Arlong Park.
Nami sat alone in her room, her brow furrowed as she recalled everything that had happened at sea.
At that moment, the ocean suddenly began to churn, as if a storm was about to break out.
Nami, an experienced navigator, couldn't fathom why the sea had become so restless despite the clear weather.
It felt as if something, or someone, was deliberately stirring up the waters.
She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside.
A shadow crossed her face.
This wasn't the time to dwell on such things. She was so close—just a little more, and she would have the 100 million Berries needed to save Cocoyasi Village from Arlong's tyranny.
Everything she had done up to this point—all the betrayal and deception—was for that goal.
Once she gathered the 100 million Berries, it would all be over.
Meanwhile, in Arlong Park, a man with a saw-like nose and a shark-like grin curled his lips into an evil smile.
On the Arlong Pirates' ship, Arlong, the most notorious pirate in the East Blue with a bounty of 20 million Berries, held the map Nami had drawn.
His eyes narrowed as he studied it, and a sinister light gleamed in them.
"Our dear Nami really does have a talent for this," he sneered, showing his jagged teeth.
"Arlong, are you really going to sell Cocoyasi Village to Nami once she gets the 100 million Berries?" asked Chew, frowning.
"Of course not," Arlong replied, his sneer widening.
"Nami will never leave the Arlong Pirates. She'll be under my control for the rest of her life."
"These lowly humans aren't worth keeping promises with."
"Nezumi should be arriving soon. As long as he follows the plan, Nami will never be able to gather the 100 million Berries."
One of the other fishmen chuckled darkly, "What a foolish woman. Neither Nezumi nor Nami can escape Arlong's grasp."
At this, Arlong and the fishmen erupted in laughter.
At the same time, Ryujiro and his group had entered Cocoyasi Village.
The village was desolate, with few people in sight, and the land looked like it hadn't been maintained in years.
The atmosphere was oppressive, as if weighed down by Arlong's presence.
"It seems the rumors were true," Yosaku said, fear in his eyes. "Arlong has taken over the entire village."
Around them were dilapidated houses, the walls cracked and on the verge of collapse.
They were in the outskirts of the village, where few people lived anymore.
"What happened here?" Usopp asked in horror as he surveyed the scene.
Johnny took a deep breath and said, "It's said that fishmen have ten times the strength of humans. Judging by the state of this place, the rumors must be true."
"Ten times stronger than ordinary humans?" Hinata asked curiously. "Ryujiro, what exactly are these fishmen?"
"They're just a bunch of half-human, half-fish creatures. Nothing to be concerned about," Ryujiro replied calmly.
"As for their supposed tenfold strength, it's only compared to regular humans. To true warriors, these fishmen are nothing."
"You seem to know a lot about fishmen, Ryujiro," Johnny said.
"You must have been to the Grand Line, right? A strong person like you would surely make a name for yourself there."
The Grand Line?
At the mention of those words, Luffy's eyes lit up.
"The Grand Line, huh? I haven't been there yet, but that's where I'm headed," Ryujiro said with a faint smile.
Luffy's desire to recruit Ryujiro into his crew had never waned. Hearing that Ryujiro's destination was also the Grand Line, he brought it up again.
But before he could say more, Ryujiro's fist came crashing down on his head.
"Ouch!"
Sanji and Zoro glanced at Luffy and commented, "You're made of rubber, yet a punch still hurts?"
"Ryujiro's punches are just like Grandpa's," Luffy said, clutching his head.
"Of course. Armament Haki works on all Devil Fruit users. But it's too early for you guys to master it now."
On the ship, Ryujiro had explained the principles of Armament Haki to Zoro and Luffy, but even with their talents, mastering it would take time and training.
Armament Haki...
Zoro touched the only sword he had left at his waist.
If he mastered Armament Haki, any sword could become a black blade.
He had to learn it.
In the days of sparring with Ryujiro, Zoro's strength had increased slightly, but he knew that to truly grow stronger, he needed to experience life-and-death battles.
Only then could he rapidly improve his abilities.
Just then, a few figures appeared ahead of them.
"Is that someone ahead?" Zoro asked. "Are they villagers from Cocoyasi?"
But as they got closer, Yosaku and Johnny's eyes widened in shock.
"No! They're fishmen!"
These fishmen were patrolling Cocoyasi Village, looking for any suspicious people to take to Arlong.
Fishmen?
Luffy dashed forward at once.
"So, these are fishmen?! Amazing."
"Fish that can walk on land like humans. The outside world really is fascinating."
Luffy circled around the fishmen, completely oblivious to the dark expressions on their faces.
"You damn human! How dare you belittle us fishmen! I'll kill you!"
One of the fishmen, a head taller than Luffy, swung a spiked club down at him.
"Fishmen are the greatest race on this sea!"
Luffy lowered his hat, a slight smile on his lips.
"Boom!"
The fishman's blow struck the ground, creating a massive crater and sending cracks spreading outwards.
Luffy was already in the air above him, his arm stretching back several dozen meters before slamming into the fishman.
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
"Bang!"
A burst of air erupted, and the fishman was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the ruins of a building.
The other fishmen were stunned.
This human wasn't like the others.
After that, Zoro and Sanji joined the fight, quickly dispatching the fishmen's patrol squad.
A mere fishmen squad was no match for Luffy and his crew.
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