"Don't hold back." Luffy said to Arlong, who scoffed at him.
With a huge smile, Arlong taunted him, "If I don't, you filth will die quickly."
"Too bad for you, I'm not holding back either," Luffy muttered as he vanished and resurfaced with his leg slamming into Arlong's side, propelling the shark fishman through his own base, making him cough up saliva and a little of blood as he almost passed out.
"No compassion," Luffy said coldly as he proceeded through the numerous fallen walls to Arlong's location, pausing briefly to retrieve a big sawblade with six blades. 'This must be his,' Luffy reasoned as he dragged the sword behind him.
Luffy stumbled upon Arlong face-down in the debris, attempting to regain his breath after passing through a few more shattered walls.
"Good, you're still awake; it'd be a pity if you lost this easy," Luffy replied, dropping the huge sawblade beside Arlong in a nonchalant tone. "I guess this is yours; you'll need it if you're going all out," Luffy remarked, his hands in his pockets.
"You damn arrogant human!" shouted Arlong as he snatched up his sawblade and swung it violently at Luffy. "You have no idea about the invincible might of the fishman race! I'll kill you!" Arlong screamed angrily as Luffy effortlessly evaded his attacks.
Luffy grabbed the sawblade with a black palm after a few more seconds of flawless dodging.
"You know, Jinbei is a Warlord, how can you be so weak? I thought you'd be a lot stronger than this," Luffy grumbled, snapping the sawblade in two, leaving just three blades.
"You smashed the Kiribachi!" cried Arlong, startled as his eyes shifted and he went insane. "You human garbage! You think you can equal the power of a fishman!?" Arlong's nearly frenzied outburst was cut short as Luffy's fist punched him through Arlong Park's several storeys, ending at the top floor.
"The strength of fishmen this, the strength of fishmen that." Luffy exclaimed as he soared from floor to floor up to the top, "You're a loud son of a bitch," he said as he landed on the top level and paused to survey the 8-foot-high piles of paper, shelves, and bookshelves, as well as a desk in the corner.
Luffy stepped up to the desk and grabbed up a pen, inspecting it with a keen eye and seeing bloodstains all over it. As he softly slid the pen between his fingers, he thought to himself, 'There's blood on this pen.'
"So you've noticed. This is Nami's room, she's been sketching her sea-charts here for eight years, this room is her bliss," Arlong stated arrogantly from behind Luffy as he yanked out his damaged teeth and sprouted a new set in seconds.
'Then this must be Nami's blood,' Luffy realized grimly as he stopped rolling the pen and carefully placed it on the desk.
"Her navigational aptitude is beyond any I've seen, and her sea-charts are all spectacular!" remarked Arlong, a wide smile on his face. "Couldn't you come up with a better method to use her than I do?"
Luffy asked softly, his visage darkened, "Use?"
"Yes, Use," Arlong said, his smug smile remaining on his face. "Her abilities would be useless aboard your lousy ship," Arlong shouted, "and I'm the only one who genuinely understands how to employ a lady like her!"
Luffy stayed still for a while before raising his head and glaring squarely at Arlong, startling him into submission.
Luffy had never felt so enraged in his life, not as a youngster, not when Kuro treated his crew like puppets, and not even when Buggy destroyed that village. This fury he was experiencing was unbearable, and it was all directed at Arlong.
Luffy roared out, his voice filled with beastial rage that bordered on feral. "What the hell do you think you're doing with her, you dirty, lying piece of shit?" Luffy slammed the desk into the wall, stunning Arlong even more.
"What are you doing!" shouted Arlong.
Luffy dashed about the room, destroying the contents with bursts of dirt and dust, knocking away shelves and piles of maps.
"My sea charts! My 8 years' worth of sea charts!" Arlong exclaimed as he whirled on Luffy and swung the last of his blade at him, but Luffy ducked and forced Arlong to slice his own sea charts. "NO!"
Luffy had completed trashing the room after a minute and had come to a halt in the center of it while Arlong scowled at him. "You blasted human, you think you've won? I'm going to murder you brutally!" shouted Arlong, opening his mouth wide and whirling like a drill. "Shark on Tooth!" exclaimed Arlong as he charged forward towards Luffy.
"This is Nami's jail," Luffy replied, his gaze fixed on the approaching Arlong. "I'm going to raze this place till there's nothing left but debris!" he yelled as he punched Arlong in the nose, the nose shattering before grabbing his body and slamming it against the floor, again, and again, the floor crumbled, Arlong fell below.
Luffy created his sword back, sending a wave that looked like shape of a blade that cut through concrete like butter.
