The Merry's hull scraped gently against the dock as Nami guided her in. Her hands moved automatically, securing the mooring lines with practiced efficiency. The usual Fishman guards were nowhere to be seen - a detail that made her stomach twist with unease.
She could feel her crew's presence behind her on the ship. No words were exchanged; they understood what needed to be done. The sound of their feet hitting the dock one by one echoed in the unusual silence of the port.
The familiar path to Arlong Park stretched before them. How many times had she walked this road? Hundreds? Thousands? Each time carrying money, each time alone, each time dying a little inside. But not today.
Movement caught her eye - a small figure darting between buildings, metal glinting in the sunlight. Nami stopped, her eyes fixed on the boy clutching a kitchen knife with trembling hands. She recognized that look - the same desperate determination she'd worn eight years ago.
The boy's eyes widened, tears threatening to spill. Blood trickled from his lips as he bit down hard, fighting not to cry over his father's death. "They... they took everything he had. And when he couldn't pay anymore..." His knuckles went white around the knife's handle.
"Your father," she said softly, remembering the suit of upturned houses she'd seen when passing through the southern port. "He was the fisherman from the southern port, wasn't he?"
Nami felt something shift inside her. For years, she'd stopped these attempts, telling herself she was protecting them. But now...
"We're not surviving," she whispered, the realization hitting her like a physical blow. "We're just existing. Living like pets, feeding his greed..."
From the corner of her eye, she spotted one of the villagers - old man Genzo's friend - watching the exchange intently before hurrying away toward the village. The news would spread quickly now.
Nami resumed her walk, each step feeling heavier than the last. Behind her, she could sense her crew's presence - their footsteps deliberately quiet, but there. She didn't dare look back, knowing Arlong's men could be watching, but their presence gave her strength she'd never known before.
Luffy's sandals made that distinct slapping sound against the dirt road. Zoro's swords clinked softly with each step. She could practically feel Sanji's protective aura and Usopp's nervous energy radiating forward.
'This time,' she thought, her hand unconsciously touching the tattoo on her shoulder, 'I'm not walking alone.'
The towering gates of Arlong Park loomed ahead, casting long shadows in the afternoon sun. After eight years of walking this path, and for the first time, Nami felt something different stirring in her chest.
It wasn't fear.
It was hope.
Earlier at the village...
Genzo burst into the village square, his face flushed from running. "Nami's back! And she's not alone!"
The villagers gathered quickly, whispers spreading like wildfire. Nojiko pushed through the crowd, her eyes wide. "What do you mean, not alone?"
"There are others with her - pirates, by the look of them. They're heading to Arlong Park!"
The crowd erupted in worried murmurs. They all remembered what happened the last time outsiders tried to help. The bloodshed, the losses...
"We can't let her throw away everything she's worked for!" someone shouted.
"Eight years of sacrifice..." another added.
Nojiko's fists clenched. "Then we stop them before they reach Arlong Park!"
The villagers grabbed whatever weapons they could find - pitchforks, old swords, farming tools. They rushed toward Arlong Park, taking shortcuts through the tangerine groves.
At Arlong Park's entrance...
The villagers formed a human barrier, blocking the path to the gate. Genzo stood at the front, arms spread wide.
"Turn back!" he shouted at Nami and her crew. "We won't let you throw away eight years of work!"
Nami stared at the villagers in shock, her voice trembling. "How... how do you know about the deal?"
Nojiko stepped forward, her eyes filled with tears. "I told them, Nami. Everything. About the money, about saving the village..."
"But... but why?" Nami's hands shook. "No one was supposed to know!"
Genzo's voice was gentle but firm. "We've watched you suffer for eight years, Nami. Stealing, risking your life, bearing that mark..." He pointed to her tattoo. "We couldn't stay silent anymore."
"You've done enough," another villager called out. "More than enough!"
"Leave the island, Nami!" someone else shouted. "Go live your dream!"
"Be free on the seas!"
