Chapter 7: Arlong Park
"Well, well, well, look who's back. Did you do this?" Tyler turned to the land based entrance of the park and there standing was the owner of the voice, Arlong.
Tyler stood frozen, just staring at Arlong. The feeling of betrayal and anger welling up in him. For a second all he could see was red, his pupils slitting. Then…he caught himself. Taking a deep breath he put on a neutral face and rolled his eyes.
"Oh please Arlong. Why would I do this? It's your ass I want to kick for betraying me. I have no reason to do anything to the rest. I just got back, after your crew tried to kill me, and leave my corpse out in the ocean. Jokes on them since I killed them instead." Tyler told Arlong.
"So you're here to fight me, huh? Hahaha. How about you try to beat Kuroobi first then, I'll gladly kill you." Arlong said, Kuroobi stepped up.
Tyler held up a hand and shook his head, "Yeah, no. I promised Nami I'd give her the chance to buy back her village first before I tried anything and unlike you. I'm a fish of my word. Now go ahead and check on these idiots." Tyler kicked one of the downed fishman getting a groan of pain.
Arlong kneeled down and grabbed one of the fishman in his arms, "What happened?"
"Roronoa Zoro...that guy with the haramaki we caught earlier was Zoro." The Fishman told Arlong.
"What?!" Arlong yelled.
"Chu!' Choo came walking into Arlong Park with Usopp held in his grip by the neck. "I finally caught him. I could've killed him, Chu! But I thought you'd feel a lot better if you killed him yourself."
'Fucking Usopp, welp I'm not saving his ass. I got my own shit to worry about.' Tyler thought as he directed his attention to Usopp and Choo.
"That pipsqueak ain't nearly enough to satisfy my rage right now…" Arlong said.
"R-right. Then w-why don't you just let me go, huh? That uh… thing I did earlier was just my way of saying hello. Everyone in my hometown says hello that way." Usopp then took notice of Tyler. "Hey, look he can tell you. He knows me. Hey Tyler"
'Godamnit Usopp.' Tyler shot Usopp a glare causing him to freeze up. Choo then took notice of the state of the Park and Tyler.
"Chu! Wait a minute…what happened here? Did you do this Tyler?" Choo asked.
"No, I did not do this. What is with you all assuming I did this shit." Tyler crossed his arms and huffed.
"But how did he escape? Have you considered this line of thought, Arlong? Maybe Nami purposely brought him here so he could try to take your head?" Kuroobi suggested.
"Oh please Kuroobi. Why would she do that? I saw Nami not too long ago, she was dead set on buying the village. I even offered to turn it over to her once I kicked saw-noses ass. She said no and not to ruin her chances." Tyler spoke up vouching for Nami.
Kuroobi walked up to Tyler, staring him dead in the face, "Why should we trust a word you say? Traitor."
Tyler blinked, "Oh yeah cause I'm the one that sent another of our kind, to his death. Anyway, I'm dead set on kicking Arlong's ass myself, why would I let someone else steal my kill?" Tyler and Kuroobi stood there staring at one another, both tensing up for a fight.
"Alright that's enough! Don't just make conclusions from false premises. Just what are you trying to say?" Nami came into the Park defusing the situation. "8 years ago, I swore on this tattoo that I'd be a member of the Arlong Pirates. It won't be long before I raise the promised amount, so like Tyler said, why would I risk all of that by pulling a stupid stunt like this?" Nami held her tattoo, which marked her a member of the Arlong pirates. 'That Zoro…he just had to go and cause more unnecessary trouble…' Nami thought to herself.
"Of course, my bad, my bad. I apologize for doubting you. Considering you've been nothing but a loyal crewmember for the past 8 years, you're certainly more than justified to get angry at us. We were a little too rash but we believe you." Arlong then pulled out a dagger and went over to Usopp, pointing it at his throat, "The ones we need to get rid of right now, are Roronoa Zoro and his companion."
