Arlong felt the blood in his veins boil violently.
This man standing before him had wiped out his crew. Even now, he felt he wouldn't be satisfied with simply killing Allen; he would make him suffer in agony until he was satisfied.
"Bastard, you'll pay with blood!"
Arlong could no longer contain his rage. The ground beneath his feet shattered as he launched himself toward Allen at a terrifying speed.
At the very last moment, upon seeing the blade of the saw sword, Allen crossed his arms and hardened his body to receive the attack.
"Tekkai."
"Ah!" Arlong struck with his sword.
The force of the impact echoed throughout the area before transferring to Allen's feet, cracking the ground beneath him.
"Damned human!" Arlong looked frustrated and slightly surprised.
"You're trying to push me into the water? How sneaky..." Allen mocked. How could he not know Arlong's intentions?
Behind Allen was a pool connected to the sea.
Fish-Men have their homeland, Gyojin Island, located 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the sea. Their bodies are adapted to the pressure of the ocean floor, and that is where their strength comes from.
In the sea, a Fish-Man multiplies his strength, so Arlong's intentions were obvious. But unfortunately, he wasn't facing a knight, a hero, or a saint, but rather a shameless captain.
"No water for you!" Allen sneered mockingly and punched Arlong in the stomach with his fist of love.
"Ahhh!" Arlong staggered back, feeling immense pain.
Allen gave him no chance to react. He vanished and reappeared in front of him, driving all five fingers into Arlong's abdomen.
"Shigan!"
Shigan was also one of the Rokushiki techniques. It consisted of turning the fingers into bullet-like attacks capable of piercing the opponent.
"Argh!"
Arlong's abdomen was pierced by all five of Allen's fingers. Enduring the pain, Arlong pulled back his hand, where there was a drop of water, intending to attack with it.
[Move back!]
"...!" Allen used Soru to disappear. Immediately afterward, a hole appeared in front of Arlong in the water, as if he had fired an invisible cannon.
Allen reappeared not far away with a bead of sweat on his cheek. "Thanks, Lenalee."
[Don't worry about it.]
"Damn it!" Seeing his surprise attack fail, Arlong grew frustrated and tried to attack once more. However, Allen had already anticipated it and used Soru again. Behind him, holes began appearing in the wall out of nowhere.
Everyone was horrified by an attack like that, but Allen, having already seen it several times, managed to understand the trick. Every time Arlong struck the air with an open palm, there was a drop of water in his hand.
"I once heard that pressurized water can cut through rock like paper. Looks like it's true."
Allen revealed this as he reappeared. He really had to be grateful for having Soru.
At first, he had considered using Tekkai to endure it, but it was only Level 1. He wouldn't have been able to withstand that attack with his body and would have been gravely injured.
"Human, can't you be a little more stupid?" Arlong growled.
Allen sneered.
"Pirates don't just fight with strength, but with cunning. Pirates often disregard rules such as chivalry and honor. There's no need to show you mercy. I don't need to face you in the water where you have the advantage, I don't need to explain my techniques to you, and of course I don't need to take your attacks just for show..."
"..." Arlong remained silent. He wasn't stupid. It only took a short exchange for him to understand that Allen was stronger than him.
This young man had appeared out of nowhere without giving any explanations and attacked his territory, destroying everything. At no point did he explain his techniques or show mercy. It was a fact that Allen was a pirate... but if that was the case...
"I propose a deal," Arlong suddenly said.
[Bastard!]
Nojiko, Genzo, and the rest of the people present turned pale. Just when they thought it was the end for Arlong, he chose to negotiate.
That was simply who Arlong was. No matter how arrogant he was, and no matter how openly he hated humans, he wasn't stupid. That was why he chose to bribe the Marines instead of fighting them.
He was a despicable bastard who preyed on the weak and avoided the strong.
Upon hearing Arlong's words, Nami felt more rage and disgust than ever before.
"ARLONG!"
Nami's shout drew everyone's attention, including Arlong's, who finally managed to connect the dots.
"It was you! You brought this man to my home?! Nami!"
"Shut up!! You despicable bastard!! Do you think I'd have even the slightest consideration for scum like you?! Ever since that day, I've waited all this time just to see you fall!" Crying with rage, Nami looked at Allen. "Don't forget I have one hundred million berries, they're yours! Even I'll be yours! Just finish him off!"
Arlong gritted his teeth. However, instead of being afraid, he smiled.
