Kuroobi was one of Arlong's core officers, highly skilled in Fish-Man Karate.
Arlong knew exactly how powerful that strike had been.
In the entire East Blue—
He had never seen a human who could block Kuroobi's Water Shot so effortlessly.
And that power…
Was coming from Nami?
The same girl he had always treated as nothing more than a tool for making money and drawing maps—
Someone he could manipulate at will?
Nojiko stared blankly at her sister's back.
At this moment—
Nami's figure seemed to overlap with another—
Bellemere.
The woman who had always stood in front of them, shielding them from danger.
When had her little sister—
The one who relied on her, complained to her—
Grown strong enough to stand at the front…
And protect others?
Nami slowly lowered her hand, feeling the faint tingling in her palm—
And the surging power within her body.
She didn't turn around.
She simply spoke softly—
To Nojiko behind her.
And perhaps to herself.
"Nojiko… stay behind me."
"And then… live smiling, just like Bellemere wanted."
At some point, her left hand had already grasped the golden handle.
The broken golden chain coiled around her right wrist, reflecting a cold gleam under the sunlight.
The wooden staff she used before—
Had already been discarded.
From Nami—
Arlong now felt something unfamiliar.
A sense of pressure.
A faint threat.
This feeling—
He had only ever experienced in the Grand Line.
Never in East Blue.
And that—
Infuriated him.
"Looks like the serum worked quite well."
Renji Kuro's voice sounded calmly, carrying a trace of approval.
"After the initial enhancement, your physical foundation has already surpassed the average fish-man."
"You can barely support using part of the Eight Extremes Art now."
"But how far you can go… depends on your current condition and comprehension."
Nami tilted her head slightly, a tired yet radiant smile forming on her lips.
"Getting praised like that all of a sudden… is a little embarrassing."
"Bastard! Don't get cocky, Nami!"
Arlong's fury ignited completely.
He stood up, his massive body casting a heavy shadow.
"You think some cheap drug can make you challenge the great fish-men?!"
"Humans can never surpass fish-men! That's an unbreakable rule!"
Nami turned fully toward him.
The golden chain in her hand swayed lightly.
Her gaze was sharp as a blade.
Her voice—
Clear and resolute—
Echoed across the silent park.
"Arlong."
"Your reign ends here."
"Today, in Cocoyasi Village…"
"I will end you."
The golden handle pointed straight at him.
"Seeking death!"
Arlong roared.
He had never been provoked like this by a human—
Let alone by someone he once considered his property.
"Kill her!"
"Tear her apart!"
"Yes, Boss Arlong!"
Three large, vicious-looking fish-man grunts rushed forward with cruel grins.
In their eyes—
No matter how Nami had changed—
She was still just a weak human.
That earlier move?
Probably just luck.
Or Kuroobi holding back.
Humans—
Were always easy prey.
The three fish-men charged in a triangular formation, their thick arms cutting through the air with heavy force, aiming to crush her in the most brutal way possible.
Facing them—
Nami took a deep breath.
Her eyes sharpened instantly.
The surging power within her body—
Followed the guidance of the inheritance—
Flowing.
Condensing.
Her left foot stepped forward slightly.
Her body lowered.
The golden chain on her right arm tightened silently.
The golden handle in her left hand positioned across her chest.
An invisible, fierce aura began to rise from her small frame.
"Eight Extremes Art…"
She murmured, her voice low—
Yet carrying a strange, penetrating rhythm.
"First Form—Swift Step!"
The moment the words fell—
Her figure blurred.
A faint golden afterimage remained—
But her true body—
Had already vanished.
The three charging fish-men felt their vision flicker—
And their target disappeared.
The next instant—
Pain exploded across their bodies—
The back of the neck—
The ribs—
The knees—
Heavy, precise strikes—
Packed with explosive force—
Landed one after another.
Thud!
Thud!
Boom!
Three dull impacts rang out almost simultaneously.
The cruel grins on their faces hadn't even had time to fade—
Before their massive bodies collapsed like boneless sacks—
Unconscious.
Not even a scream escaped them.
From Nami's movement—
To the moment they fell—
It all happened within a single breath.
The once despairing villagers froze—
Then erupted into stunned cries and cheers.
"Miss Nami!"
"My God—she defeated fish-men!"
"So fast! I didn't even see it!"
"We're saved! Miss Nami has become so strong!"
Hope—
Ignited once more in their hearts.
And this time—
It burned even brighter.
They stared at the orange-haired girl standing among the fallen fish-men—
Breathing slightly—
Their eyes filled with shock…
And expectation.
The girl they had quietly protected all this time—
Had, in such a short span—
Gained such overwhelming strength.
Renji Kuro nodded slightly.