"Nami, how far are we from your village?" Luffy asked with boredom. He was sitting on top of Merry as usual. Nami was standing next to him. Zack was lifting weights on the deck.
Usopp was upgrading his weapons and formulating plans how to use plants seed he collected from green islands as cartridges. Sanji and Zoro were focused on smashing each other's heads.
"We should be arriving soon. It's not that far now." Nami replied as her heartbeat was racing. She clenched her fists with a worried expression. She wasn't just worried about her village at this moment.
She was also worried about her crew. Although Zack had proved that they are much stronger than she thinks, she still couldn't help but feel horrified. Because she had seen the power of a Fishman especially Arlong with twenty million berries.
"Hey look, I see an island up ahead," Luffy shouted with excitement as soon as he saw the island.
"Sanji, turn the rudder to forty-five degrees" Nami shouted.
"Huh! Nami, I thought we were going to your village. Why are we going around it." Luffy asked with surprise.
"My village is completely surrounded by Fishman pirates. Let's meet up with the villagers and then, make a proper plan to attack them." Nami was worried that they might get outnumbered.
But suddenly, Zack put his hand on her shoulder and spoke.
"After I started getting involved in the battles, I have been fighting groups of pirates. There might be a lot of fishmen but they aren't strong just like any other pirates we have faced before. Only those who are officers of Arlong can be counted strong."
"But they can't defeat our crew. So, relax!"
Hearing his words, Nami's heartbeat slowly calmed down.
"So, are you going straight? Let's go!" Luffy raised both of his hands with excitement.
"Not quite! Let's visit Nami's villagers. Before we attack them, Nami should at least ask if the villagers are ready to put their lives on her decision. This is the battle between two pirate crews after all."Zack shook his head and spoke.
"Awww!" Luffy heavily showed his disappointed face.
After a few minutes, they eventually reached the other side where they dropped the anchor and walked out of the ship.
Suddenly, a few people wearing bandages and holding weapons ran toward Luffy and his crew.
"Stop! Don't step on our land, pirates!" One of the men wearing a military dress with a pinwheel on his cap spoke. His hand was covered with bandages and there were a lot of bruises on his face as well.
"Genzo, what happened?"
Nami dashed out of the crew when she saw Genzo with bandages. At this moment, she got worried that they were involved in the battle against Arlong. But as soon as she reached near him, he suddenly pulled her into his embrace and tears fell down his cheeks.
"I-I-I- I'm sorry.... I couldn't protect it....."
"Nami!" Suddenly, another voice rang from the side. It was Nojiko. Just like Genzo, she also wrapped her arms around Nami and started crying.
"Sob! Sob! We couldn't protect it, Nami….. We couldn't stop them…."
"Genzo, Nojiko, what are you talking about? What happened? Why are you crying?" Nami started to panic, even more, when she found her sister crying like that.
"W.w.w we lost your treasures… Marines took all of it….. All that suffering you have gone through... We couldn't protect it." Another old man wearing a doctor's coat walked next to Nami and answered.
He wasn't crying like Genzo or Nojiko but his eyes were still red. Not just him, almost everyone's eyes were red. Although they didn't like Nami at first, they eventually find out what she was planning.
They didn't tell her so that she wouldn't feel more burdened. They let her continue as it was but yesterday, they couldn't protect the money that Nami put her life at the risk to steal.
She didn't steal it from ordinary people or innocent people. She stole it from the pirates. She put her life on the line every single time from a small age to gather enough money so that she could buy back her village.
Even though she knew Arlong might not agree, she still wanted to do it. On those dark days of her life, it was only hope she saw.
Straw Hats were shocked as well. Unlike those villagers, they understand the risks of stealing from pirates even more. At this moment, someone was blazing with anger.
Zack clenched his fist as his eyes turned red. While these people could simply imagine how much she had suffered, he saw her journey. He saw how much pain she was going through.
Even though he knew it wasn't something he could change. He still couldn't control his anger.
"Calm down!" Suddenly, Zoro pat his shoulder and spoke.
Hearing his words, Zack took a deep breath and turned around. His eyes were deadly serious as he looked at Luffy.
"Don't hold back! Destroy Arlong Pirates."
Saying so, he suddenly walked toward Nami and caught her hand. She was stunned when she got pulled away.
"Stop! Who are you?" Genzo shouted when he saw Zack taking away Nami. But, Zack didn't stop until he reached in front of Luffy.
"We will bring back her money. I will leave everything to you guys."
Although Zack was the one who spoke, everyone's eyes were on Nami, especially Luffy's.
Nami's tears fell down her cheek as she looked at Luffy and said "P-p-please help me!"
Now, she can't even rely on money. It's either destroying the Arlong Pirates or getting destroyed by them. There was no other choice.
Luffy put his hand on his hat and lifted it. He raised his hat and put it on her head.
"Of course, I will."
Luffy screamed. Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp stood there and when Luffy moved, they also moved together. On other hand, Zack took Nami toward the ship.
