CHAPTER 27: BATTLE AT ARLONG PARK
After finishing his rousing speech, Goku gathered the crew on the secluded shoreline, away from the Going Merry. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the ocean. The crew stood in a circle, ready to finalize their plan of attack on Arlong Park.
"Gin, you stay behind with the Merry just in case," Goku began, his voice steady and confident.
Gin nodded. "Got it, Captain. I'll make sure the ship is ready for a quick getaway if we need it."
"Johnny, Yosaku, you two go with Nojiko and inform the villagers of what's about to happen. They need to know about Nami's sacrifice and stay out of the way," Goku continued.
Johnny and Yosaku saluted. "We'll make sure they understand," Johnny said. "They should know the truth about what Nami has endured."
Goku turned to the rest of the crew. "Usopp, Zoro, and Sanji, you guys take care of the Fish-Men. Nami, you help where you can, but your most important role is to guide me to Arlong."
Nami nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Understood, Goku."
Goku took a deep breath, looking at each of his crew members. "This is it, everyone. Let's bring an end to Arlong's reign of terror."
---
At Arlong Park, the atmosphere was tense. Arlong and his lieutenants, Chew, Kuroobi, and Hachi, were gathered in the map room, working on plans to expand their empire. The room was dimly lit, with maps and charts spread across the large table. Nami had spent countless hours here, tied up like a slave, forced to draw maps under the threat of violence. She was bound with heavy chains, her wrists raw from the metal's constant friction.
A sudden explosion shook the building, drawing their attention. They rushed to the window, peering out to see their park covered in dust and debris.
Arlong's eyes narrowed. "What is going on here?" he demanded.
They leaped down to the front of the park, where the rest of the Fish-Men were gathering, confusion and alarm evident on their faces. Out of the dust and smoke walked Goku and his crew. Goku stepped to the front, his stance confident and unyielding.
"My name is Monkey D. Goku," he declared, "and I am here to kick ass and take names."
Arlong's eyes flicked to Nami, who stood among Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp. "So, you did betray me, Nami."
Nami's eyes blazed with fury. "Don't act like you didn't sell me out to Nezumi!"
Arlong feigned ignorance. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You fucking liar!" Nami cursed.
"Enough, Nami," Goku interrupted. "There has been enough talking. It doesn't matter anymore, Arlong. You made my crew member cry. You've already signed your death sentence."
A nearby Fish-Man lunged at Goku with incredible speed, but Goku effortlessly dodged the punch and kick, delivering a powerful blow to the Fish-Man's gut. The force of the punch sent him flying, crashing through a wall.
The other Fish-Men gasped in shock and fear. Goku turned to his crew. "Zoro, Usopp, Sanji—destroy these sons of bitches."
Arlong, regaining his composure, barked his own order. "Show these puny humans the might of Fish-Men!"
The battle erupted with a fierce intensity. Sanji and Zoro charged into the fray, their movements fluid and deadly. Usopp stayed back, his slingshot at the ready, picking off targets from a distance.
Zoro, despite his injuries from Mihawk, fought with unparalleled skill. He cut down a dozen Fish-Men, his swords flashing in the sunlight. Each strike was precise, each enemy falling before they could react. He struggled at times, his wounds slowing him down, but his determination never wavered.
Sanji's kicks were a blur as he took down his opponents with speed and agility. He leaped and spun, his attacks landing with bone-crushing force. The tough skin of the Fish-Men required more effort, but Sanji's relentless onslaught never slowed.
Goku moved through the battlefield like a whirlwind, taking down thirty-six Fish-Men with his martial arts prowess. His strength, speed, and agility were unmatched. He fought in twos and threes, sometimes one-on-one, each enemy falling with near effortless ease.
Usopp, using his slingshot, took down eighteen Fish-Men with different types of ammunition. His precision and ingenuity were remarkable. He used smoke bombs, fireballs, and explosive pellets, each shot finding its mark and incapacitating his foes.
From a distance, Nami watched the battle unfold, tears streaming down her face. Her dreams were being realized right before her eyes. The crew she had come to love was fighting for her, for her home, and for her freedom.
