..."
"All you have to do is finish what you started," Luffy interrupted firmly. "Leave everything that comes afterward to us."
From the very beginning, Luffy had already decided to accompany Nami and help her settle her agreement with Arlong. He didn't care whether the fish-man intended to keep his promise. Arlong had made his navigator cry, and that alone was reason enough for Luffy to beat him to a pulp.
Nami fell silent for a moment, gazing at Luffy before finally nodding.
"All right. I'll see this through."
Just then, Sanji emerged from the orange grove, dragging two battered fish-men behind him.
"You guys are too careless," he remarked casually, taking a drag from his cigarette. "I found these two spying on us from a distance."
The presence of the two fish-men only strengthened the suspicion that Nezumi had come at Arlong's behest.
Zoro approached Sanji and glanced at the two captives.
"Not bad, Perverted Cook."
A vein bulged on Sanji's forehead.
"Who are you calling a perverted cook, Mosshead?!"
Sanji immediately swung his leg at Zoro, but Zoro blocked it with one of his swords. The two resumed their usual quarrel in the orange grove, as though they had nothing else to worry about.
Watching their antics, Nojiko finally recovered from her shock. She turned her attention to Nami and the group that had arrived with her.
"Nami, who are these people?"
Nami chuckled at the sight of Zoro and Sanji fighting. Then, with a genuine smile she had rarely shown over the past eight years, she answered, "They're my friends."
Nojiko was stunned.
Since Bellemere's death, she had hardly ever seen her younger sister smile so sincerely. For years, Nami had hidden her sadness behind fake smiles, carrying her burden alone as she struggled to save their village.
But things were different now.
Nojiko looked at Luffy's group once more.
So they're the reason Nami can smile again.
Meanwhile, Luffy had stored Nami's treasure chest in his Inventory. Once he was done, he walked over to the others.
"Hey, let's head straight to Arlong's place. Nami, you lead the way."
Nami nodded and pulled away from Nojiko's embrace. However, the moment Nojiko heard where they were going, she grabbed her sister's arm to stop her.
"Nami, what are you thinking?! You already know Arlong never intended to keep his promise! You need to leave this island immediately!"
"She's right, Nami," Genzo added as he struggled to his feet. Blood was still running from the wound on his forehead, but he paid it no mind. "You've sacrificed enough for this village. Leave, and never come back."
He then turned toward Luffy's group.
"You're Nami's friends, right? Please take her away from this island."
Genzo had already made up his mind. Once Nami was gone, he would gather the villagers willing to fight and lead them to Arlong Park to finish what they should have done eight years ago.
But Nami shook her head firmly.
"No. I'm not leaving. We're going to fight Arlong today."
"Wait, Na-chan! Don't be reckless!"
"Don't say another word, Nojiko. I've made up my mind. I trust my friends."
Nami pulled free of Nojiko's grasp and turned toward Luffy's group.
"Everyone, let's go!"
She began walking without looking back, leaving Nojiko and Genzo to watch her departure helplessly.
"Na-chan..."
Nojiko watched the group with a complicated expression. She was still worried, but seeing Nami's determination and the trust she placed in her friends, she knew her sister wouldn't change her mind.
Meanwhile, news that Nezumi had attempted to seize the money Nami had spent eight years collecting spread rapidly throughout Cocoyasi Village. When the villagers learned that Arlong had betrayed his agreement with Nami and that the Marines had tried to take her savings, their anger finally boiled over.
They grabbed anything that could serve as a weapon, from farming tools to whatever other equipment they could find. Led by Genzo and Nojiko, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village set off in droves toward Arlong Park.
After eight years of living in fear, they had finally decided to fight back.
ComentariosCampo de comentariosPublicaciones relacionadasChapter 52: Arlong ParkNuevahace 5 díasThe sun had climbed high into the sky, bathing Arlong Park in its scorching light. The shadows of the towering, tower-like buildings stretched across the swimming pool in the middle of the courtyard, leaving parts of the water in darkness. Fish-men gathered around it, relaxing without a care in the world. Some stood chatting, while others sat by the pool or watched their companions joke around.
In the center of the courtyard stood a large lounge chair resembling a throne. It was built into the floor and served as the seat of Arlong Park's ruler.
