Chapter 18: Friends
(With Nami)
'Just a little more and this village will be free, Belle-mére.' Nami thought after she woke up. She then stands up before heading outside.
She proceeds to streches her arms in the air before putting them.
"One more little job." Nami said. "Let's get to it." Before she can do anything, she heard several footsteps from her right as she look to her right. She then sees a bunch of Marine led by the same Marine captain that Arlong talked with.
'The Marines!?' Nami exclaimed in her head before noticing Genzo with them. 'Why is Genzo doing with them?'
"Chi chi chi chi. Are you the "Pirate Thief" known as Nami?" The Marine captain asked, but he was met with silence as Nami stood there in shock. The captain decided to take that as a yes. "According to our investigation, you buried a good deal of plundered treasures somewhere in this tangerine growth." He said, surprising Nami as well as Genzo. "My name is Nezumi and the government hereby confiscated everything that you stolen. It is required that you cooperate with us immediately. You see, we don't come here to arrest you but theft is a theft so we shall take your stolen goods."
"Isn't that something?" Nami said with a smirk. "I can see why that you're passionate in duties. You won't bring a brutal gang of pirates to justice, but you're willing to take a sneaky thief like me down." She said, trying to intimidate the Marines. "I'm one of the leader of the Arlong Pirates. If something happens with me, Arlong won't sit by quietly."
"Silly girl. Do you know who I am? Do you honestly think you can intimidate me?" The Marine leader said, feeling unthreatened. "FIND THE STOLEN GOODS!" He ordered as his subordinates went pass Nami.
"DON'T MOVE!" Nami shouted them, but they didn't stop. She run towards two of them while pulling her staff. "I SAID STOP!" She shouted as she takes down two Marines who were trying to find her stash. After that, she turns to Nezumi. "Is this what the Marines should be doing!? The Arlong Pirates are murderers! They destroyed entire cities and you did nothing! He's ruling this island and trampling over people's lives! You ignored his atrocities to steal from a thief!? Is that how you stand for!?"
"Chi chi chi. Big talk from a filthy criminal." Nezumi said, unfazed by Nami's words. "Continue the search!"
"Every people on this island has been waiting for the Marines to help them! How dare you pass them in order to come here in search money!" Nami said.
"Sir, this tangerine orchard seems suspicious." One Marine reported.
"Dig it up." Nezumi ordered as Nami proceeds to smack the Marine down to prevent him from digging the tangerine orchard.
"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM BELLE-MERE'S TANGERINE ORCHARDS!" Nami shouted. She then proceeds to take down two more Marines who are about to dig for her stash. "KEEP AWAY FROM MY MONEY TOO! That money is for… it's for…"
"THAT MONEY WAS MEANT TO SAVE COCOYASHI VILLAGE! WHAT GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HER!?" Genzo snapped. "Damn you!"
"Oh? The village representative is talking back to me?" Nezumi said with an arrogant smile. Nami also surprised at this.
"Genzo…" Nami said as she look towards the pinwheel hatted man. "How did you know?"
"I always know." Genzo answered, leaving Nami in shock. "After you told us that you join the Arlong, I confronted Nojiko about it sometime later. Since then, everyone has known that you stayed in Arlong's crew so you can save the village. But we all agreed that we never tell you that we knew. If you ever have a thought the village were placing their hopes into you, then you may never leave for fear of letting us down."
"That… can't be." Nami said in surprised.
"Hold on just a minute." Nezumi said smugly. "Are you basically telling me that everyone in this village is a thief? And that we should arrest every one of them? Is that what you're trying to say?"
"What he meant that every one of us are fighting to survive!" Nojiko appeared as Nami, Genzo, and Nezumi look towards her. "We have to fend for ourselves since we can't afford to seek help from you government people. If you come here for other than helping, then get the hell out of here! And be quick about it before Arlong will sink your ship too!"
"Arlong will? I highly doubt that." Nezumi said, leaving Nami in shock. Not to Nojiko's speech, but to Nezumi. He then turns to his men, who are searching in the orchard and began to enter the house. "Come on, Keep searching! It's only 100,000,000 berris for god sake! Not great of a price!"
Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo are shocked on how Nezumi knew the amount of Nami's money.
"You bastard! How did you know the amount?" Genzo asked with his fist trembles in anger.
"Oh, I don't know." Nezumi answered. "I just had a hunch that is the exact amount of it."
"It was him, wasn't it…?" Nami asked as she realizes that Arlong might told the rat Marine about Nami's money. She then clenched her fist in anger. "Tell me! Arlong sent you here, didn't he!?"
