Bane's Brutal Style!

In Arlong Park at Cocoyasi Village, Arlong was currently briefing his subordinates on the situation.

"That guy Nezumi called via Den Den Mushi a couple of days ago, telling us to keep a low profile and avoid trouble because the East Blue Navy seems to be cracking down on pirates," Arlong said, sitting on his throne with a domineering air.

Most of the members under his command were Fish-Men who had followed him from Fish-Man Island years ago.

However, there was one exception: Nami from Cocoyasi Village.

She was the only human in the entire Arlong Pirates. After Arlong occupied the area, he took a liking to Nami's talent for navigation and cartography. Hoping to use her skills to draw charts that would allow him to dominate the seas, he forced Nami to become their "partner," promising that if she handed over one hundred million Belly, he would grant freedom to her and her village.

For the sake of the village, Nami had to work for them, even though she harbored deep hatred and disgust for the pirates who had murdered her foster mother.

Arlong wasn't reckless enough to openly defy the Navy in the East Blue, so he ordered everyone to refrain from raiding and to keep a low profile for the time being.

"But we can still do other things besides raiding. Nami, I heard there's a 'Buggy Pirates' group in our East Blue. They seem to have navigation charts for the Grand Line, and that guy named Buggy apparently possesses a treasure. Go find them and get those charts. As for the treasure, maybe it'll be worth one hundred million Belly?" Arlong said, looking at Nami with a sinister glint in his eyes.

Though Nami hated Arlong, she showed no sign of it on the surface and replied expressionlessly, "I understand. I'll set sail to find them in a couple of days."

In the original story, it was this very mission to track down the Buggy Pirates that led to her encounter with the Straw Hat crew and her eventual decision to join them.

After giving Nami her instructions, Arlong turned to his other underlings. "Since we can't raid for now, let's increase the toll. Impose a flat protection fee of one hundred thousand Belly on all merchant ships docking in our territory."

"Understood, Boss!" the Fish-Man underlings responded enthusiastically.

Just then, a small Fish-Man walked in from outside the park and said, "Boss, it looks like a merchant ship is coming in to dock."

Right as they were discussing protection fees, someone had delivered themselves to their doorstep. Arlong waved his hand grandly. "Kuroobi, go take care of them. Kill anyone who doesn't listen."

Kuroobi was one of the combatants of the Arlong Pirates, specializing in Fish-Man Karate.

He grinned and accepted the order. "Understood."

On the other side, Bane and Zoro had successfully disembarked from the ship. Several low-level Fish-Man pirates were patrolling the merchant vessel, and judging by the ship owner's practiced way of handing over the money, he was clearly well-acquainted with the local customs.

After all, the Arlong Pirates had been entrenched here for many years. The fact that Cocoyasi Village remained on the merchant shipping route showed that they had established their own set of rules that were being accepted.

"Are those the Fish-Men you were talking about?" Zoro asked, following beside Bane and eyeing the Fish-Man pirates with curiosity.

"Yes. Their strength is ten times that of an ordinary human, and they are even more formidable in the water. Honestly, I find it hard to understand why they have such gifts yet end up in such a miserable state in a world defined by the sea," Bane remarked with a hint of emotion.

The Fish-Men had a stable stronghold hidden deep beneath ten thousand meters of ocean, making it easy to defend and hard to attack; people on the surface could do little against them. Furthermore, the Fish-Men were naturally gifted and favored by the world. The royal bloodline of Ryugu Palace even possessed Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons said to be capable of destroying the world. With such a winning hand, it was baffling that Fish-Man Island had been reduced to a second-rate nation, suffering discrimination and oppression without daring to resist.

As the two were talking and preparing to leave the pier, another group of Fish-Man pirates approached. Bane recognized Kuroobi immediately; though he didn't remember his name, he had an impression of him as one of Arlong's officers.

"You bunch of low-lives, wait here. We're collecting a new protection fee," Kuroobi barked, pointing at Zoro's nose.

Zoro: ???

Was this guy always this bold?

Though he was furious and itching to draw his sword and cut the scumbag down, Zoro respected Bane while they were out, so he turned to his senior to ask how to handle it.

The moment he turned, he saw dark energy radiating from Bane's hand, and a hand cannon larger than his own head appeared in Bane's grip.

The Kuroobi opposite them was stunned by the sight, but before he could react, Bane pulled the trigger.

With a deafening boom, the Imperial Officer Standard Hand Cannon spat out a vicious flame. At such close range, the massive projectile was impossible to dodge and struck Kuroobi directly.

It was truly worth the price of the house Bane had sold to acquire this Imperial Officer Standard Hand Cannon; the power was undeniable!

Normally, these tough, muscular Fish-Men could withstand a hit from a Navy cannonball without being taken out instantly.

But this time, Kuroobi's entire upper body was obliterated. His lower half looked like a mangled mess, his waist a blur of gore. The impact sent him flying dozens of meters away, where he tumbled to the ground, his blood staining a large area. With limbs and flesh scattered everywhere, the scene was incredibly brutal.

After taking the guy out with one shot, Bane looked at Zoro. "Why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me you had something to say to these pieces of trash?"

It was Zoro's first time seeing such a gruesome scene, and he gained a new perspective on his senior. However, he didn't find the behavior repulsive; he had wanted to kill the guy himself, only his senior's methods were more ruthless.

"Of course not," Zoro shook his head.

"Then get to work. Kill all the Fish-Men in this village; they are pirates!" Bane patted Zoro on the shoulder.

The next second, a cold glint flashed as Zoro drew his blade. With a stomp of his feet, he lunged at the two Fish-Man underlings who hadn't yet recovered from the shock. Two slashes later, the fight was over.

However, the noise from the hand cannon was so loud that it startled Arlong, who was still holding a meeting for his staff inside Arlong Park.

"What's going on!?" Arlong stood up abruptly from his seat, frowning as he looked toward the harbor.

Did the Navy attack!?

The other officers were equally confused and surprised, but Nami's eyes lit up, a glimmer of hope appearing. She had been reading the newspapers lately and heard that the East Blue Navy was cleaning up its ranks. Perhaps the corrupt Navy of the past had been dealt with? Was the Navy now free to wipe out the Arlong Pirates?

Just then, the gates of the park were pushed open again. A Fish-Man underling rushed in, panicked. "Boss Arlong, it's bad! Two very powerful humans have arrived at the harbor. They killed Brother Kuroobi and are fighting their way here!"

"What!? Kuroobi is dead!?" Arlong's rage flared instantly.

He was a staunch racist; he was as cruel to humans as he was protective of his own kind.

Hearing that it wasn't the Navy, but two humans who didn't know their place, he became even more furious. He immediately resolved to skin those two humans alive!

But he didn't need to go to them. Zoro and Bane were cutting through the opposition like a hot knife through butter and had already reached the main gate. Bane kicked the newly closed door open and strolled inside. "Good afternoon, you maritime scum. I heard there's a very excellent and beautiful navigator here, so I've come to invite her to join our more promising group—I mean, team!"

As he spoke, Bane fixed his gaze on Arlong, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "By the way, I'm seizing your ship."