The journey to Arlong Park began under a sky smeared with charcoal clouds, as if the heavens themselves dreaded the confrontation ahead.
Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo made their way through the dense mangroves that skirted the village, their footsteps softened by the thick blanket of fallen leaves and the occasional splash of tidal pools.
The air was heavy with the briny scent of the sea mingled with damp earth, and the distant cries of exotic birds punctuated the stillness like warnings.
Nami adjusted the strap on the chest, the weight still a stubborn reminder of what hung in the balance.
Nojiko walked beside her, eyes sharp and vigilant, fingers trailing along the familiar leaves as if drawing strength from the land they fought to reclaim.
Genzo brought up the rear, his sturdy frame a shield looming in the shadowed light, every sense primed for the danger they knew awaited them.
As the crooked silhouette of Arlong Park rose like a jagged crown on the horizon, the trio steeled themselves. The brutal structure of bones, iron, and coral loomed over the mangroves—a fortress carved by cruelty and conquest.
Nami felt a cold knot tighten in her stomach while Nojiko's eyes flashed with suppressed rage.Genzo broke the heavy silence.
"Once we enter, there's no turning back. Stay close, and trust no one but each other."
His voice was gravelly, but resolute.Nami nodded, drawing her compass from beneath her tunic.
"Nojiko… Genzo… thank you. For believing in me, in us."
The sound of snapping twigs alerted them. Two men clad in Arlong's scaled armor stepped forward, expressions hard as obsidian. The air thickened with tension.
"Who dares approach Arlong Park with offerings?"
one growled.Nami stepped forward boldly, chest in hand.
"I bring the hundred million berries for Arlong. It's time. The village's freedom awaits."
The gaurds exchanged amused glances but let them pass through .
The midday sun cast sharp shadows over Arlong Park as the Fishmen, the underlings of Arlong's crew, patrolled with an eerie silence, their scaled skin glistening under the sun and tails flicking with subtle menace.
Their eyes flicked toward the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and suspicion—silent sentinels of the sea's ruthless grip on Cocoyashi.
As they entered, the tension thickened, breaking first by the gritty voice of Chew, a coarse fishman with a shark-like grin and a scarred jaw.
"So, the navigator who brings Arlong's dues is back again huh?"
He sneered, gesturing to Nami's chest.
His presence was imposing, the brawn of the group, always eager for a fight.
From the shadows, Kuroobi stepped forward, his blue-green scales shimmering like sapphires, calm yet hard as stone.
"Chew, patience. The captain will speak soon,"
He muttered, eyes locked on Nami with grudging respect.
Hatchan, the octopus fishman with his six limbs adorned with tribal tattoos, emerged next, his voice smooth but dripping with a teasing edge.
"Careful, lads. This isn't just about coins. Nami's stubbornness could mean trouble."
Iqaba, the pike fishman whose eyes seemed to pierce through the heat haze, leaned against a coral pillar.
"Let the little lady speak. We'll see if her treasure is worth our time."
It was then that Arlong made his grand entrance. His towering, menacing figure strode into the center of the courtyard, coral armor gleaming like the teeth he bared.
He settled onto his throne with deliberate purpose, fingers steepled, eyes narrowing into sharp slits.
His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"Well, well. The navigator returns, carrying the village's fate in one chest. You bring the 100 million berries, I hope?"
His gaze flicked to each member of his crew, a silent signal that business would soon begin.Nami held her ground, voice steady but urgent.
"The money is here, Arlong. Cocoyashi's freedom is at stake."
Arlong's cruel smile widened.
"Freedom is a luxury my kind does not grant lightly. But I enjoy theatrics. Chew, bring forth their offering. Kuroobi, stand ready, and Hatchan, no mistakes today."
The members of Arlong's crew exchanged looks—some eager, others contemplative—as the drama unfolded under the relentless sun. The scene was set: a clash not only of wealth but of wills, promises, and lives tethered to the tides of fate.
