How could he forget!
The first time this man appeared on Fish-Man Island, he effortlessly overwhelmed the entire Fish-Man district, and no one there could even resist.
Later, this man said something that earned the respect of all Fish-Men and Merfolk. Even now, he remembered very clearly the words he said: "Race does not represent honor. I know many noble Fish-Men, and I also know some cruel humans."
Afterward, this man, along with Fisher Tiger, charged toward Mary Geoise and rescued countless slaves from the World Nobles, becoming a hero revered by many!
This man...
"Gulp!"
Arlong swallowed his saliva, and that arrogance from earlier was all gone. All that remained in his eyes was fear, and even his body couldn't help but tremble.
"Von...Vongola Primo, what is someone like you doing all the way here in East Blue?"
This was simply beyond him. The leader of the strongest force in the New World appearing in East Blue?
"Ah, where did your arrogance earlier go, Arlong? How did you change so quickly when you saw my old friend? Gyahahaha!"
Buggy seized the opportunity to mock and laugh at Arlong, but it wasn't without reason. Giotto is indeed an old friend of his, and they've known each other for a long time. Even that Red Hair bastard who made him eat a Devil Fruit was an old friend of his. However, Buggy tends to keep a low profile and never brought up the fact that two of the well-known figures in new world were his old friends.
Buggy began to lose in thoughts, thinking that he should go to the New World and become the third Emperor for fun.
Arlong paid no attention to Buggy's taunts and crazy laughter. The only one in his mind was the indifferent Giotto at the moment.
"Captain Arlong, he's just a lowly human. Just kill him and throw him into the sea!"
Just at that moment, one of the Fish-Men suddenly shouted loudly. His voice was so loud that it made several Fish-Men, including Arlong, want to twist his head off.
Arlong and his crews, including Hatchan, felt like they could hear each other's heartbeat.
If he could kill Vongola Primo and throw him into the sea, then why were they here in East Blue? They might as well go to New World, punch Whitebeard, and kick Shanks?"
After the Fish-Man finished shouting, he noticed that Kuroobi and Chews also shivered with fear. But he couldn't understand what had just happened. Even though he came from Fish-Man Island, he had never seen Vongola Primo, the protector of Fish-Man Island. Besides, he suspected he must've misheard things, so he couldn't make out what Arlong had said earlier.
"Arlong, your subordinates intend to kill me and throw me into the sea. What do you think as their leader?"
Giotto's expression remained completely unchanged, and his tone was as calm as ever. Although that was no different from how he usually looked, for Arlong at this moment, the lack of emotion Giotto showed display was even scarier than if he had exploded in anger.
"I... dare not! If you have any order for me, please tell me. As long as I can do it, I will do it with all my heart and soul!"
Arlong fell silent for a while and finally made up his mind. He couldn't care less about his pride in front of his Fish-Man brethren who revered him. The most important thing was to stay alive.
Although he harbored hostility towards humans, when it came to Giotto...
He couldn't even do it.
Giotto was on a whole different level compared to him in terms of strength. He was also the hero who protected Fish-Man Island and rescued slaves from Mary Geoise. On top of that, even Fisher Tiger acknowledged him, so there was no room for Arlong to voice his complaint.
Even if his men were killed by Giotto, it was definitely their own fault.
"At least you're wise, Arlong. But what you're doing here... I wonder how Jinbe and the late Tiger would react if they found out."
Giotto shook his head and continued calmly, "As for the rest of you, especially you, Hachi. As Arlong's subordinate and friends, instead of advising Arlong to stop this despicable thing, you went along with him? I have no plan to order you around, and I no intention to meddle in your business. All of this happened because one of your men picked a fight with me..."
"But that doesn't mean this is all. If you have anything to say, talk to Jinbe!"
Giotto then handed a Den Den Mushi to Arlong. From the Den Den Mushi's face, it was clear that the person on the other end was the strongest Fish-Man in Fish-Man Island, Vongola Family's External Advisor, Jinbe!
He was also a former member of the Sun Pirates and could be considered Arlong's big brother.
"Arlong! You bastard, what have you done? Have you forgotten that we used to follow brother Tiger all over the place just to rescue slaves? We despise the Celestial Dragons and abhor those wretched slave owners. But now, your actions are no different from those dirty World Nobles!"
Jinbe wasted no time to bombard Arlong with scoldings through the Den Den Mushi. He was furious beyond measure. He initially thought Arlong left Fish-Man Island to make himself a better man, but he never expected things to turn out like this.
He had used violence and bloodshed to rule over more than twenty villages, and some villages had already been completely wiped out!
He used to work alongside him to rescue others now became the very people they used to detest the most.
"Humans are inherently inferior creatures. Fish-Men should be the rulers of this world!"
Arlong, who trembled with fear at first, couldn't help but becoming defiant when Jinbe reprimanded him. He grabbed the Den Den Mushi and yelled at Jinbe, "If it weren't for these wretched humans, brother Tiger would never have died! You saw it with your own eyes, right Jinbe? These humans deserve this!"