Far from the watchful eyes of Cocoyasi Village, the endless blue of the open sea concealed dark machinations. As the morning sun climbed, Arlong's ship—its worn, weather-beaten hull revealing hints of deep indigo under the light—shifted its course slightly to the north. This deliberate change was no mere happenstance; it was a calculated maneuver designed to secure the next phase of Arlong's plan.
Deep within the captain's quarters, Arlong—a towering figure with cold, calculating eyes—studied a faded map spread across a scarred wooden table. His long, muscular arms rested on the table as he traced the coastline with a large clawed finger. "Soon," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, "the time will come to claim what is mine."
Arlong had long viewed Cocoyasi Village as a jewel waiting to be seized—a small but prosperous community that could serve as both a base and a trophy of his conquests. Yet he knew that even his ruthless reputation could be thwarted by the interference of the Marines. In this world, power was not merely taken by force—it was also secured through cunning alliances and whispered deals. And so, as his ship veered toward a northern outpost known for its lax, often corrupt naval presence, Arlong prepared for a meeting that might ensure his dark ambitions.
A few hours later, under a sky tinged with the colors of approaching dusk, the Arlong Pirates' vessel slipped into a hidden cove near a modest Marine outpost. The outpost—its barracks and docked vessels modest by imperial standards—lay tucked away amid craggy cliffs. It was the perfect location for a discreet negotiation.
Arlong stepped off his ship and strode purposefully along the rocky shore, flanked by a few of his trusted lieutenants. The pirates moved with a confident air, their presence unmistakable yet controlled. They reached a weathered wooden dock where a pair of uniformed Marines waited, their expressions a mixture of caution and thinly veiled disgust.
"Captain Arlong," said the taller of the two officers—a man whose eyes narrowed in contempt as he regarded the notorious pirate—bowed stiffly. "I am Commander Nezumi, in charge of this outpost. And forgive me for saying so, but you're a pirate—a low, scum-ridden pirate."
Arlong's eyes narrowed, and a slight, predatory smile curled on his lips as he regarded the man before him. "Commander Nezumi," he intoned, his voice deep and resonant, "I come bearing an offer—a tribute that should prove agreeable to your interests."
Nezumi's gaze flashed with disdain as he replied, "An offer? We're not in the habit of associating with vermin like you without proper compensation." His tone dripped with contempt, his hand clenched at his side as if ready to dismiss Arlong outright.
Without missing a beat, Arlong gestured to one of his lieutenants, who produced a small chest from beneath a tattered cloak. With a creak, the lid was pried open, revealing neatly stacked bundles of Berries and shimmering jewels. "Consider these berries of tribute," Arlong declared. "These are the fruits of my recent ventures. Accept them as a token of goodwill—and a promise of more riches—if you allow my crew free passage in these waters. In return, I seek permission to establish a foothold near Cocoyasi Village."
Nezumi's eyes flickered at the sight of the treasure, his sneer softening ever so slightly as greed battled with his revulsion. "You call yourself a captain, yet you stand before me as nothing more than a common pirate," he spat, the word heavy with disgust. "But if you can offer us these bellies—these Berries—perhaps we might overlook your...piracy for now."
Arlong's smile widened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of charm and threat. "Not merely overlook, Commander. I propose a trial arrangement. Allow me to operate in the area without your interference for one month. During that time, my crew will secure Cocoyasi Village. In exchange, you shall receive a share of the tribute—a steady stream of Berries, spices, and goods—and further rewards if all goes according to plan."
Nezumi exchanged a glance with one of his subordinates, a silent conversation laden with the promise of personal gain. "And what assurance do we have that this arrangement will be mutually beneficial?" he asked, his voice lowering as he leaned forward. "The Navy frowns upon fraternization with pirates."
Arlong's expression hardened ever so slightly, then he leaned in so that only Nezumi could hear. "Assurance, Commander? I do not ask for blind trust. Instead, I propose a trial. Allow me a month of freedom to secure Cocoyasi Village. Should I succeed, your men will share in the profits. Should I fail, you are free to act—but I assure you, under my rule, order will be restored."
A tense silence followed as Nezumi weighed the offer, his eyes shifting back and forth between Arlong and the chest of treasure. Finally, his tone softened to a cautious acquiescence. "Very well, Captain Arlong. We shall agree to your trial. My men will monitor your activities closely. Should you honor your end of this bargain, you will have our backing—and our protection. But cross the line, and you will find that even the Navy can be ruthless."
Arlong inclined his head, an air of finality in his gesture. "Agreed, Commander Nezumi. You have my word that Cocoyasi Village will be secured. My crew will act swiftly and efficiently. And ensure your men are on full alert—I expect word at the first sign of trouble."
Nezumi's gaze was guarded yet intrigued as he replied, "You have my word, Captain. We'll watch and wait."
With the terms laid out and mutually accepted, the two parties concluded the meeting. Arlong's lieutenants helped him back onto the ship as the Marines lingered, their eyes still flickering with both disdain and the promise of gain. The corrupt undercurrent of the outpost thrummed with the promise of easy riches, and for a moment, even the craggy cliffs seemed to echo with the silent laughter of fate.
Back aboard his ship, Arlong allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. He gazed out at the receding coastline, where Cocoyasi Village lay unsuspecting below, its fate now intertwined with his ambitions. The trial period had begun, and every minute would count. His ship's course would soon be altered to signal the start of a new chapter—a chapter in which the village would either fall under his iron rule or ignite a resistance that he would crush with ruthless efficiency.
As the vessel cut through the waves, Arlong's thoughts turned to the next steps of his plan. He would send word to his lieutenants to begin preparations in the village. Subtle threats would be issued, and demands for tribute made. The people of Cocoyasi would soon learn that any resistance was futile, especially with the backing of Commander Nezumi and his corrupt men.
For now, however, Arlong reveled in the triumph of the clandestine meeting. The corrupt bond forged on that rocky dock was the first brick laid in the edifice of his dominion over Cocoyasi Village. As the sun sank low, painting the sky with streaks of crimson and gold, Arlong allowed himself to believe that the tides of fate were finally turning in his favor.
In the quiet solitude of his private quarters, as his ship rocked gently on the sea, Arlong opened a small, worn ledger and scribbled down the details of the agreement. Each word was both a promise and a threat—a reminder of Nezumi's complicity and of the Navy's share in his scheme. For now, the future looked both precarious and promising.
That night, under the dim glow of lanterns, the ship sailed steadily toward its next destination—a destination where the seeds of control would be sown and where the fate of Cocoyasi Village would be decided. With the deal struck and the tribute promised, Arlong's ambitions now had the support of a faction of the Navy. The winds of change were stirring, and as the waves whispered secrets to the moonlit night, the meeting of shadows had set a new course for the dark days ahead.