"Chi chi chi. Me? Working with a pirate?" Nezumi asked, feigning innocent. "How rude. I'm just a public servant, dealing with thefts like any other government officials do."
"YOU CORRUPT MARINE SCUMBAG!" Genzo shouted.
"YOU MARINES ARE NOTHING BUT PIRATE CRONIES!" Nojiko added as Nami gritted her teeth in anger.
'Arlong…!' She said in her head as tightening her grip of her staff.
"SIR! I FOUND IT!" A Marine reported, shocking the three as Nezumi go towards to one of his men. He then proceeds open the buried chest, revealing the treasures in it.
"Ha ha! Impressed that you're able to gather this much treasure!" Nezumi said as lift some of the coins.
"But it's all raggedy and covered with blood." His subordinate said.
"No matter. Money's money." Nezumi said as he picks up two bundles of cash. 'Chi chi chi. 30% of this is all mine.'
Nami, however, is extremely offended by the Marines. You would be angry too if you saved up a lot of money only to be found and taken by strangers.
"Sir! I found an unusual looking egg!" A Marine said, with the Pokémon Egg on his hand.
"Is that-!?" Genzo said in shock.
"That egg!" Nojiko added as she recognized it.
"Oh. Unusual you say?" Nezumi said, with interested look. He then dons an evil expression. 'This egg could make quite a fortune.'
"Don't touch them…!" Nami growled as she slowly approaching the corrupt Marine. Finding her money was one thing, but finding and tried to sell the egg of an unborn Pokémon is little too far, the only thing she has from Seth. "Don't touch them. Don't touch them!"
"Nami!" Nojiko said as she and Genzo rush towards Nami in order to stop her getting herself killed. Nezumi replied with another smug smile.
"Stop it! DON'T TOUCH THEM! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!" Nami said as she proceeds to charge towards Nezumi, who simply pulls out a gun and proceeds to aim it at her. But once she comes close, Genzo hold her back by grabbing into her right hand while Nojiko stands in front of her.
"Fool." Nezumi said with a smug smile.
Just before he pulls the trigger, an intervention appears in the form of Freeze-Dry sphere appears out of nowhere and hits the corrupt marine's hand that has the gun on it.
"What!?" Nezumi exclaimed as he sees that his hand is frozen along with the gun.
"Colonel!" His subordinates called out as they were surprised as Nojiko and Genzo.
'Wait… It couldn't be!?' Nami exclaimed in her head. 'There's only one who can do that and that's-'
Suddenly, Snowy jumps out from the tangerine orchard as she immediately gets in front of Nami to defend her.
"Snowy!?" Nami exclaimed in shock.
"Snowy!?" Nojiko also exclaimed as she just as shocked as Genzo.
"If you want to hurt her, then you'll have to get through me!" Snowy proclaimed in a defensive stance.
"Did that fox just talk!?" Genzo exclaimed, still surprised like Nojiko. Nami, on the other hand, has an expression of shock and a bit of relief.
"Even after what I done, you still help me?" Nami asked. "Even after I called you stupid?"
"Of course, I help." Snowy said. "After all, that's what friends are for."
"Snowy..." Nami said. She can't help but worry that she may need to keep Snowy out of Arlong's sight.
"You little...!" Nezumi said as his subordinates pull out their gun and proceed to aim at the Vulpix. "I'm a Marine Captain! How dare you a filthy fox like you attacked me!"
"Ask me if I care, you Ratatta faced jerk!" Snowy retorted. "I heard that the Marines are supposed to be helping people around. Not making shady deals with pirates!"
"How... dare you!" Nezumi growled.
"I'm going to give a chance to back off from the treasure and the egg." Snowy demanded.
"You little...!" Nezumi said as he turns to his men. "Shoot that filthy fox!"
"Snowy, get out of here!" Nami called out.
"I'll be fine! Don't worry!" Snowy said before her body glows bright blue. Then, a ring of ice shards forms around her body as it spins like a wheel. "Ice Shard!" Snowy shouted as she hurls them towards the Marine, causing them to drop their weapons as they feel the icy shards.
"Amazing..." Genzo said. As if seeing the fishmen wasn't enough, he was shocked to see a talking snow fox that literally uses an ice attack.
"Can't believe Nami went and befriend unique looking fox..." Nojiko added.
"Hraah!" Snowy proceeds to lunge towards Nezumi as she grabs on to one of the corrupt Marine's legs.
