Above the ruins of Arlong Park, two killing intents collided violently in the air.
"Sha hahaha... You actually dared to destroy my park..."
Arlong sat upon his lofty throne, looking down at the Straw Hat Pirates.
Those shark-like eyes, filled with malice, held no fear. Instead, they brimmed with the rage and arrogance of someone insulted:
"Since you're all so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"
He swung his fan-sized hands sharply, issuing a cruel order to the densely packed Fish-Man underlings below:
"Boys! Show these inferior species the terror of Fish-Men! Tear them to pieces!!"
"OOOHHHH!! Kill all humans!!"
Accompanied by earthshaking roars, nearly a hundred Fish-Men wielding broadswords and spears surged toward the five of them like a blue tide.
"Arlong!!"
Luffy's eyes held only the shark-man seated at the highest point.
With a shout, he lowered his body and prepared to charge straight ahead.
However, there were simply too many Fish-Men. Their layers of defenses instantly blocked Luffy's path.
"Tch, what a pain." Zoro placed a hand on his sword hilt, ready to draw.
"Move, Mosshead. I'll clear out these stinking fish." Sanji flicked away his cigarette butt, ready to kick open a path.
"No need to make this difficult."
A calm voice rang out.
Victor stepped forward, positioning himself before the others.
With his back to Luffy, his tousled black hair fluttered in the wind. His voice was even, yet carried a reassuring confidence:
"Luffy, leave these fodder to me. Just charge forward and beat that shark bastard away."
"Leave the officers in the back to Zoro and the others."
Luffy looked at Victor's back, then grinned without the slightest hesitation.
"Okay! I'm counting on you, Victor!"
With that, Luffy used the elasticity of his rubber body to leap high into the air, bounding off