Here it is, the Arlong Park Arc has started! I'm very happy to be able reach this part. Oh I'm gonna enjoy writing this XD.
A little update: I changed the sneak peek on the previous chapter.
With that aside, let's get it started!
Disclaimer: I only own the OCs that appear in this story.
Chapter 16: The Eastern Terror! Arlong the Fishman
The sun has go down as Seth and co. were still on their way to a place where a certain orange haired girl might go. To recap, Nami left without a word in amidst of a skirmish against the Krieg Pirates. Usopp, Zoro, and the bounty hunter duo went after Nami with Seth sent Henry the Wigglytuff to give them a hand. And then Yosaku gone back to the Baratie to get the others… with a weird way. Now with Sanji sailing with them, there's a chance that they could handle for another battle in the near future.
The group are currently doing their own thing. Luffy, as usual, is goofing around the boat that they got from Baratie. Sanji is imagining about Nami and mermaids. And Yosaku are sitting around and doing nothing.
Seth, on the other hand, are currently discussing some strategies with Hoopa about his future battle with Arlong.
"There's a really good chance he might try to attack from the water." Hoopa said. "That or he could use some fishmen skills."
"That could be true." Seth said as he puts his hand on the tip of his chin. "If his biology is similar like a Sharpedo or a Garchomp, then he might try to bite or weaponizes them."
"That's one thing to look at it." Hoopa replied. Just before Seth could continue, Luffy spoke up.
"Hey, Yosaku! When will we get there?" Luffy said with a smile as Yosaku slams his hand to his knee.
"How can you be so naive!?" Yosaku snapped. "Don't you know that the place we're going to the most dangerous place in the entire East Blue!? It's because the island is occupied by Arlong and his crew of fishmen!"
"I kinda figured that out already." Seth casually said.
"Wait, you did!?" Yosaku said with shocking expression.
"Wow, you're awesome!" Luffy said.
"I've been meaning to ask; what were you discussing with Hoopa?" Sanji asked after he is snapped from his daydreaming.
"Discussing some strategies on fighting Arlong." Seth said casually.
"Are you out of your mind!?" Yosaku exclaimed as he grabbed Seth by the collar and began to shake him. "Do you realize how dangerous and stupid that sounds!? Fighting that monster is impossible!"
"First, you don't know that." Seth retorted as he removes Yosaku's hands away from him. "Second, that's practically the whole idea of why I want to fight him." He continued as he pulls out his list. "Plus, he's one of the people I wanted to take down on this list."
"But still, you're to going to end up dead!" Yosaku argued.
"Maybe, but I survived worst." Seth replied with a serious expression while Luffy pulls out a sketchbook and a pencil from nowhere in particular as he draws something. It doesn't take him long to finish it.
"Is this what a fishman is?" Luffy said as he shows everyone a drawing of what the straw hat boy interpreted as a fishman. It's just a regular fish but with multiple legs.
"I don't think that's a fishman, Luffy." Seth said as Sanji and Hoopa laugh at the drawing.
"CAN YOU TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!?" Yosaku yelled angrily as he sits down. "Okay, let me explain from the very beginning." The headgear swordsman said as he ready to explain something. "There's a reason why the Grand Line was called a "Pirate Graveyard". It's because there are powerful figures like Arlong rule over it. One of these powerful figures are the "Seven Warlords of the Sea"."
"Seven Warlords?" Luffy repeated.
"Yes. They're pirates authorized by the World Government." Yosaku stated.
"Seriously? What kind of pirates in this sea that want government approval?" Sanji asked.
"The kind that wanted protection, at the expense of some of their treasures. The Government will turn the other way as long as they answer to the call." Yosaku answered. "Because of this, people tend to call them "Government Dogs". Of course, they didn't get this privilege for being weak. These guys are insanely powerful. "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, the one who defeated Zoro, is one of them."
'I guess Doflamingo's one, given his reputation.' Seth thought.
"Wow! I can't wait to meet all seven of these guys! They sound awesome!" Luffy said with excitement.
"They sure are, but the Warlord that you really should know is Jimbei, a fellow fishman like Arlong." Yosaku continued. "He's far more powerful than someone you know. He can cause as much destruction as Arlong."
"Does this look like a fishman?" Luffy said as he once again show another drawing. This time, it's a drawing of a fish standing up with its tailfin that act as it legs and a pair of arms.
"That's just look like your first drawing except it's standing up." Sanji remarked.
"I say it's an improvement... more or less." Seth added.
"Arlong has taken control over 20 towns ever since coming to the East Blue! His strength easily surpass anyone you encountered including that of Don Krieg! He's devastating!" Yosaku continued.
"So why Nami would go after this guy all by herself?" Sanji asked.
"Isn't it obvious!? She goes after his bounty!" Yosaku said.
"Ah~! I wonder if she's a mermaid in disguise? That would be great~!" Sanji said with a lovesick expression as the smoke turns into heart shape.
"As much I would like her to be mermaid, I don't she's one." Seth stated, ruining Sanji's daydream.
"And how would you know that?" Sanji asked.
"When I pulled her to the water the other day, I didn't see her sprouting some mermaid limbs." Seth stated.
"You bastard!" Sanji said as he grabs Seth by the collar. "Why on earth would you do that!?"
"To be fair, she pushed me to the water first." Seth said as he gets the blonde cook's hand off of him.
"Is she looks like this?" Luffy said as he showed another drawing. It's like his second drawing with the difference is that it has hair.
"TEAR THAT OFF OR DIE!" Seth and Sanji yelled in unison at the terrible drawing.
"Do you morons even understand what I say?!" Yosaku exclaimed.
"We did. Fishmen being stronger than other men and yada yada yada." Luffy answered.
"Well, you don't." Yosaku said. "You never faced against a fishman before."
"Well, we will when we get there so don't worry about it." Luffy stated as Sanji stands up.
"Welp, I guess it's time to prepare dinner." Sanji said.
"Finally! I'm starving!" Luffy said as he lick his lips.