Tears started streaming down Nami's face as more villagers joined in:
"You deserve to be happy!" "We won't let you sacrifice any more!" "These pirates... they seem different. Go with them!"
Nami turned to look at her crew - at Luffy, who was already in his fighting stance, at Zoro gripping his sword, at Sanji lighting a cigarette, and at Usopp trying to look brave despite his shaking knees.
"But the village..." she started.
"We'll handle it!" Genzo declared. "We're not weak! We-"
He was cut off by Luffy's annoyed grunt. "This is taking too long." He pulled back his fist, aiming at the gate.
"Wait, Luffy-" Nami began, but it was too late.
WHAM!
The Fishman guard who had chosen that exact moment to open the gate took the full force of Luffy's punch. He flew backward like a rocket, crashing through multiple walls before splashing into the far pool.
The villagers' jaws dropped collectively. They had never seen anyone handle a fishman so easily.
From inside Arlong Park came an enraged roar: "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
Zoro shifted his stance, wincing slightly as his partially healed wound from Mihawk pulled at his chest. The bandages were still visible under his shirt, but he could move much better than a week ago.
Usopp reached into his new bag, filled with special ammunition he'd prepared during their journey. "I've got some new tricks for these fish-faces," he muttered, trying to sound braver than he felt.
Johnny and Yosaku positioned themselves near the villagers, swords ready. "We'll protect the civilians, Big Bro Zoro!" Arlong's crew began emerging from the building, but Luffy's attention remained fixed on their leader. His arm began to steam slightly - a sign of his developing control over his newfound abilities.
Before fully engaging in combat, Luffy turned to Nami. His expression softened for a moment as he reached for his straw hat - his treasure. "Nami," he said, removing his hat.
The action drew everyone's attention, especially the villagers who knew the significance of what they were witnessing. "Hold onto this for me." Nami's eyes widened, tears threatening to spill. She knew what this hat meant to him, and had heard the story of his promise to Shanks. "But Luffy... that's your..."
"You're my navigator," he said simply, placing the hat on her head. "I don't want it getting damaged while I kick this guy's ass." The gesture wasn't lost on anyone present.
Nojiko smiled, understanding the deep meaning behind it.
Genzo watched intently, remembering all the times he'd seen Nami cry under Arlong's rule.
"That hat..." one villager whispered to another. "I've never seen her accept anything from anyone before..."
Arlong's laugh cut through the moment. "How touching. But no matter what promises you make, she'll always be-"
"Gear Second," Luffy cut him off, steam rising from his body once again. His eyes locked onto Arlong with fierce determination. "She's not your property. She's my nakama."
Nami clutched the rim of the straw hat, feeling its worn texture beneath her fingers. For the first time in eight years, she truly believed everything would be okay.
"What... what kind of power is that?" Genzo stammered.
"Impossible!" one of Arlong's crew members shouted. "His skin's turning pink!"
Nojiko grabbed her sister's arm.
"Nami, these friends of yours... they're different from other pirates." Arlong's grin faltered slightly at the sight of Luffy's transformation. "Interesting trick, human. But-" Before he could finish, Luffy vanished from sight. The next instant, one of Arlong's lieutenants went flying through a wall, struck by an invisible force.
The villagers erupted in amazed chatter: "Did you see that speed?" "He just disappeared!" "Not even fishmen can move that fast!
"Get them!" one of Arlong's officers shouted, and dozens of fishmen charged forward.
Zoro eyed the fishmen approaching him, his single sword ready. His gaze caught the glint of steel - two of his opponents carried katanas.
"Perfect," he muttered, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "You guys are carrying exactly what I need."
Two fishmen swordsmen charged at him, confident in their superior numbers. "A wounded human with one sword? This'll be easy!"
Zoro's expression darkened. "One sword style: Lion's Song!" The strike was so fast it seemed like he hadn't moved at all. One Fishman fell, his sword spinning through the air. Zoro caught it effortlessly.
"That's one."
The second swordsman hesitated, taking a step back. "What... what are you?"
