East Blue, Loguetown Base.
"Damn it!"
"The Arlong Pirates!"
Upon receiving the devastating news that Colonel Stoke and his entire crew had been ambushed and annihilated by the Arlong Pirates, Loguetown's commanding officer, Smoker, stormed out of his office, his usual two cigars clenched tightly between his teeth.
Turning to his adjutant, Tashigi, he barked, "Assemble all base personnel immediately. We're heading to Cocoyasi Village!"
"Yes, sir!"
Tashigi didn't dare delay and sprinted off to carry out the order.
In no time, every available officer and sailor had gathered at the base plaza. Following Smoker and Tashigi, they quickly boarded their ships, ready for action.
Standing on the deck, Smoker gazed solemnly at the rows of disciplined marines before him. In a deep voice, he declared, "Colonel Stoke was personally appointed to the East Blue by Fleet Admiral Xayuki. His death will undoubtedly shake Marine Headquarters to its core. Our mission is simple: capture every last member of the Arlong Pirates and deliver them to Headquarters!"
"Attention, all personnel! Our target is Cocoyasi Village. Set sail!"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
The marines saluted in unison before scattering to their respective posts, the ships setting off at full speed toward their destination.
Meanwhile, Shells Town, 153rd Marine Branch.
At the 153rd Branch, now under the command of Colonel Morgan, the marines were also preparing for battle. Standing imposingly with his massive axe in hand, Morgan addressed his subordinates with an air of authority.
"I'll keep this brief: if we fail to eliminate the Arlong Pirates today, then we will meet our end as loyal servants of Fleet Admiral Xayuki!"
He paused for a moment, then stepped forward, raising his voice. "The Arlong Pirates are a group of Fish-Men from the Grand Line. They've entrenched themselves in Cocoyasi Village for years, collaborating with the corrupt former Colonel Nezumi. It was Fleet Admiral Xayuki's foresight that led him to assign Colonel Stoke here—not just to root out corruption within the Marines, but to cleanse the East Blue of pirates altogether!"
"Now that Colonel Stoke has been slain by these Fish-Man pirates, what should we do?"
At his words, the gathered marines stepped forward in unison, shouting, "Avenge Colonel Stoke! Kill, kill, kill!"
Cocoyasi Village, 16th Branch Jurisdiction.
In a sprawling seaside complex known as Arlong Park, members of the Arlong Pirates emerged one by one from the open-air pool that connected directly to the sea.
The first to surface and take his seat on the large throne-like chair at the top of the pool was none other than their captain, Arlong.
Once a cadre of the Sun Pirates, Arlong had been defeated by then-Vice Admiral Borsalino (Kizaru) after attacking a Marine warship. He was imprisoned in the underwater prison Impel Down, only to be released when his former captain, Jinbe, became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
However, Arlong's release led to a falling out with Jinbe. Taking a faction of Fish-Man pirates with him, Arlong departed the Sun Pirates and set his sights on the East Blue, dreaming of establishing his own empire.
It didn't take long for the Arlong Pirates to rise to power under his leadership. After forming an alliance with the corrupt Colonel Nezumi of the 16th Branch, they quickly gained control of over a dozen villages in the area. Through oppressive rule, they extorted money from the villagers, killing anyone who failed to pay.
For his heinous crimes in the East Blue, Arlong earned a bounty of 20 million Belly, making him the most wanted pirate in the region.
But everything changed with the arrival of Colonel Stoke.
Assigned to the 16th Branch by Marine Headquarters, Stoke swiftly eradicated corruption within the branch, executing Colonel Nezumi without trial. He then launched a series of decisive operations against pirates in the area.
Hearing of Stoke's arrival, representatives from villages under Arlong's control came to the 16th Branch to plead for help.
Upon learning about the Arlong Pirates' atrocities in Cocoyasi Village and their tyrannical rule over neighboring villages, Stoke immediately set sail with his warship.
What he didn't anticipate, however, was that some of the corrupt officers he had yet to purge from the 16th Branch had tipped off the Arlong Pirates the moment he executed Nezumi.
Forewarned, Arlong prepared an ambush, stationing his men underwater near Cocoyasi Village. When Stoke's warship arrived, they struck without mercy, catching him completely off guard.
"Sha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
Seated on his throne in Arlong Park, Arlong let out a wicked laugh. "Humans! Such foolish, insignificant creatures. The Marines? They're nothing but a bunch of pathetic humans!"
At his side stood Chew, one of his officers and a Fish-Man of the kissing gourami species, with a bounty of 5.5 million Belly. Pursing his lips disdainfully, Chew sneered, "How dare they challenge us in these waters? Ignorant fools!"
"We should prepare for the next battle, Arlong," said Hatchan, a six-armed octopus Fish-Man and another officer of the Arlong Pirates. Crawling out of the pool, he looked concerned. "I overheard a Marine soldier I killed saying that Colonel Stoke was personally sent by Marine Headquarters. If they find out what happened, they'll definitely send reinforcements!"
Before Arlong could respond, Kuroobi, a ray Fish-Man with a bounty of 9 million Belly, surfaced. "Arlong, I think we should head to the 16th Branch and negotiate. This can't go on forever. If the new colonel is anything like Nezumi, we could strike another deal and keep the money flowing!"
Arlong was about to reply when his sharp gaze suddenly fixed on the horizon.
Two Marine warships were rapidly approaching Cocoyasi Village from different directions.
In no time, the ships converged in the waters near the village.
"So soon?"
Chew, who had also noticed the approaching ships, stepped forward, his eyes glinting with murderous intent. "Foolish humans. Don't they realize that we're invincible at sea?"
"Arlong?"
Kuroobi walked quickly to the edge of the pool, his tone serious. "Should we negotiate?"
"No need!"
Arlong stood abruptly, a bloodthirsty grin spreading across his face. "We'll crush them in one fell swoop!"
"Yeah!"
At his command, the gathered members of the Arlong Pirates erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable.
"Prepare for battle!"
"Ha-ha-ha! Foolish Marines. I'll use their blood as a sacrifice!"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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