Physical Persuasion

Bright woke up to bright daylight.

Sunlight streamed in through the room's window. He stared blankly at the ceiling with his eyes open, sprawled on the bed like a corpse for a while before lazily sitting up and stretching.

"I haven't slept this comfortably in a long time."

He mumbled to himself.

Every day at the Punk Hazard base was nerve-wracking; he couldn't even sleep peacefully.

He got out of bed, put on clothes, and tidied it up.

Next, he needed to find Arlong.

Bright opened the door.

He saw a basket outside the door, filled with neatly folded clothes.

"So thoughtful."

Bright murmured with a hint of admiration.

It's good to have childhood friends.

He went back to his room, changed out of his prison uniform, and put on the clothes Sharly had prepared for him.

It was a simple combination of a T-shirt and trousers, but the fit was perfect for Bright's tall and agile physique. The back had already been cut to allow his dorsal fin to extend.

After changing into his new clothes, Bright crumpled up his prison uniform and went downstairs.

The cafe was already bustling with noise.

The empty seats from last night were now filled, with mermaids and fish-men gathered together.

Several mermaid girls in maid outfits bustled through the hall, smiling as they responded to customers' calls.

Bright observed the mermaid girls. Each one was quite attractive, no wonder the business here was so good.

Sharly was sitting behind the counter, engrossed in what appeared to be accounting.

Bright walked down the stairs and approached her. "Where's the trash can?"

Sharly looked up, glanced at Bright, and nodded gently. "It looks like it fits well."

"Because your taste is excellent," Bright said with a smile.

"Of course."

Sharly lowered her head again to do her calculations. "The trash goes in the kitchen bin. Also, I've saved some food for you. Eat it before you go find Arlong."

"Okay."

Bright turned into the kitchen and was greeted by a mermaid lady. She looked over thirty, with a slightly plump, smiling face that was very approachable.

She was wearing a clean white chef's uniform, an apron, and a chef's hat, humming a tune as she cooked.

It seemed she was the cafe's chef.

"Oh! You must be the young man Sharly mentioned, Bright, right?"

The chef lady turned her head with a smile and greeted Bright. "I'm Mirian, the chef at this cafe."

She took a moment to pick up a plate from the side and handed it to Bright. "Sharly asked me to prepare breakfast for you."

The food on the plate was abundant, with a good balance of meat and vegetables.

Bright took it. "Thank you, Miss Mirian."

He didn't sit down immediately. He threw his discarded prison uniform into the trash can before finding an empty seat and starting his breakfast.

"This is delicious!"

He exclaimed.

It was certainly more delicious than the specialty dishes of the Fish-Man District boss.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Mirian smiled and wiped her hands on her apron. "This is the first time, young man Bright. Sharly let a man stay overnight here. She usually doesn't pay anyone any mind."

Bright smiled. "Sharly's personality is indeed a bit reserved, but once you get to know her, you realize she's actually very kind."

"Eh~ Very kind, you say?" The cook stretched out her tone. "But I've rarely seen Sharly be kind to anyone."

Bright felt a bit awkward and buried his head in his food.

Mirian didn't say much more, just continued cooking with a smile.

He finished his breakfast in a few bites, washed his dishes, and turned to leave the kitchen.

He walked to the counter. "Well, I'm off then."

"Wait a moment,"

Sharly called out to him, reaching for a key. "The key. You lost yours long ago, didn't you?"

Bright scratched his head. "I'll get you a new one later."

The door had already been ripped off its hinges; what use was a key?

Sharly paused, then rolled her eyes and took back the key. "The dishes are already being washed by someone else, but there's always trouble in the shop. If you don't mind, I can entrust the security work to you."

"Then I'll be counting on your guidance, Boss Sharly."

Bright agreed with a smile.

From now on, he needed to focus more on learning Haki with Brother Jinbe, but he also had to earn a living. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to repay the 100,000 Belly he borrowed from Brother Jinbe.

Security guard it is, then.

Better than being a freeloader.

"I like that title,"

Sharly nodded slightly. "Remember to keep it up, or I'll dock your pay."

"That's truly terrifying."

Bright laughed heartily. "Anyway, see you later."

"Have a safe trip."

Leaving the Mermaid Cafe, Bright headed directly for the Fish-Man District. It was time to have a chat with Brother Arlong.

Fish-Man Island wasn't that large, but it still took some time to get from Coral Hill to the Fish-Man District.

When Bright returned to the Fish-Man District, it was already noon. Without delay, he went straight to Arlong's residence.

The small building's main door was tightly shut. Bright could sense a large number of people gathered inside.