"W-wait help." Usopp begged.
"The bounty on my head is the highest in all of East Blue at 20 million Beli. Considering that, it's only natural that a well-known bounty hunter would come for me. So where is this Roronoa Zoro hiding?" Arlong asked Usopp, still threatening him with the dagger. "He's not the most classy guy, if he thinks he can sneak in here and cut down my brethren while I'm out."
"I…I don't know! I really have nothing to do with this Zoro guy you're talking about. Please let me go." Usopp said, terrified.
"Chu! I'd advise you to stop with the bad lies. It's undeniable that you personally attacked Arlong as well. There's not a chance that we'd let you free." Choo said.
"Alright, I admit it. M-me and Zoro are real tight bros. S-s-so you better not lay a single finger on me or else Zoro will come and kill all of you." Usopp choked out, getting a face-palm from Tyler.
"Alright you guys can continue intimidating this chicken shit without me. I'm going into town; it's been a long while since I've been there, and I got some faces I need to see. Anyone has a problem with it, they can save it, I don't care." Tyler began to leave Arlong Park, flipping Kuroobi off as he left.
Out at sea was the Dakuwaqa, manned by Silk as she sailed herself, Chouchou, Jango, Luffy and the newly acquired, Sanji and Gin to Conomi island. Sanji after a very difficult and convoluted good-bye, had decided to join up with Luffy and his crew, to go see the All-Blue.
"Ahh! I wanna bring Nami back so we can go to the Grand Line already" Luffy said, sitting on the ship's bow.
"You're awfully happy. But even with Nami, don't you still only have 5 people? Are you seriously planning to go to the Grand Line with only 5 people?" Sanji asked.
"So? Counting Tyler, and Gin. Our crew only has 4 people in it. Throw Chouchou in there, it's 5 and we're still going to the Grand Line." Silk said from her spot at the helm.
Gin heard that and looked to Silk surprised, "There are only 5 of us?! I thought you all were one crew? You act like it."
"What? No. Our Captain makes sure to hammer that home whenever someone brings it up. We're more like allied crews." Silk corrected. "Anyway if it's more crew members we need, we can just accomplish that while on the Grand Line."
"After all, it's paradise." Luffy said with a huge grin.
"Paradise? Don't you mean a pirate's graveyard?" Sanji asked.
"No, before I left the restaurant owner Zeff told me that some people call the Grand Line a paradise." Luffy explained.
"That geezer said that…? Well, as long as Nmai will be there, I won't mind even if it's just the two of us alone." Sanji said as a perverted look came upon his face. Silk shivered in disgust at seeing it.
"Really glad he isn't on our crew." Silk said to Jango who was holding the map next to her.
"Hey Sanji, can we eat something?" Luffy asked the cook, breaking him from his daze.
"Yeah sure. What would you like to eat Silk?" Sanji's voice got all sweet as he asked Silk that, hearts in his eyes.
Silk backed away, a little creeped out. "Just make whatever. I don't care. I'm just trying to get us to the island.
Tyler had made his way to Cocoyashi village, and as soon as he got there, he received glares from the various villagers. Tyler just sighed, as he looked around for a particular individual and seemed to find them staring at a ship just off the shore.
"Hey. Nojiko. Genzo. What's up?" Genzo, Nojiko, and the rest of the villagers at the shore turned to see Tyler coming up. The villagers glared at him but Genzo and Nojiko seemed to give no outward reaction to his appearance.
"A marine ship, just off the shore. It doesn't look like any of the usual ones." Nojiko explained.
Tyler joined them at the shore, "Weird. Why would the Marines come by here, when it's pointless."
"Hey! Sis!" Shouted a kid as he came up to Nojiko.
"Ah, the kid from Gosa.." Nojiko said. Tyler gained a sad look on his face at the mention of Gosa.
The kid came up to the group of adults, "Can you see the Marine ship?"
