The march toward Arlong Park began with a heavy silence.
The wind rolled through the grass, whispering over the dirt path as Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Nojiko, Johnny, Yosaku, and Jinbe advanced.
The villagers peered from cracks in windows and behind fences, shocked to see a Warlord of the Sea walking alongside humans. Shocked that he wasn't attacking them. Shocked that he walked with purpose — toward Arlong.
Every footstep felt heavier. More real.
The shadow of Arlong Park loomed far ahead, its jagged tower rising above the trees like a spear stabbed into the earth.
Luffy walked in front, his face uncharacteristically serious. His fists clenched. His stride steady. Even Zoro noticed it — this wasn't Luffy ready for a fun fight.
This was Luffy choosing violence on someone who deserved it.
Usopp trembled as they approached a bend in the road. "Why—why does this feel like we're marching toward certain death…?"
Zoro tapped his sword's hilt. "Because you're weak."
"THAT'S NOT HELPFUL, YOU LEAF-HEADED DEMON!"
Sanji flicked his cigarette. "Quit shaking. We'll need every ounce of strength for Nami."
Nojiko looked down, her lips tight. "She's been fighting alone for eight years. She… won't be okay until he's gone."
Jinbe's brows furrowed. "Arlong… I failed you by letting you leave. But today, your path ends."
Luffy spoke without turning. "That's right. I'm gonna end him."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried.
Zoro smirked. "Captain's pissed."
Sanji nodded. "Good."
They turned the corner—
—and froze.
A broken tangerine cart lay overturned on the ground.
Blood dripped onto the dirt.
And Nami was there.
She was on her knees, trembling, panting, tears streaming down her face as she stabbed the tattoo on her shoulder over and over again with a dagger — the mark of Arlong carved into her flesh.
Every plunge of the blade was fueled by hatred.
"I… HATE… you… Arlong…!!"
She stabbed deeper.
"No matter how hard I tried— how much I worked— how much I bled— it was never enough…!!"
Another stab.
"I want you gone… I want this mark gone… I want all of it gone—!!"
Blood dripped down her arm, running between her fingers.
Luffy stood perfectly still.
Sanji's cigarette fell.
Usopp covered his mouth.
Zoro's grip tightened on Wado.
Nojiko closed her eyes, unable to watch.
Nami raised the dagger again—
—and Luffy's hand suddenly caught her wrist.
She gasped.
Luffy's voice was quiet… but it shook the air.
"Nami."
She didn't look at him.
She couldn't.
"Luffy…"
Her voice cracked. "You don't understand… I have no one… I have nothing—"
He didn't let go of her wrist.
He didn't look away from her.
"Stop hurting yourself."
Those words shattered the remaining strength in her legs. She collapsed forward, grabbing his vest, shaking.
"Luffy… help me…"
The smallest whisper.
The biggest plea.
And Luffy answered instantly, without hesitation, without thought, with the truth of his heart. "Of course."
Nami broke.
She sobbed into his chest while Luffy placed the straw hat gently on her head — his treasure, entrusted to her alone.
Nami then collapsed to her knees, sobbing into the dirt.
Sanji knelt beside her, trembling with rage. "That bastard… he made our Nami-san cry…"
Zoro gripped his sword hilt. "He dies today."
Usopp wiped his eyes. "Yeah… yeah! That's right!!"
Jinbe stepped forward—
—and Nami instinctively backed away with terror.
He paused.
"You do not need to fear me," he said quietly. "I am not here to harm you."
She trembled harder.
"…Fishman…"
Jinbe bowed deeply — so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
"Nami. I apologize.
For what Arlong has done.
For the pain he inflicted.
For the burden he placed upon you."
Nami stared, speechless.
"It is my fault," Jinbe continued. "We should not have let him leave our island. His sins… are mine to correct."
Tears ran down Nami's cheeks in rivers.
"…Why… why are you apologizing…?"
"Because," Jinbe said softly, "you deserve an apology long overdue."
Nojiko covered her mouth and cried.
Even Zoro and Sanji fell silent from shock.
Luffy stepped forward again.