Although Bright's abilities didn't allow him to distinguish between different species in detail, he guessed that Arlong hadn't left.

He stepped forward and pushed the door.

The door was locked from the inside, but thankfully Bright was strong enough to force the two large doors open.

With a loud crack, the sound of the door lock shattering startled the many fish-men inside who were sprawled on the floor after last night's revelry.

They rubbed their sleepy eyes and sat up, only to see Bright walking in against the light.

"..."

Facing the light, the fish-men squinted and finally made out Bright's appearance.

"Bright? What are you doing here?"

A fish-man shakily stood up and shouted, "Brother Arlong said he doesn't want to see you!"

"That's right," another fish-man sneered. "You should just go and lick the humans' butts with Jinbe. Since you have human blood in you anyway, you half-breed--"

He couldn't finish his sentence.

Bright appeared before him like a phantom, his large hand clamping directly over his mouth.

"I've understood one thing since I was young: those who don't respect me are not worth my respect, even if they are my own people."

With a casual flick, the fish-man was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing through the wall of the house and out into the open.

The fish-men, who were still groggy from their hangovers, were instantly wide awake.

Bright stomped his right foot on the floor, creating an indentation. The entire house began to tremble. He said calmly, "I respect Brother Arlong greatly, but that doesn't mean you can speak to me disrespectfully."

The fish-men then remembered.

Years ago, before Bright left the Fish-Man District, he was already a notorious troublemaker. Anyone who dared to insult him would be met with his ruthless violence.

And the fish-men who were once members of the Sun Pirates wouldn't forget that even in the Sun Pirates, Bright was the most hot-tempered brawler. They had only cursed that idiot in their hearts and mocked him about his stance, but to actually dare to insult Bright? That was asking for death!

In an instant, the fish-men fell silent.

"Alright, where is Brother Arlong?" Bright asked.

"I'm right here!"

Arlong's voice rang out. He descended the stairs from the second floor, followed by several fish-men. Kuroobi, Hachi, and Chuu were among the cadres he had chosen.

Arlong wore a smile, but his pupils had contracted into vertical slits. Those who knew him well understood that Arlong was currently at the peak of his rage.

"So, my good brother, why are you here, hurting my crew?"

Bright slowly exhaled and said calmly, "I'm here to stop you from going out to sea, Brother Arlong."

Arlong was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Hey, Kuroobi! Chuu! Did you hear that? This kid says he's going to stop me from going out to sea!"

"Bright, have you been brainwashed by Jinbe?"

Kuroobi said sternly, "Or have you truly chosen to stand with the humans?"

Bright said earnestly, "I just don't want Brother Fisher Tiger's dying wish to go to waste."

The expressions of many Sun Pirate veterans shifted slightly.

"Shut up!! Bright!!"

Arlong's rage erupted instantly, and he lunged at Bright. "Brother Fisher Tiger died because of humans!!"

"That's why we must take revenge!!"

Arlong shot forward like an arrow, his muscles tensed, and he threw a punch at Bright.

Bright casually raised his hand, easily catching Arlong's punch.

Arlong's eyes suddenly changed.

"The second reason," Bright said, "is that I don't want Brother Arlong to die at sea."

"Are you looking down on me, you bastard!!"

Arlong's anger intensified. Being looked down upon by someone he considered a subordinate was a huge insult, and he struggled with all his might.

But Bright's hand was as if forged from steel, making it impossible for him to break free.

This kid has gotten so strong now?

Arlong couldn't believe it.

"With your style, Brother Arlong, I think you'll be hunted down by the Marines sooner or later. So, rather than letting you die out there, it's better to have you stay on Fish-Man Island."

Bright applied a little force, lifting Arlong directly. He was a good deal taller than Arlong.

Arlong still wanted to struggle, but Bright simply shook his hand, and Arlong's body began to tremble like a willow in the wind.

"Waaah!"

He cried out, feeling as if his entire body was about to shake apart. Where was the strength to resist?

Bright carried Arlong upstairs. "In any case, let's talk."

"Hey! Bright! What do you want to do to Arlong!!"

Kuroobi and Chuu blocked Bright's path, but they were simply swatted aside by Bright.

Their faces were filled with shock. What was this strength? They had no power to resist at all!

"Don't anyone disturb us, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Bright, still carrying Arlong, walked up to the second floor.

The Fish-Men looked at each other.

After a long while, someone finally spoke.

"That kid has become so powerful!!"

Brother Arlong was like a weak child in front of him.

Thanks to 'Abayaan' for the 100-point reward, thank you!