"Let go, you stupid animal!" Nezumi said as he tries to shake her off of him. After a couple of tries, the corrupt Marine manages to knock Snowy as he kicks her away while he at it, sending her backwards before she lands on the ground.
"Snowy!" Nami said.
"Just stay down like a good fox or whatever you are!" Nezumi said as he stomps Snowy, preventing het from getting up as she screams in pain. "I'll teach you not to stand up to me!"
"You get away from her!" Nami shouted as she smacks him away with her staff, freeing Snowy from his foot. She then turns to the Marine that was holding the egg. "You too! Keep those filthy hands to yourself!" She then smacks the soldier away before she get holds her Pokémon Egg before placing it down.
"You rotten thief...!" Nezumi said as he was helped by some of his men. "This isn't over! You won't see the last of me!" He said as he and his men retreated from the house, but not before they took her money.
"Damn those bastards...!" Nami said as she proceeds to hold Snowy.
"Snowy!" Nami called her Pokémon out.
"I'm fine... Nami." Snowy said, clearly hurt by that rat of an Marine.
"Poor thing..." Genzo said as he has eyes shadowed by his cap.
(With Luffy)
The straw hat boy is currently leaning against a palm tree while thinking about something. Something Genzo's pinwheel that he saw when the village leader was escorting Nezumi and his men, which he thought to be cool.
"I think I have come up with something interesting!" Luffy said with a grin.
"Oh really? What was it?" A familiar voice said as Luffy turns to the source... who was Seth. With him are Hoopa and his Mightyena, Shira.
"Oh hey Seth!" Luffy greeted. "Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing much." Seth asked. "Just checking on you, that's all. So what were you doing?"
"Thinking about a brand new move." Luffy answered.
"Oh really?" Seth asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, just saw a guy with a pinwheel hat." Luffy added.
"Ain't that something." Seth said as he placed a hand on the tree.
"Oh and I saw some fishmen on my way here." Luffy said. "They're like nothing I imagined."
"Unsurprising, considering your definition of fishmen." Seth remarked.
Just before Luffy can reply, he was interrupted.
"Doctor! Doctor!" Genzo's voice can be heard by them as they see something crowded in front of them.
"What's wrong, Genzo?" Nako said as some of the villagers gathered around them.
"It's this fox that seems to know Nami! The poor thing got hurt!" Genzo said as Nami bring the bruised Pokémon on her arms.
"I may not be a veterinarian, but I'll see what I can do." Nako said as Nami hands Snowy to the doctor. "Any idea how it got hurt in the first place?"
"It's those Marines." Genzo answered.
"The Marines!?" Nako said, as he and the villagers are shocked at the revelation.
"Yeah." Nojiko said. "It turns out that Arlong is in cahoots with those corrupt Marines! He never intended to hold his end of the deal!"
"That means...!" A villager said.
"Poor Nami..." Another villager added.
"He played our Nami like a fool!" A third villager said as Nami slowly angered.
Not too far, Luffy and the others noticed Nami among the crowd.
"Oh hey it's Nami!" Luffy said. Just before he come and greet her, Seth stops him.
"Don't. Let me." Seth said as he approaches Nami in Luffy's steed. 'Act natural, Seth. Even if Nami will go rough with you.' He thought as he takes a deep breath before he's finally near Nami.
"Hey, Nami!" Seth greeted. "Is there something I can help you with?" He said before he sees Snowy in Nako's hands. "Hey, did something happened to Snowy-"
All of a sudden, Nami turns to him with an angry expression.
"Why are you still here!?" Nami asked.
"What's-Whoa!" Seth said before Nami grabbed him by the collar.
"I told you to leave our island!" Nami said before she throws him aside, causing him to land on his butt.
'Arlong... Arlong...! ARLONG!' Nami thought as she proceeds to run towards Arlong Park in need of an explanation.
"I knew I see that coming, but still surprising." Seth said Luffy, Hoopa, and Shira approaches him.
"What's her deal?" Luffy asked.
"It's best that you don't know." Seth replied as Luffy returns to tree before sitting and leaning like before. Seth approaches the crowd to see Snowy's condition.
(With Nami)
"Arlong!" Nami shouted Arlong's name as soon as she enters Arlong Park. Arlong and his men then look towards her
"What seems to be the problem, O skilled surveyor of ours?" Arlong asked with a cocky grin.
"Those Marine maggots you keep on your payroll stole every last of my money!" Nami said as she grabbed Arlong by his shirt after she's near Arlong's side. "What's that crap about dying rather than breaking a promise concerning money!?"
