Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

"Arlong! Bad news! The villagers of Cocoyasi Village are here, and they're armed!"

"A bunch of lowly humans?" Arlong scoffed, leaning back in his throne at Arlong Park. "What does it matter if they all come? Don't waste my time over something so trivial."

To him, the people of the East Blue were nothing more than weaklings—mere slaves who could never dream of defying him. The concept of humans rising against fish-men was laughable, absurd even. This sea, this world, was his paradise, where he ruled with absolute dominance.

So, when Nami approached alongside her villagers, he didn't bother to stop them. Instead, he lazily gestured for the gates to open.

"Yo! My little navigator! You're back!"

Arlong grinned wide, his serrated teeth gleaming in the sunlight as his long tongue flicked across them. His eyes glinted with amusement as he looked at the woman who had been his most valuable asset.

Nami didn't waste a second. "Arlong! I've come to fulfill our deal!"

Arlong and his crew froze for a brief moment before exchanging confused glances. "Deal? What deal?"

They had long since forgotten about it. To them, the agreement had only ever been a way to keep Nami bound to them—a clever trick to exploit her genius as a navigator.

"I'm here to buy back Cocoyasi Village!" Nami declared, her voice steady despite the weight of her words.

The fish-men stared at her in silence before suddenly bursting into cruel laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Their mocking voices filled the air like a slap to the face, as if ridiculing the very idea of a human trying to reclaim what was stolen from them.

"Nami, do you even know how much that is?" one of Arlong's subordinates sneered. "100 million Berries! Do you really think a little girl like you could ever gather that much?"

"That's right! If you're just here to mess with us, I guarantee you won't be leaving in one piece!" another added, cracking his knuckles.

"Chu! Hachi! Bring out Mohmoo! Seems like someone needs a reminder of why no one defies the Arlong Pirates!"

Arlong smirked, reveling in the way Nami's supposed allies trembled at his command.

"Arlong! You promised!" Genzo, the village leader, suddenly shouted, his fists clenched. His voice wavered with rage. "You gave your word! If she brought the money, the village would be free!"

The villagers, emboldened by his words, joined in.

"That's right! A deal is a deal!"

"Are you going to break your promise?!"

Arlong's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across his features. "Silence! You lower creatures should be grateful I even let you exist!" He crossed his arms, sneering down at them. "Fine. If you have the 100 million, I'll hold up my end of the bargain. If not… you'll all regret it."

Arlong didn't believe for a second that Nami had gathered the money. That sum was beyond the reach of ordinary humans, and he had made sure to keep her under his control, ensuring her desperation.

But then—

"Arlong! Open your damn eyes and look!"

Nami stepped forward, lifting a large suitcase. Under the astonished gazes of the fish-men and villagers, she snapped it open.

Inside, the stacks of crisp, neatly arranged Berries gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting in the stunned eyes of everyone present.

A hush fell over the crowd. Even Arlong's own men looked taken aback. A fish-man stepped forward, sifting through the bills before giving Arlong a slow, reluctant nod.

It was real.

The villagers swallowed hard, some covering their mouths in disbelief. They had heard that Nami had been saving, but seeing all 100 million Berries in person was overwhelming.

Arlong's amused expression darkened. He had underestimated her.

"Arlong! I brought the money!" Nami's voice rang out, determined, unwavering. "Now, fulfill your promise!"

For the first time, uncertainty flickered in the fish-man's cold, yellow eyes. The crowd erupted with cheers, and for a brief moment, hope surged through them.

But Arlong's twisted mind was already at work.

"This promise? My uncle will gladly keep it."

His voice was smooth, almost pleasant, but there was a cruel glint in his eyes.

The fish-men behind him exchanged glances. Something was off.

Then—

"Boys! Raid the village again!" Arlong roared, his grin stretching wider. "I never said I wouldn't take it back later!"

His crew erupted into laughter, the deception now fully revealed.

"Souga! I thought Arlong had gone soft for a second!"

"Haha! This is genius! We get 100 million and the village!"

"That's right! You buy it, we take it back! Try again next time, Nami!"

The villagers' cheers turned to gasps of horror. Nami's face drained of color.

"You bastard! You're breaking your word!" she screamed, shaking with fury.

Arlong only laughed, flashing his sharp teeth. "Break my word? No, no, Nami. I sold the village to you. I never promised not to take it back."

Nami's hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.

"You lying piece of—"

Arlong's eyes flashed with ruthless amusement. "Nami, let me teach you something. The world is ruled by the strong. The weak don't get to make the rules."

His voice dropped into a venomous growl. "You're just scum."

The fish-men roared with laughter, reveling in her helplessness.

Arlong reached into the suitcase, running his webbed fingers through the stacks of bills. "This is really something. But you know what? I think I'll give you a discount next time—200 million Berries!"

Gasps of rage echoed through the crowd.

At that moment, Genzo's eyes hardened. He had held back for years, waiting, hoping. But now, it was clear—Arlong never had any intention of keeping his word.

Enough was enough.

He stepped forward, gripping his long knife tightly.

"Nami, you've done enough." His voice was firm, steady. "It's our turn now."

The other villagers nodded, their expressions fierce.

Genzo pointed his blade at Arlong. "Today, we put an end to this tyranny. This is for Bell-mère."

"That's right! Even if we die, we won't let you keep torturing us!"

"Damn you, Arlong! We're taking Nami back!"

Arlong sneered. "Oh? So you worms think you can fight?" He turned to his crew. "Crush them."

Chaos erupted. The villagers fought with everything they had, but against the monstrous strength of the fish-men, they fell one by one.

Nami watched in horror, her body trembling. She had believed, she had tried—only for everything to fall apart in an instant.

She couldn't take it anymore.

Grabbing a wooden staff, she broke free from Nojiko's grip and charged.

"ARLONG! I'LL KILL YOU!!"

But Arlong didn't even flinch. With a flick of his fingers, he sent her flying, crashing against a tree.

The pain barely registered as tears welled up in her eyes. Why?

Why was this happening?

Why didn't the Navy come?

Why did Bell-mère have to die?

Why—

She choked back a sob, fists clenched against the dirt. "Somebody… help us."

And then—

A warm hand ruffled her hair.

"I told you, didn't I? Pirates never keep their word. You really are a fool."

Her breath hitched.

That voice—

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she looked up.

"Luffy… please! Help me!"