East Blue, Foosha Village.
Garp was chatting with Sengoku through a Den Den Mushi.
"Demon King Ye Zhuo has headed to the East Blue. After he appeared in Loguetown,
Smoker was sent to Marineford headquarters for treatment.
After discussing it, we decided that only you can negotiate with him and make him one of the Shichibukai!"
Garp answered in a deep voice.
"Nani? How could such a heinous bastard possibly become one of the Shichibukai?
Sengoku, are you dreaming?
If I don't beat him flat, I'll never be able to have a calm conversation with him for the rest of my life."
Bang!
Garp headed toward the harbor. He was going to deal with Ye Zhuo himself.
Cocoyasi Village.
The Arlong Pirates had occupied it for years. Here, he was practically an absolute local tyrant.
As soon as Ye Zhuo's pirate ship, the Demon King, docked.
He swept the area with his sniper's Ultra-Long Distance Observation Haki.
He found no trace of Nami.
Had she gone out to sea?
Ye Zhuo yawned, intending to rest here for a day.
"Sir, our village has already been occupied by pirates.
It's very dangerous to stay here. You could face death at any moment.
Please leave as soon as possible!"
The villagers hurried over to warn them.
In this ordinary little town, many people had yet to realize that Ye Zhuo was far beyond someone Arlong could afford to provoke.
The ones who truly ought to run were the Arlong Pirates.
"Can't you tell? I'm a pirate too.
When pirates prey on pirates, I'm always the biggest one."
Ye Zhuo pointed behind him at the Demon King, its pirate flag fluttering in the wind.
"Our Cocoyasi Village has always been occupied by the Arlong Pirates.
Even if we were killed, no one would care!
You're no match for them!"
Genzo said with a troubled expression.
In his eyes, Ye Zhuo's crew were all girls and could not possibly be Arlong's match.
"You can leave after letting us replenish some supplies first."
Ye Zhuo said it casually. He had plenty of Beli in hand.
"You'll leave once you've restocked?"
Uncle Genzo asked joyfully. He did not want these innocent people to die because of this.
"Of course."
Ye Zhuo nodded.
Nojiko also brought over a large amount of oranges from the orchard.
It would be even better if she could exchange them for some Beli.
Today was Arlong's collection day again.
The Empress and Kalifa had long noticed that something was wrong here.
During the trade.
Vivi and Robin learned the truth from Nami's sister, Nojiko.
After hearing it, Tashigi was already burning with rage.
She had never expected such things to still exist in the supposedly most peaceful East Blue.
"Arlong!"
Tashigi gripped the sword in her hand and looked at Nojiko with determination.
"I'm a Marine. Tell me, where are the Arlong Pirates?"
The villagers' gazes turned toward her as well.
"A Marine? But aren't you pirates?"
Genzo looked at Tashigi, then pointed at Ye Zhuo's pirate flag.
"It's a long story. Anyway, I'm definitely a Marine!"
Tashigi spoke firmly. She would definitely take care of Arlong's group.
Kalifa stepped forward as well.
"Just snap their necks."
Robin narrowed her eyes and smiled, saying something exceptionally sinister.
"Lord Ye Zhuo, please allow me to grind them all to dust."
The Empress took a step forward, her qipao outlining her long, perfect figure.
"Ye Zhuo! Come with us and take care of that bastard!"
Vivi took Ye Zhuo's hand as he peeled an orange.
"Arlong's just trash. There's no need to make such a fuss."
Ye Zhuo tossed an orange segment into his mouth.
His Observation Haki had already foreseen Arlong's arrival.
But the villagers began trying to stop them.
They were happy to have encountered Ye Zhuo before Arlong came to squeeze them dry.
They had exchanged for a sum of Beli, which would ease their burden considerably.
"Nami, Nami's back!"
At that moment, a figure appeared from the sea, returning in a small boat.
"There's no time!"
Nami seemed to be carrying a bag of gold coins.
As she passed by, she glanced at Ye Zhuo.
It looked like she had stolen quite a lot of gold from the sea again.
She had to hide it before Arlong arrived.
"Nami?"
Vivi looked in the direction Nami had run.
"I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."
She shook her head, thinking that was impossible. This was her first time in the East Blue.
"Are you ready?"
"Beli and gold coins are both acceptable. Don't waste my time. Not a single Beli short!"
"There's a pirate ship over there? Perfect, leave it behind!"
Arlong's group swaggered into the village entrance.
At a glance, they spotted the rather impressive treasure ship, the Demon King.
Looking again, everyone besides Ye Zhuo was a beauty.
Their eyes lit up even more.
"Kid, is this ship yours?"
Arlong looked at Ye Zhuo, who was crouching on the ground peeling an orange.
"What, you piece of trash got a problem?"
"Courting death!"
Arlong's words made the villagers turn pale. They did not want their benefactor to face danger like this.
"Damn bastard, you dare show up in our Cocoyasi Village? Leave behind everything valuable!"
Nami appeared before Ye Zhuo and threw a punch.
Only by driving Ye Zhuo away herself could she save his life.
"Nami!"
Ye Zhuo easily caught Nami's cool, delicate wrist, as smooth as jade.
"Come out to sea with me and become the electrician on my ship!"
Huh?
Nami's eyes widened.
She had never imagined Ye Zhuo would dare say such a thing in front of Arlong.
"You're dead!"
Arlong's fist slammed into Ye Zhuo.
But his fist was scorched by flames.
Ye Zhuo's entire body swelled, flames coiling around him like an evil dragon.
"Now, who's the real Dragon?"
Ye Zhuo smiled at Arlong.
"A Zoan ability user?"
Arlong had no idea who Ye Zhuo was.
When had the East Blue produced someone like him?
"You should go ask Bellemere!"
Ye Zhuo threw a straight punch.
Arlong's spike-like nose snapped.
His head burst apart like a gourd.
Blood and gore splattered across the ground.
The tall fish-man corpse crashed down.
Seeing this, Nami trembled instinctively.
Her nightmare was over.
Before you continue