Arlong's End; Captain Nezumi Has Ideas

Arlong's end was sealed.

Nami had personally avenged her mother.

With Arlong's death.

Nami's feelings at this moment were complex.

After a moment of silence, she hugged Nojiko and Gen tightly, then burst into tears.

"Bellemere, I finally avenged you, wah~~"

Nojiko and Gen also couldn't control their tears and began to cry loudly.

The other villagers were also weeping profusely.

While moved, everyone also clapped and cheered that Arlong had received his comeuppance.

At this moment, an elder from Cocoyasi Village stepped forward.

His name was Nago, the village doctor, and he was also somewhat skilled in tattooing.

Nago took a deep breath, and his aged body suddenly bowed 90° towards Can Yue, Luffy, and the others.

Sanji was about to rush forward to help him up, but Nago stopped him.

"I am a doctor; I can heal physical pain, but I am helpless against the inner pain of Nami's family.

Before today, I felt immense pain every time I thought of what Nami's family went through.

If this heartache continues to develop, it will eventually take Nami's life.

But I can do nothing.

Fortunately, Nami met you all.

What you did today is like a life-saving medicine for Nami.

So, please don't stop me; this is the gratitude this old man must express."

Can Yue, Luffy, and the others heard these heartfelt words from the village doctor.

They didn't feel particularly moved.

Because for them, doing this for Nami.

Was an inevitable act.

Why ask?

Luffy steadied his Straw Hat and said that sentence very seriously.

"Because Nami is our nakama!"

His words stunned everyone present.

The village doctor Nago and the other villagers also broke into happy smiles.

They were genuinely happy for Nami.

Even the Straw Hat Crew members were, more or less, touched by Luffy's words.

'Nakama,' such a simple word.

But in the eyes of the Straw Hat Crew.

When I recognize you as 'nakama.'

If you have a need, I will help you without asking for anything in return (though some people will still outwardly demand something).

If you are in pain, I will do everything I can to comfort you.

If you have an enemy, I will fight with all my might for you.

Simply because 'nakama' are worth it!

Can Yue couldn't help but smile.

This was why he was willing to help Luffy achieve his dream.

This was why, despite being far stronger than the Straw Hat Crew, he still stayed with them.

Because such pure friendship is rare.

By being with these sincere companions, Can Yue could find peace in his 'heart.'

No need to be cautious, no deception.

That was enough.

As for the other 3 fish-men.

The whale fish-man Kuroobi and the kissing fish-man Chuu were knocked out and tied up in the warehouse.

They could be handed over to the Marines to exchange for bounties.

To improve the villagers' lives.

As for Hachi's judgment, Nami also fell into a dilemma.

Just now, Nojiko had brought the little girl to her.

The little girl, with a sincere expression, made her plea.

She hoped Nami would spare Hachi, who had saved her.

Strictly speaking, the hatred between Nami and Hachi was difficult to resolve.

This was because Hachi was the one who discovered Bellemere's existence.

He was also the one who told Arlong that there were two other children in the house.

This directly led to Bellemere, who only had 100,000 Belly in savings, having to give up her life to save Nami and Nojiko.

(At that time, Arlong's protection fee was set at: 100,000 Belly could guarantee the life of one adult, and children were 50,000 Belly.)

If Arlong was the primary murderer.

Then Hachi was the first accomplice.

However, since Nami joined the Arlong Pirates 8 years ago, Hachi was the fish-man who treated her the best.

This guy often came to cheer Nami up.

As Nami grew older and her secondary sexual characteristics began to develop, increasing her attractiveness.

It was also Hachi who shielded her from other fish-men who intended to take advantage of her.

Hachi was also usually very good to the children in the village.

How to deal with Hachi was indeed a difficult decision for Nami.

At this moment, Can Yue walked up to Nami.

He patted Nami's shoulder and said to her.

"When you can't make a decision, try to go with the first thought that comes to your mind."

Hearing Can Yue's suggestion, Nami's expression faltered.

A moment later, Nami made her decision.

"Hachi, with your sword wound, I'll throw you into the sea to fend for yourself. From now on, you are forbidden to return!"

Upon hearing Nami's decision, Hachi's eyes welled up with tears, and he wanted to say something more.

But Nami stopped him.

"Listen carefully, Hachi. I'm letting you go because I don't want to kill you, not because I forgive you, understand?"

After speaking, Nami walked step by step towards the back of the mountain.

Luffy watched this scene and asked Can Yue.

"Should we follow her? Nami looks so lonely."

Can Yue shook his head slightly.

"She is very strong. This trip should be for her to say goodbye to the past, so let's not disturb her."

"Okay."

Since Can Yue and the others landed, many things had happened.

But in reality, less than two hours had passed.

And from the start to the end of the battle between the Arlong Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates.

The actual time was less than a quarter of an hour, or 15 minutes.

Captain Nezumi had just returned to his office at Marine Branch 16 after patrolling his territory.

He was about to symbolically handle the needs of civilians within his jurisdiction.

At this moment, a Marine rushed into Captain Nezumi's office.

"Captain, something big has happened!"

Captain Nezumi looked impatient.

"What could possibly happen here? Pirates?"

"Yes, Captain, it's a pirate problem."

Hearing this, Captain Nezumi became even more dismissive.

"Then there's no need to worry, Arlong will handle it for us. After all, in that guy's eyes, my territory is his domain."

Thinking of this, Captain Nezumi even showed a sly expression.

By exploiting Arlong's possessiveness, pirate riots in his jurisdiction were quite rare.

But the young soldier reporting still stood nervously in front of Captain Nezumi.

"Hmm? Is there anything else you have to say?"

The young soldier swallowed hard and stammered out his report.

"The Straw Hat Pirates and the Fish-Man Pirates have started fighting."

Upon hearing this, Captain Nezumi, who had been calm moments before, broke out in a cold sweat.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, our informant saw them engage in battle and immediately returned to the secret base to call us."

Hearing this news, Captain Nezumi paced back and forth.

I just warned Arlong today, how could they start fighting so soon?

The Straw Hat Crew is the current overt overlord in the East Blue pirate scene, while Arlong's crew is the nightmare of human pirates in the East Blue.

Since the Straw Hat Crew doesn't have a terrifying individual like Buggy, the battle shouldn't be a one-sided affair.

No matter how I think about it, this is an opportunity for me.

With this thought, Captain Nezumi's lecherous expression returned.

"Hee hee hee, give the order. Bring 50 men, set sail on the warship. Destination: Cocoyasi Village. Target: Capture the Straw Hat crew and Arlong's crew."

"Yes!"