In a little more than half an hour, all the Fish-Men were either unconscious or too injured to move. All that remained were Arlong and his three lieutenants: Chew, Kuroobi, and Hachi. They stood in shock and awe at the devastation of their comrades.
Arlong's face contorted with rage. "Nami, you have done it now," he roared.
"My comrades, my brothers, defeated and out," Arlong roared, fury etched across his face. "You puny humans will die this day!" His voice thundered over the battlefield, his rage palpable. "Let's show them our real abilities," he commanded, as his three lieutenants stepped forward, preparing for the fight.
Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro stood ready, their expressions hardened with resolve. The air was thick with tension as the two groups faced off.
Kuroobi, a fierce and powerful Fish-Man, glared at Sanji. "You think you can stand against us, human? We are the might of the sea!"
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "I don't care if you're a Fish-Man or a dragon. You're going down."
Chew, a Fish-Man with sharp teeth and a menacing grin, focused on Usopp. "You're just a coward with a slingshot. What makes you think you can fight us?"
Usopp, despite the fear gnawing at him, stood his ground. "I'm not just a coward. I'm the bravest warrior of the sea!"
Hachi, wielding six swords, faced Zoro. "I am Hachi, the second strongest swordsman on Fish-Man Island. You don't stand a chance against me."
Zoro tightened his grip on his remaining sword, the Wado Ichimonji. "We'll see about that."
The battle commenced with a flurry of movement. Sanji and Kuroobi exchanged a series of rapid kicks and punches, their movements a blur of speed and power. Usopp and Chew circled each other warily, Usopp firing shots from his slingshot while dodging Chew's attacks. Zoro and Hachi clashed swords, the sound of metal ringing out as they engaged in a fierce duel.
"You're strong for a human," Hachi admitted, swinging his swords in a wide arc.
"Thanks," Zoro grunted, parrying the attack. "You're not bad yourself."
As the fight raged on, Usopp's hand slipped, and he accidentally fired a wet ball at Chew. The water splashed across Chew's face, and for a moment, there was silence. Then Chew's eyes widened with fury.
"You little pest!" Chew roared, charging at Usopp.
Usopp yelped and turned to run, the comical chase unfolding as Chew pursued him around the battlefield. "Why does this always happen to me?" Usopp wailed as he dodged and weaved between debris.
Meanwhile, Nami approached Goku, her eyes determined. "What do you need me to do?"
Goku glanced at her, his expression serious. "Go get the Grand Line map. We need it to ensure our journey continues."
Nami nodded and sneaked out the back, moving quickly and quietly to retrieve the map.
Back on the battlefield, Hachi challenged Zoro, revealing his true strength. "I am not just a swordsman. I am the second strongest on Fish-Man Island!"
Their swords clashed in a spectacular display of skill and power. Hachi used his extra arms to overwhelm Zoro, his six swords a whirlwind of deadly strikes. Zoro, with only the Wado Ichimonji, struggled to keep up, his movements growing slower as the fight dragged on.
Hachi smirked. "You're outmatched, human."
Zoro gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."
In a desperate move, Zoro grabbed a pair of extra swords lying around from the fallen Fish-Men. With three swords now in hand and his bandana tied around his head, he faced Hachi with renewed determination.
The battle intensified, Zoro calling out his most powerful techniques. "Oni Giri!" he shouted, his blades slicing through the air.
Hachi parried, but Zoro's relentless assault began to wear him down. "Tatsumaki!" Zoro cried, unleashing a powerful spinning attack that sent Hachi reeling.
Finally, Zoro delivered the finishing blow. "Sanzen Sekai!" he roared, his swords flashing in a devastating triple strike. Hachi collapsed, bloodied and defeated.
Zoro, exhausted and injured from his previous fight with Mihawk, fell to his knees, panting heavily. His victory was hard-earned, but the toll on his body was severe.
Kuroobi stepped up, his eyes locking onto Sanji. "It's my turn," he growled.
Sanji cracked his knuckles, his gaze unwavering. "Bring it on."
[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]