Fishman in One Piece

Chapter 22: A Conversation with Arlong, Jinbei's Challenge

Brett forcefully pushed Arlong to the ground and relaxed on the sofa.

"Brett! ! You bastard! ! "

Arlong rose, flustered, shouted, and swiftly moved to the wall to seize a serrated sword.

His expression reflected deep anger.

Brett had embarrassed him in front of his associates. How could he possibly guide them in establishing a Fishman kingdom to dominate humanity?

The large sword was raised high, poised to strike directly at Brett.

However, Arlong paused.

Does he truly wish to take Brett's life?

"Alright, now we can engage in a serious conversation. "

Brett reclined back on the sofa, observing the changing expressions on Arlong's face. "Brother Arlong, are you still intent on conquering humans and establishing a fish-man empire as you once described in our childhood? "

"Absolutely! "

Arlong ultimately refrained from attacking and declared his aspirations loud and clear, "The fishman are the true advanced beings, while mere humans are lowly creatures meant to be ruled by us! "

He reiterated the ideology he had long upheld, "I aim to create a magnificent nation where fishmen subjugate humans! I will make humans suffer twice as much as they have made us fishmen endure over the last several centuries! "

Brett exhaled deeply.

Has he truly convinced himself of this delusion?

"It sounds appealing, but Brother Arlong" Brett stated earnestly, "Why? "

"What do you mean? " Arlong momentarily bewildered.

"Why should we subjugate humans? " Brett asked.

"Naturally, it is due to our inherent superiority! "

Arlong proclaimed loudly, "We are endowed with over ten times the strength of humans, and we can thrive in water! We should be the sovereigns of the sea! "

"Is that so? "

Brett smiled, "Yet, you cannot even defeat me."

Having decided on more decisive actions, he felt free to express sentiments that were previously challenging to say.

Arlong clenched his jaw in frustration.

However, this was the truth; Brett's strength eclipsed his own entirely.

Brett sais, "There are numerous people among humans who surpass me in strength. For instance, that light Marine who apprehended us last year. Are you capable of overcoming him? "

". . . "

Arlong's demeanor shifted dramatically. He would never forget that figure, who haunted his thoughts like a nightmare.

That sense of helplessness had been unprecedented.

"That's merely due to the fact it occurred on land," Arlong's voice softened, "If it takes place in the ocean—"

"Indeed, whenever we are in the ocean, we are invincible! " Arlong's assertiveness returned fully.

Brett sighed once more, "So how does that differ from the present situation? Don't we still remain at the depths of the sea? "

Arlong fell silent.

"What you essentially desire, Brother Arlong, is to quietly seize a few human settlements and enslave a small number of humans, right? "

Brett said sarcastically, "You intend to inflict suffering on ordinary humans merely to relieve your frustration and generate income to fulfill your cravings. You have always had an affinity for wealth, haven't you? To obscure your location, you might even seek out a Marine. Those scoundrels would assist you."

"You lack the courage to confront the Navy in retaliation for Brother Tiger's death, so refrain from acting so morally superior, Brother Arlong. "

"Bret! ! "

Arlong responded with a grim expression, "You —"

"Because you recognize that humans possess greater strength than we do as fish-men."

Ignoring Arlong's fury, Brett continued, "Fish-Man Island has a mere population of five million, whereas humans outnumber us by hundreds of times; moreover, the predominant powerhouses of the ocean are humans. Our mightiest Fishmam, Jinbei, is easily overpowered by them. If we truly engage in warfare against humans, the outcome will inevitably be devastation. "

Arlong's expression turned serious.

Brett had struck a chord.

After confronting that skilled individual, he was acutely aware of the Navy's formidable force, which he could not match.

His ambition was to reach the East blue Sea, the weakest of the four seas, and quietly establish a Fishman domain.

He indeed sought wealth, and as Brett stated, he had a fondness for money.

"But what is the purpose? "

Brett asserted, "We continue to dwell in the depths of the sea, facing discrimination. Humans who hunt fishman and mermaids continue to act with impunity. Human aristocracy still takes pride in possessing a mermaid. "

"Conversely, humans with no grievances against us are subjected to bullying and humiliation by you. Once this matter is brought to light, there will be no escape for you, and hatred for fish-men among humans will intensify. "

"What benefit arises from merely catering to your desires? Is it placing Fish-Man Island in a more perilous position? "

"Are you genuinely fighting for the fish-men and Fish-Man Island? "

Arlong nearly ground his teeth in frustration.

