บท 12: 11. Really Handsome!

"Stupid cat, I'll slice you up!"

Nervous, Arlong hurled the big, sharp saw he held and dashed off!

Though Tom dodged swiftly, he still got nicked on the back by the blade.

Boom!

The stone pillars propping up the house crumbled from the massive impact!

*Woo woo woo~*

Tom slumped sadly to the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"Scared, huh? Shahaha."

Arlong flexed his muscles, laughing loudly.

"Dumb cat, luck won't save you next time!"

Tom carefully gathered his fur and brushed it against his back, like painting a wall.

Instantly, his bald back was restored!

The smirk on Arlong's face faded as panic set in. An idea dawned on him: "Devil fruit power!"

Tom glared at Arlong, rolled up his sleeves, lifted his head proudly, grabbed the baseball bat, and charged towards Arlong!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Tom mounts Arlong's head, pounding his shark-like noggin relentlessly!

But soon enough, large bumps start appearing one after another, like bamboo shoots in spring!

"What...?!"

Witnessing this spectacle, everyone emerging from the dungeon widens their eyes, their voices trembling:

"Who's that hero!"

"He is taking down that mean and nasty Arlong like it's nothing!"

....

Al stood before the crowd, signaling for Tom to step aside.

"It's my turn to shine!"

Before he could even finish speaking,

Genzo stepped in front of Al, speaking earnestly: "Young man, it's best you stop causing trouble."

"In other words, buddy, Arlong's going down soon, so don't jump in to help."

"Brother, it's not that we doubt you. Even though you're so tall, a fishman wrist strength is ten times greater than a human's!"

Villagers stepped forward to persuade.

Al didn't bother responding, thinking ignorance breeds fear.

Seeing Al's serious expression, Tom suddenly recalled something, his teeth chattering involuntarily. He looked left and right, feeling a bit lost.

While Tom was stunned, Arlong seized his feet and hurled him into the water, roaring, "I'll slaughter you all!"

The villagers fled in terror.

Some began to grumble about Al, questioning why he allowed the cat to get off Arlong's head, especially after he just rescued them.

The head guard, Genzo, appeared uneasy but remained steadfast, apologizing to Al. He raised his arms and swore to fight Arlong to the end.

Al paid little mind to these minor players. Saving them was merely a deal with Nami. Besides, there was no time to worry about them now!

As the fishmen were sent flying, the air golf balls that Al had struck with his golf club had been suspended in the air for quite some time.

They were nearly uncontrollable!

This was a discovery Al made while battling the Marines.

If no target is set, knock out the air golf ball.

These golf balls will continue to hover in the air, building up energy, and won't attack until a target is identified!

At that moment, if you looked up, you could clearly see a massive circle forming in the center of the cloud!

Arlong evaded, gripping a villager's neck and jesting, "Run, pathetic creatures. No matter where you flee, death awaits you!"

He then hurled the villagers aside, fixed his gaze on Al, and laughed heartily, "Frightened, huh? Shahaha."

"Next, it's your turn, kid!"

Al adjusted his sunglasses, slipped his hands into his pockets, and maintained a calm expression.

"Go to hell!"

Arlong bared his teeth and charged towards Al.

Attempting to snap his head off in one bite!

Yet, as beautiful as the imagination may be, reality proves cruel.

Just as Arlong's sharp teeth were mere meters from Al's neck...

Al snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, to the astonishment of everyone present, Arlong was forcefully propelled away by an immense power!

Boom!

The four-story building crumbled, burying Arlong deep underground!

Even then, the air golf ball continued bombarding him until it was utterly depleted!

Everyone present was so stunned by the sight that they froze in place, their gazes towards Al turning increasingly nuanced.

"Incredible!"

Someone uttered, and those villagers who had previously criticized Al hung their heads in shame.

Genzo regarded the towering figure before him with a complex expression.

Meanwhile...

Inside a semicircular building adorned with a stone-carved mouse's head on the roof...

The sailors carried the gravely injured Colonel Nezumi inside.

"Fetch the phone bug!" Colonel Nezumi uttered weakly.

Upon receiving the phone bug, Colonel Nezumi immediately contacted Marine headquarters.

"Moshi~Moshi~."

"This is Marine headquarters. Please proceed with your message."

"This is Colonel Nezumi of the 16th Marine Division, Marine No. 00733!"

Colonel Nezumi almost bellowed, despite the sailors around him urging caution due to his wound.

Yet, blinded by hatred, Colonel Nezumi continued, his voice growing louder, his body trembling incessantly:

"Report to headquarters: There's a man named Al accompanied by a cat."

"He's disregarded Marine regulations, attacked us numerous times, and treats our Marines as enemies!"

"Moreover, he's defeated three high-ranking members of the Arlong Pirates, posing a significant threat. Please request headquarters to offer a substantial reward for their capture!"

"Now, I am sending the photo!"

The soldier receiving Colonel Nezumi's report was puzzled by the reward order and muttered, "Are you sure this isn't just a poster?"

Upon seeing the photo, Colonel Nezumi angrily spat blood and cursed furiously.

"Are there no other photos?"

The soldier responsible for the pictures scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "Nope, at the time, I thought this scene looked the coolest, so I snapped it."

Colonel Nezumi suddenly coughed up blood and lost consciousness.

The soldier gazed at the photo of Al and Tom, both dressed in denim, smiling confidently, and murmured, "Indeed, quite dashing!"

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