"Come on. You said you needed help."
She stared at it like it was the sun itself.
Like it was salvation.
She placed the hat on her head, hands shaking.
"…Thank you."
Luffy grinned — not his goofy one.
A real one.
"Let's go beat him up."
The entire group began walking with purpose toward Arlong Park.
Nami walked behind them, clutching Luffy's hat with trembling fingers.
Her tears fell…
But for the first time in years —
They were tears of relief.
"Let's go."
His voice carried like thunder.
The crew straightened.
And they marched.
—————————-
The outline of Arlong Park rose above the treeline like the jaw of a giant corpse. Its shark-toothed gates glimmered with rust and dried blood.
The sun symbol atop the structure—once a proud emblem of the Sun Pirates—had been warped, twisted, perverted into a mark of domination.
Laughter echoed from within.
Sharp. Cruel. Mocking.
Luffy stepped forward. His shadow stretched long across the ground.
He cracked his knuckles once.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
"Where's Arlong?"
The laughter stopped.
All at once.
From the top of the wall came a voice dripping with arrogance. "Who's looking for him?"
The fishmen leaned over the railing, smirking—until they saw who it was.
Luffy stepped forward, chin raised.
"Me. Monkey D. Luffy."
Something in his voice made several of the fishmen flinch.
Behind Luffy, Zoro rested a hand on Wado's hilt, Sanji's cigarette ember glowed hotter, Usopp shook uncontrollably, and Nami—clutching Luffy's vest—trembled with a mix of fear and hope.
The iron gates of Arlong Park groaned open, dragging against the ground like the maw of a titan waking from slumber.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
A towering figure stepped through, shoulders rolling with lazy confidence.
Rows of serrated teeth glistened in the sunlight.
Arlong.
Behind him came Hachi, blinking uncertainly, and Kuroobi, expression hard as stone.
Arlong spread his arms wide.
"Well, well, well… look who came crawling back."
He smirked at Nami, voice dripping venom. "Nami, my dear, you really brought guests?"
Nami stepped behind Luffy instinctively, her nails digging into his coat.
Arlong's eyes drifted over Luffy—
Then to Zoro—
Then Sanji—
Then—
His gaze met Jinbe.
The world seemed to freeze.
Arlong's pupils contracted.
His face fell.
"J… Jinbei…?"
Hachi stumbled back so fast he tripped over his own feet.
"B-Boss Jinbe?! W–W–Why are you here?!"
Kuroobi dropped his spear, stunned.
Even the lower fishmen who had mocked the humans earlier began to sweat.
Arlong pointed a shaking finger, voice cracking between fury and fear.
"YOU— YOU TRAITOR! What are you doing here on their side?!"
Jinbe did not flinch. Did not raise his voice. Did not even blink.
He simply stepped forward, his presence heavy enough to break the ground beneath him.
"I am not the traitor, Arlong."
His tone cut deeper than any blade.
"You are. You abandoned Fishman Island without permission. You spat on Tiger's teachings. You disgraced Queen Otohime's dream of coexistence."
Arlong snarled, the veins in his neck bulging.
"STOP BRINGING UP THEIR NAMES!"
He slammed his foot into the ground, cracking the stone beneath him.
"Those humans enslaved us! They chained us like animals! They spit on us! And you— AND FISHER TIGER— had the gall to fight for them?! You think I'll bow to their kind?!"
He flexed his jaws, teeth clicking like blades.
"I built a paradise here! A world where fishmen rule like they SHOULD!"
Jinbe's glare darkened. "You built a prison."
He gestured toward the village in the distance. "You enslaved innocent people. You hurt children. You crushed dreams. All while using Tiger's symbol like a weapon."
Arlong scoffed, stepping closer, voice rising.
"They deserve it! Humans deserve every ounce of pain we give them! And if you weren't so blind—"
"ENOUGH."
Jinbe's roar silenced the entire park. Even the palm leaves stopped rustling.
The Warlord planted his foot forward.
"I have come to bring you back. To stand before judgement for the sins you committed."
