"Just a few dozen Fish-man pirates—the two of us are more than enough!"
Hearing that resonant voice, Nojiko's eyes reddened again. How long had it been since she felt this long-lost sense of security? Not since Bell-mère was alive, surely.
Just as she was about to wipe her tears and stand up, she saw Rowan—who hadn't gone far—peek his head back through the window with a wink.
"Girl, do you have the courage to show us the way?"
Looking at that kind, returning face, Nojiko suddenly felt a surge of immense bravery swell in her chest.
"Yes!"
Steeling her heart, she nodded heavily and walked out of the cottage, leading Rowan and Luffy out of Bell-mère's orchard.
The moment they reached the village, Nojiko spotted a group of Fish-men in the middle of their habitual cruelty. But before she could even summon the breath to shout a stop, a sharp cry rang out from behind her.
"Gomu Gomu no... Rocket!"
In the next instant, Nojiko witnessed the most satisfying scene of the past six years.
Meanwhile.
Inside the grand villa of Arlong Park, Arlong was discussing future expansion with his officers when the front doors were violently slammed open.
He was prepared to roar a reprimand at whichever subordinate lacked manners, but when he saw a grim-faced Jinbe standing in the doorway, his furrowed brow smoothed out. Far from being surprised, he stood up with a wide laugh to welcome him.
"Shahahahaha! Boss Jinbe! What brings a busy man like you to my backwater country estate? Truly a rare guest! Choo, go fetch our finest liquor for the Boss!"
"Save it!"
Jinbe didn't buy the act. With a sweeping wave of his hand, he spoke in a dark, heavy tone. "Arlong! Look at what you've been doing! Do you truly have a death wish?!"
Despite the harsh rebuke, the smirk didn't leave Arlong's face, though his eyes narrowed into cold slits. "Boss Jinbe, I'm afraid I don't follow."
"You don't follow?" Jinbe barked. "I'm telling you now—this is no place for people like us! Get your men and crawl back to Fish-man Island immediately!"
"Shahahahaha! No place for us?" Arlong finally dropped the mask of politeness, his expression turning icy. "Maybe Boss Jinbe thinks we're suffering too much out here and wants us to go back to the 'good life' on Fish-man Island? Or perhaps... you want the East Blue all for yourself?"
"Arlong!" Jinbe roared, his heart aching at the other's stubbornness. "You don't understand the gravity of your actions! If you continue like this, not only you, but all your brothers will be dragged back to Impel Down!"
"My status as a Warlord can only protect you once. It won't work a second time!"
"You think I wanted to be saved by you from that hellhole?!"
Arlong suddenly erupted, his eyes turning bloodshot. He glared at Jinbe, teeth gnashing. "The moment Brother Tiger was murdered by humans, the old Arlong died with him!"
He practically screamed those words.
"Brother Tiger..." Hearing that name, Jinbe closed his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing his emotions to settle. His voice softened. "Do you realize that what you're doing is destroying the fragile peace I've worked decades for? Everything I've done to bridge the gap between our races... you're undoing it all!"
"Humans! It's always the damn humans!" Arlong grew even more frenzied. "For how many centuries have Fish-men been slaughtered and sold? Shackled in cages and played with like pets? They don't see our lives as lives! Why should we live in peace with them?!"
"Do you know how much it hurt to hear you became a Warlord after I was released? Tiger should never have let you lead the Sun Pirates! Because you're not worthy!"
Facing Arlong's roar, Jinbe kept his composure, saying deeply, "I accepted the Warlord position to ensure the safety of Fish-man Island!"
"Enough! I'm done with your excuses! Jinbe, have you forgotten why Brother Tiger died? Have you forgotten his final words?!"
A long silence followed until Arlong's breathing stabilized. Jinbe finally spoke: "I will never forget why he died. But Arlong, you must realize—not all humans are evil. Your indiscriminate cruelty is a grave sin. It's not too late to turn back!"
"Hmph. I don't need your lectures on how to run my business," Arlong said coldly. "The moment you knelt to the humans and became a Warlord, you were no longer my Boss. We have no relation now. Leave my estate, uninvited guest."
"Why are you so thick-headed?!"
Jinbe wanted to continue, but a thunderous explosion accompanied by a violent tremor cut him off.
BOOM!
The shock was so strong the entire Arlong Park shook.
"What's happening?" A Fish-man lackey shouted, running out to investigate.
But before he could reach the gates, the massive doors were blasted open by a colossal force. The Fish-man didn't even have time to react before the door slammed into him like a battering ram, pinning him against the villa wall. He slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Who dares cause a scene in my park?!" Arlong's face twisted with malice, his crimson eyes flaring with violence.
"Where is this 'Arlong' Nojiko-san talked about? Come out! I'm gonna kick your ass!"
A sharp, youthful voice echoed from the gates.
Arlong glanced at Jinbe, snorted, and brushed past his shoulder toward the yard. Jinbe, brow furrowed, followed him out.
Stepping out, Jinbe saw a young human in a red vest and a straw hat, shouting at the top of his lungs.
However, the moment Jinbe's gaze shifted to the robust, white-haired man standing beside the boy, his pupils shrank to pinpricks. His stout body froze as if turned to stone.
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