"Dinner? Like right now?" Yosaku said as Sanji walks forward and stops at the door.
"What you're in a mood for?" Sanji asked.
"I want meat right of the bone!" Luffy said.
"I want sautéed bean sprouts!" Yosaku chimed in, also hungry.
"I think I want some spaghetti with creamy sauce." Seth added, but not as enthusiastic as the two.
"Meat, bean sprouts, and spaghetti..." Sanji said as he turns to Hoopa. "And what about you?"
"I'm good. I'll just ask Seth to give me some Pokémon food." Hoopa answered.
"If that's what you want, then I won't stop you." Sanji said as he opens the door. "This won't take long."
"Man, having a cook was the best." Luffy said as he and Yosaku starts saying the names of the food they want to eat. Seth, however, is looking at the sea with a serious look.
"Hey, Seth." Hoopa said. "Are you still thinking about Nami?"
Seth proceeds to look away from the Djinn Pokémon.
"Despite that argument we had, I can't help but worry about her." Seth said. "If only I knew why she didn't bother ask me to help her."
"She must have some reason to do what she did." Hoopa said. "But let's worry for that later."
"Yeah, you got a point there." Seth said. Deep down, he worries about Nami... more than anything. 'Damn it... I still don't know why I'm worried about her.' He thought.
"You will learn, in time..."The familiar voice inside his head replied, seemingly to have read Seth's thoughts.
'No one asked you.' Seth replied to the voice inside his head as he wait for his meal.
(The next day...)
"Here's this month's take. I hope you enjoy it." A familiar man said as he puts a bundle of money on the table. The man is not human as his skin is light purple, and has shark like features, but the obvious stand out is his saw shark like nose. He wears a short-sleeved, unbuttoned yellow cabana shirt decorated by many black lightning-like spots, green shorts, a purple sash that is wrapped around his waist and simple sandals. For accessories, he has a golden chain bracelet around his left wrist, two golden bracelets around each ankle, with straw-like decorations hanging from them, colorful gem piercings on his fingers, and a brown ushanka. He also has a red sun tattoo on his chest and a tattoo on his left forearm. The second tattoo is like the one on the flag, which said flag is on top of the building. If one seen his wanted poster before, then they know this is the infamous Arlong.
Facing him is a Marine that unusually has whiskers and rat ears attached to his marine cap.
"Chi chi chi. Ah, Arlong. You're so much smarter than your regular, run-of-the-mill pirates." The Marine officer said as he takes the money that and proceeds to put it inside his shirt. "You knew how the world works."
"Shahahahaha!" Arlong laughed before talking. "Likewise! There aren't many Marine captains that who thinks the way you did. Because of that, you and I have some things in common than the other Marines out here."
"Thank you very much." The Marine captain simply said.
"Shahahaha! Don't thank me, thank money. It's the only thing you can count on this world." Arlong replied. "It's more reliable than people, that's for sure." He then turns to the Marine captain. "Don't you agree?"
"Of course." The Marine said with a sweatdrop on his face.
"Personally I hate all humans. But you're a tolerable that I found." Arlong said.
"Well then, that's good to know." The rat themed Marine said as he stands up, preparing to leave. "If you'll excuse me..."
"Why not stay for a little longer and have a drink with me." Arlong offered.
"I-I would, but the longer a Marine crew stay docked on a pirate island, the quicker we got an unwanted attention." The Marine captain replied.
"I'll kill anyone who reports you. Everyone knows that." Arlong said.
"Thank you. But I feel I must go." The Marine captain said as he proceeds to leave.
"I suppose it can't be help." Arlong said. "Hey! The captain is leaving! Escort him back to his ship." As he said that, something... or rather someone burst from the pool, revealing it to be a red skinned octopus fishman with six arms. Behind him is a big pot that floats on the water.
"Yes sir!" The fishman said. "The pot's this way. Hop in." He said while one of his hands poin towards said pot.
"I see. Thank you." The Marine captain said.
"When I see your face, it makes me want to laugh." The fishman said. "It's funny. You look like a rat!" He said as he laughed.
"Hey, Hachi. Watch your mouth now." Arlong said to the fishman named Hachi, or at least that's what Arlong called him. "The captain are our guest."
"Oh right. Sorry about that." "Hachi" said as he hold onto the pot so the Marine won't fall into the pool.
"Don't worry about it." The Marine captain said as he and his subordinates hop into the pot before Hatchi hops into the pool and begin to drag them like a carriage except it's aquatic style.
"Here we go, men!" Hachi said as he proceeds to escorts the Marine by swimming.
'These fishmen are disgusting. Such a vile group.' The Marine captain thought with disgust before grinning. 'But they sure pay well.' He thought as he found some use with them.
Meanwhile, Nami is currently on her way towards the building. And judging from the distance, it won't be long for her to arrive at the front gate.
"Hey you, get out of my way!" A boy suddenly appeared as he run towards Nami's direction with a sword in hand. "Arlong's going to die today!" He said as Nami turns to him with a glare. "He killed my Daddy so now he has to die."
Without a moment of hesitation, she pulls out her staff before beating the little boy with it.
"Arlong has no time to deal with whimpering little punks like you." Nami said coldly as she stares down at the boy. She then splits her staff into a three bars before putting them away. "You're too young. Go home." She then throws a bundle of cash near the boy. "Take this with you. Just stay out of trouble." as
"Go to hell..." The boy muttered as Nami opens the gate and enter.
(With Usopp's group)
Usopp and his group have just arrived at the sea entrance of Arlong's place, which is called the "Arlong Park".
"We're here..." Johnny said with frightened tone "This is Arlong Park."
"Arlong Park?" Usopp said with sweat drop. "So this is the hideout of Arlong, the Fishman pirate from the Grand Line." Usopp swallows a lump in his throat. "I hope Nami's really here..."
"He sounds scary..." Henry added as the Wigglytuff is trembling with fear. But he shrugged it as he has a determined face. 'No, I can't be afraid. Seth trusted me with bringing Nami. I have to do this...'
