Yearning for the Grand Line, Nami's Request!

Genzo, Nojiko, and the others were left dumbfounded.

Natsuya and Nami had just vanished into thin air right before their eyes!

"Did they go to the Arlong Empire!?"

Recovering from their shock, the crowd's expressions shifted drastically.

Although they didn't know how Natsuya had managed to make Nami disappear, judging by his words, it seemed he intended to take on Arlong and his crew!

"Everyone, grab your weapons! Let's head to the Arlong Empire!"

Genzo suddenly shouted.

The crowd responded one after another.

Even though Natsuya's display just moments ago had been astonishing, the sheer terror of Arlong's power had been deeply ingrained in their hearts throughout these years of tyranny.

In their eyes, Natsuya's chances of victory were slim.

Of course, even if the odds were in his favor, they wouldn't feel at ease letting Nami go there alone.

And so, Genzo, Nojiko, and the other villagers rushed toward the Arlong Empire, brimming with fierce determination.

Meanwhile.

Arlong and his crew, who had left earlier, had already arrived in the vicinity of the Arlong Empire.

"Hatchan, go call Momoo back."

Arlong suddenly ordered Hatchan.

He still felt a lingering sense of unease, so he decided to make one final preparation.

Hatchan felt it was unnecessary, but seeing the grim look on Arlong's face, he hurriedly complied.

Immediately after, Arlong led Kuroobi and the others back to the Arlong Empire.

But the moment they returned, Arlong, Kuroobi, Chew, and the rest all had their expressions shift in alarm!

They saw that the Arlong Empire, which should have been empty, was now occupied by two figures.

A young man in a suit and a young girl with orange hair!

It was actually Natsuya and Nami!

At this moment, Natsuya was sitting brazenly on the throne that belonged to Arlong!

"What!?"

Seeing this scene, Arlong and his crew were both shocked and enraged.

They were shocked that Natsuya and Nami, who should have still been near Nami's house, had appeared here at the Arlong Empire!

And they were enraged by Natsuya's arrogant attitude!

Was he not taking them, the Fish-Man Race, seriously at all!?

"Nami, what is the meaning of this!?"

Looking at the two, a cold glint flashed in Arlong's ferocious eyes.

Nami trembled all over.

The fear of being dominated by Arlong all these years surged uncontrollably in her heart once again.

In truth, she didn't know what was going on either.

Natsuya had said he would take her to destroy the Arlong Empire, and she had followed him in a daze.

By the time she regained her senses, she discovered they had magically arrived at the Arlong Empire.

Shortly after, Arlong and his crew had returned.

Now, facing Arlong's icy gaze, Nami couldn't help but feel terrified.

She knew of Natsuya's strength better than Genzo, Nojiko, and the others.

But at the same time, she was also acutely aware of just how terrifying Arlong was!

Having stayed by Arlong's side all these years, she had seen countless pirates die miserable deaths at his hands!

Sometimes, Nami even felt that humans were simply incapable of defeating creatures like the Fish-Men!

So, at this moment, Nami was at a loss.

Was Natsuya stronger, or was Arlong more terrifying!?

What choice should she make!?

"Nami, what are you spacing out for? Why don't you come back to my side?"

"Only our great Fish-Man Race can make the most of your talents!"

Seeing Nami remain silent, Arlong's tone suddenly turned deep and menacing.

Kuroobi and the others sneered upon hearing this.

"That's right, Nami, don't get any foolish ideas!"

"You don't actually think this guy is a match for us, do you?"

"Hmph, so what if this Natsuya has a bounty of one hundred million? As a Devil Fruit user, he's naturally countered by our Fish-Man Race!"

"Our Fish-Man Race is the strongest in the world! Nami, get over here now!"

Hearing these words, Nami's face turned pale.

The heart that had just glimpsed a ray of hope felt as if it were once again shrouded in a heavy shadow.

But just then, Natsuya let out a soft chuckle.

"Heh."

The laugh wasn't loud, but to Arlong and the others, it sounded incredibly grating.

"Inferior human boy, what are you laughing at!?"

Arlong turned toward Natsuya and snorted coldly.

Natsuya shook his head, laughing in spite of himself: "I really don't know where you get your sense of superiority from."

"You were clearly rats in the Grand Line, chased by everyone and forced to live in dark corners. Now that you've come to the East Blue to throw your weight around for a few years, you think you're better than everyone else?"

Upon hearing this, Kuroobi and the others instantly changed color.

As for Arlong, his expression turned extremely ugly.

Natsuya's words had struck a raw nerve, causing all of them to fly into a rage born of shame.

At the same time, they couldn't help but feel a deep sense of alarm.

The fact that Natsuya knew the status of their Fish-Man Race in the Grand Line meant it was highly likely he had been to the Grand Line, or perhaps even hailed from there!

This made things troublesome!

Because Natsuya's origin meant entirely different circumstances!

If he were merely from the East Blue, they wouldn't be so wary!

But if he were from the Grand Line, then there was a problem!

Or perhaps, his strength truly matched a bounty of one hundred million Beli!

Realizing this, the expressions of Arlong and his crew naturally couldn't look any worse.

As for Nami, she was momentarily stunned.

She had heard of the Grand Line, too.

It was said that the seas there were far more treacherous and spectacular, incomparable to the East Blue where she lived or the other three seas!

So, Arlong and his Fish-Man Race actually held such a low status in the Grand Line?

Nami suddenly felt as if her worldview were collapsing.

So, Arlong and his crew, who were called the overlords of the East Blue here, were nothing in the Grand Line?

For some reason, in that instant, Nami felt a strong yearning for that legendary ocean!

If possible, she wanted to see that sea.

She also wanted to understand this world from a broader perspective!

With this thought, Nami suddenly felt resolute.

She looked at Natsuya.

"Lord Natsuya, please destroy the Arlong Empire!"

Hearing this, Natsuya smiled.

"As you wish."

Saying this, Natsuya slowly stood up from his seat.

Arlong's expression turned extremely grim.

"Nami, my patience for you has reached its limit."

"Since you want to destroy my Arlong Empire, you can both die here together!"

"Hatchan!!!"

At the end of his shout, Arlong let out a low roar.

At that very moment, a violent commotion erupted from the massive pool in the Arlong Empire.

BOOM!!!

In the next instant, the seawater parted, and a colossal creature leaped out, crashing toward Natsuya and Nami like a small mountain!!