The current Nami not only hated Arlong, but her entire being was drowning in despair—the kind that made it seem like the village itself had no hope left.
"Who are you?" Nami's bright eyes, swollen with tears, locked on the stranger before her. Confusion and suspicion ran across her face. She was sure she had never seen this man before.
"Just an ordinary person," Kaito replied calmly as he snatched the dagger from her trembling hand.
"You should be glad you live in East Blue. Arlong may charge you a protection fee every year, but at least he hasn't slaughtered your village outright. On other islands, in the Grand Line or the New World, villages are wiped out the moment they can't pay. Compared to that, you're alive. And being alive is already a blessing. As cruel as he is, Arlong is nothing compared to those who butcher entire islands for entertainment."
Kaito's words struck her like a hammer. Nami froze, unsure if he was telling the truth. Yet something in his voice, the steady weight of his presence, made her believe. His momentum carried authority, like someone who had truly seen those horrors.
"You—who are you really? How do you know about the other seas? Are you from there? Or… are you one of Arlong's men?" Nami's thoughts spiraled, questions tumbling out one after another.
Kaito was about to answer when a loud roar split through the night.
"NAMI!!!"
Both of them turned. A boy in a straw hat came running toward them, his face unusually serious.
Kaito's eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition flashing. So this is him… the one fate seems to favor. Monkey D. Luffy.
"Nami! You're hurt!" Luffy shouted as he rushed forward, his gaze fixed on the fresh wound on her arm.
"I'm fine, Luffy!" she insisted, though her voice carried more worry than reassurance.
"Your friend's here," Kaito said casually, turning to leave.
But Luffy's eyes hardened. Misinterpreting the scene, he shouted furiously, "You hurt Nami, didn't you?! That's unforgivable! Gum-Gum… PISTOL!"
"Wait, Luffy! You've got it wrong!" Nami cried out desperately.
But it was too late. Luffy's fist shot forward, stretching like a slingshot, the speed and force enough to smash stone.
Kaito didn't move at first, only watching with cold detachment. So reckless. If I were an ordinary person, I'd already be dead.
His fists clenched. "If you can't see the situation, then I'll have to teach you."
With a flicker of power, Kaito swung his arm. A blinding white beam shot forth, colliding with Luffy's rubber fist. The impact shattered the attack instantly, then wrapped around Luffy's body and blasted him through the air.
BOOM!
The earth shook as Luffy slammed into the distant sea. Waves exploded, rising like a wall before crashing down. A whirlpool spiraled into existence, dragging the ocean into chaos.
Nami stood frozen, her dagger forgotten on the ground. Her lips trembled. That… that was Luffy… He was just sent flying into the sea…
Despite his silly demeanor, she knew Luffy's heart. He had come here to fight for her sake.
Her chest tightened with panic. "Luffy… please be okay…"
"As you saw, he's in the sea now," Kaito said with a shrug, his expression indifferent. "Whether he lives or dies isn't my concern." Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked away.
But Nami couldn't stop herself. Despite her despair, despite her hatred, she ran toward the shoreline. Luffy couldn't swim. He was a Devil Fruit user—falling into the sea was a death sentence. She had to reach him.
….
The path ahead grew eerily silent as Kaito approached the heart of Cocoyasi Village. At the end of the road stood a lavish palace-like structure, far too grand for a fishing village. It loomed over the town like a fortress, the stronghold of Arlong and his crew.
Two minions leaned lazily against the entrance, chatting as if nothing in the world mattered. To them, the villagers were nothing more than slaves. Guard duty was just a performance; nobody dared challenge Arlong.
But then footsteps echoed across the ground.
The two guards stiffened as Kaito drew closer, his calm eyes locked on the door behind them.
"Stop right there!" one snarled, gripping his cutlass. "This is Arlong-sama's territory. No outsiders allowed!"
Before they could blink, the door behind them exploded into splinters. Both minions were flung aside like broken dolls, crashing into the dirt.
The thunderous sound rolled through the palace, shaking its foundations.
Inside, Arlong and his lieutenants had been discussing their next move against the Straw Hat boy. But the crash silenced the room instantly.
Arlong's jagged teeth twisted into a cruel grin. "Well, well. Looks like we don't need to hunt them down after all. They've come straight to me."
He rose from his throne, his hulking frame casting a shadow over the hall. "Come, boys. Let's see who dares challenge Arlong!"
Hatchan and the other fishman officers quickly followed behind.
When they stepped outside, however, the scene froze them in place. Their underlings lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain, the space littered with broken weapons and shattered pride.
Arlong's eyes narrowed, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. All of them… taken out in seconds? Even he would need more time to handle that many at once. Whoever this intruder was, wasn't ordinary.
"Who are you?" Arlong's voice was sharp with anger. "Why attack my crew? Do you have a death wish, human? This is my domain, and I don't forgive trespassers."
Kaito met his gaze without flinching. "My name is Ayanami Kaito. I don't care if you've never heard of me. What matters is this—Turner Village. Kuroobi was one of your men, wasn't he?"
The mention of Kuroobi's name made Arlong's face twist with rage. Veins bulged on his forehead as his killing intent surged, spilling into the air like a suffocating wave.
"You… You're the one who killed Kuroobi?" Arlong's voice shook with fury. His shark-like teeth gleamed as his roar split the night.
____
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