Chapter 148: Annihilation
Arlong still possessed considerable vitality. Though lacking Armament Haki, his natural fishman physique gave him thick skin and robust bones—preventing him from being completely pulverized by Rhodes's rudimentary Hasshoken technique.
However, the blow that pierced entirely through his abdomen clearly meant he was doomed, though death wouldn't be instantaneous.
Arlong collapsed to his knees, his hands trembling as he frantically tried shoving his intestines back into his stomach, his face awash with terror and despair.
All the fishmen were stunned by Rhodes's lightning-fast strike, momentarily frozen in shock.
But Nami—brimming with hatred—did not hesitate.
She strode forward, casually picked up a dropped rifle, and pressed it firmly against Arlong's forehead.
"Arlong!"
Nami's beautiful orange eyes blazed with vengeance—erupting with both new hatred for the broken agreement and old fury for Bellemere's murder.
"Do you remember?!"
Her finger gripped the trigger, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"This is exactly how you pointed your gun at Bellemere back then!"
"Hahaha..."
The cold, black muzzle pressed against his head actually brought Arlong back from his despair. He laughed recklessly and wildly:
"What Bellemere?! I've crushed countless inferior humans in my life!"
"Do I need to remember every single insignificant ant?"
He didn't even glance at Nami, instead fixing his gaze on Rhodes—the true culprit behind his downfall. With one look, he recognized the world-renowned Dragon Slayer.
"Dragon Slayer?"
Arlong's face filled with confusion. "When did I ever offend you?"
He was gravely wounded and dying—he just wanted to understand why before death claimed him.
He didn't even deserve to meet such a powerful figure, let alone provoke one.
"In your eyes, Bellemere, Nami, Nojiko, and the others are just ants—easily killed. But in my eyes, aren't you an ant as well?"
Rhodes shook his head slightly, looking into Arlong's eyes with an expression neither sad nor joyful—like a deity observing from the clouds.
He reached out and gently grasped Nami's small hand, his voice softening:
"Fighting and killing isn't for you. Let me handle it."
"But... but I really want to..."
Nami bit her lower lip hard, tears streaming down her face.
She had never killed anyone, nor ever seriously considered it—but she desperately wanted to kill this ugly fishman!
Rhodes could sense the turbulent emotions surging within the girl: pain, conflict, hatred...
This innocent and kind-hearted girl had been burdened with so much since childhood. Now that she'd finally glimpsed freedom, it was best not to stain her hands with blood.
Rhodes shook his head gently, secretly channeling a bolt of lightning that instantly pierced through Arlong's body.
Ghkkk...
Already near death, Arlong was struck by this final blow. He soon foamed at the mouth and collapsed like a gutted fish.
Nami ultimately didn't pull the trigger. She dropped the rifle and threw herself into Rhodes's broad chest, breaking down in tears.
Meanwhile,
the sound of Arlong falling finally snapped the fishmen from their shock. Their simple minds prevented complex thought. Seeing their leader dead, they all erupted with rage.
"Die, lowly human!"
"How dare an inferior race harm a great fishman! This crime is unforgivable!"
"Kill him! Avenge Arlong-san!"
The fishmen's battle cries startled Nami from her emotional release. Seeing the sharp blades about to strike Rhodes from behind, Nami cried out in alarm:
"Watch out!"
Almost instinctively, she wanted to shield the young man who'd just freed her.
However,
before Nami could act on this impulse,
Rhodes glanced backward casually and unleashed a devastating punch.
Hasshoken—Massive Shockwave!
Surging impact force rippled outward like invisible waves, instantly fracturing the internal organs of countless fishmen and killing them where they stood.
Nami stood speechless with shock.
Rhodes's speed when killing Arlong had been so fast she couldn't see it clearly.
But this punch—with its terrifying, overwhelming power—instantly annihilated all the fishmen, fully demonstrating his strength.
Even Luffy and Zoro—the people she'd met on her last journey—were far inferior and couldn't even compare.
Nami remained in shock when she suddenly heard a slightly teasing voice:
"Though I do find this quite comfortable, how long do you plan to hold onto me?"
At those words, Nami jumped back as if electrocuted, her small hands clasping together nervously. Her delicate face flushed bright red—practically steaming—as she stammered repeatedly:
"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Even as she apologized, Nami couldn't help feeling a sense of loss.
That moment had been the most peaceful and relaxed she'd felt in eight years. Otherwise, she wouldn't have clung so long to a stranger she'd known less than half an hour.
Suddenly, as if remembering something important, Nami quickly said:
"Oh! By the way, the Arlong Pirates have another powerful sea monster!"
Rhodes stretched leisurely and said with amusement:
"You mean that cute creature over there?"
Nami followed Rhodes's gaze.
She saw the gigantic, cow-like sea beast Momoo trembling in the pool, waving a small white flag pathetically.
Its appearance perfectly embodied weakness, pitifulness, and helplessness.
Nami's mouth twitched slightly. Then she heard Rhodes say:
"Well, that's everything handled. Time for me to leave."
"Say goodbye to Nojiko for me."
As he spoke, he stepped onto Momoo's back and tapped his foot. Momoo tactfully turned around and prepared to depart.
Watching Rhodes leave without hesitation, Nami stood frozen behind him. Then she suddenly shouted:
"Will we meet again?!"
"Go realize your dream. If we're fated, we'll meet again."
Without even turning around, Rhodes waved casually. His white coat fluttered in the sea breeze as he rode the sea beast, gradually disappearing from view.
Nami stared after him for a long moment, unable to recover.
Though only eighteen herself, she'd met countless people—but none had left such a profound impression.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from behind.
"We found you, Nami!"
Nami quickly composed herself and turned to see four figures charging toward her.
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp. They'd received news of the situation and come ready to help.
But when they approached, before anyone could speak, they were stunned by the bloodied corpses strewn across the ground.
"What happened here?"
Zoro frowned, his eyes flashing with gravity.
He was battle-experienced and could roughly infer what transpired from the scene before him.
"These fishmen were all killed in a single strike—without any chance to resist—and they all died simultaneously."
Sanji crouched down, examined the bodies, and frowned deeply.
Though confident he could defeat these fishmen, achieving this level of dominance was obviously far beyond his current capability.
"Seems like someone really strong was here."
Luffy scratched his head. Even someone as carefree as him couldn't help feeling amazed.
Usopp stood completely speechless with shock.
"Yes, he was indeed a very powerful and mysterious person."
Nami smiled, and a determined light flashed in her beautiful eyes.
Yes—with this group of companions, she could realize her dream. And she could also... meet that man again someday!
(End of Chapter)
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