A muscular fish-man with purple skin sat comfortably upon it. His saw-like teeth were clearly visible whenever he grinned, while his long, serrated nose was an unmistakable feature. His messy black hair looked even more disheveled beneath the felt hat perched on his head.
He was Arlong, captain of the Arlong Pirates and ruler of the territory.
"Shahahaha! I can't wait to see Nami's face when she finds out the money she worked so hard to collect has been taken!"
Arlong burst into loud laughter. His rough voice echoed across the courtyard, followed by the laughter of his subordinates gathered around his chair. To them, betraying Nami was nothing worth taking seriously. On the contrary, they regarded it as entertainment they would soon enjoy.
"Brilliant plan, Boss," one of the fish-men remarked. "But what if Nami realizes we're conspiring with the Marines?"
"So what? Is she going to rebel? Shahahaha!"
Arlong leaned back casually, as though the possibility wasn't worth worrying about. He even raised his chin slightly, revealing a contemptuous grin.
"Even if she finds out, she won't dare do anything as long as we still control those villagers. Once she calms down, we'll make her collect the money all over again, then take it from her again. Shahahaha!"
He explained his vicious plan in a lighthearted tone, as if he were discussing an ordinary daily matter. To him, the eight years Nami had spent collecting one hundred million Berries were nothing worth respecting. The girl was merely a tool he could keep exploiting for as long as she remained useful.
Laughter once again filled the courtyard. None of Arlong's subordinates objected to the plan. They were accustomed to watching humans being treated however their masters pleased, especially in territory under their control.
"I can't wait to see that bitch's face when she shows up," Kuroobi said, folding his arms across his chest. A mocking smile spread across his manta ray-like face. As one of Arlong's officers, he knew Nami's habits better than most. He had been the one to discover the map leading to the place where she kept her treasure, and he had never truly trusted her from the beginning.
"She'll definitely come crying, Chu!" Chew chimed in mockingly.
The fish-man resembling a pufferfish laughed along. As another of Arlong's officers, he regarded Nami as nothing more than a human who happened to possess useful mapmaking skills.
Amid the merriment, however, Hachi seemed uneasy. The octopus fish-man surveyed his surroundings before turning his attention to Arlong.
"But, Arlong-san, the men we sent to keep an eye on Captain Nezumi still haven't returned."
Unlike his companions, Hachi sensed that something was wrong. Those men should have returned by now with news about the outcome of their arrangement with the Marines. The longer they remained absent, the harder it became for him to ignore the growing unease inside him.
Arlong merely glanced at him.
"Don't worry too much, Hachi. They'll be back soon."
After speaking, Arlong placed both hands behind his head and leaned farther back in his chair. He even closed his eyes, showing just how little attention he intended to give the matter.
"That's right, Hachi. Who could possibly defeat them?" one of his subordinates added.
His words were met with another round of laughter. The fish-men believed their strength was enough to keep ordinary humans from daring to oppose them. It never even occurred to them that the men they had sent might be defeated.
But before their laughter could subside, a sudden explosion shook the courtyard.
BOOM!
The massive iron gate serving as the main entrance to Arlong Park was blasted off its hinges. The doors flew into the courtyard with a thunderous crash, striking the ground and sending dust billowing around the entrance.
The conversations stopped immediately. The fish-men who had been relaxing turned toward the sound in unison. Some instinctively stood up, while others furrowed their brows, trying to understand who would dare cause such a commotion in their territory.
"What happened?!"
"Who did that?!"
Their gazes fixed on the entrance, which now stood wide open. Through the slowly settling dust, several figures could be seen walking into the courtyard.
Nami was at the front. Her steps were steady, despite the tension she struggled to hide on her face. Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji followed behind her. None of them showed the slightest intention of backing down after destroying the entrance.
"It's Nami!"
"What does this mean, Nami?!"
"Are you planning to rebel?!"
"And who are those people?!"
The fish-men shouted over one another, filling the courtyard that had been full of laughter just moments earlier. They hadn't expected Nami to return with a group of strangers, much less to do so in such an openly defiant manner.