"Refresh my memory. Did I break that promise?" Arlong retorted.
"Don't play dumb with me! I know you're working with the Marine-" She doesn't get to finish as Arlong grab her by the face.
"When exactly did I break that promise?" Arlong asked. "Well? Speak up, girl!" He then proceeds to laugh along with his men while Nami is in tears of anger. Arlong then look to her. "Too bad. All your stolen money got stolen. But a deal is a deal; If you can't come up with 100,000,000 berris, then both of you and that village will stay in possession forever! You know the terms."
'Damn you... damn you!' Nami cursed in her head.
"Shahahahahaha! It's only 100,000,000 berris! Start saving it again and you'll have it in no time!" Arlong mocked as he turns to her. "Or are you going to run out on me? Because if you do, I'll kill everyone in the village!"
Hearing that threat, Nami swats his hand away from her before she runs away.
"Oh? Run away so soon?" Arlong mocked as he laughed.
"Should we go after her? She'll might leave for real." Hatchan said.
"Just let her go." Arlong replied. "Trust me, Hachi. She's not going anywhere. There's no way she will abandon the lives of those villagers."
"Choo. Now that's what I called playin' dirty." Choo commented as his boss laughed again.
"As if I let go of an asset like Nami that easily!" Arlong said. "She'll have her freedom once she charted all of the world's ocean!" He explained. "I'm may be cruel, but I'm not completely heartless."
Once he laughed, most of his men follow suit.
"That's gonna take a decade!" A fishman said.
"Or she could be a complete wreck by then!" Another fishman said. They'll get their comeuppance soon enough.
(With Seth)
"The little fox just got bruises. But nothing too lethal." Nako said as he done patching Snowy up. Currently, Seth is in the doctor's room. He had Hoopa and Shira go back to the others so they can get ready for what it seems to be the upcoming battle. "A little rest and it should be fine."
"Thank you, doc." Seth thanked.
"I trust that you can handle this from here and out?" Nako asked.
"What are you gonna do?" Seth asked.
"A little something..." Nako said as he leaves Seth.
"Welp. Now that he's gone..." Seth said as he transforms into his Mind Plate form. "Heal Pulse." Once he touches Snowy, her body is surrounded in a pink healing wave as it heals her.
Once the wave vanished, Snowy open her eyes as she looks at Seth.
"Seth?" Snowy asked.
"Yo. How are you doing?" Seth asked.
"I'm fine." Snowy said.
"You ended up hurt when protecting Nami, didn't you?" Seth asked.
"Yes." Snowy replied. "Now that I know her circumstances, I couldn't just stay in my pokeball and do nothing."
"It's all good." Seth said as he rubs her by the head. "You did everything you could, and that's what matters."
"Yeah." Snowy said with a smile.
'I may have to do something with Nami.' Seth thought.
(From outside)
"No matter the pain and humiliation we endured under Arlong, we swore to fight the long fight so that Nami could meet their demands!" Genzo said, as he and every last one of the villagers are armed with things they can use as weapons. "But they lied! They never intended to honor their agreement! Instead they stole our only chance at freedom! So now we should make those filthy fishmen pay for the years of manipulating a kind young girl!"
"Yeah!" The villagers including Nojiko said as they raised their weapons.
"Everyone, wait!" They then see Nami, who is walking towards them.
In the same time, Seth comes out with Snowy from the doctor's house. They then see Nami as well.
"Nami..." Snowy said as Seth observe the scene.
"It's okay! I'll take care of it!" Nami said with a fake smile while approaching to them. "It's not that much money! I can find them no problem! I'm used to this so don't worry!"
"You're not fooling anyone at this point." Seth muttered.
Instead of reply, Genzo approaches Nami and hugs her.
"You've done enough..." Genzo told her as he shed a tear. "You have to know that there's no point now. You struggled so hard carrying our lives on your back this whole time. I can only imagine that joining them must've been more painful than being stabbed to the heart."
"Genzo..." Nami said as she began to tear up.
"Now... set yourself free from this village." Genzo ordered.
"Genzo...!?" Nami said with widen eyes.
"Nami, do it!" Nojiko said.
"Not you too, Nojiko!" Nami said.
"Nami..." is A villager said.
"Go on." Another villager added.
"You're an exceptional young woman. And you have a dream!" Nojiko said.