"You mean that?" Nojiko asked, pointing to the ship.
"Yeah, the Government sent it to aid Gosa village. They've sent a ship for us!" The kid said.
"I don't like the sound of that." Tyler commented.
The kid then took notice of Tyler's presence and glared, "Why? Cause we won't be under your tyranny anymore?"
"That's a big word for someone so small. But if you must know, kid, you're barking up the wrong tree here. I hate what the situation you all are currently in. If I had it my way, I'd have already kicked his ass and freed you but sadly I made a promise." Tyler shoved his hands into his pockets and looked back at the marine ship. "Are we sure they're here for survivors, cause they just fired on Arlong Park."
Everyone looked and true to Tyler's words, the ship just fired off a cannonball, but with no explosion to show it hit.
"Well they're dead, it'll go as usual with Arlong sending Kuroobi, Choo, and Hachi to handle it. Nojiko, come on. I left that stuffy park so I could visit you. I missed your tea." Tyler began to walk toward her house.
"What? Just because you're a part of Arlong's crew doesn't mean you can invite yourself over." Nojiko said, following him.
"Ah. Ah. Ah. Former member. I'll tell you all about it over tea." Tyler said as they walked to the house.
Tyler and Nojiko were sitting in her house having a nice chat, as he explained to her his journeys thus far.
"So yeah, I swam my way back here, since this was the next stop I was gonna make anyway. I figured I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone." Tyler finished.
Nojiko was silent for a while as she processed all this, "Well Nami did tell me that she ran into you, but she wouldn't give me any details."
"Yeah, she'd never admit it. But I know she had fun with Luffy and them, I just wish she didn't betray them. She thinks she has to but she doesn't. Silk should be bringing Luffy, and Sanji here now to get her back." Tyler told Nojiko.
"It still surprises me how much you care about all of us, especially with how the villagers and Nami treat you." Nojiko said.
"Nah, I mean Nami hates me but that's more a general thing. Plus she's willing to be civil with me…when it's convenient for her. But it's fine, I have you." Tyler was about to end his sentence but then caught himself, "And Genzo, and Doc, so it's not so bad. Even if you guys hated me too. It would all still be worth it, just as long as I can ease your suffering just a little bit. It will always be worth it."
Nojiko looked at Tyler with a small smile, "Hey remember when we first met?"
"Of course how could I forget, it was my first day on the island 6 years ago…" Tyler began to say.
[Flashback]
A young 14 year old Tyler swam up to the gates of Arlong Park, "Okay, you know what to do, you promised Madam Shyarly. Go in there and just join the crew." Tyler dived underwater and swam to the otherside popping up. He found himself face to face with Arlong, his crew, and a 12 year old Nami, "Uh…hello, I've come to join your crew."
"Oh really, and just who are you to think you can join that easy?" Arlong asked.
"My name is Tyler D. Carpp. I came here from Fishman Island. I have a letter." Tyler got out of the water and took a letter out of his bag. Walking up to Arlong he handed it to him.
Arlong read over the letter and ripped it up annoyed, "Alright! Fine! You can join but you better pull your weight, and not cause me any trouble."
Tyler gave a nod and bowed, "I promise to do my best, Captain."
"Alright to test your mettle, how about you go with Kuroobi to collect the payments they owe me." Arlong said, as he handed Tyler a bag, Kuroobi walked up and led him to the exit.
Tyler and Kuroobi were walking to Cocoyashi village, Tyler was looking around at the scenery, "So, why are we collecting money?"
"Those Pumans pay us and in exchange they live, simple as that." Kuroobi said.
A dark look came over Tyler's face as he heard the term Kuroobi used for humans but then controlled himself, "I see, how long have you guys been here by the way?"
"For 2 years, the subjugation was easy, though we did run into trouble with this woman and her daughters." Kuroobi answered.
"Oh?" Tyler looked at him with further inquiry.
