Gawain gave a faint smile. "You lied first."
"Now, Nami, knowing our strength, are you still running?"
"No!" Nami turned to Arlong, years of suppressed rage exploding, her voice hoarse. "Captain, kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"
She didn't know Gawain's full power, but his 85-million-Berry bounty was four times Arlong's.
She repeated the words mechanically, unaware of her tears.
Gawain patted her head, then faced Arlong, a fire burning within him.
Killing Arlong outright wouldn't sate his anger. He wanted something more.
Step by step, he approached, voice calm. "Ever killed a fish?"
Arlong froze, his face darkening. Even without context, he felt the naked contempt in Gawain's words.
"You…"
"I have," Gawain cut in. "Eight words."
"Scale, bone, gut, and slash!"
His words landed.
Gawain vanished, his physique, Observation Haki, and Spoon surpassing Kuro's. His burst speed was leagues beyond.
Even Arlong's Fish-Man strength, several times a human's, only caught a fleeting afterimage.
Wado Ichimonji's silver blade reflected sunlight, blindingly sharp.
He's serious! Arlong realized, sweating, his earlier confidence gone.
Fish-Men weren't dominant in the Grand Line or New World. Even Jinbe, their strongest, was merely a Warlord—formidable, but no match for Emperors or Admirals.
Fish-Men often relied on Whitebeard's protection to survive.
This fueled Arlong's resentment.
Why should Fish-Men, born stronger than humans, struggle to survive?
Despite his thoughts, Arlong dodged instinctively, avoiding vital spots, but Gawain's blade struck.
Fish-Men's superior muscle and bone meant nothing. Wado Ichimonji sliced through like butter.
Slash!
Blood sprayed like mist.
Pain jolted Arlong awake to a brutal truth: this opponent was far stronger.
He was inches from being gutted.
"How's a monster like you in the East Blue? Who sent you? Navy? Whitebeard? Kaido?!" Arlong's mind raced.
Using Gawain's strike, he dove into the pool, sinking dozens of meters.
On land, Fish-Men were strong; in water, stronger. Firearms lost lethality beyond a few meters underwater, and even a swordsman's slashes weakened—a natural fortress.
This is my only chance to turn this around!
The water stung his wound, but Arlong's mind cleared. His webbed feet propelled him with unimaginable force.
His Fish-Man strength could ram through a warship.
One shot, catch him off-guard, and kill him!
No matter how skilled his swordsmanship or speed, he's human. The gap with Fish-Men is insurmountable!
Confidence swelled, his grin turning savage.
He lurked underwater, waiting.
Moments later, Gawain appeared at the pool's edge, gazing calmly.
His composure ignited Arlong's fury, but he saw his chance.
His legs surged, rocketing him out, his spear-like nose aimed at Gawain's heart.
"Shark ON Darts!"
Whoosh!
Arlong shot out like a missile, envisioning Gawain's death.
A scornful voice cut through. "Having fun?"
A chill ran down Arlong's spine as a hand loomed larger.
Bang!
Gawain caught Arlong mid-charge, the impact shattering the floor beneath him, yet he didn't budge.
His physique, boosted multiple times and balanced, was monstrous.
Ignoring Arlong's shock, Gawain smirked. "What a big fish!"
He thrust Wado Ichimonji through Arlong's spine, pinning him to the ground.
Arlong's gaze fell on the villagers outside, still breathing, their faces alight with vindictive joy.
The dragon who'd oppressed them for years was now a fish on a cutting board—how laughable.
"Hahahahaha!"
Their laughter humiliated Arlong further. He struggled, but his paralyzed lower body made it futile.
Gawain leaned close, whispering, "Know why Fisher Tiger chose death, even with human blood to save him?"
Arlong froze, gritting his teeth. "You know about Tiger?!"
Gawain ignored him, a glint of mockery in his eyes. "Because he knew surviving would make him like you—grotesque, ugly, no different from the humans poaching Fish-Men."
"So, Arlong, want to join me in changing this world's rules, ending Fish-Men's persecution?"
"I'm in!" Arlong agreed instantly, desperate.
Gawain's next words chilled him. "Kidding."
"I'm not saying this to make you repent. I want you to go to hell with pain and regret!"
"Because you love this game, don't you?!"
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If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit pa tre on . com /Archus