Just as Vic transformed into Inazuma and rushed towards Cocoyasi Village, a horrific incident was unfolding in the Cocoyasi Village: Fish-Man pirates were going door-to-door demanding protection money, and even the village policeman, Genzo, was slashed to the ground.
In fact, Arlong was released from Impel Down a month and a half ago. Jinbe's becoming Shichibukai this time was not based on his strength or influence.
It was imposed by the World Government in an attempt to repair relations with Fish-Man Island. The candidate was recommended by Neptune, but Jinbe still proposed the condition of releasing Arlong. Arlong was his little brother. Everyone else was free and at ease outside, while Arlong was stuck in Impel Down working on a sewing machine. Jinbe naturally couldn't stand by and watch his little brother suffer, so he naturally wanted to release Arlong when the opportunity arose.
However, this condition was agreed upon half a month before the newspaper announced the Shichibukai. So, Arlong was released a month and a half ago and went back to Fish-Man Island to recruit soldiers. Arlong then headed straight for the Weakest Sea, the East Blue. With sea monsters helping him pull the ship, the speed was naturally incredibly fast. Therefore, Arlong arrived in the East Blue before Vic.
"Alright! Let's retreat, fellow countrymen."
After collecting all the head tax from Cocoyasi Village, Arlong called his companions to prepare to return to their base. They had been on the island for several days and had already set up a temporary base a few days earlier, which was the predecessor of Arlong Park. With their worries resolved, they were ready to go out and rob money.
Cocoyasi Village, the closest village to their base, became their first target. They needed money to bribe the navy and also to build Arlong Park, so even though the timeline was a few years ahead, what was bound to happen still happened.
Seeing that Arlong's Crew were about to leave, Genzo and the villagers breathed a sigh of relief, because Arlong and his group hadn't discovered the Bellemere family, who lived alone on the mountain!
The adults had to pay 100,000 Beli a month in protection money, and the children 50,000 Beli a month. The Bellemere family obviously couldn't afford that, and they certainly didn't want Arlong's Crew to discover such a wonderful family. How much joy and emotion those two lively and quirky little girls had brought them!
"Brother Arlong! There's smoke rising from a corner of the village."
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a Fish-Man spotted smoke rising from the distant village. It was the smoke from Bellemere's cooking. Her family lived far from the village and were unaware that pirates were attacking.
At that moment, Bellemere was happily cooking for Nami and Nojiko, while Genzo and the villagers were on tenterhooks after hearing the Fish-Man's words, praying that Arlong would not pay any attention to them!
"I almost missed it!"
Arlong turned and looked at the smoke from the chimney, grinning maliciously. Genzo and the others' prayers had been in vain, and their hearts were filled with even more hatred. They didn't know what to do next, as their opponents Fish-Man Race whom they could not resist, whose strength and size far surpassed their own.
"Let's go collect the money."
Arlong gave a shout and led the way toward the smoke, with the other Fish-Man following behind. They soon disappeared into the village.
After Arlong's Crew left, the villagers became excited and went home to get all sorts of farm tools and household items that could be used as weapons.
Arlong could accept their money, but they absolutely refused to let him harm that family. So, after a struggle with their conscience, they decided to fight back.
Meanwhile, Genzo had already taken a shortcut and was running towards Bellemere's house at top speed. He wanted to persuade Bellemere, Bellemere had once been a Marine and would certainly not compromise with pirates!
But with her strength, she's definitely no match for the Fish-Man. She also has two children at home. If she tries to fight them head-on, she'll surely be killed. Genzo has always admired Bellemere and doesn't want anything to happen to her.
When Genzo arrived at Bellemere's hut, he saw Bellemere being trampled under Arlong's feet, one of her arms deformed, and a broken flintlock pistol nearby.
Genzo had seen that gun before; it belonged to Bellemere's family. Apparently, Bellemere had resisted before, which is why she was tortured by Arlong, and her forearm was broken!
Nami and Nojiko were being bound by the two tentacles of an octopus Fish-Man. The two children were looking at Bellemere on the ground and crying loudly, shouting "No!" Seeing this, Genzo's heart broke. He didn't know where he got the courage, but he appeared directly in front of all the Fish-Man.
" Bellemere! Don't die for that pointless sense of justice. Sometimes there are meaningless battles, and sometimes problems can be solved with money!"
As Genzo roared, he walked toward Arlong. The dark clouds spreading across the sky reflected his inner turmoil. When it rains, it pours!
Arlong was not surprised by Genzo's appearance; on the contrary, he admired Genzo's ability to assess the situation. He was also trying to persuade Bellemere on the ground to pay up, promising to leave immediately once the money was paid.
At this moment, Genzo had already arrived beside Bellemere.
"Try to persuade her; we'd rather die than lose our money!"
Arlong also lifted his foot. Since someone had come to persuade him, that was all the better. He still valued money. Arlong gave up his place, and Genzo quickly squatted down and hugged Bellemere, who had a crippled arm and was covered in injuries, and asked her how much savings she still had.
Bellemere's money was simply not enough to cover the expenses for herself and her two children. As a single mother who made a living by growing oranges and had to support two children, she simply couldn't save much money.
Nami and Nojiko have been exposed, so it's impossible for her to fool Arlong's Crew by only handing over her own money as in the original story. Besides, she herself is unwilling to do so; she can't deceive her family even if it's just to survive.
The village had been emptied out by the heavy burden of the Heavenly Tribute, and Genzo no longer had any extra money to help Bellemere. As for asking the villagers to contribute?
Then forget about it. Arlong isn't going to stop after this one time; he demands it every month. If they don't pay, they'll be killed. How could they possibly ask for that?
Lending money is like borrowing someone else's life to prolong their lives! Besides, he didn't let Nami and Nojiko register with the Bellemere Bellemere before, because of the three people's Heavenly Tribute, their family would have been in even more difficult circumstances!
"Ah! I'm going to kill you, Arlong!"
Knowing that either Bellemere or Nami and Nojiko would die this time, Genzo struggled for a moment before deciding to go all out. He drew his standard-issue sword from his waist and launched a sneak attack on Arlong, who was not far away. However, he and Bellemere were already the focus of attention, and they were facing Fish-Man. How could he possibly launch a sneak attack? He was directly cut down by a Fish-Man.
"Kill them! Kill these Fish-Man! Save Nami and Nojiko!"
At this moment, the villagers also gathered around. When they saw Genzo covered in wounds and stained with blood, they went crazy and charged directly at the Fish-Man!