"One hundred million? How much do you think I've accumulated over all these years?" Arlong mocked as he stood up. "Hey, I don't know how that bitch seduced you, but I can give you two hundred million. That should be enough for you to retire."
Everyone present, including Genzo and Nojiko, was left speechless. It was despicable, disgusting even, but it was also how things worked in the pirate world. All pirates moved for profit, for wealth, and for power.
If Nami had obtained Allen's help by promising him the money she had gathered for Arlong, then his loyalty shouldn't run that deep. By offering a greater amount, the situation could easily change.
With an empty look in her eyes, Nami fell to her knees. However, at that moment, Kaya approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. When Nami looked up to see Kaya, she had an angry expression on her face.
"Kaya?"
Without saying a word, the sweet and gentle girl slapped Nami so hard it echoed throughout the entire place.
"Huh?" Nami was stunned.
"What are you doing?!" Kaya shouted with tears in her eyes. "You idiot! Did you already forget?! Why are we here?! Why is he here?! Those words! Are you seriously doubting him?!"
Nami widened her eyes. Just last night, when she finally broke down and could no longer hide her emotions and pain, she received a warm embrace from Allen.
— Believe in me... —
Nami bit her lips and looked at Allen's back. Then a wave of regret washed over her.
Without turning around, Allen smiled faintly.
"I know very well what it's like to have no power... to feel like the world is unfair and crushes you at every opportunity. I know what it's like to crawl through the mud just to survive. I also understand what you had to endure for years, so I'm not angry.... but I want you to know something." Allen glanced at Nami over his shoulder. There was no anger, reproach, or any trace of displeasure in his eyes. Instead, there was the same sincere and gentle smile and gaze he had shown her the previous night. "There isn't enough money in the world that could make me stab my companions in the back."
"...!" Nami's eyes widened.
[Koby... cough.]
'Don't say nonsense. Koby wasn't a companion, just a subordinate who offered to sacrifice himself for me, and who am I to disregard his efforts?'
[...]
Nami covered her mouth before she began to cry. "I... I'm sorry..."
She knew it very well. Despite being selfish, despite being shameless, despite desiring money as much as—or even more than—she did, Allen wasn't here right now for gold, money, or jewels. He was here for her.
How could she dare doubt the sincerity of his actions? Hadn't he already proven it to her? Wasn't he here facing a monster like Arlong for her sake? Then why, instead of believing in him, did she dare put a price on his loyalty?!
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Don't worry about it." Allen chuckled softly. "I wouldn't blame a girl who, since childhood, was told that her only value was her talent and the money she could make. How could I blame you for believing you're worth less than a mountain of gold, as if I could ever reproach you for anything after living chained by this monster?"
"Tsk..." Arlong tightened his grip on his sword's handle. He knew his plan had failed, and he finally understood that Allen was here for Nami and not for money.
Now there was only one path left: fight to the death!
Arlong gathered every fiber of his strength and attacked while believing Allen was still distracted.
"DIE!"
The saw sword stabbed into Allen's shoulder, causing blood to burst out. Kaya and Nami were terrified, while everyone else stood frozen in shock.
Why didn't Allen try to dodge or block it?!
Blood began dripping onto the ground while Arlong smiled sadistically. Once he managed to wound him, Allen became insignificant in his eyes and therefore prey.
"Shahahaha, you let your guard down, human!" Arlong laughed as he pushed harder, driving his sword deeper and deeper into Allen's shoulder. He even thought about cutting him in half this way.
"Allen-san!"
"Allen!"
Kaya and Nami tried to help Allen, but a scroll appeared in front of them with a message.
[Lenalee: Don't worry.]
Despite bleeding, Allen's expression never changed. Even with the pain and blood loss, it remained the same.
He stayed silent, his eyes fixed on Arlong's smile. Those sharp shark teeth, that sadistic gaze, that grotesque laughter reflected in his eyes.
Why was Allen doing this?
'I wanted to see...'
He wanted to see with his own eyes what Nami had been looking at for so many years.
'I wanted to feel...'
Even if it was only a fraction, Allen wanted to personally feel the pain Nami had endured for years, and he succeeded... the image of a little girl in chains drawing maps day after day until her fingers bled appeared before him.
That was enough. Now Allen knew what he had to do.
"I won't forgive you," he said. Then he grabbed the sword embedded in his shoulder with his left hand and squeezed it. A metallic cracking sound echoed before the blade was shattered by the brute strength of his fingers.
"What?!" Arlong was shocked and stepped back.
There were no more words.