Arlong screamed in pain as his leg was severed from his body, blood pouring out like rain, but Luffy just jumped to his level, raising up his fist, engulfed in Haki.
"This is for My Nami," Luffy screamed out before slamming his fist on Arlong's back, causing him cough blood and smashing through the floor.
Arlong was unconscious and wasn't moving, Luffy just scoffed before sending another wave cutting his left arm from shoulder down. But despite that, Arlong this time didn't scream, Luffy then jumped in the air.
"Kaze no nami" Luffy screamed sending waves everywhere, the building started falling apart.
After a few seconds of stillness, Arlong Park was severed in two by Luffy's strike, which had annihilated everything in its path, with Arlong at the end, his body sliced neatly in half by Luffy's onslaught.
The structure, which had been demolished both inside and out, started to tremble and rumble with insecurity, leading onlookers to scream in fear and dread.
"The building is about to collapse!"
"Nami, we have to get out of here!" Nojiko said as he grabbed Nami's arm and attempted to pull her away, but she remained still, her wide, astonished eyes refusing to leave the unstable structure.
The structure collapsed, releasing a big cloud of dust and causing a vibration to move through the cement and split the ground.
Luffy landed on the debris pile after letting himself fall from the sky and looking straight at Nami.
"MY NAMI!" said Luffy. "YOU'RE A MEMBER OF MY CREW!"
Nami remained speechless till tears of joy welled up in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. "Mm," she agreed, her breath caught in her throat with intensity.
"TELL THE REST OF THE ISLAND!" Luffy said, drawing everyone's attention to him. "THIS ISLAND IS NOW UNDER THE PROTECTION OF MONKEY D. 'ARASHI' LUFFY!" he said, eliciting joyous applause from the residents.
"Arlong is dead! His rule is finished!" said one of the villagers.
Nami dashed up to Luffy and snatched his lips in a passionate kiss; her sister was taken aback for a second before beaming at her.
A loud 'Not Fair' was heard from Sanji, seeing the Shitty captain making out with Nami.
"Now just hang on a second!" yelled a voice from behind the peasants. The rat-faced Marine caught everyone's attention. "We're here to apprehend the pirates and Miss Nami for theft and piracy!" he added with a smug grin, causing everyone's emotions to darken.
"Now ain't that just a mood killer?" Luffy said lightheartedly after a time, coming down from the debris with his sword in his hand.
"Hmm? A pirate opposing me?" the marine questioned sarcastically and arrogantly.
"Yep, but I believe the term'standing against' implies that both people mentioned are at the same level of strength, so I'd say I'm completely annihilating you and forcing you to kneel before me," Luffy said with a demonic grin as he walked towards the Marine squad in front of him, some of the soldiers stepping back in fear, sweat pouring down their bodies.
"M-men, arrest this guy right now!" Nezumi yelled.
"Funny enough, the rat-faced marine is a coward, exactly like his namesake," Luffy smirked as icy air and an intimidating aura poured out of him.
The Marines were frozen in place, their eyes wide with terror and breaths of terror coming from their throats.
Luffy suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind the Marines, sword in hand, a tiny wind passing past the troops.
"Sairentoburēdo," all of the troops in front of Nezumi slumped, blood pouring from open wounds caused by Luffy's quick cuts.
Nezumi turned around with wide eyes and seemed to be on the verge of passing out. "Y-you pirate scum, the higher-ups will find out about this, and you won't be able to live, you hear me?!!" he said as he turned and ran towards his ship.
Luffy grumbled as he sheathed his sword and started walking back to Arlong Park when he felt a sharp ache in his gut. He gasped, "Gkh! The hell?" as blood began to gush from his wound after his struggle with Mihawk.
"Luffy! What happened!" Nami exclaimed as she rushed up to him, drawing everyone's attention to him.
Luffy said casually, "Nothing."
"Did you tear your stitches?" Zoro inquired.
"I guess it's nothing to worry about," Luffy remarked before looking at his wound.
Nami grabbed him by the shoulders and shouted, "You need to have this treated! You're such a slob."
"Jeez Luffy, you need to stop making our girls nervous," Sanji smirked.
"You're such a bother, swirly-brow," Zoro grumbled as he leaned against the debris.
"What the hell did you just say to me?" Sanji said, threateningly, as he gazed at Zoro, sparks of rage flying between them.
"Those two will never get along," Usopp whispered to himself as he sighed in disappointment, a drop of perspiration sliding down his brow.
Nami took a glance around the little pirate crew before smiling.