"Big Sis Nami's ship was the Going Merry." Johnny said as he about to explain his plan. "So before we do anything stupid, we should probably check the ship to see if it's really stopped on this island first."
"That's a good idea." Usopp said as he agreed on the plan.
Zoro then slam the deck with the sheath to stand up.
"Let's attack." Zoro said with serious look as he pushes his sword up.
"BUT I JUST SAID WE SHOULDN'T DO ANYTHING STUPID!" Johnny yelled with bulging eyes like Usopp.
"WHAT?! ATTACK!?" Usopp shouted with blank angry eyes. "WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE!"
"YEAH, THESE GUYS ARE THE FISHMEN!" Johnny added.
"WE NEED SOME KIND OF PLAN TO DO THAT!" Usopp said.
"I appreciate your concerns." Henry said with a determined look. "But if we don't do something, who knows what those fishmen will do to Nami."
"That's true, but..." Usopp said before he is interrupted.
"While you two are busy blabbering and wimping out, I'm placing my thoughts on the battle we're about to face!" Zoro said.
"Are you going to be okay, Mr. Zoro?" Henry asked. "I don't think your wounds are healed yet."
"Don't worry about me. I'll be just fine." Zoro replied. "Luffy and Seth told me to bring her back and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
"Yeah. We can't disappoint them." Henry added.
"See? The puffball gets it." Zoro said as Usopp and Johnny look towards each other. "Let's go-" He doesn't get to finish as Usopp and Johnny whacks them with their mallet, knocking them unconscious.
After a while, Usopp managed to spot the Going Merry with his binoculars.
"There it is!" Usopp pointed. "The Going Merry! It's right over there!"
"Then she has to be on the island somewhere." Johnny concluded. "We'll just have to find her."
"What do you think your doing!?" Zoro yelled. "Would you idiots untie us! We are not the enemy!"
Apparently, Zoro are tied up to the ship while Henry is tied up separately from Zoro.
"I know you both mean well, but not like this!" Henry said as he tries to inflate but failed.
Looks like Usopp and Johnny didn't listen to their complaints as they keep on going.
"We're east of Arlong Park here... at Cocoyashi Village." Johnny said, pointing at the map. "But that's strange. Why would she docked so far from the village?"
"Untie us, damn it!" Zoro yelled comically.
"Zoro, you're hurt way too bad to be of any help when we go ashore." Usopp said as he touches Zoro on his wound, causing the swordsman to squirm. "Just sit tight and relax. Just rest up, okay? You can help next time."
"But why you knocked me out too?" Henry asked, earning Usopp's attention.
"You were trying to get into Arlong Park with Zoro." Usopp answered with a smile. "So I'm leaving you here to look after Zoro since he's hurt. And besides, he could use some company."
"I know it's not my place to say this, but Seth will be very angry for this." Henry said, causing Usopp to shudder the thought of Seth punishing him.
"I-I'll be sure to explain that to him." Usopp said. "And never fear, gentleman and Pokémon, for I shall bring Nami to safety!"
"He's sure happy after skipping Arlong Park." Johnny deadpanned, now knowing that Usopp's a bigger scaredy-cat than he is.
"Good luck doing that." Zoro said, knowing full well how protective Seth is towards his Pokémon as well as him rescuing Nami.
"Prepare the anchor!" The long nose commanded. "Bring us to the side of the Going Merry!"
"Aye!" Johnny said as he proceeds to do just that.
"Ah yes, now that we're underway, it's time to give a name to this voyage." Usopp said proudly. "I think I shall call it "The Adventures of the Great Captain Usopp"."
This doesn't last long as he spotted three fishmen by the dock they're going to cross, causing Usopp to duck down in fear.
"What is it?" Johnny whispered. "What'd ya see?"
Usopp pointed it out and Johnny looked at what he was pointing at.
"It's fishmen!"The two yelled/whispered in unison.
"Full speed ahead." Usopp said quietly towards Johnny.
"Okey doke." Johnny replied as they managed sneak pass the fishmen quietly.
"Why didn't we just dock right there!?" Zoro yelled.
"Didn't you see?!" Usopp yelled. "There were three Fishmen over there and they're from Arlong's crew! We can't stop here right now!"
"Don't yell at me!" Zoro said as he kicked Usopp.
"If Arlong's flunkies are here, that means this whole area is under their control." Johnny stated. "What should we do now?"
"We could say that we couldn't find her..." Usopp said as he shudders once again about Seth. "But I don't think that's a good idea."
"Untie us now, you morons!" Zoro yelled at them while Henry is comically in tears.
'Why this happens to me?' Henry complained in his thoughts. '
The commotion, however, allows the fishmen in the docks to notice the boat.
"Never seen that boat before." A fishman said.
"Suspicious." Another fishman said as he and his friend jumps to the water and begin to swim towards the boat. What's worse is that Usopp and Johnny saw them jump in, causing the two to be scared.
"Let's run." Usopp suggested.
"Okay." Johnny agreed.
"Please don't do what I think you're going to do." Henry said as he and Zoro see the two idiots jump ship... or jump boat in this case to get away from the fishmen.
"You two better get back or you will die!" Zoro yelled.
"What I do? What I do?" Henry said with panic as the two fishmen are getting closer.
"Hey, pull it together!" Zoro said, trying to calm the Balloon Pokémon. "Are you sure this is what Seth wants you to do?"
Hearing those words echoes through Henry's mind. Before he could act, the two fishmen have gotten aboard the boat.
"There just this one guy and this pink furball." A fishman said to his friend.
"Maybe they just drifted here from real far out or something?" His friend said.
"Yeah right..." Zoro said while uncharacteristicly grinning.
'I'm so going to kill Usopp and Johnny for this.' Zoro thought.
"Maybe some idiots just left them to die." One of the fishman said.
"I think we should just take 'em to Arlong." The other fishman suggested as the boat began to sail.
Usopp and Johnny surfaced from the water.