"Yeah, that girl you saw next to Arlong, that's Nami, she's skilled when it comes to drawing maps. So Arlong recruited her to be part of our crew in exchange for money. Now he has her drawing maps for him. Even promised her that if she raised enough money, she'd be able to buy back her village." Kuroobi explained.
"So I take it she is one of the daughters?" Tyler asked.
"Yup, you'll meet the other when we get to the village, she is about your age actually." Kuroobi and Tyler then came upon Cocoyashi village.
The villagers caught sight of them, they all looked downtrodden, they came up getting money together. Kuroobi nudged Tyler, getting him to hold out the bag.
"Alright line up, give us the Beli, this here is our newest member Tyler, he'll be one of the ones collecting going forward." Kuroobi told the villagers.
The villagers began putting the Beli in the bag, Tyler looked sad as he watched them, holding back tears. Soon a 14 year old Nojiko came up to Tyler with Beli of her own.
"Nami! How is she?" Nojiko asked directly to Tyler, surprising him and leaving him at a loss for words.
"She's doing fine, we're taking good care of her, I'm sure you've seen she's been making plenty of money." Kuroobi said.
Nojiko glared at them both, then went to put the Beli in, when Tyler spoke up. "Hey, I think I got the rest. I get the gist of it. I don't really need a babysitter. Not like these Pumans are dumb enough to try anything. Why don't you go on ahead?"
Kuroobi looked at Tyler, who stared back at him unflinchingly, "Sure." Kuroobi then began to leave, the rest of the villagers looked angry at Tyler. Once Kuroobi was out of earshot. Tyler looked at Nojiko.
"Put that away, you Puman. We don't need it, actually the rest of you take half back. We were only supposed to collect half today. I just remembered." Tyler told the villagers, who stood there for a moment, wondering if it was a trick, "Did I fucking stutter? Do you want me to kill you, hurry up. I don't have all day."
The villagers all quickly got moving, taking back half of what they put in. Tyler nodded and slung the bag over his shoulder.
"Good, now next time you all should give the full amount. Even you blue hair." Tyler said, looking directly at Nojiko.
"It's Nojiko, not blue hair." Nojiko corrected hands on her hips.
"Whatever." Tyler walked out of the village, once he got far enough, not to be seen, he took off his bag and took out Beli equal to the remaining amount owed. "Well looks like I'm going to be scraping by for a while. But if I want to be able to pull this off again, I'm gonna have to earn more..."
[Flashback End]
Both Nojiko and Tyler were giggling to themselves as they recalled the memory.
"Man your acting was so terrible back then, I don't how it took us so long to catch on." Nojiko said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Hey I tried! It's not exactly easy to act like you hate humans, while also trying to do good." Tyler defended his acting skills. "So they destroyed Gosa, huh? Bastards." Tyler punched the table, causing it to shake.
"Hey! I have to live here, remember, no destroying my furniture. But yeah, it happened about 2-3 weeks before you and those others arrived." Nojiko informed him.
"I'm sorry." Tyler looked down in shame, "I should have been there, I could…I could have…"
"You could have what? You being there wouldn't have changed anything. Except maybe you'd have been killed. I don't want that. Genzo and Doc don't want that." She rested her hand on top of his. "I can assure you despite how she may act Nami doesn't want it. And I may not know them but I'm sure those friends of yours don't want that. So please…" Nojiko let it hang with an unasked request.
"Don't worry, I promised both you and Nami I wouldn't do anything and I intend to keep it. At least until Arlong shows his hand. Then all bets are off." Tyler said and Nojiko just pouted and sighed, pulling her hand back.
"Fine. I can't change your mind, it seems it's already set." Nojiko relented. The two then continued to chat.
