Chapter 23
Some people speculated it was a once-in-a-century phenomenon.
Only Arlong knew it was Dragon's handiwork.
He sent men to fetch Nami and the others, preparing to set sail, while he himself rushed into town.
…
Bart Club
Bartolomeo had just returned when Gambia mentioned Arlong was looking for him. He decided to meet the man.
Raising a bounty to 120 million in the East Blue was no ordinary feat.
Someone like that was worth befriending!
As Bartolomeo prepared to leave, the sky suddenly went pitch black.
Gambia advised, "Boss, the weather's weird. Rest at home."
"No, this isn't just rain."
Bartolomeo shook his head and stared upward, as if trying to pierce the clouds.
Then he grinned.
"Hehahaha~"
"Looks like a big shot has come to Loguetown."
…
Rumble~
Massive thunder boomed intermittently.
Lightning flashed.
Magma seemed to flow within the clouds.
Many looked up at the strange sight, marveling aloud.
Only a few knew two people were fighting above the clouds.
…
The square was lively.
Hundreds of Marines chased and cornered the Buggy Pirates.
In the end, no one escaped—all were captured.
Including their ally Alvida, who hadn't eaten the Slip-Slip Fruit yet and was still obese.
Luffy was given special treatment—locked in a cage made by Smoker's ability.
Only Krara remained, still fighting Smoker.
As the Revolutionary Army's intelligence officer, Krara wasn't top-tier in combat, but she could handle Smoker.
Yet she felt uneasy.
The "asset" Dragon spoke of was his own son.
She felt deceived—pure nepotism!
What happened to equality?
As an intel agent reduced to babysitting, how was this different from the World Government?
…
"Skwahahaha~"
Mad laughter suddenly rang out in the darkness, drawing every eye.
"Quite the party!"
Arlong emerged from the shadows.
Smoker frowned slightly. Arlong hadn't heeded his warning after all.
He glanced instinctively at the sky.
Akainu was coming for this guy—though he didn't know why…
"(#`O′) Hey, old man! Who are you? You look kinda familiar!"
Luffy shouted at Arlong.
"Same nose as Usopp—his dad maybe?!"
Krara: Idiot. Forget the nose difference—they're different species!
Smoker: Just like old man Garp.
Arlong: (＃｀д′)?
"Captain Arlong, save me quick!"
Buggy wailed tearfully at Arlong.
Akainu the killing machine was up there—if they didn't run, they were done!
Arlong glanced over and saw a cute bespectacled girl nervously holding her sword toward him.
Tashigi!
Who doesn't love adorable Tashigi?
Buggy: Your eyes are crooked?
[Ding! Detected a beauty meeting system requirements. Host, please improve relations as soon as possible.]
"Damn system, she's a Marine! You want me to force her?"
Arlong grumbled inwardly.
The system stayed silent.
Hearing Buggy's cry, Luffy finally remembered Arlong.
"Oh yeah, you're Arlong! I'm gonna send you flying—for… why was I gonna send you flying again?"
Luffy scratched his head, sensing he forgot something important but unable to recall it.
Seeing Arlong ignore him, Buggy gritted his teeth and yelled,
"Captain Arlong, I'm Kid Buggy! Save me!"
All eyes turned to him in shock.
Buggy felt like a thousand needles pierced his back. The world went silent.
Blood rushed to his head—only buzzing remained.
"Shameless!" Tashigi muttered.
A thuggish Marine kicked him. "Quiet! Insult Tashigi's ears again and I'll cut your junk off…"
Buggy: ( ? ^ ? )
The entire Buggy Pirates wanted to burrow into the ground.
With a captain like this, it was just too damn embarrassing.
Arlong turned away. I only know Buggy—not whatever "Kid Buggy" is!
His gaze shifted to the woman fighting Smoker.
Krara.
Great figure, beautiful face, strong.
Only 160 cm—perfect loli height next to his 260 cm!
Petite, cute, and in black stockings!
[Ding! Detected a beauty meeting system requirements. Host, please improve relations as soon as possible.]
"Damn system, were you a stud in your past life? Every woman you want me to conquer?"
Arlong complained mentally.
[Please choose carefully—only system-qualified beauties yield rewards.]
"Then pick reliable ones!"
"First a Marine, now a Revolutionary—how could they fall for a pirate like me?"
"Ugly and not even that strong!"
Arlong ranted at the system, then voiced his real desire.
"System, how about an obedience potion? One beauty a day guaranteed?"
"Or just cheat—boost me to admiral level?"
[Host may rely on personal charm.]
"Charm? Two were coerced, one needed a man. What charm?"
Arlong grumbled, but his body was honest.
In a few flashes, he reached Smoker and Krara's battlefield.
Krara was tangled up by Smoker.
Arlong roared righteously, "Big smoker, let go of that girl!"
"You're really regressing—bullying a weak woman!"
His tone dripped disdain.
Krara's eyes lit up: Ugly guy's got some manly vibes!
Smoker nearly spat blood at Arlong's words.
Which weak woman's punches made a colonel cough blood?
Smoker ignored the taunt.
He demanded, "Arlong, you're about to be in deep trouble yourself—still meddling?"
This wasn't a bluff.
Arlong was strong, but nowhere near admiral level.
Worlds apart!
"Heh~"
Arlong sneered.
He had chosen this path—no turning back.
He was stubborn as a mule.
Otherwise, in his past life, he wouldn't have worked himself to death in Ji Province.
"Arlong, from what I know, you and the Straw Hats aren't exactly friends. Why get involved?"
Smoker tried to persuade him—at least stall until Akainu was free.
"I don't care about the Straw Hats. But Krara's the woman I have my eye on—you think you can bully her?"
Arlong's eyes snapped wide. A savage aura surged toward Smoker.
He charged.
One punch.
Armament Haki-coated, straight into Smoker's chest.
Smoker flew backward, carving a long trench in the ground, only stopping after crashing through buildings.
"Fish-Man Karate: Tile True Punch!"
A gust blasted from behind Arlong.
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