"Forgive me Zoro and Henry." Usopp said, though he didn't see Henry floating towards the island. "I will tell Luffy and Seth that you two were courageous to the bitter end."
"Please forgive me too, Zoro, Henry..." Johnny cried. "I'll never forget you guys."
"Okay, now let's find some land." Usopp suggested, shifting his tone quickly.
"Right." Johnny agreed as he also shifting his tone.
Karma going to bite them one way or another.
(With Seth's group)
"Oh man. This is so good." Luffy said as he chews his favorite food once again, which is meat
"Yeah, this is great." Yosaku added as he is eating sautéed bean sprouts again.
"I don't really much about you." Sanji said. "This is a practice of an evening dinner with Nami."
"Whatever you say, man." Seth said as he eats spaghetti.
Little do they know, something from beneath is attracted by the smell of the food and it's heading their way. Getting nearer and nearer.
"Hey! That's mine" Luffy said as Yosaku takes the last meat before the straw hat boy could.
"You had your fill, now it's mine!" Yosaku retorted.
"Give it back!" Luffy said as he starts chasing Yosaku around the boat.
"Keep it down or I'll throw you both off!" Sanji said, having annoyed with their chase.
A giant silhouette went under the ship as everyone do their own thing... with the exception of Hoopa, who is alerted.
"Is something the matter, Hoopa?" Seth asked as Hoopa shush him, earning the attention of the others.
"I don't want to scare you, as much as I want to..." Hoopa said. "I think we're not alone here."
"What?" The others said as the aforementioned the silhouette rises up from the water.
"AAAAAH! A SEA MONSTER!" Yosaku yelled as he drops the meat he's holding.
"Mine!" Luffy said as he catches the meat and instantly eat it. He then noticed the figure that recently risen from the waters. "Wow! What is that?"
In front of them is a cow like sea monster with green stripes, horns, and a ring on the nose. While Sanji and Yosaku are shocked, Seth has disinterested looks on their faces and Luffy is in awed at the creature.
"Am I supposed to be afraid of this thing?" Seth deadpanned. "If so, it ain't working."
"Still, that's a big Miltank looking creature there." Hoopa remarked. "And it has Tauros-like horns too."
"But I still found it unimpressive." Seth added as he sees the Sea Cow sniffing the food.
"I see what's going on..." Sanji said as he blows some smoke from his cigarette. "You're hungry, huh?"
"Um, Sanji... I don't think that's a bad idea." Yosaku warned.
"Hey, Sanji. Let me do it." Seth said as he picks a plate of leftovers in Sanji's behalf.
"By all means." Sanji said as the red eyed trainer proceeds to extend it to the Miltank-looking creature.
"Here you go, big guy." Seth said as the Sea Cow draws closer towards Seth. "But first things first..." As he said that, he gives the creature a terrifying glare. "You eat me, and I'll gut you from the inside. Capiche?"
The Sea Cow nodded fearfully as it open its mouth. Seth responds by throwing the food to its mouth. The creature chews them before it mooes happily.
"Good boy." Seth said as he pats the Sea Cow in the head which it mooes happily again. 'Guess I was wrong, this thing's not bad. It's like a Pokémon.'
Sanji and Yosaku are dumbfounded while Luffy just laugh it off.
"Now that's out of the way." Seth said as he wraps a rope around on one of its horns. "Take us to Arlong."
"HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU DO THAT!?" Sanji and Yosaku asked him.
"I can't really put it into words..." Seth said as he scratches the back of his hair. "I have done something like this back where I'm come from."
'Just what kind of place did he come from?' Sanji and Yosaku asked in their thoughts as the Sea Cow moves forward while dragging the boat.
(With Zoro)
Things like aren't looking good for the Pirate Hunter as he was brought to Arlong. It's bad enough that he was tied up by a certain idiots, but straight up abandoning him is another thing entirely. With the exception of Seth's Wigglytuff, Henry, who stayed on his side to the very end. The most surprising fact is that he immediately sees Nami, who was revealed to be a part of the fishmen crew.
"I guess you guys finally get it." Nami said. "The reason I stick around with you guys is to get what I want."
Zoro only responds with silence while he glare towards Nami while Henry can only gulps at the sight.
"You were only serve my needs." Nami continued. "But I never thought that you were all so gullible to trust me."
"SHAHAHAHAHA!" Arlong laughed. "You heard Nami loud and clear, she had you completely fooled by her. She's cold blooded, to the point that she has betrayed her family for money."
Hearing those words made Nami bit her lips, it's as if that she tried surpress her anger. This also widen Henry as he can relate Nami's problem with him in the past.
"You better off accept defeat and forget the day you met her." Arlong suggested.
'I-I guess I have to do this...' Henry thought. 'This could kill me but here goes...' He then look towards Arlong with a serious expression he could muster. "I-I have to object... that statement."
"What?" Arlong said as he turns to Henry. "Big words coming from a small fry such as you."
"How cute. It puts on a brave face even its looks like it's scared to death." Kuroobi taunted, one of Arlong top subordinates.
"Knock it off, man. I don't like doing shits like this." A fishman said. He has red skin with rough exterior on his back, head and face, and arms. He wears cyan, unbuttoned floral shirt, purple shorts, and simple trousers. "Give the little guy some slack, would ya?"
"You seems to care a lot weaklings like this furball here, Stone." Kuroobi said.
"I'm not." The fishman named Stone said. "You really shouldn't judge someone by their looks, Kuroobi. It's gonna cost ya one way or another."
"Watch what you're saying, you softhearted coward." Kuroobi said as he gets close to Stone's face.
"Good, I rather being called "softhearted coward" over a brute who uses our martial art for attacking the defenseless!" Stone retorted as the two fishmen are about to fight one another.
"Not this again..." Arlong muttered under his breath. "Hey you two, cut it out right now!"
"Hmph." Both said as they look away from each other.
"I swear these two..." Arlong said as he facepalms as he tries to go back to the main subject. "Now where was I...?"