"Roronoa Zoro," he answered, now wielding two blades. "And I'll be taking that sword too."
The Fishman attacked in desperation, but Zoro parried with his first blade and disarmed him with the second. The third sword joined his arsenal.
Now properly armed, Zoro settled into his familiar stance, all three swords in position - one in each hand and one in his mouth. Despite the pain in his chest, he felt more like himself.
"Now then," he growled around the sword's hilt, "let me show you why they call me the Pirate Hunter." The remaining fishmen backed away, suddenly realizing they were facing the real Demon of the East Blue.
Zoro, despite his injury, moved with deadly precision. "Oni Giri!" Three fishmen fell before they could even raise their weapons. He grimaced but maintained his stance. "Don't underestimate human swordsmen."
Usopp took a position on higher ground. "Special Attack: Exploding Star!" The projectile burst among a group of fishmen, creating a smokescreen. "I've got more where that came from! The brave warrior of the sea is here!"
Sanji lit a cigarette, casually walking toward another group. "Oi, fish-faces. Anyone who's ever hurt Nami-san..." His leg ignited with fury. "Collier Shoot!" Two fishmen went flying, crashing into their companions.
The display of strength from the Straw Hats had an immediate effect on the villagers. Genzo was the first to step forward, gripping his old sword.
"For eight years we've lived in fear," he shouted. "No more!"
Johnny and Yosaku raised their swords. "If Big Bro Zoro can fight with those injuries, so can we!"
The villagers, inspired by the courage before them, grabbed whatever weapons they could find. What had started as a pirate battle transformed into a revolution - the people of Cocoyashi Village finally fighting back against their oppressors.
Nami watched, clutching Luffy's hat, as her hometown united with her new family to fight for their freedom.
Arlong sneered down at Luffy from his position. "Watching your crew fight... you're different from the other humans I've crushed."
"You're right," Luffy replied coldly, his hat shadowing his eyes. "I'm the one who's going to take you down."
Meanwhile, the lieutenant battles erupted:
Kuroobi launched at Sanji with devastating speed. "Hundred Brick Fist!" The attack narrowly missed as Sanji flipped backward.
"Not bad," Sanji smirked, launching into a spin. "But my kicks are stronger! Collier Strike!"
Hatchan whirled his six swords in complex patterns. "Takohachi Black!" The octopus fishman became a tornado of blades.
Zoro met the assault head-on, his three swords singing. "Demon Slash!" Steel clashed against steel, neither swordsman giving ground.
Chew fired rapid water bullets at Usopp, who dove behind the debris. "Stop running, long-nose!"
"Who's running? Special Attack: Tabasco Star!" Usopp countered, scoring a direct hit in Chew's eyes.
Above the chaos, Arlong's grin widened. "Your crew fights well... for humans. But they'll learn why fishmen are the superior species."
Luffy cracked his knuckles. "The only thing they'll learn is what happens when you make my navigator cry."
The intensity of the battles increased, each fighter knowing they were fighting for more than just victory - they were fighting for Nami's freedom.
Kuroobi and Sanji's fight moved to the water, where the Fishman thought he had the advantage. "In water, humans are helpless!"
But Sanji surprised him by kicking powerfully underwater. "Who said I'm helpless?" His kicks, though slowed by water resistance, still packed tremendous force.
Hatchan's six-sword dance pushed Zoro to his limits, his wounds from Mihawk threatening to reopen. "Nyuu~ You're already injured!"
"These wounds?" Zoro grinned through his sword. "They're nothing compared to what she endured for eight years!" His determination fueled a powerful counter-attack.
Usopp, despite his fear, showed surprising cunning. "Lead Star! Smoke Star! Egg Star!" "Stop with these tricks!" Chew raged, pursuing him. "Who said they were just tricks?" Usopp revealed he'd led Chew into a prepared trap.
Meanwhile, Nami had returned to Arlong Park, clutching her staff. Tears streamed down her face, but these were different - tears of hope, not despair.