Arlong bared his teeth. "Then TRY IT."
Jinbe didn't move.
Instead—
He stepped aside.
And jerked his chin toward Luffy.
"But today… this boy will defeat you."
Silence.
Arlong stared.
Then blinked.
Then—
He exploded in laughter.
"This brat? THIS PUNY HUMAN?!"
Luffy smiled.
It was the kind of smile that made even fishmen feel afraid.
Not because it was hostile.
But because it radiated certainty.
Arlong's gaze flicked to Nami, who was shaking behind Luffy.
"Ah… I see now…"
He sneered, leaning close. "You found yourself a new crew, Nami?"
Her breath hitched. "I'm done with you."
Arlong's expression twisted. "Done? DO YOU THINK YOU CAN LEAVE ME?! You— our navigator— the best mapmaker in the East Blue— you're far too valuable to let go."
Luffy's smile vanished instantly.
The air trembled. "What did you just say?"
Arlong chuckled, folding his arms. "She belongs to me. Her skills are mine—"
He never finished the sentence.
Because Luffy's fist was already buried in his face.
A shockwave blasted through Arlong Park.
The wall behind Arlong cracked.
Hachi and Kuroobi were thrown back by the force alone.
Arlong slammed into the stone and slid down, stunned.
Luffy lowered his fist, jaw clenched. "Nami doesn't belong to you."
He stepped forward, eyes burning. "She's my navigator."
The ground trembled with the weight of his words. "And you made her cry."
Arlong wiped blood from his mouth, eyes wild. "You little—!!"
Luffy stepped forward again, voice steady, deadly calm. "So I'm gonna beat you up."
Arlong roared.
Luffy stared.
————————-
Moments Later
The ground shattered under the force of Luffy's punch.
Arlong's massive body crashed through the wall of his own base, stone and dust exploding outward in a violent burst. A shockwave rippled through Arlong Park, knocking several lower-ranking fishmen off their feet.
For a moment, everyone froze.
Then—
Zoro slowly drew Wado Ichimonji.
Sanji cracked his knuckles with a grin.
Usopp loaded his slingshot, sweating buckets but standing tall.
The fishmen finally snapped out of their shock and roared, leaping toward the Straw Hats from every direction.
Zoro stepped forward.
Sanji kicked the ground.
Usopp screamed internally.
The battlefield erupted.
———————
Hachi, rubbing his forehead where he'd hit the wall earlier, blinked rapidly when he saw Zoro approaching.
"Ah! You're the Pirate Hunter!" Hachi gasped. "I'm going to beat you!"
Zoro smirked, resting Wado on his shoulder.
"Beat me? I'll remind you who's stronger."
Hachi's six arms grabbed six curved swords, spinning them like a propeller. "I am the wielder of the Six-Sword Style! You don't stand a chance!"
Zoro raised a single blade. "One is enough."
Hachi swung first — a whirlwind of steel. His blades clanged against Zoro's as sparks rained around them. Hachi grinned.
"See?! Six beats one!"
Zoro vanished.
Hachi blinked. "Eh?"
Zoro appeared behind him. "You're slow."
A deep slash opened across Hachi's side as he yelped and stumbled. "OW-OW-OW-OW-OW!!! That hurt! Why do humans hit so hard?!"
Zoro cracked his neck. "Because I'm becoming the world's strongest swordsman."
Hachi tried again, charging with all six swords spinning wildly.
Zoro didn't move.
His eye narrowed.
One slash.
A clean, precise arc of light.
Hachi dropped all six swords at once, collapsing backward "Guh—! Too strong…"
Zoro slid Wado back into its sheath with a quiet click. "Told you."
————————
Kuroobi, the stern martial artist of the fishmen, cracked his knuckles and glared at Sanji. "You rely too much on your legs. Improper discipline."
Sanji grinned, taking a drag of his cigarette.
"And you rely too much on your ugly face."
Kuroobi lunged with terrifying speed, delivering a devastating underwater-style strike. Sanji dodged with the grace of a dancer and countered with a spinning kick that sent shockwaves across the courtyard.