"Chu. You're talking about the pink furball." Chuu, one of Arlong's top subordinate said.
"Oh yeah. Right." Arlong said. "All things I said about Nami is true since you were shown by her cold hearted behavior seconds ago."
"I-Ifyou put it that way..." Henry said as he manages to get back on his feet. "How about an experiment?"
"Well this is interesting..." Arlong said with a smirk. "What do you have in mind?"
'I hope I know what I'm doing...' Henry thought. "I'm going... to dive to the pool behind me... And someone have to rescue me before I drown."
"Hey! What are you doing!? You do know I can't save you." Zoro asked as the fishmen starts insulting Henry before Stone shuts them up. Nami was shocked. She didn't expect for the Wigglytuff to try something like this. Henry was very timid, especially towards Nami. Then again, she forgot that Henry IS Seth's Pokémon. When push comes to shove, he really needs to get serious.
"Oh I'm not talking to you, Mr. Zoro." Henry said as he turns to Nami, who is under the impression that he's bluffing. "Here... I GO!" With that, Henry jumps off as he falls into the pool with a water splash.
"HENRY!" Zoro said.
Henry's little stunt surprises all of the fishmen in the area as well as Nami who really didn't see this coming.
"Damn it... I guess Seth trained his Pokémon a little too well." Zoro muttered as he puts his head down
"That puffball actually jumps to the pool." A fishman said.
"Maybe it's just want to get away from Nami." Another fishman said.
"Can't really blame the poor thing. She can be scary even to us sometimes." A third one added.
"Nah, I think it's trying to commit a suicide." A fourth one added.
"Just leave him." Arlong simply said as Stone simply stare towards.
'Now what will you do, Nami...?' Stone thought as his fishman comrades are laughing at the stunt, something that he annoyed at.
Can't stand how the fishmen ridiculing the Wigglytuff, Nami throws her sandals off of her feet and proceeds to dive into the pool, shocking Zoro.
Everyone waited for a few minutes until Nami surfaced with Henry, both are very wet and are breathing heavily.
"I can't believe it... She actually saved that little puffball!" A fishman exclaimed.
"It's not possible! There's just no way!" Another fishman pointed it out.
"I swear..." Zoro said as he sighed in relief.
"What do your think your doing!?" Nami asked.
"Sorry, Miss Nami..." Henry said. "I only do what Seth should have done if he was here. And since you saved me... I know what your true feelings are."
"What?" Nami asked.
"Even with all of those talks about using us for your own benefits, you still cared about us deep down." Henry said with a gentle smile.
"Don't..." Nami said furiously as she forms one of her hands into a fist. "TALK TO ME AS IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU LITTLE FREAK!" The orange haired girl said as she punches Henry across his face, flinching some fishmen as the result.
"Ouch. Now I really pity the poor thing." A fishman said.
"YOU STUPID POKÉMON!" Nami said as she picked him up with her two hands. "SAY THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU!"
"N-No matter how much you put an effort in putting that facade..." Henry said as he continuing to stare at Nami. "I already know your true colors."
To Nami, she really doesn't want to hit Henry, given his shyness towards women. But seeing him talking like that is has made her throw that out of the window as she push the Balloon Pokémon hard to the ground.
"You okay...?" Zoro asked him.
"I'm okay, Mr. Zoro..." Henry said. "You know, I should thank you."
"For what?" Zoro asked again.
But before Henry responds, Arlong speaks up as Nami go towards Arlong.
"Well, what do you want with them?" Arlong asked.
"Lock 'em up." Nami said. "I'll take care of them when I have the time."
"In that case-" Arlong said before something... or rather someone from his crew.
"Arlong!" A fishman said as he enters the Arlong Park.
"What is it?" The fishman leader asked.
"These two didn't come alone." The fishman said. "There was this long-nosed weird-looking guy with them but he managed to got away."
That news seemed to surprise Nami.
'What the hell Usopp!?' Zoro growled in his thoughts. 'You leave me and Henry but you got spotted anyway?'
'Despite what he did, I'm glad that Mr. Usopp is okay.' Henry thought in relief.
"I think he escaped to Cocoyashi village." The fishman told Arlong.
"Cocoyashi, huh?" Arlong grinned as he stands up. "That's perfect. Now I have two reasons to go. It's time to go have some fun."
Nami was just balling in her fist in anger with it shaking.
"Before we go, lock these two in the brig!" Arlong ordered his men as they gathered up Henry and Zoro. They then picking them up and moving them into a brig Arlong mentioned together to lock them up.
In the brig were Zoro and Henry, sitting close to each other. The room is dark and the only light is from the window. Despite that they cannot see one another, they feel that they're at each other's side.
"Hey..." Zoro began to speak. "That was a bold move you pull there."
"Yeah..." Henry said. "To be honest, I don't really want to talk to Miss Nami..." He said as he gulped. "But if I don't do something about it, who knows what they would do to us."
"I can see that." Zoro said. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Mr. Zoro." Henry said.
"First, just call me Zoro." Zoro told the Wigglytuff. "Second, do you trust her?"
"Despite my shyness towards women, yeah. I trust her." Henry answered as he looks up. "At first, I thought Nami was just like any other women out there. But after that fishman mentioned her family, her reaction... reminded me of Seth's past and myself. Because of that, talking to her is almost like I'm talking to Seth."
"You don't say." Zoro said. "And how did you figure that out?"
"I... can tell that she's been through a lot, just like Seth was." Henry stated as he took a deep breath. "I'm sure that you already know about my past."
"Just about how you ran away from someone." Henry said.
"Yeah." Henry said. "You see, when a trainer's Pokémon feel that their trainer is incompetent, they can either chose to disobey them... or abandoning them."
"That's something." Zoro said.
"We're living, intelligent beings like you after all. Not tools or slaves that anyone can use." Henry said with a serious look.
Suddenly, the door opened slowly, revealing Nami as the one who open it. She approaches them before pulling it out a knife which she use to cut down their restraints. After that, she began to walk away before stopping at the door.