Nami didn't answer. She continued walking into the courtyard, while the four people behind her followed without paying any attention to the shouts greeting their arrival.
Arlong finally opened his eyes after hearing Nami's name repeated several times. He lifted his head and slowly rose from his chair. A faint smile appeared on his face when he saw the girl who had worked for him all these years approaching.
With unhurried steps, he passed his subordinates and stopped several meters in front of the group. His gaze immediately settled on Nami before shifting to the people standing behind her.
"Look who it is. Our beloved navigator. I didn't expect you to return so soon."
His voice sounded friendly, but the smile on his face held no genuine warmth. Arlong knew exactly why Nami had come. He also knew how much the money she had spent years collecting meant to her.
His gaze then fell on the straw hat Nami was wearing. After studying the group for a moment, his smile widened.
"Looks like this isn't a friendly visit."
"I'm here to settle our agreement, Arlong."
Nami stared straight at him. She had spent eight years collecting money to buy her village's freedom. Throughout that time, she had been forced to work for the man standing before her, enduring humiliation and concealing her true intentions to achieve her goal.
Now, the money she needed was in their hands. There was no reason to delay settling the agreement any longer.
Luffy took out Nami's treasure chest and tossed it at Arlong's feet. It landed with a heavy thud, immediately drawing the fish-men's attention.
Arlong looked down and opened the chest. The moment he saw the piles of money and treasure inside, he froze for an instant.
The courtyard, which had been filled with mocking voices, suddenly fell silent.
The fish-men exchanged glances. They had clearly sent Nezumi to take Nami's money. The plan should have gone smoothly, and the money should already have been in the Marines' hands. Yet now, the chest was sitting right in front of Arlong, with every Berry still intact.
How was that possible?
Kuroobi frowned, while Chew, who had been so eager to mock Nami earlier, was no longer laughing. Even Hachi, who had been uneasy from the beginning, stared at the chest in surprise.
Nami clenched both fists tightly. She tried to maintain her composure even as her heart pounded faster.
"One hundred million Berries. Not a single Berry less," she declared firmly. "Now keep your promise, Arlong. Leave this place."
For a moment, no one spoke. Nami waited for Arlong's answer, hoping he would at least acknowledge the agreement they had made.
But that hope was quickly shattered.
"Shahahaha!"
Arlong threw back his head and laughed loudly. His laughter was so full of contempt that Nami's expression gradually lost its resolve.
"Hahahaha!"
Arlong's subordinates immediately joined in. Some even clutched their stomachs, as though Nami's request were an incredibly entertaining joke.
To them, there was no reason for pirates to keep their promises when betrayal offered greater rewards. More than that, they considered themselves superior beings. Keeping a promise to humans they looked down upon was not something they believed they needed to do.
Nami clenched her jaw. Her hands remained balled into fists, but she didn't move right away. She wanted to hear Arlong's answer for herself, even though deep down, she already knew what he was going to say.
"You have no intention of keeping your promise, do you, Arlong?!"
"Shahahaha! Of course not. We're pirates. Besides, this island is under our control. Why would we ever leave?"
Arlong answered without the slightest hint of guilt. He even said it while laughing, as though his betrayal were perfectly normal and nothing worth questioning.
Eight years.
For eight years, Nami had collected that money little by little. She had endured humiliation, concealed her hatred, and forced herself to keep working toward a single goal: freeing her village from Arlong's control.
The one hundred million Berries now lying before them was more than just a pile of money. It represented the years she had sacrificed, as well as the hope she had clung to whenever everything seemed unbearably painful.
Yet to Arlong, none of it meant anything.
Nami slowly lowered her head. The shadow of the straw hat concealed her face, hiding an expression she could no longer maintain. Her hands clenched even tighter until her fingernails dug into her palms.
She had known that Arlong might break his promise. Deep down, she had even prepared herself for the worst from the very beginning. But knowing something might happen and experiencing it firsthand were two entirely different things.
Tears fell from her eyes.
Beside her, Luffy, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, finally moved. Ever since entering Arlong Park, he had been holding back his anger while allowing Nami to settle her own affairs. He had come to help her reclaim the freedom she had fought for over so many years.