"I won't let you control anyone else!" she shouted, her voice strong and clear. She began fighting the remaining fishmen crew members, each strike of her staff releasing eight years of pent-up anger.
Arlong's eyes narrowed at seeing his 'navigator' fighting back. "You ungrateful..."
"She was never yours," Luffy cut him off, his voice deadly serious. "Nami is my navigator!"
The battles continued, each Straw Hat fighting not just for victory, but for Nami's dream of freedom. The air crackled with determination as years of oppression began crumbling under their combined assault.
Sanji burst from the water, his leg blazing. "You thought the sea was your advantage? Concasser!" His axe kick struck Kuroobi with such force it cracked the concrete beneath them as the Fishman crashed down.
Zoro, bleeding but unbowed, faced Hatchan. "Three Sword Style: Dragon Twister!" The tornado of blades overwhelmed Hatchan's six-sword defense, sending him flying.
Usopp's calculated trap sprung perfectly. "Special Attack: Firebird Star!" The explosive projectile caught Chew off-guard, ending their chase with a decisive blast.
Nami stood triumphant over several fallen fishmen, her staff dripping, her eyes clear of tears for the first time in years.
Then... the main event began.
Arlong's eyes had gone feral, his patience snapped at seeing his crew defeated. "You inferior beings... I'LL SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR SPECIES!" He charged at Luffy with frightening speed.
Luffy stood his ground, his hat shadowing his eyes. "Gear Second." Steam began rising from his body.
"Shark On Darts!" Arlong launched himself like a missile.
"You never saw Nami as a person," Luffy stated coldly, dodging the attack. "Just a tool."
Their clash shook Arlong Park to its foundations, marking the beginning of the final battle - a fight between a monster who saw humans as inferior, and a rubber man fighting for his navigator's freedom.
"Shark On Teeth!" Arlong's massive jaws snapped at Luffy, who barely dodged. The bite took a chunk out of a nearby pillar, demonstrating its lethal power.
"Gum-Gum Jet Pistol!" Luffy's fist shot out, but Arlong caught it between his teeth, grinning maliciously.
"Is this all you've got, rubber man?" Arlong taunted, pulling out his Kiribachi saw-sword. "I've been ruling this island for years!"
"Ruling?" Luffy's eyes blazed with anger. "You've been destroying it!" He launched into a barrage of attacks. "Gum-Gum Jet Gatling!"
The fight moved through Arlong Park, destroying walls and pillars. Then Arlong threw Luffy through a window into a room that made everyone watching freeze - especially Nami.
It was the map room. Charts and maps covered every surface, all drawn by Nami over eight years of captivity.
Luffy looked at the blood-stained pen on the desk, understanding dawning on his face. This room represented Nami's prison, her torture chamber.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Arlong gloated. "This is where that girl showed her true worth!"
Something in Luffy snapped. His hand gripped the desk, his knuckles white.
"This desk..." he growled, "This room... None of it should exist!"
In the map room, as Arlong boasted about how he "used" Nami, something changed in Luffy. A dark, overwhelming pressure filled the room - the unconscious use of Conqueror's Haki. Arlong felt a chill run down his spine, his instincts screaming danger.
"Gear Second!" Steam erupted from Luffy's body, his skin taking on a pinkish hue.
"GUM-GUM JET PISTOL!" The attack moved so fast it was nearly invisible, sending Arlong crashing through several walls.
Arlong recovered, enraged. "You're just an inferior human!"
"Gear Third!" Luffy bit into his thumb, blowing air into his bones. His arm expanded to gigantic proportions.
"GUM-GUM GIANT PISTOL!" The massive fist demolished half of Arlong Park.
The battle reached its climax. Luffy stretched his leg high into the sky, the air itself seeming to tremble before his rage.
"This room... this desk... these pens... THEY MADE NAMI CRY!"
His leg grew to a massive size: "GUM-GUM..."
Arlong looked up in terror as the giant leg descended.
"GIANT AXE!"