Luffy merely grinned and chuckled his'shishishi' laugh as he returned Nami's gaze.
Later
"You fool! Did you think a wound this enormous would heal on its own, why would you even think about fighting with this!" shouted the doctor, as Luffy remained mute as the doctor handed him cotton swabs and rubbed his wound with alcohol every now and again.
Luffy remarked softly, "To be honest, I forgot about it."
"How!? And who even caused this!" said the doctor, his voice tinged with displeasure.
As he felt someone enter the room, Luffy remarked, "No one you need to worry about right now."
Zoro's gruff voice yelled out with interest, "Hey Luffy, I've been wondering."
Luffy hummed inquisitively, "Hmm?"
"Are we going to start training soon?" Zoro said, his face disguised with excitement.
"Yes, we'll start as soon as we go," Luffy said quickly.
"Alright, just wanted to know," Zoro remarked after a brief pause as the doctor completed stitching Luffy's wounds.
As soon as he saw Luffy sit up, the doctor remarked, "Alright child, you're fine to go, just don't rip 'em, all right?"
"Where would Nami be right now?" Luffy wondered as he rose up with the doctor's assistance.
"Hmm, I guess she'd be on the cliff face not far from here, or at her home," the doctor remarked, waving his hand in the general area.
"Thank you," Luffy said as he exited the building without the doctor's assistance.
Luffy noticed the whole hamlet celebrating with a massive bonfire nearby when he exited the building. 'Perfect way to celebrate,' Luffy thought to himself as he walked away from where he sensed Nami's presence.
Luffy stepped into a clearing that led from the jungle and found two individuals at what seemed to be a grave on the edge of a cliff a minute or so later.
As Luffy approached the individuals, he discovered that they were Nojiko and Genzo, who were serious, with Nojiko on the verge of tears. In a courteous way, Genzo silently lifted out an alcohol bottle and gently dumped the contents on the ground.
Nojiko turned and noticed him, as if he had been felt. She turned her whole attention to him, blinking. "What are you doing here?" she inquired, puzzled.
Luffy replied, catching a sight of the grave, "Actually, I was just on my way to chat with Nami. Excuse me for asking, but whose grave is that?" Luffy asked, his voice calm yet inquisitive.
Genzo responded in a low tone after a little pause. "It belongs to Bellemere, Nami and Nojiko's mother."
"Ah, I understand. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies," Luffy murmured, bowing his head.
"Thank you," Genzo replied, his gaze still fixed on the tomb. "Listen, son," Genzo continued, "I know Nami's going to leave with you, and I won't be able to stop her. So know this," Genzo added, his tone becoming more solemn, "if any of you ever injure Nami, I'll kill you."
"We're not going to injure her," Luffy said emphatically.
"How do you know for sure!" Genzo exclaimed as he whirled on his heel. Nojiko flinched at the loudness of his voice.
"Certainly, sir," Luffy said with a nod, glanced at Nojiko, who seemed to be concerned about something. "What's up with Nojiko?" he inquired.
She startled a little when she heard the question. "Well, I was wondering if I may come along with you as well," she said, her expression tense.
Genzo was taken aback by Nojiko's suggestion. "Eh?" he exclaimed.
"Why?" Luffy inquired, his brow quirked.
With a shrug, Nojiko said, "Well, I think it's just my protectiveness for Nami, but I guess I'm just sort of curious what the rest of the world is like."
'How come she's so unconcerned about it?' Luffy wondered aloud.
Luffy said, "Well, what might you add to the crew?"
Nojiko hummed gently, her head tilted to the side. "Well, I could keep Nami in check since I know how she can be, particularly when she comes into money," Nojiko said, little jokingly.
The dark-haired captain's only answer was silence, which made her somewhat nervous.
"I-if you want me to be able to fight, I'll learn, and you won't have to worry about it," Nojiko pleaded.
Luffy responded, "Hmm, fine," which made Nojiko's face light up. "I'll let you join the crew, and I'll train you personally with Zoro, my first mate," Luffy remarked, eliciting a bright grin from the lavender-haired lady.
She sprang and gave Luffy a massive embrace as she ran at him, shocking the guy for a short period. "Thank you very much, Luffy!" she said with delight.
"It's nothing," Luffy patted Nojiko on the back before seeing that Genzo remained stock still, dejected and with a horrified look on his face. "Is he going to be okay?"
Nojiko raised an eyebrow as she let go of Luffy and looked at Genzo. "I believe so; he's probably simply taken aback."