But Arlong hadn't merely refused to honor his promise. He had also laughed at all of Nami's sacrifices, as though the eight years of her life meant absolutely nothing.
The moment Luffy saw Nami's tears fall, his patience ran out.
In an instant, his figure vanished from where he stood.
Soru!
He moved so quickly that the surrounding fish-men had no time to react. Before they even realized what was happening, Luffy had already appeared directly in front of Arlong.
One arm was drawn far behind him. His shoulder rotated as he twisted his body, pulling his fist even farther back and gathering momentum for the attack he was about to unleash.
Arlong hadn't even had time to understand what was happening when Luffy's fist shot forward.
THWACK!
The punch slammed into Arlong's stomach with tremendous force.
The muscular fish-man's body immediately doubled over from the impact. His eyes widened as the air was violently forced from his lungs. Stomach acid spewed from his mouth as his body lifted off the ground and hurtled backward like an arrow released from a bow.
Arlong crashed into the line of subordinates standing behind him. Their bodies toppled one after another from the collision, but the momentum of Luffy's punch had not yet been exhausted. Arlong continued flying past them before finally slamming into the wall surrounding Arlong Park.
CRAAAASH!
The wall gave way instantly. Cracks spread outward from the point of impact before most of the structure collapsed, producing a rumbling crash that shook the courtyard. Debris flew in every direction, then fell around Arlong, burying him beneath a cloud of dust.
In an instant, Arlong Park fell silent.
The fish-men who had been laughing moments earlier froze in place. Some were still sprawled on the ground after being struck by Arlong's body, while others stared wide-eyed at the gaping hole in the wall.
They hadn't even had time to understand how Luffy had moved so quickly. A second earlier, Arlong had been standing in front of Nami, laughing at her request. A second later, their captain had been sent flying through a wall and buried beneath the rubble.
Not one of them had expected the man who had just entered Arlong Park alongside Nami to unleash such a powerful attack.
Amid the silence, Luffy stood where Arlong had been. His arm slowly lowered after delivering the punch, while his gaze remained fixed on the rubble covering his opponent.
The laughter that had filled Arlong Park moments earlier had vanished completely.
Chapter 53: Arlong Park Part 2hace 3 díasAmid the silence, Luffy stood where Arlong had been moments earlier. His arm slowly lowered after delivering the punch, but his gaze remained fixed on the rubble burying his opponent. The laughter that had filled Arlong Park just moments ago had vanished completely.
"Arlong-san!"
"H-His arm stretched!"
The fish-men finally snapped out of their shock when they saw Arlong buried beneath the rubble from the collapsed wall. Although they were surprised, they felt no concern. Fish-men possessed ten times the strength of ordinary humans, along with extraordinary physical endurance from being accustomed to life in the deep sea. The proof was right before their eyes: those who had been knocked away by Arlong's body had already gotten back up, standing straight as though they hadn't suffered any impact at all.
From beneath the rubble, Arlong shoved aside the chunks of stone weighing down his body and rose to his feet. He brushed the dust from his body before fixing Luffy with a sharp glare.
"A Devil Fruit user, huh? Looks like I underestimated you."
During their eight years in the East Blue, they had never encountered a Devil Fruit user. However, as pirates who had come from the Grand Line, they had seen several such users and had even fought against some of them.
"But that won't be enough to defeat us! My brothers, attack them!"
At Arlong's command, the fish-men immediately drew their weapons and charged at Luffy and the others. Zoro and Sanji moved at once to meet their attackers.
Zoro unleashed a rapid series of slashes. Since he now had only one sword left, he borrowed two swords from Johnny and Yosaku to complete his arsenal. All three blades flashed beneath the sunlight with every swing. In a short time, the fish-men who approached him fell one after another, their bodies bearing sword wounds.
On the other side, Sanji charged through the enemy ranks without hesitation. He supported himself on both hands before unleashing a flurry of kicks that struck the fish-men and sent them flying in every direction. Every time his legs moved, another opponent was hurled away.
Luffy, meanwhile, had no intention of using Haoshoku Haki. He didn't want to make their defeat too easy.
"Gomu Gomu no... Gatling Gun!"
