Chapter 21: The Clash of Wills—And a Timely Arrival
At the Sea Forest, Nami had finally received confirmation of the truth that had haunted her for over a decade.
Arlong had been exiled to the East Blue by Jinbe.
The revelation struck like a thunderbolt. Sanji, who knew Nami's painful history better than anyone, immediately demanded that Jinbe commit suicide to atone for his role in unleashing Arlong upon her village.
But Nami... Nami forgave him.
Her reason was simple, yet profound: the hatred should not continue.
She had seen the mermaids and fish-men at Sabaody—beings she'd once believed to be universally powerful and terrifying—treated as slaves, auctioned off, slaughtered for sport. The discrimination ran both ways. The cycle of hatred hurt everyone.
The tension had barely begun to ease when a large screen emerged from the forest—a Den Den Mushi transmitting a live broadcast.
Hody Jones stood before it, announcing that King Neptune would be publicly executed at the Gyoncorde Plaza.
The reaction was immediate.
"FATHER!" Shirahoshi burst into tears, already moving toward Mekaro to ride to the rescue.
Nami's blood ran cold. If Neptune had been captured... "Zoro and Usopp were in Ryugu Palace. If Neptune—"
She couldn't finish.
Luffy's expression had shifted. The ever-present grin was gone, replaced by something dangerous.
"Nami. You said Zoro and Usopp were in the palace."
"Yes, but I came here to see Jinbe, and now—"
"I understand."
Sanji lit a cigarette, smoke curling around his features. "I can't stand that moss-head, but if they've hurt him... that Hody and every fish-man with him will burn."
Luffy turned to Franky. Franky met his gaze and nodded silently.
"Everyone. Let's go."
Jinbe moved, placing his massive form directly in Luffy's path.
"WAIT! Luffy!"
"What are you doing, Jinbe?!"
Jinbe shook his head violently. "You can't fight Hody yet."
"WHY NOT?!"
Chopper and Franky exchanged glances. They'd just heard Jinbe's explanation of the deep-seated hatred between humans and fish-men.
"Is it because we're human?" Chopper asked quietly.
Sanji's eyebrow rose. "Hearing that from you two feels strange."
Jinbe nodded gravely. "Yes. If you fight now, it will only deepen the hatred. The humans who already despise fish-men will have more reason to hate. The fish-men who already despise humans will have their beliefs confirmed."
He stood firm. "And we don't know yet what happened to your companions. Let ME handle this."
Luffy's voice was calm—too calm. "Jinbe."
"Those bastards attacked my crew."
"I don't know if they're safe. I don't know if they're alive."
"I'M GOING."
Jinbe's temper flared. "You brat! I just explained everything—the hatred on this island, the princess's sacrifices for peace—and you still don't UNDERSTAND?!"
Luffy's roar shook the sea floor.
"WHY SHOULD I UNDERSTAND?!"
Everyone froze.
"War! Peace! Discrimination! The hatred between humans and fish-men!" Luffy's voice carried absolute conviction. "What does any of THAT have to do with me?!"
He stared Jinbe down. "For the last time, Jinbe—my NAKAMA are in danger."
"If you want to stop me, then TRY."
Jinbe was silent.
Then, slowly, he moved his wrists, preparing for battle.
"I was careless, thinking I could fight alongside you one day." His voice was heavy. "But you're Ace's brother, after all."
He met Luffy's gaze. "Have you made up your mind, brat?"
"Luffy-kun! Boss Jinbe!" Shirahoshi's voice was panicked.
Nami stepped between them. "Luffy! Jinbe! Don't do this!"
Luffy leaped toward Mekaro. "Hey! Shark! Take me to Ryugu Palace!"
Jinbe was there in an instant.
FISH-MAN KARATE: KACHI AGE HAKOGEKI!
A shockwave struck Luffy, sending him flying.
Nami's eyes widened. "How?! Luffy's rubber—that shouldn't—"
Jinbe explained grimly: "Fish-Man Karate manipulates the water WITHIN living things. Every living creature contains water."
Sanji had already extinguished his cigarette, muscles coiled.
Luffy rose, unfazed. His body dropped—Gear Second engaged.
GOMU GOMU NO JET STAMP!
His leg, accelerated to impossible speeds, drove Jinbe back. The impact left marks on Jinbe's arms, but the fish-man smiled grimly.
"Is that all you've learned in two years?!"
Luffy charged. Jinbe assumed his stance.
They closed—
A figure appeared between them.
Robin stood there, arms spread, smiling.
"Now, now."
"ROBIN! MOVE!" Luffy's eyes went wide.
"WHO ARE YOU?! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Jinbe couldn't stop his momentum.
Sanji saw Robin and launched himself forward. "ROBIN-SWAN! I'LL SAVE—"
The Robin clone dissolved into flower petals. Sanji sailed through empty air.
WHAM. WHAM.
Both fists connected with Sanji from opposite sides. His spinning body struck each opponent in the face.
All three collapsed.
Robin descended gracefully from the sea bus, Usopp, Zoro, Brook, and Itachi behind her.
"I don't know what's happening here, but perhaps we shouldn't fight."
Itachi surveyed the scene, then glanced at Zoro. "That fish-man—enemy?"
Zoro studied Jinbe's prone form. "I don't think so. Not sure what they're doing, though."
"ZORO! BROOK! USOPP! ITACHI-BROTHER!" Chopper burst into tears of joy. "I thought you were DEAD! But you're HERE!"
Luffy sat up, saw them, and laughed—that familiar, infectious laugh.
"I thought something happened to you! But you're all safe! SHISHISHISHI!"
"Something DID happen," Robin said mildly. "Several things, actually."
Usopp launched into an elaborate retelling. "We faced DANGER at every turn! But then, in Ryugu Palace, when all seemed lost—ITACHI appeared like a thunderbolt! And of course, my own brilliant tactics saved us from certain doom—"
Everyone ignored him, eyes on Itachi.
Itachi, for his part, paid Usopp no mind. His arms were folded, expression serious.
"We traveled here by sea bus and observed the entire island along the way." His voice was calm, but his words carried weight. "Fishman Island is in complete chaos. At the current rate of destruction..."
He paused.
"Within hours, this island may cease to exist."
Jinbe, still on the ground, fixed his gaze on Itachi.
Beside him, Shirahoshi and Camie covered their mouths in horror.
(End of Chapter)
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