"I think," Luffy muttered as he walked back out of the clearing and towards the settlement, "I still want to acquire some meat and wine."
"All right, captain," Nojiko remarked lightheartedly as she followed after him.
Genzo, who was still shell-shocked by the ordeal, was left alone in the clearing while he attempted to process what had happened.
Later
Luffy departed, choosing to investigate the area since the woodland gave him a strange vibe.
He'd had this sensation since landing here, and Shanks had warned him that it may be due to his Devil Fruit. Upon arriving to the location where he had the peculiar feeling, he saw a massive hole in the ground.
Luffy saw a chest at the bottom of the pit and pondered why no one had discovered it before.
The chest seemed to be tiny, with a massive lock on it, which was shockingly made of gold. Luffy leapt down, grasping the chest, his hand on Haki, his hold on the golden Lock, before adding power and tearing it apart; the chest partly opened as he removed the lock.
Luffy smiled as he saw what was inside, knowing just who would desire this Devil Fruit.
Luffy returned to his bed later that night, Nami waiting for him, and they were louder than they had ever been.
After three days
Over the course of three days, the whole hamlet partied until they passed out from weariness or inebriation.
Only one person stood on the deck of the pirate ship, the Going Merry, while the rising sun welcomed numerous unconscious people with dazzling beams of the early morning sun.
This figure was Luffy, who was dressed in PJ trousers and a simple black shirt, his hat dangling from his neck.
Luffy gulped a sip from the wine cup, softly licking his lips as he sipped the bitter yet tasty beverage.
Luffy cleared his throat quietly and turned around without speaking to anybody. "Good morning, Zoro."
"Mornin'," Luffy's first mate said gruffly as he strolled up to his skipper and leaned on the railing next to him.
There was a brief pause in the stillness, which was broken by Luffy drinking his coffee.
"So," Luffy began, laying his cup on the railing and turning to Zoro, his left arm leaning on the railing as well, "whatddya need?" he inquired curiously.
In answer, Zoro said, "When are we leaving?"
"When everyone is up and attentive," Luffy said, prompting Zoro to give him a confused look, "I'd want to have a fully functional crew," Luffy shrugged. "Even though this stretch of water isn't quite as dangerous as the Grand Line, the crew must be careful."
"I suppose so," Zoro answered. "Hey, Luffy," Luffy acknowledged with a hum, "want to have a brief spar?" Luffy raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Are you sure?" Luffy inquired.
With a nod, Zoro completely turned to face his leader. "I know, I'm not in Mihawk's level," Zoro admitted, "but I'd want to know where I stand in comparison to you."
Luffy sighed after a brief examination of Zoro. As he took up his cup again, Luffy remarked, "Alright, if that's what you want." As he sipped his wine, he added, "Let me drink my wine first, then we can start."
"All right, now we can get started," Luffy remarked, placing his cup on the railing and summoning Inazuma with his palm.
Luffy turned around to see Zoro already had his three swords drawn and his bandanna knotted over his head, a broad grin on his face.
Luffy remarked, "Whenever you're ready, Zoro."
Zoro raced towards Luffy with incredible speed as soon as he completed his sentence. "Oni," he charged straight ahead, slicing forward with his swords in a blur, all three meeting at one point, "Santoryu:," he said as he crossed his arms, his swords pointing at the sky, "Gi-
Because of Luffy, Zoro came to a halt in the midst of his strike.
With his lightning sword and what seemed to be no effort, his captain was keeping all three of his swords at bay.
Zoro's eyes widened in surprise as he saw his assault quickly and readily deflected.
Luffy moved his blade, allowing Zoro to go by him before chopping him in the back of the neck with great power, almost knocking the green-haired swordsman out and causing him to collapse to the deck.
Luffy merely remained in his place while Zoro panted and struggled to stand with tremendous difficulty.
"Are you done yet?" Luffy said, his gaze falling on the barely awake Zoro, who was still fighting to rise.
"Not yet," Zoro grumbled as he eventually got to his feet and turned to face Luffy, a determined expression on his face.
"All right, come at me," Luffy shouted as he prepared his blade.
Luffy said, turning his blades to the flat side, "Now do you want to finish this off?"
"All good," Zoro remarked as he aligned his swords together to make a triangle before whirling them quickly.
Luffy drew his swords up at a 45-degree angle and took a posture. As Zoro's swords blurred together, he murmured, "Nitoryu:."
Zoro continued to spin his blades, saying, "Santoryu Ougi:." "Sanzen sekai!" he yelled as he and Luffy collided for a fraction of a second before coming to a halt a little distance apart.