His arms shot back and forth as rapidly as machine guns. The barrage of punches came so quickly that his arms seemed to multiply in midair. The fish-men charging toward him were struck repeatedly and sent flying backward.
In a short time, dozens of Arlong's subordinates had fallen. Some floated in the swimming pool, others lay sprawled across the ground, and a few had been struck so hard that they were left embedded against the walls. The result was the same for all of them. Their eyes rolled back, and not one could get back up.
Nami, Usopp, Yosaku, and Johnny watched the battle with a mixture of awe and apprehension. They knew fish-men possessed ten times the strength of ordinary humans. Yet the three men before them were taking down dozens of such opponents with astonishing ease.
Just then, the villagers arrived at the gate of Arlong Park. Johnny and Yosaku immediately moved to stop them from entering the courtyard.
"Nami! We've come to save you!"
Hearing the shout, Nami turned toward the gate. The villagers had gathered there, carrying whatever weapons they could find. Some gripped sickles, machetes, rifles, kitchen knives, sticks with knives attached to their tips, and various other objects they could use to fight the fish-men.
"Nobody gets through!"
"Leave this fight to Luffy-aniki and the others!"
Johnny and Yosaku stretched out their arms, blocking the entrance. They had no intention of letting the villagers get involved in the ongoing battle.
Although they were stopped at the gate, the villagers could still see the courtyard clearly. The moment they saw what was happening inside, their eyes widened. Most of Arlong's subordinates had already fallen, scattered across different parts of the courtyard. Only Arlong and his three officers, Chew, Kuroobi, and Hachi, remained standing.
Seeing his brothers lying defeated, Arlong trembled with rage.
"You bastards! What have you done to my brothers?!"
To Arlong, fish-men were superior beings who stood far above humans. That belief was deeply ingrained in him, making the sight before his eyes impossible to accept. The very creatures he considered inferior had beaten his brothers until they were powerless.
His eyes reddened. He clenched his fists and was about to charge at Luffy when Kuroobi quickly stepped forward to stop him.
"Arlong-san, calm down. Let us handle this."
"That's right, Arlong-san. If you go on a rampage here, you might destroy the whole place, Chu," Chew added.
Hachi said nothing. However, all six of his hands were clenched into fists, his eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing had grown heavy. It was clear that he was just as furious at the sight of his fallen brothers.
Arlong stared at his three officers for several moments. Then, he gradually brought his anger under control and took a deep breath.
"Fine. I'll leave it to you."
He stepped back, giving his three trusted subordinates the chance to face their opponents.
Hachi immediately drew all six of his swords. The blades glinted menacingly beneath the sunlight as he pointed them toward Luffy's group.
"I'll make you pay for hurting my brothers!"
He charged forward, followed by Kuroobi, while Chew remained behind.
"Oi, the octopus is mine," Zoro said, raising one of his borrowed swords and resting it on his shoulder.
"Then I'll take the manta ray," Sanji replied, exhaling a cloud of white smoke.
After choosing their opponents, the two immediately sprang forward. Zoro confronted Hachi, while Sanji met Kuroobi head-on. In an instant, all three were engaged in battle.
Zoro's three swords clashed against Hachi's six. The ringing of metal echoed through the courtyard, accompanied by sparks whenever their blades collided.
"You're Roronoa Zoro, right?" Hachi asked between attacks.
"Yeah."
"I heard you're the greatest swordsman in the East Blue. I'm going to take that title from you soon. I have six swords, three more than you. Hahaha!"
Hachi laughed confidently before launching a flurry of slashes from every direction. His six swords moved rapidly, attempting to overwhelm Zoro with a greater number of attacks.
However, Zoro parried every slash with ease. His three swords moved nimbly, blocking Hachi's attacks without showing any sign of being overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Sanji and Kuroobi had already exchanged several blows. They moved back and forth, attacking and dodging as each searched for an opening to land the next strike.
"Not bad for an inferior human," Kuroobi sneered.
"Food shouldn't fight back against its chef," Sanji replied casually.
Kuroobi's face twisted at the insult, and he charged again. Sanji met him without hesitation, and the two resumed their exchange of attacks.
