Do You Want Me to Kill You with My Own Hands?

After saying his last words, Arlong stood there, holding his serrated knife, and looked coldly at Jinbe.

Jinbe opened his mouth slightly, but didn't know what to say.

He knew that Arlong was wrong in what he did, and... he must have been wrong in what he said as well.

But when he puts himself in the Fish-Man's shoes and considers what Arlong did...

He actually thought... Arlong might not be so terribly wrong!

Because of Arlong's current actions, some Fish-Man can indeed get rid of the inferiority complex they feel, which stems from their perception of themselves as a lower race and slaves.

After all, the humans who once captured and enslaved them had become Arlong's slaves; how could they not break free?

Admittedly, Arlong's situation is because someone harmed me, so I learned from that person to harm others!

This is definitely not right.

But... but when Jinbe thought this, he didn't know how to refute Arlong's words!

Jinbe was not good with words, and despite being around Gawain for a long time, he ultimately didn't learn much.

He's perfectly capable of being loyal to his friends.

But when it comes to reasoning, he doesn't even consider himself a genius...

Therefore, faced with Arlong's words, which were as sharp as knives, Jinbe took a heavy breath.

Arlong Long, as expected of someone who used to be a leader, has a certain charisma that comes with having been followed by others, no matter how bad they are!

Of course, while Jinbe acknowledged Arlong's charisma, he would never bow down and worship him.

He couldn't explain what was wrong with the Arlong, so why not leave it to the adults?

After letting out Jinbe heavy breath, Jinbe immediately rolled up his sleeves.

Then, he clenched his fists and said to Arlong crisply and decisively.

"Who knows if what you're saying is right or wrong, and only God knows if what you're saying is true or false!"

In short, let me see if you've made any progress in recent years!!!

As soon as he finished speaking, Jinbe stood up and strode towards Arlong!

Faced with Jinbe attack, Arlong's expression turned serious, and he immediately brandished his serrated greatsword fiercely...

Smack!

With a deafening crash, before Arlong could even swing his serrated sword, Jinbe delivered a Jinbe, awe-inspiring blow to his buttocks...

A few minutes later, perhaps it was time to end Gawain and Nami's conversation.

Right at the entrance of Arlong Park, accompanied by a flash of Inazuma, Gawain, holding the hands of two girls, stood beside Rayleigh with a smile.

Seeing the four people who suddenly appeared, Rayleigh, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, exhaled a satisfying puff of smoke.

"Hey, Captain, you've finally arrived."

"Haha, of course I had to come and see, after all, that's the person I was destined to kill!"

Gawain responded with a smile, then looked towards Arlong Park.

Like him, Nami and Nojiko were both astonished and somewhat nervous.

Their astonishment stemmed from the feeling of transforming into lightning, traversing dozens of kilometers in a mere instant—something these two ordinary girls had never witnessed before.

On the other hand...

To Nami and the others, Arlong was like a corrupt prefect or magistrate who plundered the land.

Without witnessing Arlong's downfall firsthand, they found it hard to believe that the dark sky hanging over them would be dispelled by some sudden thunderbolt.

So after they kept craning their necks to look, both girls opened their mouths wide!

At that very moment, near the pool in the center of Arlong Park, hundreds of Fish-Man, covered in sweat, were kneeling before the roaring Jinbe, carrying various heavy objects.

Jinbe has now transformed into the Roaring Emperor, unleashing his loud voice at the Fish-Man one by one.

"Pingba, your father and I are old friends. When you were little, your father taught you to be a bully and enslave others!!"

And you, Antai, you actually managed to get a million-dollar bounty! When you were on Brother Tai's ship, you were just a bottom-dweller. You couldn't even get onto the deck, and you didn't dare to kill a single person. Now you have a bounty on your head!

Luwei, you're no better. Don't think I won't beat you up just because you don't have a bounty on your head. What kind of spell did Arlong cast on you guys to turn you into these villains?

Or did you drug him?!

Just as Jinbe finished speaking, Hatchan, who was kneeling not far away, sadly rubbed his head.

"Wait, Brother Jinbe, I didn't do any of those things you're talking about!"

I haven't treated anyone like a slave, nor have I ever attacked any ordinary person other than a member of the navy!

After he finished speaking, he looked at Jinbe seriously, because he felt that he had always done what Jinbe had said.

Aside from fighting alongside Arlong in the Navy, Hatchan never personally harmed any civilians; he was innocent...

"Shut up!!!"

Smack!

Jinbe sooner had Hatchan finished speaking than Jinbe's large, muscular slap followed him, sending Hatchan sprawling to the ground.

After knocking Hatchan down, Jinbe yelled at Hatchan with exasperation.

"You've been by Arlong's side for so many years, don't you know what Arlong has been doing?"

