"No matter what tricks you use, inferior humans can never surpass the great fish-man race!"
"Struggle! Suffer!"
"What I enjoy most is watching you humans give everything you have—only to realize you're still nothing but insects!"
Arlong was a complete racist.
He firmly believed fish-men were inherently superior to humans, and he reveled in watching humans struggle in vain before him.
That sense of absolute control—
Thrilled him.
"Nami! Stop! Please stop!"
Nojiko's heart felt like it was being torn apart.
She wanted to rush forward and hold her sister—
But didn't dare touch her, afraid of worsening her pain.
Watching Nami writhe like this—
It was as if she was reliving the moment Bellemere fell in a pool of blood.
The terror of losing someone precious again nearly swallowed her whole.
She suddenly turned toward Renji Kuro, her eyes filled with desperation.
"Mr. Can Merchant! Please—save Nami!"
"You must have a way, right? Your cans are so miraculous… please!"
To her, this mysterious man was the source of Nami's transformation—
And perhaps the only one who could save her now.
Only then did Arlong shift more of his attention toward Renji Kuro.
This young man—
Standing quietly at the edge of the crowd—
Far too calm—
Felt… unusual.
His instincts told him—
Nami's sudden wealth…
And her current state—
Were likely connected to this person.
"Who are you?"
Arlong narrowed his yellow eyes, scrutinizing Renji Kuro.
"That girl suddenly got all that money… and this strange drug…"
"Was it you?"
Renji Kuro didn't answer.
His gaze remained fixed on Nami.
He could feel it—
The violent energy rampaging within her was beginning to subside.
The pain had peaked—
And was now slowly receding.
The redness on her skin faded.
Her abnormal body temperature dropped.
Though drenched in sweat—
Her breathing gradually stabilized—
Becoming heavy—
Rhythmic.
"Congratulations."
Renji Kuro said calmly, a faint smile forming.
"It seems your will was stronger than the serum's side effects."
Nami gasped for breath.
Her entire body felt as if it had been shattered—
Then rebuilt from scratch.
The unbearable pain receded like a tide—
Replaced by an overwhelming sense of power.
She could feel it clearly—
Her muscles denser.
Her bones reinforced.
Her senses sharper.
Even her thoughts—
Faster. Clearer.
A complete transformation was taking place within her.
She had nearly died—
But she endured it.
"Ha… ha…"
She braced herself on her knees and slowly stood up.
Her movements were still slightly unsteady—
But her eyes—
Burned with intensity.
She looked at Renji Kuro and forced a faint smile.
"It's… still too early to praise me…"
At that moment—
A flicker of impatience and cruelty passed through Arlong's eyes.
He had no interest in watching a human "evolve."
Whatever she injected—
Whoever this man was—
To him—
It was nothing more than the dying struggle of insects.
"Kuroobi."
Arlong spoke casually.
"Don't let our 'former companion' get too full of herself."
"Wake her up."
"Yes, Boss Arlong."
Kuroobi stepped forward.
His expression cold.
He looked at Nami—
Then raised his hand, thumb and middle finger pressed together near his mouth.
His cheeks puffed slightly.
"Fish-Man Karate—Water Shot!"
Snap!
A compressed droplet of water shot out like a bullet—
Piercing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
But the target—
Was not Nami.
It was Renji Kuro—
Standing just behind her.
The attack looked simple—
But it carried the refined power of Fish-Man Karate—
Strong enough to pierce wood like a real bullet.
Arlong's intent was clear—
Eliminate the unknown variable first.
And intimidate everyone else.
Seeing the attack aimed at Renji Kuro—
A cruel smile spread across Arlong's face.
As if he had already seen the young man's chest pierced through.
But—
Just as the water bullet was about to hit—
A slender yet firm hand suddenly appeared in its path.
Five fingers spread open—
Blocking it.
Pop!
A soft sound—
Like a bubble bursting.
The compressed water—
Was effortlessly slapped apart—
Scattering into harmless droplets.
The one who moved—
Was Nami.
At some point—
She had already stepped forward—
Positioning herself in front of Renji Kuro.
Her movement was so fast—
It was almost invisible.
Her arm swung cleanly—
As if she had simply brushed away a fly.
"What?!"
The smile on Arlong's face froze instantly.
He shot upright from his chair, pupils shrinking sharply as he stared at Nami.
Kuroobi was stunned.
For the first time—
Shock appeared on his face.
His Water Shot—
Even without full force—
Was not something an ordinary human could block—
Let alone disperse so effortlessly.
This girl—
Who had once been nothing more than a petty thief in his eyes—
How could she possibly…
"Impossible!"
Arlong growled.