Whether it was confidence in Arlong or simply that people in this pirate world were used to one-on-one showdowns, the other Fish-Men had done nothing but stand to the side and hurl insults while Xie Wen traded barbs with Arlong and eventually came to blows with him. None had shown any intention of interfering.
What they had not expected was for Xie Wen to sever Arlong's arm with his first strike and kill him with his second. They had not even had time to help.
Since Xie Wen's fight with Arlong had ended so quickly, and had played out completely differently from what the Fish-Men had imagined, it took them quite a while to recover...
"B-Big Brother Arlong!"
"Avenge Lord Arlong!"
"Kill that human!"
Although pirates included plenty of rotten bastards, one thing had to be said: their loyalty to one another was among their few redeeming qualities. Even knowing they were no match for Xie Wen, the Fish-Men still charged at him, roaring.
"Admirable loyalty. A pity they're a band of brigands steeped in sin, meow." After offering that praise, Meow Jūshirō stepped in front of Xie Wen. "Lord Xie Wen, there's no need to trouble yourself with these lackeys. Please leave them to me, meow."
Xie Wen nodded, making no attempt to compete with Meow Jūshirō for them.
"A Mink?" These Fish-Men had once followed Fisher Tiger in freeing many slaves, so naturally they recognized the Mink Tribe. Someone soon began cursing. "A Mink working for a human! How can you face your fellow Minks who were captured and enslaved by humans?!"
"Flying Cat Hiten-Mitsurugi Style: Cat Claw Flash!"
Meow Jūshirō had no interest in wasting words on them. Never mind that he was not a Mink at all-even if he had been, his personality would never have