"Get out of here." Nami said without looking at them. "Arlong is going to be back soon." As she said that, she left them. Henry and Zoro stands up as they see Zoro's Wado Ichimonji landed in front of them.
(Meanwhile, In Cocoyashi Village...)
Arlong is currently holding a man who appears to be the village's chief by the neck. Aside from the scars he had, he also has a windmill on his hat.
"Possession of weapons is a serious offense to my authority." Arlong said. "As an example to the other would-be rebels on this town, I'm going to kill you right now! So they can see the fate that awaits them!"
"Stop this! You can't do this, Arlong!" A purplish blue haired woman said as she comes out of her hiding place and approaches the fishman leader who turns to her. "We've paid you tribute for the last eight years. So why do you think that we would rebel against you? It makes no sense!"
Because of her actions, the villagers come outside of their homes as they side with the woman, telling Arlong to let go of the pinwheel hat man.
"Hoarding weapons is the same planning a rebellion against me!" Arlong said. "But on the other hand, I could destroy all of you when I feel like it." He said as serious tension steadily grows in the air. "While I let you to try and defend your friends, but a rebellion will not be tolerated."
"Everyone, just... go home!" The man said to the villagers. "Do you want to waste all of our work for the past eight years? We have to be patient."
"Genzo..." The woman said.
"Well, I agree with you." Arlong said as he lifts the man higher. "It's good to know that even a disgusting insect like you enjoy being alive!" He said as he slams the man named Genzo to hard, causing the latter to cough up some blood. He then turns to the others. "There's no way that any of you becoming close to the perfection of the fishmen! Shahahahaha!" He said before laughing evilly.
"Why you-" One of the villagers said before Genzo interrupted him.
"Don't move!" Genzo said. "He wants you to attack."
"But we can't just do nothing!" A villager said before Genzo held his hand up.
"Your deaths will mean nothing." The pinwheel hatted man said. "You must continue to be patient. Even if I die."
"That's a good ending for you." Arlong said as he picks him up with one hand. "Pay close attention, humans! This is what happens to those who defy me!" Just as he about to finish Genzo off, a certain someone intervened.
"Exploding Star!" A familiar voice said as Arlong get hit by something, causing him to let go of Genzo.
"What was that?" A fishman asked as he turns to his back and notice the culprit. "There! There's someone on the roof!" He said as his comrades look towards the culprit... is none other than Usopp who is folding his arms while trying not to look at the fishmen.
"Who is that guy!?" Another fishman asked.
"I... am the great warrior of the sea." Usopp said as his legs are shaking. "Captain... Usopp!"
"Usopp." The blue haired woman said as most of everyone are looking towards him.
"Also known as the Demon King Usopp, feared and hated by half of the world!" Usopp said as he tried not to feel scared, but his feelings betrayed him. "I have the command of 8,000 men, strong and vicious men!"
"That's him!" The same fishmen that reported to Arlong said. "That's the guy I told you about! The one with the long nose that got away!" He said as Usopp recognizes the same fishman from earlier.
"Bring on your 8,000 men. I'll crush them one by one." Arlong said with a dangerous tone of voice.
'Crap! The Exploding Star did nothing and now he's pissed!' Usopp exclaimed in his head.
"You repulsive human..." Arlong said as he turns to the long nosed sniper with an angry expression on his face. "WHAT CAN A CREATURE LIKE YOU DO TO ME!?"
In extreme anger, he went over towards a building where Usopp standing on as he proceeds to lift it with his bare hands.
"Arlong! Hold on just a second!" A fishman said, trying to calm his leader down.
"After losing Goza, we can't afford to kill off any more tribute money!" Another fishman said.
"If we lose some, we can always get more!" Arlong retorted as he proceeds slam the bulding to a house next to it, destroying both of them in the process.
"Usopp!" The blue haired woman said as Usopp is seen coming up from the pile of rubble.
"Am I dead yet?" Usopp asked to himself as he just climbing to the top of the rubble.
"He's not dead yet!" A fishman said as he stated the obvious.
"Oh crap!" Usopp said as he proceeds to take his leave.
"Get him!" One of the fishmen said as some give chase to him while others are busy restraining their leader.
"CATCH HIM! THEN TEAR HIM APART!" Arlong yelled as his subordinates are trying to keep him from going on a rampage.
"Let's go back to Arlong Park before he destroys everything." One of the fishmen said to his friend while trying to restrain Arlong.
"Yeah, I'm with you!" His friend said as they leave the village while trying to keep Arlong from breaking off of them.
"DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY! WHO'S THAT BASTARD THINK HE IS!?" Arlong yelled while he was carried away by his subordinates.
"Consider yourselves lucky today. " Kuroobi said to them as he proceeds to walk away with his comrades.
After Arlong's crew left the village, Nami arrived as the villagers return to their homes. She then look towards the damages as before heading somewhere. It doesn't take her long to reach her destination which is a single grave on the side of a cliff. She sits down and proceeds to put a bouquet of flowers on it.
"I only need to get 7,000,000 more berris." Nami said.
"You already have a bad reputation that just keeps getting worse." The same blue haired woman told Nami.
"That's fine. I am a pirate." Nami replied. "Arlong can be a reasonable guy when he wants to. I just need a little more money to finish our agreement." She said.
(With Zoro and Henry)
"She told me to run, but I don't know where to go." Zoro said as he sits on Arlong chair. Apparently, he wear a blue shirt that he got from a fishman. And speaking of them, all of them are either lying on the floor unconscious or some maybe even dead.
"You said that but you keep going to a wrong direction." Henry remarked.
"Shut up! Your direction just suck." Zoro said.
"No I'm not! I told you to go right, but you immediately go towards left." Henry retorted. "Because of that, they easily spotted us."
"We defeated them all so just relax." Zoro said as he looks to the sky.
Just as he about to take a nap, they heard something from the sea entrance of the place. They then see three fishing pole sticking from the walls.