"Everyone, listen!" Nami said, looking desperate. "You're not going anywhere!" She said as she pulls out a knife that pointed towards them. "Just stay where you are! I won't let anyone else getting hurt by these monsters!" She said as she tries to hold back her tears. "You'll all die...!"
Unfazed by her attempt, Genzo approaches Nami once more before grabbing the knife. Nami tried to pull it out but with little success. She looks like she's going to break any second.
"Nami, it's no use. We've made up our mind." Nako told as he also has a weapon on hand.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Genzo yelled at her, leaving her stunned. "Move out!" He commanded as he unsheathes his sword and raised it to the air.
"We may not win but we will... GIVE THEM HELL!" Nako shouted as he and the villagers charged towards the Arlong Park while also pass through Nami.
Once the villagers leave, Nami instantly gets on her knees before she heard Arlong laughing in her head. She then glares towards the Arlong tattoo on her left shoulder as she slowly hold on to it with extreme hate and anger. She then grabs the knife and stabs her left shoulder where the tattoo is.
"Arlong! Arlong! Arlong! Arlong!" Nami said, still stabbing the tatto. "Arlong! Arlong-" Suddenly, a hand stops her from stabbing as Nami look who it is... and that is Seth. With him is Snowy.
"Seth...?" Nami said as she dropped her knife to the ground. "What do you want? You don't know about me. You don't know what's been happening for the past 8 years."
"Actually, I do know. But I chose not to care." Seth replied, with calm expression.
"This has nothing to do with you!" Nami told him. "I told you to leave this place!" She said while digging her fingers into the ground.
"That you did." Seth simply replied.
"So leave!" Nami shouted as she throws the dirt to Seth's feet. "GET OUT OF HERE! GET OUT OF HERE NOW! GO! GO AWAY! GO!"
Unfortunately, Seth remained unfazed as he stood tall where Nami keep throwing the dirt towards his feet. To be perfectly honest, he doesn't like seeing Nami in this state.
Nami then stops as she continued crying. She knows that it's also no use making him or the crew to leave.
"Seth..." Nami said as she turns to him with a tear stained face. "Help me..."
"Of course..." Seth told with his shadowed eyes, he then pulls out his ocarina. "Give me your hand." Seth said as she raised her hand, allowing Seth to give her the item. "Things will get messy, so I don't want to break this." He said as he turns to Snowy. "Snowy, keep an eye on Nami."
"Okay, Seth." Snowy said as she nodded.
Seth then turn around before taking a deep breath.
"I'M GOING TO MAKE THAT ASSHOLE WISH HE NEVER SET FOOT IN THIS ISLAND!" Seth yelled.
"Seth..." Nami said as Luffy approaches Nami and as he place his precious hat to Nami's head.
"We'll make him pay, don't worry..." Luffy said as he and Seth turn around and leave towards the others, who were waiting not too far from them.
"Let's go." Luffy told them and Seth.
"Right!" The four humans and two Pokémon said as they ready to go to Arlong Park.
"In that case..." Seth then pulls out three more pokeball. "Kaze, Henry, Blaster! Come on out!" He said as he throws the pokeball in the air, summoning three of Seth's Pokémon.
"Time to battle, sir?" The Clawitzer said as he snapped his right pincer. "I'll do my best."
"I'm ready." Henry said with determination.
"It's time bring the fight to them. So let's go!" Seth said as the crew began to make their way towards Arlong Park.
The villagers has just arrived in the land entrance of Arlong Park. Sitting in front of the gate was Johnny and Yosaku, who were look beaten up.
"Did Arlong do this to you?" Nako asked, but none of the duo answered.
"Move aside. We have an unfinished business with Arlong." Genzo ordered.
"When we finally found out the truth about Big Sis, we realized the only thing we can do is to defeat Arlong in battle. So we decided to come back here and challenge him." Johnny explained
"Yeah, then we lost." Yosaku stated. "But only by a hair."
"I'm sorry but I can't let you through this door." Johnny said. "You have no chance of victory."
"What was that...?" Genzo asked, feeling offended.
"Be patient." Yosaku said. "It won't be long now. You see we're waiting for the arrival of certain men."
"What certain men?" Genzo asked.
"Don't worry." Yosaku assured. "They'll be here soon."
"I bet my life on it." Johnny said.
Not too far behind the villagers, the crew was walking towards Arlong Park. In a horizontal line was Zoro, Kaze, Shira, Luffy, Seth (who is in his Zap Plate form), Hoopa, Usopp, Sanji, Henry, and Blaster (who merely hops).