The makeshift crew of the Dakuwaqa found themselves on Conomi island and regrouped with Zoro, Johnny, and Yosaku. Though it was no easy feat, as while they were having lunch they got attacked by a giant sea cow that got easily beaten back by Sanji, and Luffy. They then used said sea cow to pull the ship to the island, once it arrived the sea cow hit it's head causing it to stop short and send the crew off the ship flying, where they ended up crashing into Zoro. Johnny and Yosaku later showed up going on about how Nami killed Usopp.
"What did you come to this island for?" The very topic of their conversation showed up and asked, her left hand now gloved up.
Luffy stood up and looked to Nami, "What're you talking about? Aren't we friends? We've come for you, of course."
"To be fair, they came for you. Jango, Gin, Chouchou, and I are here to pick up our Captain." Silk said, poking her head out from behind Luffy.
"Well you're nothing but a nuisance." Nami said. "Friends, don't make me laugh. It was nothing but a stupid little cooperation." Nami looked at Silk. "I see you still haven't opened up your eyes, or maybe you have and just want to join in, considering you just helped him recruit another criminal."
Silk got angry and marched up to Nami, "Where do you get off? According to Johnny and Yosaku, you killed Usopp. If anyone is the criminal it's you, so don't you ever talk about my crewmates or my Captain like that."
"So what? Would you like to try to avenge Usopp? Are you going to kill me if I keep badmouthing your 'Captain' even though he deserves it? Let me tell you one thing. After the idiotic stunt Zoro pulled, Arlong wants Roronoa Zoro and all his companions dead. No matter how monstrously strong you all may be. You're no match at all for the real monster." Nami responded.
Chouchou glared at Nami and growled. "Grrr."
"I couldn't care less about that. Where's Usopp?" Zoro asked.
"At the bottom of the ocean." Nami responded, riling up Zoro, which caused him and Sanji to face off.
"Heh, you're quite irritable after your shameful loss." Sanji said.
"What? Watch your mouth punk or your head'll go flying." Zoro responded.
"I'd like to see you try cripple." Sanji shot back.
Yosaku then interrupted them, "This isn't the time to be bickering. This is an emergency."
"That's right! If you're going to fight, why don't you do it somewhere other than this island? I'd rather not have outsiders stick their noses in this island's affairs anymore." Nami told the group, "Do you still not get it? I only stuck around with you for the money! And now that you don't even have a cent, I couldn't care less about you. If it's about the ship, I'll give it back. So go find another Navigator and go search for your little One Piece or whatever. NOW GET OFF THIS ISLAND! YOU'RE AN EYESORE! Farewell."
"Nami." Luffy said, then fell back, "I'm gonna sleep."
"Fine, do whatever the hell you want! You can die for all I care!" Nami yelled at Luffy and left.
Once she was gone, everyone stuck around for a while longer, as Johnny, and Yosaku tried to convince them to leave to no avail. Eventually the bounty hunter duo left, leaving the group there alone, Zoro and Sanji were about to fight again only for Usopp to show up alive and disrupt it.
Nojiko and Tyler were out in the tangerine grove collecting them, Tyler was holding two baskets while Nojiko plucked them and put them in.
"See goes by way faster with my help. You can collect more per trip." Tyler said to her.
Nojiko plucked another tangerine and looked at the fishman, "That's only because you have like 10 times the strength of a human."
"Are you really complaining when it decreases your workload?" Tyler asked.
"No, just making a point." Nojiko picked another tangerine, and was about to put it in one of the baskets when both heard a slam from the house.
"Sounds like Nami's home." Tyler said.
"Yup, and in a mood." Nojiko and Tyler walked up to the house, though Tyler stayed out of view. Nojiko gave him a look.
"It's better if it's just you." Tyler said simply.
Nojiko walked into the house seeing the mess Nami made in her frustration, "Nice mess you've made for me Nami. What's wrong?" Nojiko looked at her sister at the table with a map in front of her.
"Nothing! I only came to take a little rest, that's all." Nami answered.
