A Conversation with Arlong, Jinbe's Challenge

Bright casually tossed Arlong onto the floor before expertly plopping himself onto a sofa.

"Bright!! You bastard!!"

Arlong scrambled to his feet, roaring in fury. He agilely leaped to the wall and snatched a large, serrated saber.

His face was ashen.

Bright had utterly humiliated him in front of the other Fish-Men. How could he lead them to establish a Fish-Man kingdom that ruled over humans after this?

The massive saber was raised high, about to cleave down at Bright in the next instant.

But Arlong hesitated.

Did he really want to kill this kid?

"Alright, now we can finally have a proper talk."

Bright leaned back on the sofa, calmly watching Arlong's expression shift. "Brother Arlong, you want to conquer humanity and build a Fish-Man empire, just like you told us when we were kids, right?"

"Of course!"

Arlong's saber never fell. He loudly declared his ambition, "Fish-Men are the truly superior beings. Mere humans are just lowly creatures born to be ruled by Fish-Men!"

He was espousing the theory he had always believed. "I will create a great nation where Fish-Men enslave humans! We will repay the pain humanity has inflicted upon us Fish-Men over hundreds of years, tenfold!"

Bright sighed.

Has this man brainwashed himself?

"It sounds wonderful, but, Brother Arlong," Bright said gravely, "On what grounds?"

"What?" Arlong blinked.

"On what grounds do you rule humans?" Bright asked.

"Because we are born noble!"

Arlong shouted, "Our strength is naturally more than ten times that of humans, and we can survive in water! We were meant to be the masters of the sea!"

"Is that so?"

Bright smiled. "But you can't even defeat me."

Since he had decided to take a more aggressive approach, he could now say things he hadn't before.

Arlong gritted his teeth in resentment.

But it was the truth; this kid's strength had completely surpassed his own.

Bright continued, "There are countless humans stronger than me. For example, that shining Marine who arrested us a year ago, can you defeat him?"

"..."

Arlong's expression changed drastically.

He certainly hadn't forgotten that man who was like a nightmare!

That feeling of powerlessness was unprecedented!

"That was only because we were on land," Arlong's voice lowered. "If it were in the sea—"

"Yes, as long as we're in the sea, we're invincible!" Arlong's voice regained its strength.

Bright sighed again. "So what's the difference from now? Aren't we still confined to the seabed?"

Arlong was speechless.

"In the end, Brother Arlong, all you want is to quietly conquer a few human towns and enslave a small number of humans, right?"

Bright said with a hint of mockery, "Just to abuse ordinary humans and vent your anger, and along the way, make some money to satisfy your desires. You've always loved money, haven't you? To hide your tracks, you might even actively seek out corrupt Marines to cooperate with."

"You don't dare to fight the Marines to avenge Brother Tiger, so stop acting so righteous, Brother Arlong."

"Bright!!"

Arlong's face darkened. "You bastard—"

"Because you know that humans are more powerful than us Fish-Men."

Bright ignored Arlong's anger and continued, "Fish-Man Island has only five million people, but the human population is hundreds of times ours. Not to mention that the top powerhouses on the sea are all humans. Even our strongest Fish-Man, Brother Jinbe, is no match for them. If we truly go to war with humans, we will only face destruction."

Arlong's face was grim.

Bright had hit the nail on the head.

After fighting that shining man, he certainly knew the power of the Marines, a power he absolutely could not contend with.

His plan was to go to the weakest sea, the East Blue, and quietly establish a Fish-Man territory.

He also genuinely wanted to make money; as Bright said, he loved money.

"But what's the point of that?"

Bright said, "We'll still be living in the deep sea, discriminated against. Humans who hunt Fish-Men and Mermaids will still run rampant. Human nobles will still be proud to own a Mermaid."

"On the contrary, you'll oppress and humiliate humans who have no quarrel with us. When things are exposed, you'll be doomed, and humans will hate Fish-Men even more."

"What's the point, other than satisfying your desires? Putting Fish-Man Island in even greater danger?"

"Are you truly fighting for Fish-men, for Fish-Man Island?"

Arlong gritted his teeth.