Since you didn't collude with him, you must know that what he did was definitely wrong, right?

If you know he's wrong but don't stop him, then you're being cowardly and condoning his mistakes!

If you tried to stop them, but couldn't, then weakness is the original sin, you bastard!

As he spoke, Jinbe lifted Hatchan up and said earnestly to Hatchan.

"However, you might also be confused, unsure how to deal with everything you encounter."

Oh dear, this is terrible! I'll explain your situation to the adults. Just pray that they'll spare your life because of my pleas!

When Jinbe mentioned this place, it was outside Arlong Park.

About 700 meters away from Jinbe, Rayleigh took out a cigarette and put it to Gawain's lips.

Seeing Rayleigh's reaction, Gawain released Nojiko and Nami, freeing his hand to take the cigarette.

Rayleigh then picked up a lighter, and as he lit Gawain's cigarette, he grinned and said...

"Hehe, Captain, I'll take advantage of my age and act like an old man today."

That little octopus Fish-Man, the one being severely reprimanded by Jinbe, once saved my life, and I must repay him.

Besides, that guy really is a simpleton; some people's simplicity can't be faked.

In short, for my sake, Gawain...

"What do you think...?"

Rayleigh slowly looked at Gawain, then gradually shifted his gaze to Nami and Nojiko beside Gawain.

His eyes were filled with a sense of melancholy, because this weathered old man saw through everything at a single glance.

Does Gawain care about his own rules?

He didn't care.

What he cares about is that others must follow his rules.

As for what the rules are, or whether the rules will change, none of that matters. What matters is that they must be Gawain's rules.

Why would Gawain bring two young people with him to this challenge against destiny and prophecy, which Gawain initiated?

It's obvious that those two women must be related to Arlong or Gawain.

Gawain wasn't the type to be lustful at first sight. If he were, in Rayleigh's words, not a single woman on the Dark Bird Ship would have escaped.

Even Shakky would occasionally chat about how attractive Gawain was.

So, these two girls are clearly Arlong's victims, and there's no need to explain why they are his victims.

Gawain isn't the kind of person who would have the perverse pleasure of bringing someone else's relatives to witness their death.

And so, Rayleigh's gaze slowly met Nami's.

At that moment, Nami paused abruptly.

Beside him, Gawain chuckled and took a drag of his cigarette, then patted the shoulders of the two girls beside him.

He said, following Rayleigh's guess.

"Grandpa, this matter depends on these two young girls."

Although I know that even in the worst of groups, there are still some good people.

But if these two people, who have personally dealt with the Arlong Pirates, don't admit that the person you're protecting is a good person...

"Then I think the debt of gratitude for saving your life is no greater than the sin of letting him escape and continue killing elsewhere."

At this point, Gawain ruffled Nami's hair.

"So, Nami, what kind of person is Hatchan that the old man was talking about?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain smiled and Rayleigh and the other two all turned to look at Nami.

Under the gaze of the three, Nami swallowed hard.

"Hatchan... Hatchan, he..."

Nami hesitated, muttering to herself, unsure of what to say.

On one hand, she really wished that every Fish-Man in the world would just die on the spot.

On the other hand, Nami actually knows that Hatchan isn't really a bad guy.

For a child like Nami to survive and grow up to be fifteen years old in the Arlong Pirates' environment, it's no wonder she received help from kind Fish-Man like Hatchan.

Even if they are kind, they are still Nami's enemies.

Even if Nami shouts out countless words of hatred, when it comes to the moment that determines their lives...

Nami shook her head sadly.

"You... you can do whatever you want, anyway, you're all big shots I can't even imagine!"

In short, my feelings for him... his feelings for me... he might not be that bad, I suppose...

That's settled then, I'll do whatever you say, whatever you say...

After saying that, Nami lowered her head unwillingly. She really wanted all the Fish-Man to die, including the chubby Fish-Man who was lecturing them.

But... Nami is ultimately a good person.

Perhaps that's why bad people aren't afraid of good people.

Who would fear someone who retains compassion?

Hearing Nami's words, Nojiko sighed softly.

Unlike Nami, she nodded very seriously.

"Whenever Hatchan brings the manatee to the village to collect taxes, we can always pay a little less that year."

He was, after all, one of Arlong's gang, and by all accounts, not exactly a good Fish-Man, but he treated us better than others!

After speaking, Nojiko her hand and nervously tidied the strands of hair at her temples.

Her current state can be seen as a choice to let go of the accomplices who killed Bellemere.

She felt somewhat uneasy.

After hearing Nami and Nojiko's words, Rayleigh sighed softly.

Facing the two uneasy little girls, Rayleigh drew his sword.

"Although I've heard about what they did, seeing with my own eyes that they would harm such a kind girl, I still can't swallow this anger!"