On the other side, Chew, who had been lagging behind, began to focus his attention on Luffy. He puffed out his cheeks, gathering water in his mouth to launch a Mizudeppo at the straw-hatted young man.
However, before Chew could release his attack, Usopp noticed what he was doing. Realizing he had to do something, Usopp gathered his courage and struck first by throwing a rotten egg.
SPLAT!
The egg burst directly against Chew's face. Its contents smeared across the fish-man's skin, leaving him momentarily stunned before he slowly touched the spot where the egg had hit him.
Sanji caught a glimpse of Usopp throwing something that looked like food. He immediately shouted in anger.
"Usopp, you bastard! Don't waste food!"
"Relax, Sanji! It's a rotten egg!" Usopp hurriedly replied.
Chew sniffed the liquid coating his hand. The foul stench immediately assaulted his nostrils, confirming Usopp's explanation. His face twisted with fury, and the veins on his forehead bulged.
"You bastard! Chu! How dare you throw a rotten egg at me!"
He immediately charged after Usopp, his anger boiling over.
"Eeeek!"
Usopp screamed in terror, turned around, and fled as fast as he could. Chew continued chasing him, with no intention of letting the person who had humiliated him get away so easily.
Seeing that his three officers were now occupied with their respective opponents, Arlong shifted his gaze to Luffy. The straw-hatted young man was the one who had knocked him down with a single punch and taken out most of his subordinates.
Arlong clenched his fists. A sinister grin returned to his face.
"Looks like I'll have to handle this myself."
Chapter 54: Arlong Park Part 3NuevaAyer
Arlong clenched his fists, a sinister grin spreading across his face once more.
"Looks like I'll have to handle this myself."
Without wasting any time, he bent his knees, lowered his body, and launched himself toward Luffy. The ground beneath his feet cracked from the force of his push. In an instant, he was standing right in front of the straw-hatted youth. His massive fist shot straight toward Luffy's body with full force.
Luffy made no attempt to dodge. Instead, he stretched both arms far behind him, pulling them back like rubber being stretched to its limit.
"Gomu Gomu no... Bazooka!"
Both arms shot forward simultaneously. Using the momentum generated by his stretched body, Luffy slammed both palms into Arlong's face just as the fish-man's fist struck his body.
THWAAK!
Arlong's head snapped backward from the tremendous impact. His face seemed to distort for a brief moment before his body crashed into the ground. The impact created a shallow crater, sending dust and fragments of stone flying in every direction.
However, Arlong's attack had also connected.
Luffy's body was sent flying backward and crashed into the wall of a nearby building. Cracks spread across its surface before he bounced off and fell back to the ground.
THUD!
Luffy landed on both feet, bending his knees slightly to absorb the remaining momentum. He rolled his shoulders as if checking whether his body was still in good condition.
The attack had certainly looked powerful, but his body was made of rubber. A blunt strike like that barely had any effect on him.
Moreover, Luffy possessed sharp combat instincts, the result of Garp's training since childhood. Those instincts allowed him to make advantageous decisions in a split second, even when facing an opponent he did not fully understand.
He might not be particularly smart when it came to ordinary matters. However, when it came to fighting, Luffy was a true monster. He could adapt rapidly in the middle of battle, read his opponent's movements, find openings, and adjust his fighting style according to the situation.
Arlong pushed himself up with both hands before rising to his feet. He shook his head several times, trying to get rid of the ringing in his ears from the earlier blow. After fixing his gaze on Luffy again, he rubbed his aching face.
This human...
Arlong was beginning to realize that physical strength alone would not be enough to defeat the opponent standing before him. A punch that could normally crush an ordinary human's body had failed to produce the results he expected.
His gaze then shifted toward Luffy, who had just gotten back to his feet.
"Then how about this?"
Arlong suddenly bent down and plunged one hand into the swimming pool nearby. He scooped up a large amount of water before swinging his arm toward Luffy.
"Water Shot!"
The water gathered in his palm split into three high-speed water bullets. All three shot straight toward Luffy, each carrying enough force to crack stone.
Luffy, who had been preparing to charge forward, immediately changed his movement. He crossed both arms in front of his body to block the incoming attack.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three explosive bursts of water struck his guard in rapid succession. The force of each impact pushed Luffy several steps backward. Water splashed in every direction, soaking the ground around them.