However, he could not conceive a rebuttal to Brett's claims.

His face flushed with anger. It felt as if a concealed truth had been laid bare.

Brett asked once more, "Brother Arlong, why do you think Brother Tiger refrained from allowing us to harm humans despite his disdain for them? "

Tiger harbored no fondness for humans whatsoever.

He had once been captured and endured three years of enslavement at the hands of humans, suffering various forms of torture.

However, upon founding the Sun Pirates, he said that the purpose of the pirate crew was to achieve liberation and freedom, and they would never inflict harm on humans without cause.

Having experienced hell himself, he wished for no one else to endure similar suffering, even humans.

Now, even after regaining his memories, Tiger remains the individual whom Brett admires the most.

"It is because Brother Tiger understands that allowing hatred to proliferate will lead to the destruction of Fish-Man Island. "

Before Arlong could respond, Brett sighed internally, "It is truly unfortunate, isn't it? It is clear that we are the ones facing persecution, yet we find ourselves in a position to only make compromises. "

"And you still intend to thwart Brother Tiger's aspirations. "

"Enough! Enough! ! "

Arlong bellowed in frustration, "Brett! What exactly do you wish to say! "

"If you aspire to alter the situation of the fish-men and validate your conviction in the superiority of the fish-men, then refrain from engaging in these senseless actions, Arlong! "

Brett said firmly, "To trample on Brother Tiger's final wish and jeopardize Fish-Man Island merely to fulfill your personal desire to unleash your frustration is foolish! Do not commit such a reckless act! ! "

Before his death, Tiger had entirely lost hope in humans due to their betrayal, yet he had still been reluctant to allow his friends to inform Fish-Man Island of the circumstances surrounding his death.

He wished to prevent the spread of hatred and did not desire Fish-Man Island to face disaster.

"Brett ! "

Arlong was nearly infuriated by embarrassment and lunged toward Brett. He shouted, "Stop your nonsense! ! "

Brett reached out and seized Arlong's head,with minimal force, he was unable to move him.

Nonetheless, Arlong showed no fear. He spoke venomously, "Do you want me to be like you and Jinbei! To do nothing! To be submissive to humans while we watch them disgrace us! ! "

Brett nonchalantly tossed Arlong back before calmly saying. "I'm merely advising you against engaging in trivial actions, not advocating for passivity. "

"You are correct about one thing. It is due to your weakness that you face bullying. "

Brett stated, "The weakness lies not with humans, but with us."

"Therefore, before seeking vengeance, we must first secure our safety and fortify ourselves. "

"Fortify ourselves? " Arlong collapsed to the ground, somewhat taken aback.

"Brother Arlong, are you familiar with Whitebeard? " Brett asked.

"What of it? " Arlong retorted coldly.

How could he not be aware of Whitebeard, regarded as the strongest man in the world.

And that man's emblem flew over Fish-Man Island. Fish-Man Island, which had suffered greatly at the hands of human pirates since the onset of the Great Pirate Era, now enjoyed a semblance of peace precisely due to his protection.

"Thus, you ought to recognize that even the World Government cannot contend with a powerful person like Whitebeard. His reputation can shield Fish-Man Island across vast distances. "

Brett said with passion. "As long as a powerful individual of that caliber emerges from our Fish-Man Island, no one in this world will dare to underestimate us, and even the world government will be compelled to take our stance seriously. "

A powerful individual at the level of a pirate emperor wields significant influence in this world.

This influence is particularly pronounced when such a powerful individual symbolizes a dominant ethnic group.

Arlong appeared puzzled, "What exactly are you trying to say, Brett? "

He understood that even Jinbei, the strongest among fishmen, still fell short of that level of strength.

Brett rose, inhaled deeply, and then declared with conviction, "That person will be me."

"What? " Arlong's eyes widened in surprise.

"I will surpass all those who preceded me in strength. "

Brett stated firmly, "I aim to become the most powerful individual in the world. At that point, the entirety of the world will heed our desires. "

Arlong was momentarily speechless.

Brett's assertions were something he had never contemplated before.

Could one truly reach the pinnacle of power in the world?

Was such a feat achievable alone?

Arlong instinctively wanted to pose these questions.

Yet, when he attempted to speak, no sound emerged.