Allen stomped forward, making all of Arlong Park tremble. He clenched his right fist and drew it back in slow motion, almost as if he were pulling the air toward himself.
"...!"
This caused Arlong's expression to change into one of complete terror. It was at this moment that he realized he was facing a monster, one staring at him with rage, one he could not defeat, and it was already too late to escape or beg for mercy.
Allen's fist advanced, and in an instant, Arlong's vision turned white.
It was a punch.
One punch struck him in the abdomen, and with it, the air shattered like glass and everything began to tremble. At the same time, his proud castle behind him collapsed.
It was a blow so devastating that it destroyed Arlong and his legacy in an instant.
Everything was over...
Before everyone's eyes, Arlong fell onto his back. His abdomen was destroyed, and he vomited blood. His organs had been crushed, but he did not die immediately. This wasn't thanks to his Fish-Man resilience, but because Allen had deliberately held back and allowed him to live.
"W-why?" Arlong managed to speak. He didn't understand. Why was Allen leaving him alive when he clearly wanted him dead?
The same question appeared in everyone's minds.
"I chose to become a pirate before becoming a king, but I don't intend to be a vulgar one. I have a code..." Allen paused and looked behind him.
Arlong also looked in that direction. There stood Nami, her eyes filled with mixed emotions, from happiness at finally seeing freedom within reach, to rage toward Arlong who, despite being defeated, was still there, not to mention the worry from seeing Allen injured.
Allen smiled at Nami.
"As a Pirate Lord and Captain, I must put my companions above all else, so it's time to pay your debt. Because the one you owe the most isn't me, but Nami and her family."
Allen reached behind his back and pulled out a bolt-action pistol, the same one he had taken from Alvida and still kept, before offering it to Nami.
Nami saw Allen extending the weapon toward her so she could take it. She hesitated for a moment. It wasn't that she pitied Arlong; this man deserved to die a hundred times over. But Nami didn't know if this was what Bell-mère would have wanted.
"Nami!" Nojiko approached. "You don't have to do it, I'll do it!"
"Nojiko..." Nami felt happy seeing her sister, but she shook her head. "Don't worry."
Allen smiled faintly.
"Wait." Genzo also approached. He faced Allen without fear. "Nami is a sweet girl. Making her finish off Arlong could leave scars on her."
"..."
"Genzo-san..." Nojiko murmured. She knew Genzo was only acting like a worried father, but challenging the man who defeated Arlong was extremely reckless. More than that, this young man had saved them, and instead of thanking him, they were openly questioning him. It was a great disrespect toward a pirate captain.
Yet despite that, Allen did not get angry.
"They say revenge is best served cold, and that achieving it leaves behind emptiness. However, we are not ordinary people, we are pirates, and at least my crew lives by codes." Allen smiled while the black coat on his back swayed. "Take whatever you want and give nothing back, but never take away another person's freedom... this is not revenge, it is the collection of a debt. Arlong broke the code when he stole the freedom of others, which is why the debt must be collected. Pirate debts are paid in gold and blood."
Genzo and Nojiko fell silent. This apparently very young man spoke like someone who had spent decades at sea. Beyond that, he gave them a strange sense of dignity, something that, from their perspective, shouldn't even exist in a pirate.
Nami smiled and gently pushed her sister aside while taking the pistol.
Genzo and Nojiko wanted to say something, but after hearing Allen's words, they understood that whatever the outcome would be, it was Nami's decision.
"This is what I have to do." Nami smiled brightly, sincerely, and widely. "Besides, I can't disappoint my captain~"
Nojiko was stunned before smiling. Genzo looked away while tears welled up in his eyes. Both of them had been worried about Nami, without realizing that this girl had already broken her chains, meaning her heart was no longer fragile.
Nami took two steps and stopped beside Allen. She whispered something that only Allen and Lenalee heard before taking a few more steps until she stood before Arlong.
She pointed the pistol at him.
"I hate you... I hate you for killing my mother, for killing so many people, for taking away my freedom... and for hurting my captain!"
Allen opened his eyes slightly before blushing faintly. Despite how he acted, let's not forget that Allen was younger and lacked the experience of his memories, meaning he could still be caught off guard.
[Nami is very kind.]
'Huh?'
[You idiot. Even though she hates Arlong and despite everything, she's still trying—perhaps unconsciously—for him to show even the slightest regret, a trace of a heart, something that would give Nami an excuse not to pull the trigger.]
'That's true...'
Hearing those words, Arlong felt offended. He felt humiliated. A mere woman, a human girl, an insignificant human who was nothing more than a tool dared judge him?!
