Loguetown, Execution Square.
Under the dark, lightless night sky, every Marine from the Loguetown branch stood in formation beneath the torrential rain, facing the enemy in confusion and helplessness.
Even now, the vast majority of Captains and Marines did not know what was happening, much less who the enemy was.
When the Arlong Pirates appeared, their fish-man forms, utterly unlike humans, struck fear into every Marine's mind.
"Fish-men?!"
The Captains were utterly horrified.
Fish-men were exceedingly rare. There was only one fish-man group active in the East Blue: the infamous Arlong Pirates!
Why had the Arlong Pirates come to Loguetown? And judging from their roars, they had come specifically to kill Commodore Murak!
Murak's mind was completely blank. He had no idea what was happening, nor did he know why Arlong, the highest-bountied pirate in the East Blue, wanted to kill him.
"Commodore!"
Siro and the other officers gathered around Murak, their faces filled with anxiety and confusion. Based on what they knew of the Commodore, there was no way he would provoke Arlong.
There was simply no benefit in doing so!
The Arlong Pirates were the strongest pirate crew in the East Blue. Even if they gathered the entire branch's forces, they might not be able to successfully subdue them.
Compared to the enormous risk, the reward for taking down the Arlong Pirates was negligible. Worse still, it could bring them trouble.
Everyone knew that Jinbe, one of the Shichibukai, stood behind the Arlong Pirates. Without orders from Marine Headquarters, they could not move against forces under a Shichibukai.
If they truly killed Arlong, not only would Jinbe come to settle the score, Marine Headquarters would hold them accountable as well!
Siro urgently asked, "Commodore, what exactly is going on?"
"Damn it, how would I know?!"
Murak cursed furiously.