While Luffy was still bracing himself against the attack, Arlong took advantage of the opportunity to retreat. He ran into a room inside a building not far from the courtyard.
A moment later, he emerged carrying his signature weapon.
A massive saw-toothed sword known as Kiribachi.
Its enormous, jagged blade looked terrifying under the sunlight. The weapon was designed to tear apart and destroy anything caught in its path. If ordinary punches could not inflict meaningful damage on Luffy's rubber body, Arlong would simply use a sharp weapon instead.
He gripped Kiribachi with both hands and flashed a wide grin.
"Now, let's see just how strong that rubber body of yours really is!"
Arlong bent his knees and charged toward Luffy once more. This time, he swung Kiribachi from right to left, aiming a wide slash at his opponent's body.
However, Luffy was already prepared.
The moment he saw the jagged blade approaching, he immediately leaned backward. His back arched as his head moved away from the sword's trajectory. Kiribachi passed right in front of his nose, missing him by barely an inch.
The wind from the slash brushed against Luffy's face, but he did not lose his balance in the slightest.
While still dodging, Luffy shifted one foot to the side. His waist rotated naturally, following the movement of his body to build up momentum. Before Arlong could pull his weapon back, Luffy's fist was already shooting toward his opponent's side.
THWACK!
The punch landed squarely against Arlong's body.
The fish-man's eyes widened. His body lifted off the ground before being sent flying backward, smashing through a doorway and crashing into the building's walls.
CRASH!
The first wall was blown apart. Arlong's body continued flying through the room, smashing through a second and then a third wall before finally coming to a stop in a room filled with piles of treasure.
Debris rained down around him. Arlong lay flat on his back atop a pile of gold and other valuables, his arms spread wide. Kiribachi was still firmly gripped in one of his hands.
He spat out a mouthful of stomach fluid before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His expression hardened as he endured the pain.
"That lowly human... That bastard..."
Outside the building, Luffy watched as Arlong was sent flying through several walls. He had no intention of giving him time to get back up.
Luffy bent his knees before leaping high toward the building. His body shot through the massive hole created by the impact as he pursued Arlong inside.
....
While Luffy pursued Arlong into the building, the battle between Zoro and Hachi continued on the other side of Arlong Park's courtyard. The two swordsmen were still locked in combat, their blades clashing repeatedly as neither showed any intention of backing down.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The ringing of clashing swords echoed repeatedly. Hachi's six swords collided with Zoro's three, producing sparks whenever their blades met. Both fighters continued advancing and retreating, exchanging attacks without giving each other a moment to breathe.
Hachi relied on the sheer number of his swords to launch attacks from multiple directions. All six of his arms moved almost simultaneously, sending a relentless barrage of slashes from the front, the sides, and even angles that were difficult to defend against.
However, Zoro showed no signs of being overwhelmed. He twisted the swords in his hands to deflect each attack before countering with slashes that forced Hachi backward.
After several exchanges, Zoro finally leaped backward, creating some distance between them.
"Nyu! What's wrong, Roronoa Zoro? Afraid you'll lose to my Six Sword Style?" Hachi asked proudly.
Zoro stood upright, all three swords still gripped in his hands. His gaze remained fixed on his opponent.
"There's no way I'd lose to someone like you. Even with only three swords, mine are heavier than yours."
He slightly lowered his center of gravity and assumed a fighting stance.
"What did you say? My swords are obviously heavier!" Hachi's eyes widened in disbelief at Zoro's remark. "I'll show you that my Six Sword Style is superior to your Three Sword Style! Takotsubo no Kamae!"
Hachi arranged all six of his swords in a circular formation in front of his chest. The tips of the blades pointed outward, forming a trap-like arrangement ready to tear apart anyone who dared approach.
He bent his knees and leaned his body forward. All six of his arms prepared to strike simultaneously.
"Here I come!"
With that shout, Hachi lunged forward. All six swords moved in unison, forming a spinning assault aimed directly at Zoro.
However, Zoro did not retreat.
Instead, he stood firm and focused his attention on his opponent. The three swords in his hands began to move into position, preparing to unleash a decisive attack.
