"You—!" Arlong's pupils shrank as a chill hit his waist.
Gawain drew Wado Ichimonji, slashing mercilessly at Arlong's lower body.
Slash!
A silver flash.
Arlong's leg severed, but his injured spine felt no pain—only endless cold.
This was just the start. Gawain's blade fell again and again—limbs, chest, abdomen—carving Arlong's flesh like a fish.
Scale, bone, gut, and slash.
Gawain kept his word.
Arlong's screams pierced the sky. The villagers, lying bloodied, smiled with vindictive joy.
"So Arlong can scream like that… like my child did!" one said.
"Cocoyasi's nightmare—and that girl's—is finally over~"
…
At the park's entrance, Nami snapped back as the screams ceased.
Struggling to her feet, she found a tall figure blocking her.
"Killed a fish. It's messy. Best not go in," Gawain said, wiping blood from Wado Ichimonji and sheathing it. He looked at Nami's pursed lips. "It's fine. I like sashimi."
"Oh…?" Nami murmured.
Gawain stepped aside.
Nami entered, paling at the bloody carnage but forcing herself not to retch. "Captain, I think I'll skip sashimi from now on."
Her voice softened, choking with sobs.
Years of pent-up resentment released.
"Bell-mère…" Her cries echoed through the park.
Gawain turned, blocking the view from the gate.
In the distance, two bloodied figures approached—Gin and Kuro, breathing steadily, as if they'd done something trivial.
"Everything handled?" Gawain asked.
Gin spat blood, rolling his sore neck. "These Fish-Men are tough, but none escaped."
Kuro sheathed his claw blades. "Small hiccup. That octopus Fish-Man was saved by a sea beast from the depths, but the rest are dead."
"Octopus Fish-Man?" Gawain paused, realizing it was Hachi. "No big deal."
"Now we wait for our navigator to vent."
"Also…" Gawain scanned the area.
The villagers, regaining strength, sat up, but their Fish-Man-inflicted wounds were severe. Without prompt care, they'd die.
"Gin, get the ship's doctor to treat them. These are Nami's people—we can't let them die."
"Yes!" Gin pulled out a Den Den Mushi, relaying the order.
Minutes later, pirates arrived, tending wounds under the doctor's guidance.
They carefully removed Ajiken from the gate. His injuries were the worst—the spear had nearly pierced his lung, yet he clung to life, witnessing it all.
Finally able to speak, Ajiken glared at Gawain, gritting his teeth. "If… you make Nami cry, I'll tear a chunk from you, even in death!"
Gawain met his gaze calmly. "Only people like Arlong will cry."
He led Kuro to the central building of Arlong Park.
After searching, they found Arlong's hoard in the basement.
Creak!
Gawain opened the door.
Piles of Berries and mountains of gold filled half the room.
"How much?" Gawain asked.
Kuro estimated, shocked. "Roughly a billion Berries in cash, and the gold? At least two billion!"
"With this, we could build a ship—or buy several warships."
Gawain pondered, then ordered, "Return Nami's share, give some to Cocoyasi's villagers, and use the rest for our ship."
"Our next goal is the Grand Line. A sturdy ship is our foundation."
"Yes, Captain!" Kuro nodded.
He added, "There are traces of Marines here."
Gawain paused, picturing a familiar face. "I know who. They lack the guts to cross me."
"But to keep them from meddling after we leave, I'll leave a little gift."
Kuro glanced at Gawain, catching his sly grin.
…
At the same time, in the 16th Marine Branch, Mouse gripped a Den Den Mushi, face grim. "What? Arlong's dead? You're joking!"
"He's a Grand Line Fish-Man—how could he die so easily?"
The Marine on the other end trembled. "It was Gawain, 85-million-Berry bounty, with 'Hundred Plans' Kuro and 'Demon' Gin under him…"
Mouse froze, sweat beading.
It made sense. Gawain broke the East Blue's bounty record twice, even overpowering a monster trained by ex-Admiral Zephyr at Raven Port without breaking a sweat.
That strength was Grand Line-caliber.
Damn it!
Worse, if his ties to Arlong were exposed, he'd lose his post—and his life.
But if handled right, this could be his greatest opportunity. Claiming credit for crushing Arlong's crew could mean a three-rank promotion.
And Arlong's amassed wealth? The thought made Mouse tremble with excitement, his voice shaking. "Keep watching. Once they leave, secure Cocoyasi, especially Arlong Park. No one enters, nothing leaves."
"No!" A savage glint flashed in his eyes. "When they're gone, we slaughter the village!"
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If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit pa tre on . com /Archus