But he couldn't think of anything to refute Bright.

His face turned bright red.

It was as if a hidden secret had been exposed.

Bright asked again, "Brother Arlong, why do you think Brother Fisher Tiger, despite his deep hatred for humans, wouldn't let us harm them?"

Fisher Tiger didn't like humans, not one bit.

He had been captured and enslaved by humans for three years, enduring all sorts of torment.

But when he formed the Sun Pirates, he said the crew's purpose was to bring liberation and freedom, and never to harm humans without reason.

Having experienced hell himself, he absolutely refused to let anyone else suffer the same fate, not even humans.

So even now, with his memories awakened, Fisher Tiger remained the person Bright admired most.

"It's because Brother Fisher Tiger knew that if hatred were allowed to spread, Fish-Man Island would face utter destruction."

Without waiting for Arlong's reply, Bright continued on his own, "Isn't it tragic? We're the ones who have always been persecuted, yet we have to compromise."

"And you, you're going to let Brother Fisher Tiger's wishes go to waste."

"Enough! Enough!!"

Arlong roared, "Bright! What exactly are you trying to say!"

He bellowed.

"If you want to change the status of Fish-men, if you want to prove your ideology of Fish-man supremacy, then stop doing these nonsensical things, Arlong!"

Bright said earnestly, "Trampling on Brother Fisher Tiger's dying wish, putting Fish-Man Island in danger, just to satisfy your personal desire for venting – don't do such foolish things!!"

Before his death, betrayed by humans, Fisher Tiger had completely despaired of humanity. Yet, he still didn't want his crew to bring the cause of his death back to Fish-Man Island.

He didn't want hatred to spread, didn't want Fish-Man Island to invite disaster.

"Bright!!"

Arlong, almost enraged to the point of shame, lunged at Bright, roaring, "Stop spouting nonsense at me!!"

Bright reached out and grabbed Arlong's head. With just a slight squeeze, he rendered Arlong immobile.

But Arlong showed no fear, he said furiously, "Are you telling me to be like you and Jinbe? To do nothing! To compromise with humans, to stand by and watch them bully us?!"

Bright casually tossed Arlong back. He said calmly, "I'm just telling you not to do pointless things, not to do nothing."

"You're right about one thing. It's because we're weak that we're bullied."

Bright said, "The weakness isn't human, it's ours."

"So before seeking revenge, first ensure our own safety, first make ourselves stronger."

"Become, stronger?" Arlong collapsed onto the ground, slightly stunned.

"Brother Arlong, do you know Whitebeard?" Bright asked.

"So what if I do?" Arlong said coldly.

How could he not know Whitebeard, known as the strongest man in the world?

Moreover, that man's flag flew over Fish-Man Island. After the Great Pirate Era began, Fish-Man Island, ravaged by human pirates, had only the small amount of peace it had now thanks to his protection.

"Then you should know that even the World Government can't do anything about a strong person like Whitebeard. His prestige can protect Fish-Man Island even across vast distances."

Bright said seriously, "So, as long as Fish-Man Island also produces an expert of that caliber, no one in this world will dare to look down on us anymore. Even the World Government will have to seriously consider our stance!"

A Yonko-level powerhouse, in this world, possessed such influence.

Especially when that powerhouse represented a powerful race.

Arlong looked bewildered, "What are you trying to say, Bright!"

He knew it. Even the strongest Fish-man, Jinbe, was still far from that level of strength.

Bright stood up. He took a deep breath, and then, he said seriously, "That person will be me."

"What?" Arlong's eyes widened.

"I will become stronger than all my predecessors."

Bright said earnestly, "I will become the top powerhouse in the world. At that time, the entire world will have to pay attention to our wishes."

"..."

Arlong was completely stunned.

Bright's words were something he had never considered.

Becoming the top powerhouse in the world?

Was such a thing truly possible?

Could you achieve it?

Arlong subconsciously wanted to ask this.

But he opened his mouth, and no sound came out.

He realized that Bright was only seventeen years old this year, yet he already possessed such astonishing power!

He truly was Fish-Man Island's unprecedented prodigy!