As he spoke, Rayleigh drew his sword and headed toward Arlong Park.

"Since Hatchan has been associating with such a group of people and doing such things, then I'll put aside my debt of saving his life for now!"

Watch as I personally slaughter him!!!

"Why?"

"What?!!"

As soon as Rayleigh finished speaking, Nami and Nojiko panicked and rushed forward, instinctively grabbing Rayleigh.

Nami pouted proudly.

"Alright, alright, it's rare to find a decent person among that bunch of Fish-Man trash, let's spare his life for now!"

"Yeah yeah!"

Nojiko quickly took over.

"He saved your life, sir. For your sake, we've all forgiven him!"

At this point, Nojiko looked tenderly at Rayleigh, after being pulled back, stopped and pondered.

Looking into the eyes of the two girls, Rayleigh nodded.

"Alright then, I'll make him thank you both. Also, I owe you a favor too!"

Rayleigh drew his sword and sheathed it, then smiled at Nami and the other girl.

"As the vice-captain of the Dark Bird Ship, I can stand up for you even if Gawain bullies you in the future!"

Anyway, thank you both for letting my life go!

Hearing Rayleigh's words, Nami and Nojiko immediately beamed with joy.

They were already apprehensive about joining the Dark Bird Ship, but now that Rayleigh, a kind-looking old man with a powerful background, was backing them up, they felt much more at ease.

As for Rayleigh, the old man smiled at Gawain, his eyes filled with...

"I'm pretty good at it, aren't I?"

Well, it seems the old man, after seeing through everything, was rescuing people while simultaneously comforting the new members, and also calming down Gawain!

What does it mean to be a shrewd person?

Just as Rayleigh and Gawain were exchanging glances, Jinbe also noticed Gawain's arrival.

He quickly put Hatchan down and rushed towards Gawain's direction.

As he walked away, he casually shouted at the Fish-Man in the yard.

"You will remain kneeling here. My captain is here, and it is now his turn to decide your fate!"

After saying that, Jinbe went to Gawain's side.

"My lord, the Arlong and his gang have been captured. Please give your instructions!"

"Let's go take a look."

Gawain gave the order and then naturally stepped forward. When Gawain stood in front of Arlong, Nami and Nojiko's bodies began to tremble.

I felt a mix of fear, resentment, nervousness, and excitement.

At this point, the two girls were completely flustered. They had originally thought that Gawain would at least have a good fight with Arlong.

As it turned out, when Gawain chatted with them, they learned that the incredibly terrifying Arlong they thought he was was actually already dead...

Meanwhile, on the ground, Arlong ignored the two little girls.

He knelt there, raised his head, and stared intently into Gawain's eyes. Then, he suddenly stood up from the ground.

Even with his hands tied, Arlong stood tall and spoke coldly to the indifferent Arlong Gawain.

"So you're Jinbe's current master, Celestial Dragon!"

"Jinbe is my friend, Arlong."

Gawain said softly, then pointed his finger, and the ropes binding Arlong were instantly burned and snapped by Inazuma.

Freed from his restraints, Arlong frowned and loosened his wrists. Then, he clenched his fists and continued speaking to Gawain.

"Friend, you wouldn't even see those kinds of things?"

The law of the jungle prevails; if people don't enslave others, they will naturally be enslaved by others!

As for you, you're just using your friend's words to enslave Jinbe!

Just as factory owners enslave their workers with the necessities of life, so too do kings enslave their subjects with land and family ties!

"So what?"

Hearing Arlong's words, Gawain chuckled and narrowed his eyes, then asked in return.

"So you want to become someone who enslaves others, instead of being enslaved by others?"

After speaking, Gawain gently shook his head.

Before I met you, I never expected you could say anything that made sense.

I thought you were the kind of arrogant and foolish person who genuinely believed that Fish-Man were inherently superior to humans.

Now it seems you are actually a fighter, albeit in a less than ideal way, but you are indeed challenging the fate of enslavement and being enslaved.

As expected, the real world is not as shallow as a comic book. You surprised me, and you also taught me something, Arlong."

Gawain lightly flicked his right hand, then continued speaking.

"Originally, I planned to execute you directly because I thought your actions did not deserve my respect."

Furthermore, someone made a prophecy that I would Teuchi you, but I want to prove that all prophecies are not divine will, and you can die humbly under the blade of any executioner other than me.

But now it seems you can have a bit more dignity.

So, let me give you a choice.

Either you die during the execution, beheaded along with your wicked subordinates, and in the meantime I will gather the villagers to witness the ceremony, or you will live one more day.

Alternatively, you can challenge me now.

Forgive me, but I don't think letting you live is a form of respect for you.

So, you want to lose a day of your life and Teuchi right now?

I drove my grandmother to visit relatives and exchange gifts all day today, and only got back this evening. I just finished writing this.