"Suraisusutōmu"
Luffy was standing and turning towards Zoro when he saw that he was on one knee and gasping for air.
"Can you stand, Zoro?" Luffy said, puzzled.
As he attempted to rise, Zoro muttered, "Yeah." "I suppose you shattered some of my ribs," he grumbled, placing his hand on his chest and drawing it away as if it had been burnt.
"That was the aim of that technique; it's mostly employed to incapacitate the adversary or shatter their weapons," Luffy stated as Zoro passed out.
Later
As he blinked his eyes awake, Zoro grumbled. "Where am I?" he moaned as he sat up from his resting position.
"Luffy's room," said a voice from the room's corner.
When Zoro turned around, he found the local doctor seated at Luffy's desk, browsing through a medical book.
"Why?"
"Of course, so that I may cure you," the doctor said as he shifted in his office chair to face him.
When Zoro looked down at his chest, he saw it was wrapped and numb. He said, "Why does my chest feel numb?"
As he jumped up from his chair, the doctor replied, "Oh, those are the medicines I gave you." He stated as he walked to the door, "You're fortunate the worst injuries you sustained were some shattered bones."
"Is Luffy outside?" Zoro said, his curiosity piqued. "I had to ask him a question."
He continued, his fingers on the door handle, "He and the others are waiting for Nami to come on board so you can depart."
"All right," Zoro grunted as he rose from his bed, "here we go." he murmured as he snatched his sword off the nightstand and slung it over his right hip.
The doctor left the ship, Luffy thanking for taking care of them and Zoro.
Luffy, Usopp, and Nojiko were all standing on the rear of the ship, waiting for Nami to arrive to the pier with the rest of the village so they could say their goodbyes.
"Remember to spread those flags throughout the island and put them up," Luffy said to the locals, referring to a heap of black fabric under Genzo's feet.
"Of course, it's the least we can do after all you've done," Genzo responded respectfully.
"Hey, it's Nami!" said one of the locals, attracting the attention of the pirates.
They saw that the orange-headed woman had her head down.
"Is she okay?" Luffy said after a little pause.
"Perhaps," Usopp said, his gaze drawn to Nami.
Nami seemed to take a deep breath before yelling something that caught everyone off guard.
"SET SAIL!"
Luffy blinked many times before smirking and turning to his still crew. "Didn't you hear her? Set the sails, we're outta here!" Luffy yelled, his crew rushing around the ship in a frenzy of activity.
As the Going Merry prepared to depart port, Genzo said, "Wait up, aren't you going to take her first!"
Nami started sprinting through the mass of villagers, weaving among each of them, taking sharp turns, looping back and sliding by each and every one of the befuddled inhabitants, as if to add to the confusion.
"What the heck is she doing?" Usopp said, his voice rough and inquisitive.
"She's saying 'goodbye' in her own special manner," Luffy remarked, leaning on the railing.
"What are you doing, Nami?"
"Stop!"
"At the very least, say farewell!"
The villagers' combined screams included the previously mentioned as well as a collection of 'What the hell?!'
'Stop right there!'
Nami reached the end of the pier and jumped in a single strong bound, clearing the space between the ship and the dock and landing gracefully on the railing next to Luffy.
"Welcome aboard," Luffy sarcastically exclaimed as his navigator stepped over the railing and pushed her blouse up above her bellybutton, producing a little flood of wallets and coin bags with money notes and coins to stream down about her feet.
"I hope this doesn't turn into a habit," Luffy grumbled as he shook his head.
"Don't worry, Luffy; I'll only do this to strangers," Nami teased, holding a bill between her middle and forefinger and kissing it lightly. "Take care of yourself," she urged, winking at the peasants, who all had furious, shark-toothed grins on their faces.
"THAT BRAT! SHE GOT US AGAIN!" they said, stunned.
"TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES! I'LL MISS YOU!" Nami said as she waved goodbye with a smile.
Genzo yelled, "WE'LL MISS YOU, YOU DAMN BRAT!"
With huge smiles on their faces, everyone at the pier was waving and saying goodbyes.
"HEY, KID!" said Genzo, drawing Luffy's attention. "REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU, OK?" he said.
"I'LL REMEMBER, OLD MAN!" Luffy cried back, a little smile on his face, as the ship continued to sail away from Nami's home island, the sounds of the people becoming fainter and fainter until they faded away completely.
Fun Question: What do you think about the upcoming One Piece Live Action? Will it be Decent, Awesome or Dragon Ball Evolution Level, or Avatar The Last Airbender Move Level?