"There!" Johnny and Yosaku shouted as they stands up.
Genzo, Nojiko, and the villagers look behind them to see the 'certain men' that the duo mentioned.
"It's them." Nojiko said.
What's even more shocking that they see a giant green lizard with branch like tail, a gray and black hyena, a genie, a pink puffball that one can mistake as a doll, and a blue lobster with an oversized right pincer.
"But why would they come to defend our village...?" Genzo wondered. "And more importantly, what are those creatures?"
"Oh don't worry about them. They're with him." Johnny said as he pointed towards Seth.
"Him?" Genzo said.
"Yup." Yosaku nodded. "If those men can't handle Arlong and his gang, then there really is no hope. Not for this island, but also for the entire East Blue."
"Those are the faces of the five men who are here to change your destiny." Johnny stated. "Burn their images into your memory."
The five man crew and the five Pokémon walk towards slowly, all with determination in their expression.
"Step aside." Seth ordered.
(Inside the Arlong Park)
"Hey, do you think that those two idiots are members of Zoro's little crew?" Arlong asked Kuroobi.
"Zoro?" The ray fishman said with a smirk. "They seemed too weak for that. They weren't even worth killing."
"That's for sure!" Arlong said as he lets out a another laugh. Suddenly, a loud bang can be heard, causing him to stop laughing as well as surprising the fishmen. The second bang comes when the gate burst open and shatters into million pieces, which also caused several dusts to fly around it.
Once the dust settles, it reveals the culprit... who is Seth in Zap Plate form.
"What the...!?" Arlong said as Seth raises his fist up, crackles with electricity.
"Now which one of you chumps is Arlong?" Seth asked with serious expression.
"Arlong?" Arlong said. "Well that happens to be my name."
"Good." Seth said as he approaches his target. "This save me the trouble of finding your ass."
"Oh. And what are you supposed to be?" Arlong asked.
"A pirate." Seth answered with a glare.
"Hold it right there!" A fishman said as he and one of his buddy approach Seth.
"If you want to talk to Arlong, you have to go through us first." The second fishman said.
Seth just grabs their heads and slammed them into each other.
"Move it." Seth simply said as the two fishmen that was in his way fall to the ground.
"So, what does a pirate want to do with me?" Arlong asked, but he was met with silence. One of his fists is surrounded with yellow sparks, which grow into a ball of electrical energy. Without hesitation, he punches Arlong across the face with that fist, sending him crashing to a wall in the process.
He then bring his head up towards him.
"Who... the hell are you!?" Arlong asked, with a frown.
"That's for making our navigator cry, you son of a bitch." Seth answered.
In retaliation, many fishmen jumps out from the pool to try attacking Seth... well, emphasis on "try" because his Sceptile and Shira intervene and counter with Leaf Blade and Ice Fang respectively.
"Consider yourself out of your league." Kaze said.
"Agreed." Shira said. "We're tougher than we look."
'Those creatures was able to fend them off!' Nojiko exclaimed in her head before she realized a connection between them and Snowy. 'I wonder that Snowy is like them...?'
"Geez..." Sanji said as he approaches Seth. "You just had to run ahead by yourself."
"Well what do you prefer then? Just stand around and do nothing?" Seth asked.
"I didn't say that, you moron!" Sanji retorted. "I just don't want you hogging all the action."
"Yeah! Say some for me too." Luffy said as he get inside Arlong Park.
"Oh that." Seth said. "Why didn't you say so?"
"I'm starting to think that you started to act like Luffy." Hoopa said. "Not that I'm telling you that is a bad thing or anything."
"I don't mind if you hogs all the action." Usopp said as he walk inside Arlong Park. It appears that he is sweating in fear. "Less work for me, the better."
"I see that you're riled up as usual." Zoro said to Usopp as he enters the area too, along with Blaster and Henry.
"It's them!" Hatchan pointed towards Zoro and Henry. "It's that mysterious swordsman and that pink puffball I was telling you about."
"Roronoa Zoro." Kuroobi growled with arms folding. "And that pink weakling of his too."
"Those bastards tricked me!" Hatchan angrily said. "I can't believe I felt for it look, side, and inker!" He said before he realized he said the phrase wrong. "Wait...? Was it hook, line, and sinker?"
"Hey, look!" One fishman said after he noticed Usopp. "It's Long Nose!"
"Impossible!" Hatchan exclaimed as he also noticed Usopp. "We saw him getting killed by Nami!"
"He's alive, huh?" Choo said calmly. "That can only mean one thing..."