"Which is the direction to the 16th Branch of East Blue?" Zack asked as they landed on the deck.
Nami clenched her fists and spoke "Let's forget about the money. Let's help Luffy and the others."
Zack slowly cracked a smile and said "Believe in them! They are far stronger than you think."
Soon, his smile solidified as he continued "And, I am not going to let those bastards take all of your money."
Zack still remembered when the Marine Captain of the 16th Branch found out about the treasure after Nami had returned to the village. But this time, Nami had been traveling with them.
And, they also visited Green Island which might be a reason why they were late.
Nami clenched her fists as well. She was also angry. Not only do the marines take her treasures but also heavily beat her family. How could she not be angry?
"The 16th Marine Base is close. It is the only Marine Base near Cocoyasi Village." Nami went inside the cabin while Zack climbed the mast and unfolded the sails.
At this moment, the villagers were watching everything from below. Nojiko was the most surprised one. She looked at the group of four pirates who were walking toward Arlong Pirates and the ship that was sailing away.
She could piece things together and understand the entire situation but she didn't understand why Nami suddenly brought pirates to deal with pirates. She didn't know whether they were even good people or not.
But, since Nami trusted them, she could also trust them, right? She questioned herself.
"If Nami wants to fight against them, let's fight. She has done so much for us. We couldn't protect it but we can still fight by putting our lives on the line, right?" Genzo suddenly shouted.
"Yes!" Those people raised their weapons and shouted. Everyone started running toward Luffy and his crew.
At this moment, Luffy spoke "Zoro, Sanji!"
Both of them immediately understood his intention and stopped. Zoro took out his sword and Sanji lifted his legs. Both of them blocked the path which stopped those villagers.
"What are you doing? We know Nami wants you to fight against Arlong but there are only four of you." Genzo shouted.
"Sorry Mister but our captain said this is the battle between Pirates. So, please don't get involved." Zoro spoke.
His tone was quite strong as well. It made them frightened for a moment. But the doctor walked forward and said "I know you guys are together with Nami but this is our village. We want to help you fight against Arlong."
At this moment, Zoro turned his eyes at him and said "Can you even fight?"
Hearing his words, it felt like an insult. They were just about to angry when Sanji spoke.
"Don't mind his words! Nami-San doesn't want you guys to get hurt. And, don't worry about us. We are quite strong."
Bang!
At the same time, Luffy punched through the wall of Arlong Pirate. Sanji looked at them and said, "Anyway, please don't get involved in the battle between pirates. Let's pirates take care of it."
"Who among you is Arlong?" Luffy asked. He was standing in front of Arlong but there were other fishmen as well.
"Hey, who are you, kid?"
"Are you one of the villagers?
"Don't even think of coming close to Captain Arlong." Those fishmen started walking in front of him.
"Lethal Fire Star!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Suddenly, Usopp shot three shurikens who were covered in fire. Those shurikens struck those fishmen and made them bleed while putting them on fire.
"Who the hell are you?" Arlong looked at Luffy with a serious gaze and spoke.
Crack!
Suddenly, Luffy raised his foot toward the sky. It pierced the building until it reached its limit. Luffy's eyes turned red as he shouted.
"Don't make my navigator cry!"
"Gomu-Gomu No- Battle Axe!"
Bang!
Marine base,
"Is this the base?"
Thud!
Zack jumped down from the ship with his hands in his pocket. It was a small island with a marine building in the middle.
"I am surprised that marines didn't see when we came near. Are they planning on ambush?" Nami asked as she followed him.
"I don't care," Zack spoke. His tone was still filled with anger. He walked forward and Nami quietly followed him. Even she could tell that Zack was angry at this moment.
For some reason, she felt extremely happy. But suddenly, Zack caught her hand and pulled her.
Ka-cha!
A bullet passed by that exact position. Zack moved forward and kicked a small rock on the ground.
Bang!
The rock struck the marine's head and knocked him away. But at the same, other marines shot at him. Zack moved to the side as he dodged a few of those bullets but some of them still struck his skin.
He had already thrown Nami toward the barrel where she hid from the marines' range. As for Zack, he continued rushing toward those marines. When he came too close, those marines panicked.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Zack spun with an extreme speed and kicked the neck of the marine near him.
"Coiler Strike!"
Bang!
The marine who got kicked pushed several marines behind him to the ground. Seeing this chance, Zack caught two riffles in his hand and rushed toward the marine who quickly got up.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
He held the riffles from the top and smashed those marines with the back end. After finishing them, he threw the riffles at Nami and said "Don't hesitate to use them when you need them!"
Saying so, he continued to move forward.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
At this moment, he could hear the people's footsteps coming toward him. He looked around and saw dozens of weapons scattered on the ground. It seemed like this room had stored quite a lot of weapons.
He put a club on his back, a knife on his right waist, a sword sheath on his left waist, two pistols on his legs, and held a spear in his hand. This was the first time he was trying so many weapons at once.
But, he felt like he could use all of them, not a master at them but use them against his enemies. He walked out of the room and moved toward those marines in front of him.