He came to recognize that Brett, despite being only seventeen, possessed extraordinary strength!

He was undoubtedly an unmatched talent within Fish-Man Island!

If anyone could genuinely attain the position of the strongest fishman, it would have to be him.

"That is my point. It matters not whether you believe it or not, Brother Arlong. You must be aware that I possess the strength to easily restrain you. Do not entertain thoughts of engaging in useless endeavours. If you truly seek revenge against humans, you should target those who come to the island to cause unrest. Confront pirates or slavers, or strive to improve yourself to be of significance in the future. "

"I will ask Brother Jinbei to monitor your actions, and do not even contemplate venturing out to sea. "

He exhaled heavily.

There was a limit to what could be communicated.

If Arlong persists in pursuing his own path, Brett would have no choice but to resort to more forceful methods.

He turned and moved.

Upon descending the stairs, nearly all the Fishman remained in place, refraining from drawing attention to him.

What had transpired above?

The house had poor sound insulation, and the fishfolk had overheard Arlong's furious outburst moments ago.

Brett chose to ignore them and continued on his way. His next task was to find Jinbei.

Upstairs, after Brett's departure, Arlong remained motionless for an extended period.

"Hey! Arlong! Are you alright? "

Kuroobi and others hurried up the stairs, looking at the dazed Arlong and exclaimed in anger, "That bastard Brett! "

Arlong did not respond. He was preoccupied with a singular thought.

If Brett could indeed become as formidable as the top sea monsters as he claimed, what would be the future of Fish-Man Island?

He was aware that Whitebeard safeguarded a vast territory within the New World, while Kaido and Charlotte Linlin each governed their own nations there, rendering them beyond reproach from others.

Should Brett possess the strength equivalent to theirs—who would dare exhibit arrogance towards Fishman?

Perhaps we can genuinely forge an unparalleled fish-man empire!

Considering his rapport with Brett and the connection between his sister and Brett—

Arlong suddenly perceived that such a future appeared quite promising.

However, the pivotal question remains: can Brett truly attain such strength?

…

"Is that what you said to him? "

Upon listening to Brett recount his two encounters with Arlong, Jinbei let out a sigh.

"Brother Arlong's animosity towards humans has become irreparable. His thoughts are solely focused on vengeance, destruction, and plunder. Convincing him may prove to be quite challenging,"

"Thus, the only viable option is to employ more decisive measures. "

"I understand. "

Jinbei nodded, "I experienced some hesitation earlier, but you are correct. Given Arlong's disposition, should he be permitted to set sail, there is no outcome other than the escalation of tension between humans and Fish-Man Island. "

"I refuse to allow him to undermine Brother Tiger's wish! "

Tiger lost his life due to humans, yet prior to his death, he advised against allowing hatred to proliferate, thus prompting Jinbei to exercise restraint.

Consequently, he is even more resolute in preventing anyone from undermining Tiger's wishes.

"I will arrange for surveillance on Arlong and the others, ensuring they are not afforded any opportunities," Jinbei said firmly.

"Alright. "

Brett nodded.

That was the end of the matter.

Perhaps his bond with Arlong will be severed.

Nonetheless, it at least ensured he could avoid being harmed by the rubber boy and subsequently captured by the navy, eliminating any risk of immediate execution to suppress any potential scandal.

"I have already reached out to the Navy. They remain unaware of the situation. You can rest easy for the moment," Jinbei recalled another matter. "However, you must maintain a lower profile moving forward. I have instructed the people on Fishman Street to minimize the news concerning your return. "

"Thank you, Brother Jinbei. "

Brett replied earnestly, "I do not wish to instigate any trouble. "

"Hahaha, that is reassuring. "

Jinbei nodded, "Now, let us address the main issue. Did you really tell Arlong of your desire to become a strong figure akin to Whitebeard? "

Brett scratched his head, contemplating whether he was boasting excessively.

He stated, "We need to provide Brother Arlong with an alternative perspective so that he does not succumb to hopelessness and extreme measures, right ?"

"And," Brett said with confidence, "I believe I can achieve it."

"Hahahaha, your confidence is commendable, Brett! "

Jinbei laughed heartily, "Yet this is not inherently negative! If you are fearful, you will hinder your progress."

"What do you think? Before the formal training begins,would you like to spar with me? " Jinbei asked with a smile.

"Eh? "

Brett was taken aback.