"Santoryu: Oni Giri!"
In an instant, Zoro dashed forward to meet Hachi head-on.
The two fighters passed each other.
CLANG!
The sound of clashing metal rang out loudly. A moment later, the sound of something cracking followed.
CRACK!
All six of Hachi's swords shattered into pieces.
Zoro stood behind him as fragments of the broken blades scattered across the ground. He gave his arms a slight shake to clear away the residual impact before smoothly returning his swords to their sheaths.
Hachi remained standing for several seconds. However, an X-shaped slash gradually became visible across his chest. His eyes rolled back before his legs finally gave out.
THUD!
His body fell face-first onto the ground.
"Sorry, but I've never considered you my opponent," Zoro said without looking back.
With Hachi defeated, Zoro's battle had come to an end. However, another fight was still raging nearby. Sanji and Kuroobi were locked in a fierce exchange, with neither willing to give the other an opening.
From the beginning, the two had exchanged attacks at high speed. Kuroobi relied on his physical strength and Fish-Man martial arts, while Sanji used his agility and powerful kicks to keep his opponent under pressure.
Kuroobi had attempted to counterattack several times, but Sanji either dodged or blocked each of his strikes. Even after taking several powerful kicks, Kuroobi had been sent flying quite a distance before eventually managing to get back up.
Annoyed that a lowly human could keep up with him, and even seemed to be gaining the upper hand, Kuroobi decided to end the fight with his ultimate technique.
He rolled his shoulders before drawing one hand back to his hip. The muscles in his arm tensed as his gaze locked onto Sanji, who stood several steps away.
"Bastard! I'll show you the true strength of a Fish-Man! Prepare yourself, lowly human!"
Kuroobi stomped his foot against the ground and launched himself forward with all his strength.
"Gyojin Karate: Senmaigawara Seiken!"
The punch shot straight toward Sanji's body. The force behind it was powerful enough to shatter a massive boulder, and the air around his fist seemed to compress under the pressure of the attack.
Sanji did not move immediately. He took a drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke fill his mouth before slowly exhaling.
Then, he lowered his body and charged forward.
His feet struck the ground one after another, carrying him rapidly toward Kuroobi. Along the way, Sanji performed two consecutive flips to build up momentum. His body spun through the air as he concentrated all his strength into his legs.
As the distance between them closed, Sanji tilted his body to evade Kuroobi's punch as it passed beside him.
"Mouton... Shot!"
Sanji's legs moved rapidly. A series of kicks struck Kuroobi's body from multiple directions, leaving the Fish-Man with no opportunity to counterattack or properly defend himself.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Each kick landed with tremendous force. Kuroobi's body was driven backward, throwing him off balance before he was sent crashing toward the building's wall.
CRAAAAASH!
The wall collapsed as his body slammed into the stone surface. Pieces of the building fell to the ground, followed by a thick cloud of dust that obscured the point of impact.
Sanji landed with one foot forward before straightening up and adjusting his suit. He took another drag from his cigarette and waited for the dust in front of him to slowly settle.
Behind the rubble, Kuroobi lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes rolled back. His body no longer moved.
After confirming that Kuroobi was no longer able to fight, Sanji exhaled a cloud of smoke and turned toward the main gate. His battle was over, and Zoro had already finished his own fight there.
As Sanji approached, he spotted Zoro standing casually near the gate. The swordsman glanced briefly in his direction.
"Finally finished, Number Two?" Zoro teased.
Sanji immediately stopped walking.
A vein bulged on his forehead. He turned sharply toward Zoro, his expression twisting with irritation.
"What the hell do you mean by that, bastard?"
Zoro flashed a faint grin and shrugged as if he had said nothing unusual.
"You were the second person to finish off your opponent, so you're Number Two. Got a problem with that, Number Two?" he explained, continuing to taunt him.
"What did you say, Moss Head?! You wanna fight?!" Sanji shouted, unable to tolerate the insult.
"Come on, Number Two. If you dare."
Sanji immediately charged at him. Zoro also stepped forward, raising his hand to meet the attack.
The two began fighting once more, this time not because of an enemy, but because of their own argument.