Chapter 52 – [52] : Arlong Park

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Arlong Park.

“Here’s this month’s payment. Take it,” Arlong grinned, revealing rows of sharp shark teeth as he looked at the Marine officer before him. Arlong was a Sawshark Fish-Man.

“Brother Arlong! You’re different from other pirates! You really understand how things work! Gyahahaha!” Captain Nezumi of the 16th Marine Branch cackled, his eyes gleaming greedily at the pile of Beri Arlong pushed towards him.

“Shahahaha! Likewise! As long as you’re willing to be my friend, you’ll enjoy endless benefits here in the East Blue. The fact that you understand this proves you’re a smart Marine Captain!” Arlong threw his head back and laughed loudly.

“Thank you kindly for your continued generosity,” Nezumi replied smoothly.

Captain Nezumi tucked the money safely into his coat.

“Shahahaha! No need for formalities now! Harmony brings wealth, after all! Money is a wonderful thing—more trustworthy than anything else! Am I wrong?” Arlong grinned, flashing his rows of sharp shark teeth at the Marine captain.

“Y-Yes, quite right! Well then, I shall take my leave,” Nezumi replied, his eye twitching slightly. Dealing with these Fish-Men always left a bad taste in his mouth, but the money made it tolerable. Now that he had it, he didn’t want to stay a second longer.

“Have a drink before you go! Relax a little,” Arlong offered with a wide grin.

“A patrolling Marine warship docked at a pirate’s base… It wouldn’t look good, no matter how you slice it,” Nezumi quickly made an excuse, eager to leave.

“If anyone reported this to Headquarters, I’ll kill them,” Arlong growled, his expression turning cruel. This Captain Nezumi, though a lowly human, was crucial to his operation. If Marine HQ learned the full details of what he was doing here, they’d likely send powerful forces from Headquarters itself.

And HQ Marines… were on a completely different level than these branch officers.

The mere thought of HQ Marines made an old wound ache phantomly—one inflicted by Kizaru, back when he was still a Vice Admiral—now a full Admiral.

But as long as this rat was on his payroll, Arlong didn’t have to worry about HQ finding out the details.

“Very well. I’ll have my men see you out,” Arlong said, watching Nezumi.

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BOOOOM!

Just as Captain Nezumi was about to leave, the main gate of Arlong Park exploded inwards with a deafening roar.

Thump! Thump!

Several Fish-Men, already dead, were tossed like garbage out of the dust cloud, landing heavily on the ground.

“WHO DARES?!” Arlong roared, veins bulging on his forehead. ‘How dare they harm his precious brethren!’

“Don’t worry. You’re next—Arlong,” a cold voice declared as the dust settled, revealing several figures standing before Arlong and his crew.

Rowen stared icily at Arlong.

“Nami? What do you think you’re doing?!” Arlong bellowed, his eyes bloodshot with rage upon seeing Nami among the intruders.

“It’s true! Just like Rowen said—You really are colluding with the Marines, Arlong! Is that why the government lets you run wild here?!” Nami screamed, trembling uncontrollably as she stared at the still-present Captain Nezumi.

It was exactly as Rowen had said.

If she hadn’t met Rowen… if she had hopefully gathered that 100 million Beri, only to have it stolen by these corrupt Marines…

Imagining that scenario…

Nami bit her lip so hard it nearly drew blood, her eyes burning with absolute hatred.

“Ah, Captain Nezumi? He’s our friend, Nami. Which makes him your friend too! Just keep drawing those maps nicely for me, and we can forget this little incident ever happened—” Arlong sneered, then turned his murderous gaze towards Rowen and the others.

“As for you lot… laying a hand on my precious brethren… You’ll all die right here!” Arlong snarled, his expression utterly ruthless.

“???!” Arlong suddenly sensed something was wrong. He looked over at Captain Nezumi.

Nezumi looked like he had seen a ghost, utterly terrified, trembling violently.

“Sk- ‘Sky Sovereign’ Rowen?!” Nezumi squeaked, recognizing the name Nami had shouted.

Just seeing the person, he might not have recognized him. But hearing the name ‘Rowen’ spoken by Nami, and then seeing the man himself… Captain Nezumi immediately knew who it was.

The super rookie who had emerged from the East Blue, causing a significant stir even at Marine HQ—’Sky Sovereign’ Rowen!

“‘Sky Sovereign’ Rowen?! So that’s you?!” Arlong whipped his head towards Rowen, cold sweat suddenly breaking out on his own brow.

To maintain his dominion, Arlong needed to stay informed about major events on the seas. News from the East Blue was naturally a top priority.

And the most talked-about news in the East Blue recently?

It was the super rookie whose fame already surpassed even ‘Pirate Hunter’ Roronoa Zoro…

‘Sky Sovereign’ Rowen! User of Conqueror’s Haki!

As a former member of the Sun Pirates, Arlong knew exactly what possessing Conqueror’s Haki meant.

It was the power that even Kizaru—the Admiral who had scarred him—didn’t possess!

Why had Arlong come to the East Blue in the first place?

Precisely because it was the weakest sea, making it easier to rule!

Users of Conqueror’s Haki, even on the Grand Line, were all powerhouses capable of carving out their own territories!

“Hey, hey, Nami! Don’t look so scary! I told you, once you save up 100 million Beri, I’ll sell the village back to you,” Arlong forced a smile, turning back to Nami.

Damn it! How did this little brat Nami get involved with someone possessing Conqueror’s Haki?!

“And then… have this Marine confiscate all my money as ‘stolen goods’?” Nami spat, seeing right through Arlong’s sudden change in attitude. It confirmed everything Rowen had said was true.

Just hearing Rowen’s name was enough to make Arlong shift his stance so drastically?

Even after his precious brethren were killed, Arlong could still force that expression?

Compared to Rowen—maybe Arlong wasn’t such a monster after all.

Hearing Nami’s direct accusation, Arlong’s forced smile froze on his face.

Nami instantly caught the flicker of confirmation in his eyes.

“Just as I thought, Arlong!” Nami snarled, grinding her teeth, her beautiful eyes turning blood-red with fury.

Arlong really had intended to betray her!

“Hey, hey! I never said anything like—” Arlong started to deny it, but his pupils suddenly constricted.

WHOOSH!

CLANG!

Accompanied by a sharp, metallic sound, a dense, jet-black fist appeared directly before Arlong’s eyes.

Arlong’s eyes widened in shock.

CRACK!!!

With a sickening crunch that set teeth on edge, Arlong was slammed violently into the wall behind him. Under the stunned gazes of the other Fish-Men, the structure of Arlong Park crumbled under the terrifying force.

“ARLONG-SAN!” the other Fish-Men cried out in horror.

Captain Nezumi completely lost his nerve, paralyzed by fear.

“We didn’t come here to listen to your bullshit. So, Arlong… how do you want to die?” Rowen stated coldly, watching Arlong struggle to pull himself from the rubble.

Rowen didn’t even bother using Conqueror’s Haki.

Nami’s suffering… he would make these Fish-Men pay for it, piece by agonizing piece.

“H-Haki?!” Arlong’s pride and joy, his rows of sharp shark teeth, had been completely shattered by Rowen’s single punch.

Staring at the dense black coating covering Rowen’s fist, Arlong’s eyes filled with utter terror.

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