The attack split Arlong Park straight down the middle, destroying everything - the building, the maps, and Arlong's reign of terror - in one devastating blow.
As the dust settled, Nami's prison was no more, and her captain stood victorious.
As the dust settled, debris from Arlong Park rained down. The Fishman pirates lay defeated, and their fortress was completely destroyed. The villagers stood in stunned silence before erupting in celebration.
"ARLONG PARK HAS FALLEN!"
Nami, still clutching her shoulder where Arlong's tattoo was, watched as Luffy emerged from the rubble. He stood atop the highest remaining piece of Arlong Park and took a deep breath.
"NAMI!" His voice thundered across the courtyard. "YOU ARE MY NAKAMA!"
Tears streamed down Nami's face as eight years of pain and suffering finally ended. "Yes..." she whispered, then smiled through her tears.
The celebration spread throughout Cocoyasi Village and the entire islands. After eight years under Arlong's tyranny, they were finally free.
"This is now under Marine jurisdiction!" Nezumi announced suddnly, strutting through the debris of Arlong Park. "I'll be confiscating all of Arlong's assets and-"
"Gum-Gum..." Luffy's voice came from behind him.
Nezumi turned just in time to see a rubber fist heading straight for his face.
"PISTOL!"
The corrupt Marine captain went flying, crashing into a pile of rubble. When he struggled up, he found himself surrounded by very angry villagers and pirates.
Nami approached him, twirling her staff. "Remember all that money you took from Arlong?"
"W-what money?" Nezumi stammered. "I don't know what you're talking-"
WHACK!
Nami's staff connected solidly with his head. "Wrong answer. Now, you're going to do three things."
She held up one finger. "First, you're returning every berry you stole."
A second finger. "Then, you're going to help clean up this mess and assist the villages Arlong terrorized."
A third finger, accompanied by her scariest smile. "Finally, you're going to report to Marine HQ exactly what happened here. How Arlong was corrupting Marine officials, how he was terrorizing civilians, and how the Straw Hat Pirates were the ones who stopped him."
"And why would I do that?" Nezumi spat, trying to maintain some dignity.
Zoro stepped forward, all three swords gleaming. "Because the alternative is we let the villagers decide what to do with you."
The gathered crowd cracked their knuckles menacingly.
"I-I'll do it! I'll do it!" Nezumi squeaked.
Back in Cocoyasi Village, Nezumi was last seen scrubbing floors under the watchful eye of Genzo, while the villagers made sure the true story of their liberation spread far and wide.
Later, in a quiet moment, Nami went to see Bell-mère's grave. She placed a fresh bouquet of flowers and smiled.
"I'm free now, Bell-mère. And I'm going to follow my dream - with my real family."
Back in the village, she had Dr. Nako remove Arlong's tattoo and replace it with her design - a pinwheel and tangerine intertwined with a small straw hat, symbolizing Bell-mère, Genzo, and her captain Luffy who helped free her village. The design represented the three most important influences in her life: her adoptive mother's love, her father figure's protection, and the freedom Luffy gave her.
The Straw Hats prepared to leave, but not before the village threw them a massive farewell party...
The entire village erupted in a three-day feast. Sanji took over the local restaurant, cooking incredible dishes while Usopp entertained children with tales of his "bravery." Zoro, despite his wounds, was drinking and laughing with the villagers.
During the party, Nojiko pulled Luffy aside.
"Thank you," she said softly. "Not just for defeating Arlong... but for giving my sister her smile back."
Luffy just grinned, mouth full of meat. "Shishishi! Nami is my navigator!"
As the celebration continues. Luffy spotted Johnny and Yosaku sitting at one of the tables. He bounced over to them with his signature grin.
"Hey! You guys were awesome helping us! Want to join my crew?"
Johnny and Yosaku looked at each other, surprised by the sudden offer. They seemed touched but uncomfortable.
"Big Bro Luffy..." Johnny started, adjusting his sunglasses. "We're really honored, but..."
Yosaku continued, "We can't accept. We're just bounty hunters who barely managed to help. What could we offer to an amazing crew like yours?"
