"Are you… are you really going to challenge Arlong?"
Nami's voice trembled slightly as she stared at Rin, her small hands clenched into fists.
"Of course," Rin answered without hesitation.
Hearing his reply, Nami's expression changed.
"No! You don't understand!" she cried out, stepping forward in panic. "I want him gone more than anyone, but Arlong is too strong! You don't stand a chance! You need to leave—now!"
Her voice was urgent, desperate.
Her hands tightened around the hem of her dress as she continued.
"Pirates have tried before! Strong ones! They all died! Every single one of them!"
Nami's heart screamed for help, but her mind had been hardened by reality.
Arlong was different.
He wasn't just a pirate—he was a monster, a former officer of the Sun Pirates, someone even the Marines feared to touch.
But—
For all her concern, Rin simply smiled.
He turned, walking past her without a word.
Casa and Artoria followed closely behind.
And then—
His voice rang out, echoing in the wind.
"Don't compare us to those weaklings."
He didn't stop walking.
"We are the Pandora Pirates."
"And one day, we're going to turn this world upside down."
---
The Gates of Arlong Park
Three figures.
One step at a time—
They entered Arlong's domain.
---
Arlong's rule over the East Blue had made him complacent.
He had no real threats here.
Not like the ones he faced in the Grand Line.
And so, when Rin and his crew entered Arlong Park, they found him lounging on a recliner, stretched out beside a pool connected directly to the sea.
A glass of red wine in his webbed hand.
The sun glistened off his sharp nose, his jagged teeth flashing as he smirked, enjoying his self-proclaimed reign.
Around him, Fish-Men lazed about—some leaning against the walls, others standing guard, a few playing cards on overturned crates.
But Rin's eyes locked onto one in particular.
Hatchan.
Even in the future, this six-armed octopus would be one of the few Fish-Men who wasn't truly cruel.
But for now—
He was still one of Arlong's men.
Arlong finally glanced up.
His yellow eyes landed on Rin, Casa, and Artoria.
A sneer curled across his lips.
"Humans?" He took a lazy sip of wine. "Tch. More fools looking to throw their lives away?"
One of his subordinates laughed mockingly.
"Looks like it!"
The one speaking was Kuroobi, the black belt karate master of the Fish-Men.
Beside him, Chew, the kissing Fish-Man, chuckled.
"Hey, you three." Chew took a step forward, cracking his knuckles. "Got a death wish?"
Hatchan scratched his head.
"Ahh… you guys might wanna leave. Arlong's really strong, y'know? It'd be a pain to clean up your bodies."
Arlong finally sat up.
He placed his glass on a nearby table and leaned forward.
His shark-like grin widened.
"Alright, humans. State your business."
Rin didn't hesitate.
"We're here to kill you."
For a moment—
Everything went silent.
Then—
Laughter.
Loud, mocking, uncontrollable laughter.
"BAHAHAHAHA! Did you hear that?!"
"He said he's going to kill the boss!"
"Oh man, I needed that laugh!"
Even Arlong himself chuckled, shaking his head.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that." His sharp teeth glinted in the sunlight. "But guts won't save you, human."
More laughter.
Casa exhaled slowly.
Then—
He took a step forward.
"Is something funny?"
The laughter continued.
A Fish-Man scoffed. "This isn't—"
BOOM!
The ground shook violently.
In the blink of an eye—
Casa moved.
His fist, coated in Armament Haki, drove into the Fish-Man's face.
A crack echoed through the air as the unfortunate pirate's head smashed into the dirt, creating a deep crater.
The laughter stopped instantly.
Casa lifted his gaze, scanning the room.
His voice was calm.
"I asked you a question."
Silence.
The Fish-Men froze, eyes wide with shock and fear.
None of them had seen him move.
Even Hatchan's eyes widened in disbelief.
But—
Only one didn't react in fear.
Arlong stood up slowly, his massive form casting a shadow over them.
He cracked his neck, then grinned.
"That was… the Navy's Six Powers, wasn't it?"
Casa smirked.
"Not bad, Fish-Man. You've got some brains after all."
Arlong's eyes narrowed.
"How do you know that technique?!"
Casa shrugged.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
His parents were former Marine officers.
He had been trained since childhood.
For a former Sun Pirates member like Arlong, who had fought Marines in the past, it wasn't surprising that he recognized the Rokushiki techniques.
Arlong's smirk faltered for a moment.
But—
It quickly returned.
His razor-sharp teeth glinted.
"Heh. Doesn't matter."
His muscles tensed.
"You're still just human."
Casa scoffed.
"We'll see about that."
Ignoring Arlong's glare, Casa turned toward Rin.
"Captain, should I clean up this trash for you?"
Rin chuckled.
"No need. Arlong's mine."
His gaze locked onto the towering Fish-Man.
A sneer spread across his lips.
"You've had your fun ruling this sea, Arlong."
"But today—"
"It ends."
---
The Blade of the King
Artoria stepped forward, eyes scanning the gathered Fish-Men.
There were dozens of them—more than enough to interfere.
That wouldn't do.
A battle between captains should be settled without interruptions.
So—
She would handle them.
She exhaled, slowly raising her hand.
A gust of wind stirred around her.
Then—
She spoke.
"Ex…calibur."
A sudden flash of golden light flickered around her hand.
But then—
It vanished.
To the untrained eye—
It seemed as though she held nothing at all.
But in truth—
She gripped her sacred sword.
Shrouded by the Wind King's Enchantment, its presence was hidden, invisible to the naked eye.
The Fish-Men stared in confusion.
But they wouldn't stay confused for long.
Artoria stepped forward.
And the battle began.
---
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