"Is that Nami was a traitor all along." Kuroobi concluded. "Just like I expected."
All the fishmen are looking at Seth and his four crewmates and his Pokémon stand by him, preparing to start a fight.
"Who...who are those guys...?" A villager stuttered.
"Hold it!" Johnny and Yosaku said in unsion crossing their swords together keeping the villagers back.
"That guy just decked Arlong!?" Nako exclaimed.
All of the villagers were just surprised about Seth sent Arlong crashing to a wall with a Thunder Punch.
"No human should be able to do that!" Genzo exclaimed.
"Are they..." Nojiko muttered.
"Didn't we tell you?" Yosaku rhetorically asked. "Just stay back here."
"Now do you understand why we're keeping you away from that fight? Because you guys will only get in their way." Johnny added.
"But why...?" Genzo wondered, aloud. "What reason could they have to fight?"
"They see Big Sis Nami was crying." Johnny answered.
"Do they need anymore reason than that to put their lives on the line?" Yosaku added.
"A pirate, huh?" Arlong grinned as he stands up. "Of course. That makes sense now. You've been after Nami this whole time." He said as he lets out another laugh. "Too bad! She's mine and I won't give her up that easily!"
"A bunch of idiots like you aren't worth Arlong's time!" Hatchan said as he also laughed. "We know how to deal with you!" Hatchan began to put his hand on his long mouth before making trumpet noises.
The villagers began to talk amongst themselves about the entrance. They seemed to know what's about to happen next.
"Oh no! It's here!" Nojiko said with a worried expression.
"AAH!" Usopp screamed. "What is going on here, you guys!?"
"Dunno." Seth answered. "But I think we're going to find out soon enough!"
"Every single one of you is about to become fish food!" Hatchan declared. "Take 'em out, Moomoo!"
Rising from the pool was none other than the same Sea Cow that Seth's group encountered. There is a large bump on its head as well as looking sad.
"It's a monster!" Usopp shouted. "That's the beast from the Grand Line that destroyed the town of Gosa!"
"Look who decides to show up..." Seth asked, while in a bad mood. "Didn't expect that you're in league with Arlong and his flunkies."
"And with the name Moomoo?" Hoopa said. "I think he just name it from Moomoo Milk or something."
Remembering that Seth's responsible for making him hit a wall, Moomoo turns around and begin to swim away.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Hatchan asked with disbelief. "Get back here, Moomoo! You can't just leave!"
"Oh? Leaving so soon? That's a real shame" Arlong said as Moomoo stops swimming. "But if you really want to run away, then who am I to stop you. Well?"
Like the use of Taunt, Moomoo turns around angrily as he charge towards the crew.
"AAAH! IT'S COMING RIGHT FOR US!" Usopp yelled in fright as he flails his arms around. "WE'RE DOOM!"
To make matter worse, the fishmen are also to try to attack them from the other side. Like a pincer attack, if you will.
"I don't have time for this!" Seth said with annoyed expression.
"Let me do it!" Luffy volunteered.
"By all means, captain." Seth said as he allows Luffy to take care of Moomoo.
"You're mine now, you dumb cow!" Luffy said as he raises his left foot before he chucks it to the ground. He then does the same with his right foot.
"For once, he's actually got a plan." Sanji commented.
"I don't know. He's usually not the planning type." Seth remarked. "Nevertheless, let's see what he has in store."
"But I have a bad feeling about this..." Zoro said.
Luffy proceeds to spin his body around before he readies for what's coming. He then stretch his hand forward at Moomoo and proceeds to grab him by the horns. The Sea Cow changes his expression from angry to sad.
"You know, I feel bad for the guy." Seth commented on Moomoo. "Eventhough he had his chance to swim away."
"His arms stretched!? How's that even possible!" Hachi exclaimed, surprised along with the other Executives. Even Arlong was surprised by Luffy's powers.
"So he must have Devil Fruit powers." Arlong observed.
The fishmen keep charging towards Luffy, regardless if he has Devil Fruit powers or not.
"Hey, let's get out of here! I don't like where this is going." Zoro warned the others.
"What's he going to do!?" Sanji asked.
"Let's see it from a safe distance. Let's go!" Seth said as he and the others run towards somewhere so they won't get caught in Luffy's attack.
"Time for something new!" Luffy shouted as he started spinning Moomoo. "Gum Gum Pinwheel!"
The spin was so powerful that it starting to pick up some wind, which knocked out the fishmen that was aiming towards Luffy. One that makes Genzo's pinwheel to spin like crazy. Arlong's top fishmen watch the scene with their mouths gaping.
