Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
At Arlong Park...
"Captain Arlong, something seems off with Shioyaki and Take today," Octopus Hatchan said after finishing his duties alongside Chew. He'd noticed that the two fish-men, supposed to be on patrol, had instead gone straight to Arlong with a report. Recalling their unusual behavior earlier, Hatchan expressed his concerns, "There might be some plot brewing against us."
Kuroobi, Arlong's trusted lieutenant and a skilled martial artist in fish-men karate, scoffed at the idea. Dressed in a dark blue gi, his hair neatly tied into a ponytail, he said, "Who would dare plot against us here?" Kuroobi, known for his ability to break 1000 tiles underwater with a single strike, stood with confidence. "If anyone does try anything, we'll simply eliminate them."
Arlong, with a laugh that sent chills down one's spine, joined in, "Exactly! Hatchan, always remember we fish-men have evolved to breathe underwater. This ability alone makes us superior to those weak humans." His voice grew darker and more intimidating, "To challenge fish-men is to challenge nature itself. We are unbeatable!" He laughed heartily.
BOOM!
The boisterous laughter of Arlong and his crew was interrupted as the park's gate was suddenly blown apart. Debris flew in every direction, creating a thick cloud of dust.
Peering through the haze, the fish-men saw a massive sea cow lying on the ground. "Momoo!" Hatchan shouted, rushing forward. He shared a special bond with the sea cow and was clearly distressed seeing it in such a state. "Who did this to you?" he cried out.
Before any of them could react further, they heard cries of pain from their comrades. The dust began to settle, revealing Luffy and his crew.
A voice, dripping with sarcasm, echoed, "It's surprising how weak the fish-men seem." Another voice chimed in, "I remember someone saying fish-men were invincible. What do you think, Luffy?"
Luffy, leading the group with fierce determination, responded without turning, "Yeah, they're pretty weak."
Bai Ye, having overheard Arlong's earlier boasts, smirked, "Looks like someone was bragging here."
Trailing behind Luffy and Bai Ye were Zoro and Sanji. Zoro's hand rested on his sword's hilt, ready for action. Sanji, with a lit cigarette dangling from his lips, looked equally prepared.
Nami and Usopp brought up the rear. Usopp seemed nervous, but his slingshot was at the ready.
Arlong's initial shock at seeing his injured comrades quickly turned to rage upon spotting Nami. "Nami! How could you betray me?" he roared. This perceived betrayal was the ultimate insult to him. Rising to his full height of 2.6 meters, he towered over Nami and her friends. His menacing glare was enough to make his crew uneasy. "Do you really believe a few ordinary humans can stand against me?" he sneered. "Fish-men are ten times stronger than your kind. In water, we're unbeatable!"
As Arlong's rant reached a fever pitch, Bai Ye cut in, "You keep mentioning 'low-level humans.' Are you trying to hide your own insecurities?"
Bai Ye began to tell the story, "There's a place at the end of the first half of the Grand Line called the Sabaody Archipelago. If you coat your boat there, you can descend to Fish-Man Island, which lies 10,000 meters deep in the ocean. That's where most of the world's fish-men and merfolk live, at least from what I've learned."
He paused for effect, then turned his intense gaze onto Arlong, "You know, in that place, fish-men weren't rulers. Instead, they faced prejudice and were even traded as slaves."
Arlong erupted with anger, shouting, "ASSHOLE!" Memories of his painful past flooded back, overwhelming him with emotion.
Nami gasped in shock, covering her mouth. The truth Bai Ye was revealing contradicted everything Arlong had taught her growing up.
Bai Ye continued, his eyes locked onto Arlong's, "I don't support the mistreatment of fish-men and merfolk. But what you're doing is even worse. Just because you've suffered, it doesn't give you the right to harm those weaker than you. It's reprehensible."
He didn't hold back his words, aiming them straight at Arlong, "Jinbe freed you from prison eight years ago. Instead of joining him to fight for your people's rights, you chose to create a safe haven in the East Blue, the weakest sea of them all. And now? Are you trying to recreate the Sabaody Park with Arlong Park?"
Bai Ye chuckled, asking, "Do you see yourself as a Celestial Dragon, thinking you can just harm humans as if they're nothing more than pigs?"
A thick silence settled.
Suddenly, Arlong began to laugh uncontrollably. "Fish-men are superior to all races, the pinnacle of all creatures!" he declared, lost in his own delusion.
His gaze, previously filled with murderous intent, now focused intently on Bai Ye. "Fish-men are ten times stronger than those weak humans," he kept repeating, almost as if trying to convince himself.
"Ten times stronger?" Bai Ye smirked. "You seem so focused on that. Let me show you how easily that gap can be closed."
With a swift motion, Bai Ye revealed several pills in his hand. These were specially prepared by him before coming to Baratie. "Watch closely," he said, "And see how simple it is to bridge your so-called physical difference."
The Seventh Grade Pill - the Marrow Cleansing Pill.
It's essential for ancient Qi practitioners. As the name implies, it enhances one's physique to its fullest potential. A crucial step before foundational establishment.
Turning to his companions, Bai Ye instructed, "Luffy, Zoro... Take one."