Chapitre 9: 8. Arlong's Persecution!
"Shit!"
In Arlong Park, a man wearing a windmill hat was knocked down by two fish-men.
Arlong stepped forward, gripped his neck, and said, "People of Cocoyasi, if you seek blame, blame Nami. If she hadn't harbored those who angered my Arlong Pirates, you wouldn't have to endure this needless suffering."
"Heh, scared, huh?"
As the man neared death, a woman with short blue hair, named Nojiko, screamed, "Release Genzo, you filthy pirate!"
Before another word could be uttered, Pisaro kicked Nojiko into the water, yelling, "Inferior beings like you have no right to speak here!"
With a smirk, he said, "Brother Arlong, how should we handle these guys?"
Arlong waved his hand, sending Genzo flying, and declared, "Eliminate them all, Shahaha, let's scare them."
"I want Nami to understand the consequences of betraying us!"
Upon receiving Arlong's command, the fishmen grew restless, brandishing their knives with fierce expressions.
Just as they were about to take action, a fishman rushed to Arlong, panting, "Brother Arlong, something's not right!"
Seeing his panicked state, the other fishmen halted, dropping their knives to focus on him.
"What's the matter?" Arlong inquired.
The fishman, visibly shaken, stammered, "Brother Arlong! A sailor just informed me that the three officers were defeated by that kid and his cat!"
As soon as the news spread, the crowd erupted in disbelief!
"How could this happen? Those were the three top officers!"
"It's gotta be a hoax. Those officers never fail on their missions!"
The fishmen debated fervently, with various opinions swirling around.
Some speculated that Nami had somehow exposed the weaknesses of the officers, leading to their downfall. But this theory was quickly dismissed.
When the villagers of Cocoyasi Village learned of the officers' defeat, disbelief clouded their expressions.
Upon hearing that Nami had joined forces with those who bested the officers, tears welled up in their hearts, reflecting their deep sorrow.
For the villagers, Nami's safety was paramount.
"Silence!" Arlong's sudden command hushed the crowd instantly.
The fishman who delivered the news was drenched in sweat, kneeling on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
"Is the information you brought accurate?" Arlong's tone dripped with condescension, his face dark with worry.
He knew the capabilities of his three top officers better than anyone. In the East Blue, there was no force that could challenge their combined strength.
There must have been some sort of unforeseen circumstance.
The trembling fishman, practically glued to the ground, stuttered out a reply:
"Brother Arlong, the message came from one of Colonel Nezumi's underlings," the fishman explained. "He also mentioned that reinforcements have been sent from headquarters to deal with the kid, so we shouldn't get involved."
Remembering the mushroom cloud he witnessed, Arlong felt a surge of frustration. His most capable subordinate had been taken out, yet these Marines dared to demand they stay out of it?
Were they truly so easily provoked?
"Are they mocking us, these insignificant beings?" Arlong seethed, his fists clenching as he struck the stone pillar beside him in anger.
"Go relay this to the Marines," he commanded. "If they dare to interfere, they'll face the consequences of their actions."
"Yes!"
Relieved, the fishman dashed out with a swift motion.
But just as he approached the gate, Nami burst in wielding a wooden stick, swiftly knocking him unconscious. With fury etched on her face, she called out, "Arlong!"
Taking up a defensive stance, she continued, "You promised about the money! You swore you wouldn't break the agreement even if it cost you your life!"
"When did I break our deal?" Arlong taunted, eyeing Nami with amusement.
Nami, consumed by rage, grabbed a weapon and charged at Arlong. "Stop pretending! You conspired with the Marines, letting them plunder all my treasures! Give me back every last Berry!"
However, Nami's attack barely fazed Arlong; it was like a mere tickle to him. Instead, it was Nami who found herself ensnared by Arlong's grip, his sharp teeth bared threateningly.
"Tell me, when did I violate our agreement?" Arlong's tone dripped with menace.
Nami's eyes welled with tears, feeling the weight of her own weakness.
"Let her go!" Genzo demanded, standing up with unwavering resolve.
Only then did Nami notice that all the villagers of Cocoyasi had been captured.
"Damn it! You promised me you wouldn't harm anyone in Cocoyasi!" Nami struggled against Arlong's hold desperately.
"Heh, scared, huh? My patience has run thin since you harbored those two," Arlong sneered.
"It's your own foolishness to blame, Nami!"
With a cruel laugh, Arlong tossed Nami aside, his voice booming, "But there's still a chance for you."
"If you cooperate, I might just let these folks go."
"So, Nami, what's your choice?"
Faced with Arlong's disdainful gaze, Nami clenched her fists so tightly that her nails bit into her skin.
"What are the conditions?" she spat out, trembling with anger.
Arlong flung a knife at Nami's feet, sneering, "Go and eliminate that kid and his cat."
Without hesitation, Nami grabbed the knife from the ground and agreed, "If I take them out, you have to let everyone in Cocoyasi Village go!"
With those words, Nami dashed toward Al without a second glance.
She knew she couldn't harm Al and Tom, but for now, she had to get away from there.
"Brother Arlong, should we go after that woman?" asked Hatchan cautiously.
"Of course. We can't let such a skilled navigator slip away," Arlong replied confidently.
"Shahaha..."
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