"Hoopa! Why don't you show him the door?" Seth said.
"With pleasure." Hoopa replied with he uses one of his rings to open a portal in the sky.
Luffy eventually let go of Moomoo as the straw hat boy sent the Sea Cow flying towards the portal.
"And he's outta here!" Seth shouted as Moomoo went through the portal. The portal soon disappears as the ring floats back to Hoopa.
"Unbelievable..." Hatchan said.
"To think I've seen it all..." Stone commented as he just as shocked as the rest of his comrades.
In addition of defeating Moomoo as well as most of the fishmen, Luffy also destroy some parts of the Arlong Park in the process.
"I'm done playing games with you, Arlong!" Luffy protested. "I didn't come here to beat down all of your cronies! I came here to teach you a lesson!" He continued as he pointed his finger at Arlong. "So step up and let Seth kick your ass!"
"Seth? So that's the scum's name, huh?" Arlong said as he turns to aforementioned young man with a grin. "I will, don't worry. In fact, I was just thinking about how painfully I'll end his pathetic human life!"
"That was the worst plan ever!" Sanji growled with shark teeth as he kicks Luffy's head after he and the others come closer to the rubber boy.
"Yeah, were you trying to kill all of us too!?" Usopp shouted, also with shark teeth.
"Uh oh..." Luffy said as he just realized something.
From outside Arlong Park were the villagers of Cocoyashi all murmuring to each other about Luffy.
"First that young man and now the straw hat one." Genzo muttered, surprised. "They're incredible."
"I just can't believe that there's a human that can throw that giant monster!" Nako stated.
"It's as if... the gods themselves are fighting." Genzo muttered.
Back with Luffy and the gang, Luffy began moving around with his leg's still in the cement. The most intriguing part that when he moved around, he made a squeaky sounds.
"WHAT'RE YOU DOING!?" Usopp asked him angrily again. "DID YOU RUIN SOMETHING ELSE!?"
"How dare you hurt our brothers!" Hatchan said.
"Very well." Kuroobi said. "It would seems that we must now join the fight."
"It seem so." Stone said with a stern look.
"Now you'll get a proper education in the superiority of our species." Choo said as he turns to the Pokémon. "Same goes for you human lovers. Maybe a little lesson of siding with these lowlifes"
"Yeah!" Hatchan said. "Why are you on their side!?"
"What a stupid question." Kaze said.
"What was that!?" Hatchan retorted. "Who're you calling me stupid?"
"We side with the humans not because we have to." Kaze explained. "It's because we want to."
"So instead you chose servitude of a human?" Kuroobi asked. "Bad choice if you ask me."
"This isn't servitude. It's willingness." Blaster retorted. "We shared a bond with this human for the past 2 years. Something you fools cannot comprehend."
"Then you will die with these humans." Choo replied.
"Well then..." Zoro said with a grin. "Let's see you try."
Arlong simply smirks at the scene that is unfolding. He finds it impossible for these humans and those human loving freaks to win against his top subordinates.
"Relax, sir!" Kuroobi told Arlong. "Let us handle this."
"If you go on one your rampages to squash these insects, you could destroy all of Arlong Park." Choo reasoned.
"Just sit back and watch as we beat these humans and the creatures with them." Stone said. "I want to see if their claims can be backed up by their skills."
"Please! Just let us kill these weaklings!" Hatchan added.
"Alright, they're all yours." Arlong told his 4 trusted subordinates.
To be continued...
Next...
L: Uh guys...? There's something I should tell you.
SNJ: Looks like I ended up picking one hell of an idiot to be my captain.
C: Oh you're dead.
Z: Johnny! Yosaku! Gimme your swords!
U: This is! Flaming Star!
SNJ: It's the same expression that Sea Kings make before they snap!
S: I'm going to set her free... by destroying this building!
S/H/L: Next time on A Star in the Ocean, Chapter 19: Big Fishmen Festival
L: I'm going to be King of the Pirates!
Chapter 18's out! I hope you enjoy the prelude of the big fight!
The way Snowy attacked that rat Marine almost similar when Morgana (in his cat form) protected Haru from her fiancée (It's one of the scenes in Persona 5).
Now that my vacation has started, it won't be long until the next chapter to appear.
After this arc, there will be a breather arc for Karen, Seth's older sister. What is it about? You'll know when you see the next chapter's sneak peek.
Reviews and comments are appreciated :)