"Incredible! What are you? Some kinda super fish?" A familiar voice said. "Not even the mighty Hatchan, octopus extraordinaire of the Arlong Pirates can pull you from the ocean! What an epic battle! I don't know who you are but you're the gutsiest fish in the East Blue!" The voice said as he manages pull himself with one of the fishing pole. "What the!? It was me all along!?" The voice said in realization as he fell down once the line snapped.
"Should we...?" Henry asked Zoro.
"Yeah, let's see who that is." Zoro said as they walk towards and proceeds to look the other side of the wall who is none other than the same octopus fishman that escorted the Marines.
"You are indeed the gutsiest fish in the East Blue, me. Hold on, that's not right."
"It sure is." Zoro said as the fishman noticed him and Henry.
"Hey! Who are you two!? Speak up now!" The fishman asked before he suddenly pointing himself. "Who, me? Well I'm Hatchan, but my friends call me Hachi!" Hatchan said as he introduced himself.
"You're a fishman too?" Zoro asked.
"Of course of course!" Hatchan said as he proceeds to a silly dance. "I'm amazing octopus fishman." He said as he turns to them. "It looks to me that you're a human and that is uh..." He said as he stops dancing. "Um, what are you exactly?"
"I-I can't tell you that." Henry answered.
"Oh well, it can't be help." Hatchan said as he shrugged the subject. "Are you Marines or guests?"
"Well..." Zoro said as he turn towards the bodies behind him and decided to lie. "You could say that we're guests."
"Arlong isn't here, is he?" Hatchan asked.
"No. We thought that you might seen him." Henry stated.
"Apparently there is a long nosed guy running around causing trouble." Hatchan answered. "So Arlong lock up his friends here then went to Cocoyashi Village to hunt down that pesky troublemaker." He said as he picks up his three fishing pole. Though he is unaware that the long nosed guy's "friends" are them.
'That Usopp.' Zoro thought as he and Henry climbs up to the top of the wall. 'Guess we have to save him.'
"So this Cocoyashi Village." Zoro said as he and Henry jumps down. "How do we get there?"
"Get in." Hatchan said as he point towards the pot with his free hands. "You two are our guest. Hop in, I'll take you both." He said as Zoro and Henry get into the pot which Hatchan use to carry them towards Cocoyashi Village. A few minutes later, they arrived at the village's dock as Zoro and Henry bid farewell to Hatchan. After that, they decided to look for Usopp before the fishmen capture him.
(With Seth's group)
"Whoa! There it is!" Luffy said as his group see Arlong Park in the distance. Apparently, Seth has Shira so she can help finding Nami and the others.
"Got anything yet?" Seth asked his Mightyena.
"Nothing yet, General." Shira replied.
"Go faster, cow!" Luffy said to the Sea Cow
"Is that where we're going?" Sanji asked Yosaku.
"Yeah, that's Arlong Park." Yosaku answered as Shira widen her eyes.
"Hold on..." Shira said as she sniffs the air a couple of times.
"General! I found Zoro and Henry!" Shira reported to Seth.
"That's great. Where are they?" Seth asked.
"They are in that direction." Shira said as she pointed to the right.
"In that case, let's go that way!" Luffy said pulls the rope so the Sea Cow would turn towards Zoro's and Henry's direction. Unfortunately, the Sea Cow is charging towards a big rock at full speed.
"Brace for impact, everyone!" Hoopa warned as the Sea Cow crash into the wall, causing the boat to be sent flying through the air.
"Whoa. It's almost like we're flying." Luffy said with a huge smile on his face.
"Almost!?" Yosaku exclaimed.
"We ARE flying, you moron!" Sanji stated.
"Forget flying, looks like we're falling!" Seth said as the boat falls to the ground but it still moving forward.
"Landing successful!" Luffy said.
"This isn't a plane, you rubberbrained dumbass!" Seth said as they see something... or a certain pair in the distance.
"Hey, it's Zoro and Henry!" Luffy said as the aforementioned pair are shocked at the sight of the boat.
"I got you, Henry!" Seth said as he transforms into his Meadow Plate form before using a vine to help Henry to the boat.
"Hey! What about-Gack!" Zoro said before he was rammed by the boat, which it still going until it got through some wetlands and crashed into the side of a cliff.
Around them is the wreckage of the boat. Seth pick himself as he turns to Henry and Shira.
"Are you two all right?" Seth asked.
"We're okay, General." Shira said as Henry nods.
"That's good to hear." Seth said as he notices the scratches on Henry. "Hey Henry, did you get hurt?"
"Yes..." Henry said as Seth examines him. After a while, he then gives out a gentle smile. "You did everything you could to bring Nami even if you got hurt by her in the end."
"Yeah." Henry said. This isn't the first time that Seth knows what his Pokémon had done by only a glance. "But Seth, there's something you should know about-" Seth held his hand in front of his Wigglytuff, causing the latter to stop talking.
"I can tell that you've been through a lot. So don't say anything else." Seth said as he pats him in the head. "Let's take it easy, okay?"
"O-Okay." Henry said as he nods.
"What... the hell..." Zoro said as he comes out from the wreckage, not looking happy. "Are you doing!?"
"We came to pick Nami up, duh." Luffy said before asking. "Have you found her yet? Where's Usopp and Johnny?"
"Usopp...?" Zoro askef before he remembered what he and Henry were doing before meeting Luffy and the others. "Oh no! Come on we gotta hurry!"
"Huh, why?" Luffy asked.
"That idiot got himself captured by Arlong." Zoro answered. "We have to hurry before-"
"He's dead." Everyone turns to a new yet familiar voice... who was revealed to be Johnny. And from the looks of things, he's in tears.
"Johnny...?" Seth said as he noticed him. Johnny then fall on his knees in front of them.
"We were too late!" Johnny said as he punched the ground and tears starts running down his cheeks. "Big Bro Usopp is dead."
"Something tells me that I'm not gonna like where this going..." Seth muttered as Johnny brings his head up.
"BIG SIS NAMI KILLED HIM!" Johnny yelled, shocking everyone.