As the counting of berries completed and nami demanded the freedom she was promised,Arlong's grin stretched, a cruel parody of warmth, as the sun bled down on the courtyard and turned the coral armor to a gleaming trap.
He leaned back in his throne, fingers steepled, eyes coldly amused. The crowd of fishmen shifted at his feet—some eager, others wary, all waiting for the verdict that would tilt Cocoyashi's fate.
"No,"
Arlong said, voice a slow, deliberate drawl that carried across the stones like a chill wind.
"Freedom is not a gift to be handed to a village that forgets who fed the sharks first. If you want the villagers free, you will come back with another hundred million berries."
He paused, letting the taunt land like a whip crack.
"Bring it, navigator. Prove you truly understand the cost of your loyalties."
A murmur ran through Arlong's underlings, a chorus of scornful amusement that curled air with menace.
Chew, the shark-faced enforcer, let out a sharp bark of laughter.
"Another hundred million? Is that a joke or a trap?"
Kuroobi's expression remained icy and unreadable as he stepped closer, the sea-wrung edge of his blade catching glints of sun.
"Two hundred million would still not buy a heartbeat of our fear back,"
he said coolly, voice as even as the tide.
Iqaba's eyes glittered with malice as he shrugged the spear from his shoulder.
"You think the money buys loyalty? It buys nothing but time. And time is what Cocoyashi doesn't have."
.
.
The crowd's laughter swelled, cruel and hollow, a chorus that gnawed at the nerves of those who stood between Arlong's throne and the savaged hope of a village.
Arlong's eyes softened just a fraction, enough to reveal the predatory hunger behind them.
"Tell your friends in Cocoyashi,"
he said to Nami, the taunt wrapping around her like a noose and a dare.
"Tell them this is the way the sea runs: stronger laws, deeper pockets, longer shadows. If they want to live free, they must pay a price that proves they deserve it."
"Hahahaha"
Arlong laughed wildly as he crushed the dream of nami .
Nojiko cursed -" you damn-"
Nami interjected-A lone tear trailing down her cheek.
"It's enough nojiko- I was too foolish to believe someone like him would keep his word. Let's just leave ."
Saying that she turned as she apologized under her breath to genzo and nojiko.
Meanwhile on the shores of cocoyashi village -
"What do you think will happen, Ash ?"
Zoro asked as he polished his sword wado ichimonji.
Ash leaning on a chair while putting his legs on the table responded lazily keeping his eyes closed-
"War"
A single word that made the atmosphere still.
Zoro grinned .
" My type of party it is huh ? .. intresting."
Medusa spoke softly sitting opposite Ash while peeling an apple and cutting it into smaller pieces which were somehow magically being vanished everytime ash moved even a inch.
" How about you leave some fruits for the rest of us first . Then maybe we can discuss about how we are going to handle the situation?"
Ash grinned lazily
"What are you talking about medusa ? What fruits ?"
"Sigh~"
She sighed , as it would be pointless because she had no proof !
Ash smirked seeing this and spoke waving his hand lazily-
"Regarding the fight - I'll deal with arlong , and the rest of them .....you both can do the hard work ."
Zoro snorted.
"Whatever you say pretty face."
Medusa ignored the remark instead she smiled ,which definitely sent a shiver down Ash's spine and said-
" Ash.....you have goddamn crumbs on your mouth you know ?"
Ash cursed his luck while he tried to play it off
"W-what are you talking about medusa ! .....A-anyways let's get ready it's probably about time nami returned."
But medusa's iron like grip on his collar was inevitable with her sweet voice and not so cold smile-
" You are going to peel me apples captain~"
"Sigh~ just my luck" Ash gave up the struggle and began to feed medusa.
Zoro just smirked at this as he felt someone was finally here to hold the reins of his wild friend.
" You deserve that ."
" Yeah - fuck you too zoro ! "
Ash responded irritated but continued to peel the apple anyways.
.
.
.
_______To be continued ________