Kuroobi's eyes widened. "That power—! Impossible for a human!"
"Sorry, shark-face," Sanji said, flicking his cigarette away. "But I'm a cook who fights."
Kuroobi dove into the pool behind him, water erupting in a massive splash.
Sanji scoffed. "Coward."
Suddenly Kuroobi shot out from the water like a torpedo, slamming Sanji into the stone floor.
"Oof—!"
Usopp screamed from afar, "SANJI NOOO—!!!"
Kuroobi pressed his advantage, pummeling Sanji with heavy blows. "You humans are weak on land—and weaker in water!"
Sanji wiped blood from his lip. "You're right."
Kuroobi smirked victoriously—
Before Sanji grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back up.
"But I don't need water."
Sanji twisted his entire body—
"CONCASSE!"
His heel crashed into Kuroobi's jaw like a meteor.
The fishman flew backward, smashing into a wall and falling unconscious.
Sanji exhaled smoke.
"Dinner's served."
———————
Chew snarled at Usopp, water dripping from his jaws. "You will DIE, human! No tricks! No lies!"
Usopp trembled violently. "W-W-Wait! Let's talk about this! Maybe we can negotiate—"
Chew spat a pressurized water jet that exploded beside Usopp's face. "NO NEGOTIATIONS!"
Usopp screamed like a banshee and ran for his life.
Chew chased him, firing water bullets like cannons. Each shot blasted craters into the ground.
Usopp dove behind debris, panting. "Think, Usopp, think… what would a REAL warrior do…?!"
He peeked out.
Chew was approaching, fangs bared.
"I SMELL YOUR FEAR, HUMAN!"
Usopp clenched his teeth. "…Fine."
He stood, legs shaking but eyes sharp. "Then smell this!"
He pulled back his slingshot—
"USOPP…
EXPLOSIVE…
STAR!!!"
The projectile flew.
Chew smirked—until it detonated in his face like fireworks. "GAAAAH!!! MY EYES!!!"
Usopp charged, swinging a frying pan he'd stolen from Sanji's supplies. "WARRIOR OF THE SEAAAAAAA—!!"
BONK
BONK
BONK
Chew collapsed.
Usopp stood over him, sweating, shaking, and wheezing.
"…I did it…"
Then he collapsed too.
————————-
Arlong burst from the rubble, rage twisting his features.
"You worthless brat—!!"
He lunged with teeth bared—
Luffy grabbed his nose.
And slammed him into the floor so hard the earth buckled.
Arlong roared, scrambling up and grabbing his massive sawblade sword. "You dare challenge ME?! I am ARLONG OF THE—"
Luffy kicked him so hard he flew through a pillar.
Sanji whistled. "Damn."
Zoro smirked. "He's seriously pissed."
Arlong rose, bleeding and furious. "You'll never understand my superiority! Fishmen are born to dominate the sea!!"
His voice thundered across the broken courtyard.
Luffy planted his feet, fists trembling, eyes burning with unstoppable resolve.
"…You're right."
Arlong froze, taken aback.
Luffy continued, voice steady and fierce. "Yeah… you might dominate the sea. You might be stronger in the water. You might swim faster or fight harder."
He pointed straight at Arlong. "But that doesn't mean you get to enslave people because of it."
Arlong's eyes widened in disbelief as Luffy shouted.
"People are born free!!!
No matter if they're human or fishman or anything else!!!"
His voice shook with anger.
"And you hurt Nami.
You hurt her again and again and you made her cry!"
His fists clenched so hard they trembled.
"And THAT—
I'm never gonna forgive you for that!!"
Jinbei's eyes snapped open—yet his mind drifted far, far away.
To a memory.
Flashback
A quiet night on Fishman Island.
Fisher Tiger sat cross-legged by a glowing coral fire, arms folded, looking troubled. Jinbei sat beside him, still young, still learning.
Footsteps approached.
A woman's silhouette, calm and dark as the deep sea.
Nyx D. Ada.
She lowered herself beside them, her voice unhurried, thoughtful. "Fisher Tiger. Jinbei. We fight because we must… but we must never forget what we're fighting for."