"Sha... haha... You hate me? That's nothing compared to the hatred I have... ugh... for you... You humans, ah... all of you are trash, all of you should be eradicated!!"
Between mouthfuls of blood, Arlong let out his true feelings.
It had nothing to do with looking down on humans for being "inferior." It was hatred, rage, contempt, and resentment toward humans in the most twisted way possible.
Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo were stunned.
"What stupidity," Allen said disdainfully. "I don't know what happened to you in the past to make you hate humanity like this, and I don't care. But regardless of the reason, it had nothing to do with the people of these islands. You were just a bastard venting your hatred on innocent people."
Allen was right, and everyone knew it. Arlong was despicable. Most likely, he couldn't take revenge on the people he truly hated, so he escaped to the East Blue where nobody could stop him from taking it out on weak people unable to defend themselves.
"Goodbye... Arlong..." Nami said before pulling the trigger.
Bang
The bullet pierced the heart of an incredulous Arlong. He hadn't even finished speaking, but Nami had already stopped listening to him.
Arlong's vision darkened, with Nami's pity-filled face being the last thing he saw.
Allen approached, took the pistol from Nami's hands, and she turned around to hug him. However, this time she did not cry. She had already shed enough tears. She simply wanted a warm refuge while she recovered.
Genzo felt like a jealous father, but he knew this young man had accomplished what he himself could not, so he did not complain.
Nojiko wiped away a tear, happy for her sister.
Allen stroked Nami's head with one hand while pulling out a gold coin with the other. He tossed it, and it landed on Arlong's chest.
"Captain Allen Walker has witnessed that the debt of Arlong the Saw has been paid. May his soul rest in the sea." Allen smiled faintly. "Use it to pay the ferryman, and keep the change."
Nojiko watched the young man act in a way she had never heard before. He almost seemed like a pirate from another world, one where a pirate could actually be someone worthy of respect.
Nojiko didn't know who Allen was, but she felt she had met someone incredible.
....
(A few hours later)
"That's right, I, Allen Walker, saved you all! Rejoice in my glory!" Allen declared arrogantly.
He was standing on top of a table with a mug of rum in his hand while swaying from side to side.
The people of Cocoyasi Village didn't know how to repay their debt to Allen, so they at least organized a party in honor of him and his crew. However, things became absurd very quickly.
Allen dropped his cool captain persona and went right back to being his usual self, leaving everyone in shock.
Kaya and Nami watched this version of Allen while eating meat skewers seated in front of a bonfire.
"Hey, how much did that idiot drink?" Nami asked mockingly.
"Only one drink..." Kaya replied with an awkward smile.
At that moment, Nojiko approached with a mug of beer in her hand. She had a look of disbelief on her face.
"Hey Nami, where's that charming young captain who saved us a few hours ago?"
"Hey, I heard that. Just so you know, you're speaking to the future King of the World!" Allen smiled arrogantly and narcissistically. "I know you already sensed it just by looking at my perfect face and magnificence, but I'll confirm it anyway. You stand before the future King of the World, bathe in my glory!"
Nojiko nearly tripped after hearing what Allen said.
"Haha... ha..." Nami laughed awkwardly. "Believe it or not, this is how he acts most of the time."
"Impossible..." Nojiko said, refusing to accept reality, but Allen didn't help as he soon began narrating his origin story.
"It all started when I was nine years old, maybe. At that moment I realized I was different, that my perfection had to be shared with the world!" Allen looked deeply moved by his own words.
The villagers wore uncomfortable expressions as they listened to all the nonsense Allen was spouting.
"Still, I wonder how much of it is an act..." Nami said with a warm smile. Spending time with Allen had made her realize that he wasn't actually a stupid narcissist or a lunatic with delusions of grandeur.
Allen truly was someone thoughtful, but those thoughts were always hidden beneath the layer everyone else saw.
"That's true..." Kaya smiled with slightly red cheeks. She thought the same about Allen.
"You mean Allen acts like this on purpose?" Nojiko asked curiously.
Nami thought for a moment before responding. "Maybe, but not entirely... mmm, Allen is definitely not as narcissistic and dumb as he makes people believe.... maybe there's a reason he acts like this..."
Neither she nor Kaya knew much about Allen. The stories he told about his past sounded more like fairy tales than the truth.
The two girls exchanged glances and decided that regardless of Allen's past, they would trust him.
Nojiko looked at her sister and then at Kaya before forming a knowing smile.
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