"The sound of experience notifications… I could listen to it forever!" Luffy said, shaking the thick crimson off his fists.
"Kuroobi!"
Arlong hadn't expected that in just a moment of inattention, his trusted lieutenant would be defeated here.
His eyes glistened.
Memories of growing up together in Fishman District flooded back—dreaming of the sea, evading slave hunters, vowing to become stronger.
Then they met Captain Hody. Arlong had led his comrades, following Hody's vision for their dreams.
After Hody's death, differing ideals split him and Jinbei, but his loyal followers still joined him, coming to this small corner of the East Blue.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
He hadn't expected his brothers, who had faced life and death with him in the Grand Line and New World, to fall here.
He had intended to bring them here to punish humans, returning their suffering and humiliation.
"Ahhh!"
"Damn humans! Die!"
Anger surged uncontrollably, his fury unrestrained.
Arlong's powerful arms, as strong as steel, propelled his punch forward like a cannonball.
Luffy tensed, taking the situation seriously for the first time since setting sail.
Watching Arlong's fist, Luffy planted his legs.
Boom! The ground cracked under his feet as he surged forward.
Using his small frame and speed, Luffy leaped, performing a 360-degree spin. His left foot struck horizontally against Arlong's torso with explosive force.
The impact made Arlong's body collapse backward, his eyes wide, his face contorted.
Boom…
He slid over ten meters across the ground before stopping.
"Kuroobi!"
"Captain!"
"Arlong… how is this possible!"
The Fishmen panicked. If Arlong couldn't handle this child, what fate awaited them?
"Damn humans!"
Arlong staggered to his feet, fists raised again.
Luffy caught his punch, then flicked him along his momentum.
Boom…
Arlong slammed down again, his shark-like nose gouging a hole in the ground.
Nearby, Nami and the others watched as Luffy toyed with Arlong like a game.
Luffy stood calmly, gazing at Arlong on the ground. "How's it feel lying down?"
"Damn humans!"
Shallow scratches from the fight streaked across Arlong, but his advanced Fishman regeneration slowly healed him.
Barbed teeth glinted, more threatening than any weapon.
"Ah!"
Though aware of the gap between him and Luffy, for Kuroobi's sake, for his trusting Fishman comrades… he had no choice but to fight.
"Die, human brat!"
Arlong lunged, teeth aimed at Luffy's head, eyes burning red with anger and desperation.
Only forward—no other thought could enter his mind.
Thud! Luffy's fist struck Arlong's face, sending him flying.
"Damn humans!"
Thud!
"Damn humans!"
Boom!
"Damn!"
…
Again and again, Arlong rose, launched his attacks, and was thrown back, smashed to the ground repeatedly.
The surrounding Fishmen wanted to assist, but the sheer force of Luffy and Arlong's clash made it difficult to stay steady.
Minutes passed.
Boom…
Arlong collapsed again. Bloodied, he bent one leg, braced with one hand on the ground, the other reaching his knee, trying to stand.
After so much punishment, his mind was clouded. Only his resolve allowed him to rise again.
"Damn… humans…"
Luffy regarded him coldly.
Arlong swung his fist, but disoriented, he couldn't gauge the distance.
He swung empty air, his momentum carrying him heavily into the ground.
Luffy casually picked up a long sword dropped during the scuffle and approached Arlong.
Arlong propped himself on his elbow, straining to lift his head, seeing Luffy and the weapon.
Though his spirit still urged him to fight, his body would no longer allow it.
Eyes wet, blood thick in his mouth, Arlong groaned, voice muffled: "Damn humans…"
Luffy dragged the sword tip along the ground, carving a long line.
Looking down at Arlong, his expression calm, Luffy's smile was gone for the first time during their fight.
Like a teacher speaking to a student, he said, "Arlong… don't you understand yet?"
Arlong's cloudy eyes carried confusion.
"Humans aren't the problem… it's the weak…"
Tears streamed down Arlong's face, dropping to the soil below.
Struggling to lift himself, he lay sprawled in a "大" shape, staring at the clouds above.
"The sun over the sea… it's beautiful…" he murmured.
Luffy crouched, placing his hands over Arlong's eyes, closing his eyelids.
"Please… have mercy on them…"
Arlong whispered humbly.
"I'm sorry. I promised my navigator that none of the Fishmen here would be spared."
Arlong's lips twitched as blood tears flowed down his face, dripping to the ground.
"I… I'm sorry…" he whispered for the last time.
Pth!
The sword pierced Arlong's chest. Because he had already lost so much blood, little sprayed out.
"Big brother!"
"Captain!"
The Fishmen fell to their knees, wailing.
From Fishman District onward, Arlong had cared for these orphaned Fishmen, giving them a chance to see the world beyond the sea.
With his fall, their world crumbled.
[Ding! Host defeated a Bounty Pirate, gained 1350 XP.]
[Ding! Host unlocked the Shop System.]
[Ding! Host defeated a Bounty Pirate, gained 3000 Beli.]