Tiger exhaled softly. "Freedom."
Ada nodded. "Freedom for everyone. Fishman. Human. Mink. Giant. No one is born to be a slave."
Jinbei blinked, stunned.
Ada looked at him directly. "Species doesn't justify cruelty. Power doesn't justify oppression. If you use your strength to chain others, you become the very monster you claim to resist."
Tiger smiled, deeply moved. "Well said Captain."
Ada continued, voice gentle but absolute.
"No one…
no one is born to kneel."
Jinbei felt those words burn into him.
Tiger chuckled. "I like that thinking Ada."
Jinbei remembered himself saying.
"I'll live by that Captain."
Ada smiled faintly. "Then never let anyone twist strength into tyranny."
The memory faded.
End of Flashback
Jinbei gasped quietly—Luffy's declaration ringing in his ears like Ada's words come alive again.
"He… he said the same thing… as her…"
He stared at Luffy.
A human boy.
Speaking Ada's truth.
Fighting with Tiger's heart.
Jinbei's chest tightened. "…Captain Ada… Fisher Tiger… You were right."
Arlong snarled, furious veins pulsing in his temples. "You dare lecture me?! YOU—A HUMAN?!!"
Luffy didn't back down. "You made my friend cry."
His rubber body stretched as he launched forward. "And I'm gonna make you PAY for it!!!"
Luffy slammed into Arlong, sending both crashing through the debris as the fight exploded back into motion—
Fists flying.
Teeth gnashing.
Stone shattering.
The battle for Nami's freedom roared back to life.
He rushed Arlong, grabbed him by the jaw, and hurled him into the central tower.
Stone shattered.
Arlong burst out, roaring. "You think you can take what's MINE?!"
"She's not yours!!!"
Luffy's punch cracked the tower from top to bottom.
Arlong staggered, gasping.
Luffy inhaled deeply.
"GOMU GOMU NO—!!"
Arlong lunged. "SHARK—!!"
"GATLING!!!!"
Luffy's fists became a storm.
A blinding barrage.
A hurricane of rubber fury.
Punches rained like falling stars.
Crushing pillars.
Smashing walls.
Destroying the symbol of eight years of terror.
The entire tower groaned—
Then collapsed.
Arlong fell with it.
And didn't rise.
Ever again.
—————————
Silence.
A silence Nami had prayed for.
A silence she never believed she'd hear.
Dust settled over the ruins of Arlong Park.
Luffy stood alone among the rubble.
Breathing heavily.
Victorious.
Nami stepped forward, covering her mouth with shaking hands.
Jinbei stared at Luffy, unable to look away.
His voice shook. "…He… actually defeated Arlong…"
"Hah…" Luffy grinned. "Told you."
Jinbei exhaled, shocked, humbled, and deeply moved. "To think… that a human freed these people… where Arlong failed Tiger, and I failed them… This boy…"
He bowed his head. "…This boy carries the sun better than Arlong ever did."
Nami's eyes filled with tears.
She looked at Luffy.
He looked back.
"NAMI!!!"
She jumped.
"YOU ARE MY FRIEND!!!"
Her knees buckled.
Tears poured down.
She ran.
Straight into his arms. "Thank you… thank you… thank you…"
Luffy gently placed his hand on her head.
"Let's go."
"…Yeah."
The crew gathered around her.
Zoro smirked.
Sanji sobbed.
Usopp bragged weakly.
Nojiko smiled through tears.
Jinbei watched over them all, gaze softening. "…Tiger. Otohime. Your dream lives on."
The sun rose higher.
And the tyranny of Arlong Park
ended forever.
——————
Author's Note
This was a long chapter! I might update again later if I get the time.
The new cover image is AI-generated. It's based on how Ada currently looks in the story. She's around 52 years old, and her appearance is inspired by Ada Wong's Resident Evil 6 design.
Also, just to clarify. This is not a Luffy × Nami ship. Sorry to the Luna fans! Their relationship here is meant to be deep friendship and strong emotional bond, not romance.
Thanks for reading!