"Guests from far away, come inside and have some water!"

"Nojiko, go pick a couple of oranges for our guest."

"Nami, head to the market in the village center and buy some food."

After a moment of hesitation, Bellemere warmly invited Arakawa Zenkichi to sit inside and instructed her two daughters, Nojiko and Nami, to prepare provisions.

Bellemere wasn't moved solely by the massive diamond Zenkichi had produced, but also by the subtle yet unmistakable presence he carried. As a former Marine, even having trained at Marine Headquarters, Bellemere could recognize overwhelming power when she felt it.

She believed Zenkichi's claim that he meant no harm — because if he did, they wouldn't even have the chance to resist.

Zenkichi gladly accepted Bellemere's hospitality, entering her modest home, sipping cheap tea, and peeling a few oranges.

Soon after, little Nami came rushing back, panting and wide-eyed with panic.

"Bellemere! It's bad — a bunch of fierce-looking pirates showed up! They look like fish… and they've captured everyone in the village!"

---

Earlier that day, Nami had headed to the market in the village center. But just as she arrived, she saw an enormous ship approaching from the distance.

The vessel was so massive, even the tallest building in Cocosia Village was barely half its size. Long before it reached the coast, its imposing silhouette was unmistakable.

"What is that…?"

Before she could process it, Arlong's pirate ship crashed onto the shoreline.

The Fishman Pirates disembarked immediately, destroying every boat in sight to prevent escape. Then, in droves, they stormed into the village, effortlessly overpowering the defenseless residents.

"Listen up, you pathetic humans," declared a broad-shouldered, saw-nosed Fishman as he stepped forward. "The noble Fishman, Arlong, greets you."

"From this day forward, this village belongs to me. You'll pay a life fee to keep breathing. Fail to pay… and you'll forfeit your life."

The villagers could do nothing but bow their heads and surrender.

Once Cocoyashi Village was subdued, Arlong's men began rounding up stragglers, following the scent of smoke to Bellemere's home.

"Arlong-san, let me handle the humans inside."

"No, let me do it!"

"Who cares who does it? We Fishmen have a natural advantage over humans."

"Of course! We're a superior species. Even the weakest among us is ten times stronger than a human."

The Fishman Pirates jeered as they argued, thrilled at the chance to terrorize weaklings. Having suffered discrimination on the Grand Line for years, the chance to become oppressors here in the East Blue twisted them further, mixing their long-held inferiority complex with arrogance and sadism.

But just as they prepared to storm Bellemere's home, the door creaked open.

A handsome, dark-eyed young man stepped out casually.

"You lot are awfully loud. Can't you die quietly?"

He smirked, disdain dripping from every word.

"No matter how pitiful you are, your fate won't change. You're all finished. So how about you die together?"

Arakawa Zenkichi's voice was calm, his gaze condescending.

"You damned human…!" snarled a trumpet-mouthed Fishman. "How dare you mock us, you inferior creature!"

In a flash, the Fishman shot a pressurized water bullet from his mouth — a deadly, high-velocity projectile.

Zenkichi barely moved.

"Pathetic. Using your own spit as a weapon? Disgusting."

Before the water arrow could reach him, Zenkichi's Haki flared. A ripple in the air cracked invisibly, shattering the attack mid-flight.

Then, raising a single finger, a beam of golden light shot from his fingertip and pierced straight through the Fishman's chest.

"Gyaaahhh!"

The Fishman collapsed, clutching his chest, writhing in agony. Zenkichi's laser had shredded his lungs — even breathing became torture.

The other Fishmen froze in shock.

That was Chew — one of Arlong's top five fighters. And this human had dropped him in a single, effortless strike.

Suddenly, all eyes turned to Arlong himself.

Beads of sweat dotted Arlong's brow. His face twisted with terror. He recognized that technique.

The laser — it was the same as Admiral Kizaru's. Years ago, as a mere Vice Admiral, Kizaru had annihilated Arlong with ease using that very move.

Though Zenkichi wasn't Kizaru, the resemblance in technique was enough to paralyze Arlong with fear.

"Stay calm," Arlong muttered to himself, trying to suppress the trembling in his limbs.

If he didn't compose himself, he wouldn't even be able to lift a weapon against this man.

---

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