"Halt! How dare a pirate run rampage in Marine base?" A man's voice rang in his ears. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to that man. The man with the mustache just like a mouse's mustache.
Just seeing him made Zack's blood boil with anger. He didn't stop but instead increased his speed toward them.
"Damn you, pirate! Everyone fire!" The Marine Captain Nezumi instantly gave out the orders as his troops took the position and fired.
Zack took the spear to his left hand and lifted the club.
Ka-cha! Ka-cha! Ka-cha! Ka-cha! Ka-cha!
Using the giant size of the club, he managed to block the bullets aimed at his vital points. The moment they stopped, he threw the club up and jumped. He spun in the mid-air, generating a greater force on his foot, and kicked the club.
Bang!
It struck those marines at the front. Those marines took some time to reload but Zack was already prepared. With his back clear, he put the spear on his back and held the pistols with both of his hands.
Thud!
As soon as he landed on the ground, he started firing bullets at the remaining marines, making it harder for marines to retaliate. As soon as the bullets finished up, he threw those pistols at them as well.
"Hey, hey, w-w-w-who are you?" Nezumi finally started panicking when Zack reached in front of his troops. No, at this moment, Zack was already within his troop.
Splash!
Zack moved his spear and the tip of the spear pierced the stomach of the marine near him. Another marine used his rifle to strike him but Zack pulled his spear and struck that marine with the back end of the spear.
"Gah!"
The man fell back while coughing out blood. The spear struck his chest. But, it didn't stop there. After that marine collapsed, other marines stopped rushing at him.
"What are you idiots standing there for? Get him!"
Nezumi shouted when they didn't move. His legs were trembling after seeing Zack's strength. Since they stopped, Zack rushed toward Nezumi. The spear in his hand circled as he thrust the spear toward Nezumi.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, a roar came from behind. It made Zack pause his movement but the tip of the spear was at Nezumi's neck. He turned his head back and his eyes narrowed.
Behind him, a man wearing the marine t-shirt was holding Nami hostage. Not just that, there was a mark of a slap on her cheek.
"Put your weapon down or else"
That man touched her skin with his knife and the blood dropped down. At this moment, Zack instantly pushed his spear to the tip of spear Nezumi's throat.
Although he didn't push it all the way down, he did make Nezumi bleed.
"Did you forget that I am a pirate?" Zack asked.
Hearing his words, the man suddenly removed his knife but once again put it on her neck.
"Release him and I will release her." The man spoke with a serious expression. If something happens to Nezumi, he will be in deep trouble.
"Alright but you let her go first." Zack argued.
"No, you let him go first." The man immediately rejected Zack's idea.
"Let's drop our weapons at the same time." Zack spoke.
The man hesitated but eventually nodded his head.
"Three…. Two… One!"
Ding! Ding!
As soon as both of them dropped their weapons, Nami tried to strike him with her elbow but he easily blocked it the next moment, his eyes narrowed.
"Soru!"
His body vanished in front of Nami and appeared in front of Zack who was about to kick Nezumi.
"Tekkai!"
Bam!
His kick struck that man but that man easily blocked with his forearms. It didn't even make him retreat. Zack instantly rushed back and looked at that man.
"Navy Six Styles! You aren't part of this region. Who are you?" Zack shouted.
"It seems you know something despite being one of the East Blue Trash. I thought taking her hostage would end it quickly but who would've thought that you were so decisive. Still, nothing has changed!"
The man cracked his knuckles. He was a bit weird because of his goatee. Basically, Zack has never seen a person like him in the story. It shocked him. After speaking to him, he instantly dashed toward Zack.
Seeing this, Zack's eyes narrowed. He quickly took moved his left arm and blocked the strike from that man. But the man with the goatee responded with another punch.
Bam!
The punch landed on Zack's gut. But, at the same time, Zack unsheathed his sword and slashed.
"Tekkai!"
The man instantly used Tekkai to block Zack's sword. It only managed to slightly pierce his hand and did nothing more. As the blood dropped from his arm, his legs slightly trembled.
But, the next moment, he smashed his fist on Zack's hand and forced him to drop the sword. Zack quickly retreated but the man followed it up with another punch to his gut.
But, it didn't end there. The man quickly raised his leg and struck his ribs.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Zack crashed to the ground several meters away..
"Zack!" Nami screamed when she saw Zack getting beaten like that. But, her scream only made it worse. The man instantly turned his head at her and rushed toward her.
Whoosh! Splash!
At this moment, Zack suddenly got up and threw the last weapon of his arsenal. It was a knife. The knife pierced his stomach from the side, making it harder for that man to stand for a moment.
Splash! He instantly plugged out the knife and turned his head at Zack. He raised his arm to the side as Zack slammed a kick on his head. The man retreated several meters away from the Nami.
Zack walked in front of her and looked at the man. He raised his hands and wiped away the blood from his mouth. Then, he assumed a karate stance and spoke.
"Do you really think I would go down that easily?"
"The real battle starts now!"