If there was anyone who could become the strongest Fishman, it would undoubtedly be him, right?

"I've said all I can. Whether you believe me or not, Arlong-bro, doesn't matter,"

Bright said, "You just need to know that I have the power to easily stop you. Don't think about doing anything foolish. If you really want to get revenge on humans, feel free to go find trouble with the human pirates or slave traders who cause trouble on the island, or try to become stronger yourself so you can be useful in the future."

"I'll have Jinbe-bro keep an eye on you. Don't even think about sneaking out to sea."

He sighed.

This was all he could say.

If Arlong was truly determined to go his own way, he would have to resort to some forceful measures.

Bright turned and left.

Downstairs, the Fishmen were almost all still in their places, not even daring to cast their eyes on him.

What had happened upstairs?

The house's soundproofing was terrible. The Fishmen had heard Arlong's furious roar earlier.

Bright ignored them and walked straight out. Next, he needed to find Jinbe.

Upstairs.

After Bright left, Arlong remained motionless for a long time.

"Hey! Arlong! Are you okay?"

Kuroobi and the others hurried upstairs, looking at the dazed Arlong and angrily saying, "That bastard Bright is too arrogant!"

Arlong didn't respond.

He was thinking about something.

If Bright could truly become as strong as those top monsters on the sea, as he claimed, what would Fish-Man Island become?

He knew that Whitebeard protected a large area of the New World. Similarly, the powerful Kaido and Charlotte Linlin each ruled a country in the New World, and no one dared to offend them.

If Bright could truly become as strong as them—who would dare to treat Fishmen with disrespect?

Perhaps they could truly create an unprecedented Fishman Empire!

And with his relationship with Bright, with his sister's relationship with Bright—

Arlong suddenly felt that such a future seemed pretty good too.

But the problem was, could that brat Bright really become such a powerful figure?

"You said that to him?"

After Bright finished recounting his two encounters with Arlong, Jinbe sighed.

"Arlong-bro's hatred for humans is irreconcilable. His mind is filled with venting, destruction, and plunder. Trying to persuade him is probably very difficult,"

Bright said, "So, I had to resort to more forceful means."

"I understand."

Jinbe nodded. "I was still hesitant before, but you're right. With Arlong's personality, if he really went out to sea, it would only further escalate the conflict between humans and Fish-Man Island. There's no other possibility."

"I won't let him trample on Fisher Tiger-bro's wishes!"

Fisher Tiger died because of humans, but before he died, he said not to let hatred spread, so Jinbe forcefully suppressed his own feelings.

Therefore, he was even more unwilling for anyone to destroy Fisher Tiger's wishes!

"I'll have people keep an eye on Arlong and the others. They won't get any chances," Jinbe said solemnly.

"Mhm."

Bright nodded.

This was probably the only way.

Perhaps his friendship with Arlong-bro would be severed because of this.

But at least, it would prevent him from being beaten senseless by that rubber kid, then arrested by the Marines, and possibly even executed to prevent scandal from leaking.

"I've already contacted the Marines. They don't know what happened, so we can rest easy for now," Jinbe recalled another matter. "But we still need to keep a low profile. I've already told the people in the Fish-Man District to try their best not to spread the news of your return."

"Thank you, Jinbe-bro."

Bright said solemnly, "I have no intention of causing trouble either."

"Hahaha, that's good."

Jinbe nodded. "Then let's get down to business. You told Arlong you wanted to become a strong person like Daddy Whitebeard?"

Bright scratched his head, wondering if he was bragging a bit too much.

He said, "We have to give Arlong a reason to keep going, so he doesn't fall into despair and feel cornered, right?"

"Besides," Bright said confidently, "I think I can do it."

"Hahahaha, so confident, Bright!"

Jinbe burst into laughter. "But that's not a bad thing! If you're afraid, you can't move forward!"

"So, before the formal training begins, do you want to try fighting me?" Jinbe asked.

"Huh?"

Bright was startled.

Thanks to 'samasama' and '怀瑜hy' for the 100-point tip, thank you, thank you!

When I write about dialogue, it tends to get wordy and long, which is frustrating