Smoker stepping onto the field changed Arlong's mindset once again.
If Garen's "Marine headquarters admiral-level strength" had reminded Arlong of Kizaru's power, then the Logia-type Smoker reminded him of Kizaru's sheer obnoxiousness.
That was the particular kind of "obnoxiousness" unique to Logia users:
Untouchable, unhittable, and armed with all sorts of unpredictable special attacks based on their respective Devil Fruit Abilities.
"Damn it!"
Arlong cursed under his breath and turned to run.
This time, he fled toward the sea.
The ocean was a fish-man's home turf, and even more so a natural refuge from Devil Fruit users.
At that thought, Arlong's heart bled:
He had risked his life to run all the way to Cocoyasi Village to seize hostages because he had feared that "admiral-level" knight.
If he had known the East Blue Knight was a fraud, he would have plunged straight into the sea and escaped long ago.
Those rotten media outlets were ruining lives!
Even as he fled, Arlong did not forget to cast a resentful glare at the reporter Wallace, who was busy taking pictures nearby.
"Trying to run?!"
Garen hefted his greatsword and chased after him, roaring at Arlong's rapidly retreating figure:
"If you're a man, come back and fight me!"
Then—
Arlong's fleeing figure abruptly froze before he suddenly turned and charged straight at Garen.
Once again, before his few remaining fish-man underlings, he demonstrated what ironclad resolve was, what fearless courage was, and what a man's responsibility was.
However, Arlong did not get to hit Garen this time.
"White Fist!"
Smoker threw a punch, and his arm instantly transformed into a dense mass of white smoke. Within a few breaths, it condensed into an enormous fist of smoke.
Smoke blasted from behind the giant fist as it shot rapidly toward Arlong, carrying tremendous force.