54: Chapter 54 The matter is settledArlong watched his men being defeated one by one, filled with rage and anxiety.He wanted nothing more than to rush forward and tear them to shreds, but he couldn't break through Luffy's attacks.In truth, Luffy could finish Arlong off in a single move, but he held back, remembering what he had done to Nami.He wanted Nami to witness Arlong's ultimate attack, "Gum-Gum Flame Gun!" Luffy's hands, wreathed in flames, hurtled towards Arlong.Arlong could only dodge awkwardly, but he couldn't escape the dense barrage of punches.He could only grit his teeth and raise his hands, determined to withstand Luffy's attacks head-on.However, he underestimated Luffy's offensive power.And then.A barrage of punches rained down on Arlong, who screamed and collapsed to the ground, his body reeking of burning flesh.Nami, arriving just in time, witnessed the scene."Go!Straw Hat Luffy, teach Arlong a lesson!" the villagers shouted excitedly.Nami, her eyes red, watched Luffy brutally beating Arlong, tears welling up again."Damn it, Straw Hat Luffy, don't underestimate me!Watch my Iron Teeth!" Arlong pulled out his sharp teeth, and to everyone's astonishment, a new set of teeth grew from his mouth.Arlong smiled cruelly, "Straw Hat Luffy, my teeth can crush cannonballs!I won't." "I believe you can withstand it," Arlong said, brandishing his teeth as he charged at Luffy.Luffy calmly watched Arlong, then leaped high to dodge the attack.Just as Arlong turned, Luffy unleashed a Gum-Gum Pistol, striking Arlong in the left abdomen.The blow caused Arlong to cough up blood.Luffy then followed up with a Gum-Gum Whip, sending Arlong flying.Using the momentum, Arlong entered the water and smugly said, "Straw Hat Kid, I know you're a Devil Fruit user.Even though you're strong, you're afraid of seawater, aren't you?You just wait, I don't believe you can stay in this village forever." "After you leave, I'll definitely come back and slaughter everyone in this village, especially Nami.I'll take good care of her before killing her," Arlong said, diving into the water to leave, leaving behind the desperate villagers and Nami."Damn it!" Zoro and the others cursed angrily, while Luffy calmly drew his sword, and amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, walked to the beach.He turned to Nami and smiled, "I told you, I would definitely help you deal with Arlong." With that, he plunged into the sea."Luffy!" Everyone was shocked.Nami, also desperate, grabbed her straw hat and came to the beach, crying out, "Luffy, you big idiot, why did you do this?"
After entering the sea, Luffy activated his Observation Haki and quickly found Arlong nearby.He then spread his wings and chased after Arlong at top speed.Arlong, while congratulating himself on escaping, was thinking about how to torture the villagers of Cocoyasi Village later.Just then, Arlong sensed someone chasing him from behind.Turning around, he saw Luffy, whom he thought couldn't go into the water.Arlong was startled at first, then overjoyed, saying, "Hahaha, Straw Hat, you have a way to heaven but choose not to, and you dare to come to hell to chase me?Although I don't know what method you used to be immune to seawater, daring to come to the sea, which is advantageous to fish-men, I'll let you die painfully here!" After saying that, Arlong charged towards Luffy.Luffy remained calm, adjusting his breathing and waiting for Arlong's arrival."Water Breathing, Sixth Form," Luffy silently recited as he watched Arlong charge towards him.Just as Arlong was close enough, "Twisted Whirlpool!" Luffy.Arlong's upper and lower body began to spin violently, creating a large whirlpool in the sea.Before he could react, he was swept into it.Just as Zoro and the others were getting anxious, the sharp-eyed Coby pointed forward: "Look, what's that?" Zoro and the others looked in the direction Coby pointed, and suddenly a person covered in blood emerged from the sea not far away.Everyone looked closely and saw that it was the fleeing Arlong."It's Luffy!Luffy defeated Arlong!" everyone exclaimed in surprise.Nami also looked at the sea with expectant eyes.Amid everyone's expectant gaze, Luffy emerged from the sea, carrying Arlong back to the shore."Luffy!" Nami rushed over excitedly, hugging Luffy despite his wet clothes.As soon as Luffy put Arlong down, Nami hugged him again.Nami looked at Luffy excitedly and said, "Luffy, are you hurt?" Luffy smiled slightly at Nami's pretty face: "Put me down, I'm fine.And hurry up and put me down, so many people are watching."
Nami blushed and obediently released Luffy.Luffy walked to Arlong's side, and the barely breathing Arlong asked unwillingly, "Why, why aren't you afraid of seawater?" Nami also looked at Luffy curiously, wanting to know how he could fight in the sea.Luffy scratched his head, puzzled, and said, "Uh, I didn't say that.I'm not afraid of seawater." Hearing this, Arlong kicked his legs and died.Luffy turned around speechlessly, looking at the astonished crowd, and said strangely, "I didn't say that?" Everyone immediately collapsed to the ground, except for Zoro, who roared, "You bastard, you made us worry!" Luffy then added, "Oh right, I forgot to mention, not only me, but Coby, Usopp, you're not afraid of seawater either."
"Huh?" The two were instantly dumbfounded.Luffy ignored their confusion and went to Nami, saying, "Now, are you willing to become my navigator?" Nami looked at Luffy's face, tears welling up in her eyes again, and nodded, saying, "Of course, Captain."
Luffy grinned upon hearing this, and was about to lead the group away when he suddenly remembered something.To everyone's bewilderment, he leaped into the air, shouting "Gum-Gum!Giant Axe!" Entering Gear Third, Luffy stomped down the cage that had imprisoned Nami for eight years.Nami, tears streaming down her face, looked at Luffy lying on the ruins and whispered."Thank you, Luffy."