"You're bullshitting me." Seth said with an angry expression as he went over to Johnny and starts grabbing him by the collar. "Don't screw with me, you piece of shit! There's no way Nami could possibly kill Usopp!"
"It's true! I saw her doing it with my own eyes!" Johnny said. "She was a traitor all along. She's been winning Arlong's favor so she can have the treasure buried in Cocoyashi Village all to herself. That woman is just a cold-blooded killer! She won't stop until she get's what she wants! Nami had us fooled the entire-
"ENOUGH OF YOUR BULLSHIT!" Seth interrupted him. "Say that one more time, I dare you! I freaking dare you, you spineless coward!"
"Calm down, Seth!" Zoro said to the angry Pokémon Trainer. "Johnny has nothing to do with this."
"Believe what you will, but I know what I saw." Johnny replied. "Nami killed Big Bro Usopp."
"Shut up!" Luffy said, joining Seth. "Never in a million years would Nami kill Usopp! She wouldn't do that to her friends!"
"But I saw it!" Johnny argued.
Shira suddenly growls at a certain someone. Everyone soon noticed as well.
"What was that about friends, Luffy?" Nami asked.
"Nami?" Seth and Luffy said in unison as the latter let go of Johnny.
"What are you two doing here?" Nami asked.
"We came to get you, obviously." Seth answered.
"Yeah." Luffy said as he picks up his signature straw hat.
"Tch. What a nuisance." Nami said.
"Excuse me?" Seth said, slightly offended with her response.
"Friends, huh?" She said. "Don't make me laugh. You're just pathetic enough to deserve each other."
"You hag!" Johnny shouted, running forward. "You killed him! I watched you do it! Now Big Bro Usopp is gone!"
"Yep, that's right." Nami smirked. "So, why don't you kill me and get your revenge."
"What...?" Johnny said, surprised.
"A little warning, idiots..." Nami said, twirling her staff. "Because of your friend's stupidity. Arlong is preparing to kill Zoro along with the entire crew. And I don't care how monstrously strong you guys think you are, but you're no match for the real monsters. I promise you, if you stay on this island you will die. So, you have a choice to make between life and death."
"You forgot the fact there bigger monster than them." Seth said as he pulls out an Ultra Ball. Apparently, he managed to calm down. "Tell me Nami, can monsters like them can control the weather?"
"Well that's..." Nami tried to find the right word, but failed.
"The answer is no, they can't." Seth said as he put the ball away. "There's always a bigger monster, whether you like it or not." He said as Nami bit her lips.
"It's true." Hoopa said as he come near Nami. "I could defeat them all with one attack if I feel like it. In fact, you never seen what I really look like."
"Hold up, this isn't your true form?" Seth asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, but I don't really want to talk about it." Hoopa said as Zoro steps forward.
"Where's Usopp, Nami?" Zoro asked.
"With the fishes." Nami casually said.
"Damn you...!" Zoro said as he about to charge towards her but not before Seth outstretch his hand to stop him.
"Getting angry is exactly what she wants you to." Seth calmly told Zoro.
"But still...!" Zoro said.
"I would be angry too if I was in your shoes." Seth said. "So calm down, Zoro."
"Fine..." Zoro said as he backs off.
"If you don't have anything else to do, you should leave while you still can." Nami advised. "You outsider's have no right to butt-in to his islands affairs. The only reason I got close to you idiots was that I could rob you of everything you had but now that your broke it looks like the dream's dead. So go, take your ship. Go on. Find a navigator dumb enough to join you and go to the Grand Line. Continue on your quest to find the One Piece or whatever. Just leave here, you're an eyesore!"
'Wow. That's really hurtful.' Seth thought.
"Especially you." Nami said as she turns to Seth. "Why don't you go back to your world or whatever you called! You really getting on my nerve!"
'Well, that's not a nice thing to say.' Seth thought.
"Just so you know, her words betrayed her true feelings." The voice in his head said.
'I think I can see that, but thanks anyway.' Seth replied to the voice.
"Nami..." Luffy said as he falls to the ground flat on his back.
"Big Bro Luffy!?" Yosaku said.
"I'm sleepy." Luffy muttered.
"Sleepy!? At a time like this!? In the middle of the road!?"
"Well, I'm pretty tired." Luffy stated. "I'm not gonna butt-in to their affairs. Not interested. But I'm not leaving either. Night."
"Huh!?" Was all Yosaku managed to say.
"Big bro...?" Johnny said.
Zoro places a hand on his forehead. Luffy began snoring, showing that he really was asleep.
"Same goes for me." Seth said as he fold his arms while looking towards Nami with a glare. "I came here for Arlong and to get you. I don't give a Rattata's ass about the affairs this island has." He said, imitating Nami's cold tone. "I bet you have already sold that Pokémon Egg to Arlong, haven't you?"
This causes Nami to be lost of words while her anger grows ever stronger.
"I guess it's pretty clear that treasure is more important than any dumb old egg." Hoopa remarked. "Seeing how you reacted with money, I'm not surprised that you gave it away for money."
"Fine." Nami said, clenching her fist tight. "WHATEVER! JUST GO AHEAD AND DIE!" She then dashed off the other direction. Sanji tried to yell after her but it was too late.
"*sigh* This certainly does not make things any easier." Seth muttered.
To be Continued...
Next...
S: I'm with Luffy on this one. I'm staying right here.
SN: He's alive.
S: You know, there's a punishment for knocking Henry out and tying him up.
L: Usopp!
?: Who were they anyway?
U: From the looks of it, I say that there's a motive for Nami to join up with those ruffians.
S/H/L: Next time on A Star in the Ocean, Chapter 17: A Navigator's Origins
L: I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!
That's it for chapter 16.
Concerning Stone, he is a OC fishman that will fight Luffy in the near future since Seth is going to fight Arlong. And he is a stonefish fishman.
Henry's personality a little bit similar to Courage the Cowardly Dog.
Review and comments are appreciated :)