"Besides," Johnny added, "We became bounty hunters just to earn enough to eat. But after seeing what you did here... We want to become heroes like you guys!"
Luffy's expression suddenly turned serious. He took a bite of meat and said, "I'm not a hero."
"Huh?" Both bounty hunters looked confused.
"I'M A PIRATE!" Luffy declared loudly. "Do you even know what a hero is? A hero is someone who shares their meat with other people. I want all the meat for myself! Pirates keep the meat!"
Johnny and Yosaku stared at him, then burst out laughing at his simple logic.
"That's Big Bro Luffy for you!" they said in unison.
"But seriously," Luffy continued while chewing, "Heroes share glory with everyone. I'm doing what I want because I want to. That's what being a pirate means!"
The bounty hunters nodded, understanding the deeper meaning behind Luffy's words about freedom and following one's own path.
"Then we'll become our own kind of heroes," they declared, raising their drinks in a toast.
"Shishishi! That's more like it!" Luffy grinned, joining the toast before running off to find more food.
"Big Bro Luffy!" Johnny called out before Luffy could run too far. "We may not be joining your crew..."
"But that doesn't mean this is goodbye forever!" Yosaku continued with enthusiasm.
They struck their signature pose together. "We promise you after we become stronger..."
"Much stronger!" Johnny emphasized.
"We'll follow you to the Grand Line!" Yosaku declared.
"And make our own legend as hero bounty hunters!" They said in unison.
Luffy turned back, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "Shishishi! Then we'll definitely meet again! Because I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!"
"It's a promise, Big Bro!" they shouted, tears streaming down their faces dramatically.
Zoro, who had been watching nearby, smirked. "Just don't take too long. The Grand Line isn't going to wait for you two idiots."
"Big Bro Zoro!" They cried even more dramatically, causing everyone around to laugh.
The moment was interrupted by Luffy spotting more food and dashing off again, leaving the bounty hunter duo with renewed purpose and a promise to keep.
On the morning of their departure, something unexpected happened. As the crew prepared the Going Merry, they heard shouts from the docks.
"STOP! THIEF!"
Everyone turned to see Nami running through the crowd, expertly picking pockets as she went. The villagers' angry shouts turned to laughter when they realized what she was doing - it was her way of saying goodbye.
Nami reached the ship and leaped aboard with a graceful flip. "SET SAIL!" she commanded with a wink.
As the Going Merry pulled away, Nami suddenly lifted her shirt slightly, and wallets rained down onto the dock. The villagers cheered and waved.
"Take care of our Nami!" Genzo shouted.
"GOODBYE EVERYONE! I'M OFF TO DRAW MY MAP OF THE WORLD!" Nami called back, tears in her eyes but wearing the biggest smile anyone had ever seen on her face.
The crew sailed away from Cocoyasi Village, leaving behind a legend that would be told for generations - how a rubber boy with a straw hat brought down a tyrant and freed an entire island.
At sea, the Going Merry sailed under clear skies, while at Marine Headquarters, reports piled up on a senior officer's desk:
"Sir, we've compiled all recent incidents involving this 'Straw Hat' pirate."
The officer spread out multiple reports:
The defeat of Buggy the Clown in Orange TownMorgan's fall in Shell TownThe incident with Kuro at Syrup VillageDon Krieg's defeat at the BaratieAnd now, Arlong's fall in Conomi Islands
"This crew has systematically taken down every major pirate power in the East Blue."
"Not just pirates, sir. They've exposed corruption in our ranks and challenged our authority multiple times."
The commanding officer studied the pattern. "In just a few months, they've completely disrupted the power balance in East Blue. And their captain..."
"Monkey D. Luffy, sir."
"Set the bounty at 55,000,000 berries. We can't let this crew continue unchecked."
Meanwhile, on the Going Merry, the crew continued their journey, unaware that their adventures had caught such serious attention from the Marines. The wind carried them forward, while behind them, their reputation grew with each passing day.