OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

Inside the Marine Branch 77 warship.

Prinprin kept his guard up as he placed a hand on Chew's shoulder, guiding him into his office with exaggerated friendliness.

"Haha, looks like this was all just a big misunderstanding! Come on, let's sit down and talk properly."

Chew accepted the show of goodwill as if it were natural—and secretly sneered.

No matter how powerful the Marines act, in the end, humans always bow to money. Especially the inferior human race.

"Fufufu, sure. Let's have a deep talk, chu."

Prinprin's office was small and sparse.

The only decorations were a few standard Marine cutlasses hanging on the wall, and a stack of wanted posters cluttering his desk.

Sitting on top of that stack… was none other than Arlong's bounty poster: 20 million berries.

"Chew! So you're here to catch Arlong, aren't you?"

Chew's question was met with a cheerful deflection.

"Haha! We got a report about a house being torn from its foundation. That kind of strength sounded like Arlong, so I figured I'd take a look."

"Fufufu, that wasn't Arlong. That was our officer Kuroobi who did that."

"Oh really? That's surprising. Not just anyone can rip an entire house out of the ground."

"Naturally! That's because us fishmen are superior to humans! Chu! Don't lump us in with your lowly kind!"

"Ahaha, sure, sure. But let's get to the point—what does Arlong want?"

Prinprin pulled out a chair and sat down, motioning for Chew to do the same.

"I'll deliver Arlong's message then, chu!"

Clack!

Chew set the briefcase he'd been holding on the desk.

Click, click—slip.

He unlatched the locks, then turned the case so it opened facing Prinprin.

"200,000 berries. That's your advance. And if you agree to be our friend, you'll receive 1 million berries every month from now on. Chu!"

200,000 berries was a sizable sum—but not nearly enough to sway someone of Prinprin's rank.

Even without Vice Admiral Rengoku's orders, the idea of bribing a Marine officer with such a meager amount was laughable.

Are they underestimating me because I'm in East Blue?

Or is their world so small they think this is how things work?

Prinprin had a lot on his mind.

Still, he kept a calm expression and proceeded with his mission as Rengoku had instructed.

"Oho! Arlong's got a generous hand, huh? Dropping 200,000 berries like that!"

Chew, convinced by Prinprin's reaction, smiled and asked casually:

"By the way, what rank did you say you were, chu?"

"Me? I'm a brigadier."

Chew's expression shifted slightly.

This weird-looking human with that ridiculous windmill-hairdo… was a brigadier?

That meant he outranked Nezumi, who was just a captain. And if Prinprin came all the way here himself, that meant both Branch 77 and Nezumi's Branch 16 weren't too far from this island.

"Fufu… a brigadier, huh? That makes you the highest-ranked friend we've got, chu!"

"Oh? So you've made friends with other Marines before me?"

"Yeah, that rat-faced guy—Nezumi from Branch 16, chu!"

"What a shame! I thought I was your first friend! Hahaha!"

Prinprin humored Chew just enough to keep the conversation flowing—until Chuu's "talkative mode" kicked in.

That was Chew's nature.

He was the type who loved to brag once you got him started.

Normally Arlong would shut him up, but give him the right setup—and he'd run his mouth endlessly.

"Fufu, no need to worry. Arlong always says the more friends the better, chu!"

"Still… It's impressive how freely you're throwing around this much money. Generous friends are great and all, but there's no way a little village could afford that, is there?"

"Hm? Are you doubting us right now? Chu!"

When Chew shot him a suspicious glare, Prinprin quickly waved his hand in dismissal.

"Haha! No, no, not at all. I just meant… if our friends are doing a little collection in the area, people might get hurt, you know? As a friend, I figured I could help smooth things over."

"Fufu, that's what you meant? No need to worry then, chu! We don't go around raiding or looting like brainless thugs."

Chew crossed his arms proudly.

"Once we show those inferior humans the difference in strength, they get the message real quick. They offer tribute on their own every month. Why bother going around smashing things, chu? Besides, most Marines are handled by that Nezumi. But since you outrank him, it'd be great if you could help out when Nezumi can't cover for us, chu!"

"Hahaha! Naturally! Though I have to say… Nezumi covering for everything? That's quite something."

"Still, I don't like him. He's too sneaky, chu. We've been doing business for eight years, but every time he squeaks, I just wanna bash his skull in, chu!"

"E-Eight years?!"

So that's why there's been no word about Arlong for so long...

"What are you so shocked about, chu?"

"Ah, it's nothing! Just thinking about how much Nezumi must've pocketed in eight years makes my stomach turn! Hahaha!"

Knock knock.

A knock came at the office door.

"Justice! Brigadier Prinprin, I've brought your tea."

"Ah, yes! Come in, quickly."

At the mention of tea, Prinprin sprang from his seat.

He accepted a tray with a teapot and cups from a subordinate Marine, then immediately dismissed him.

Once seated again, Chew resumed talking.

"Getting upset over something like that? Typical inferior human, chu!"

"Ahem… Now that we're friends, maybe you could tone down the racist remarks a little, hmm?"

Prinprin poured the tea, trying to remain diplomatic.

Chew, however, ignored the request entirely.

"Chu! Inferior humans bicker, envy each other, and kill their own. But us superior fishmen? We're united under one purpose, chu! While we were forming the great Sun Pirates and ruling the New World, your kind was too busy slaughtering yourselves!"

Prinprin didn't interrupt him.

With no one to stop him, Chew's words became increasingly extreme.

"Humans think numbers alone make them rulers—what a joke! Chu! The superior fishmen deserve to rule this world! And the first step is the rise of the Arlong Empire, chu! Of course, humans who help us like you won't end up as slaves. Count yourself lucky, chu-chu!"

"…Still, isn't it a little much to say all this in front of a Marine brigadier?"

Even as Chew spouted on, Prinprin calmly sipped his tea.

"Marine, pirate—it doesn't matter. In Arlong's empire, we all follow his rule, chu!"

Chew was so caught up in his speech that he didn't notice the subtle shift in Prinprin's demeanor since the tea was served.

But that shift didn't go unnoticed for long.

"I've heard enough. Listening to a lowly fishman pirate drown in delusional fantasies is more than I can stomach."

"…What did you just say? Do you have any idea who you're talking to, chu?!"

Clack.

Prinprin gently set down his teacup, took a deep breath—

—and shouted:

"Vice Admiral Rengoku! Permission to execute this heinous pirate on the spot!"

Chew froze, completely stunned. Then came a suspicious squint.

"…Who are you talking to? Have you finally lost your mind, chu?"

...

"Mmm."

A deep, commanding voice echoed from somewhere unseen:

"Arlong Pirate Officer Chew's bounty reads: DEAD OR ALIVE. Anyone who encounters him is authorized for immediate execution."

"W-What is this…?"

"Thank you!"

Prinprin swiftly turned, grabbed a Marine-issued cutlass from the wall behind him—and slashed toward Chew in a single, fluid motion.

"You're just a lowly pirate… Don't you ever underestimate a Marine brigadier!"

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