"If you've only come to take a little rest, then there's no need for you to be breaking all the glass and furniture like your Tyler in one of his outbursts." Tyler made a surprised noise and glared at Nojiko's back to which she ignored, "And why would you be staring so intently at that treasure map if there was nothing wrong?" Nojiko then sat down in front of Nami, "Didn't you promise to tell me everything?"
"I just lost my cool a bit, that's all." Nami responded.
"It was them right?" Nojiko asked.
"You've met them?" Nami asked.
"Just the Captain but he seemed like a liar. Tyler was also telling me about them." Nojiko said.
"Of course he would, where is he now?" Nami asked.
"Out picking tangerines for me, we were both just doing it, until we heard you. He told me to come check on you." Nojiko said.
"I'm sorry to disturb your Date." Nami said, a little venom in her voice at the end.
"What? No, we're nothing like that. If anything, we're just friends." Nojiko quickly got out, a blush on her face.
"I don't know how you can be so chummy with him. He's with the people that are extorting us." Nami said.
"So are you, he's done a lot to try and help us and make it easier to live while you collect the 100 million Beli." Nojiko defended the fishman.
"Right." Nami said.
The two then began to continue to chat, Nami explaining how Luffy and everyone else had come to bring her back. Nami then ended up falling asleep at the table, once she was asleep Tyler came into the house and set the baskets down. Nojiko had just finished placing a blanket over Nami.
"I see, so they've come to bring her back, I can see why she'd get so upset. Friends, huh." Nojiko said.
"That'll do it. The one word that hurts her more than anything." Tyler said. "Come on, let's go find these idiots, before they all kill each other."
Nojiko smiled and got up from the table, the two then left the house, planning to head in the direction of the two crews.
Back with the two crews, Luffy had a beaten up Usopp in his arms. Silk, Chouchou, Jango, and Gin were laughing.
"Usopp! Did Nami do this to you?" Luffy asked.
Sanji pointed to Zoro, "Uh no. That was actually because of him and I."
"You mean just you." Zoro said.
Usopp then came to his senses and looked at the group, "Ah, Luffy, Silk, Jango. Oh and You're both here too? Wait, weren't you going to kill us?" Usopp looked to Gin specifically as he said that.
"Woof." Chouchou released a bark at not being mentioned among the names.
"No, my former Captain was, I didn't want to do anything…~Cough~...you're Captain showed me that there was no use in the way Don Krieg does things. Now I want to do things my way and was offered to join up with the Sharks crew, so here I am. At least till I die in a few hours." Gin explained.
"In any case the problem is Nami, she saved my life. If you ask me, there must be some reason why she ended up joining the Arlong Pirates!" Usopp said.
"Look at that, at least one of the males on your crew has a brain Luffy." Tyler and Nojiko came up to the group.
"It's useless, no matter what you do, you won't be able to change Arlong's rule." Nojiko said.
All gathered looked at the two newcomers, "Nojiko." Usopp said in surprise.
Chouchou came bounding up to Tyler and jumped into his arms, licking his face, "Okay Chouchou, good to see you again as well."
Luffy pointed at Nojiko and looked to Usopp, "Who's she?"
"She's Nami's sister." Usopp answered.
Sanji looked love struck, "N-N-Nami's sister? Well it's no wonder she's so beautiful then."
"What do you mean useless?" Zoro asked.
"Captain, all tasks completed as ordered." Silk said coming up to Tyler, who was now absentmindedly scratching Chouchou.
"Good job Silk, now listen." Tyler said.
Nojiko put her hands on her hips, "Please don't involve yourselves with this village any further. I'll tell you all about how things got this way, so in return, I want you to just leave quietly."
"I'm fine. I'm not really interested in her past." Luffy said as he turned around and started to walk away, "I'm taking a walk."
"Take a walk? You're not going to listen?" Usopp asked.
"No, I'm cool." Luffy answered.
"What's with him?" Nojiko asked.
"Don't mind him, that's just the kind of guy he is." Zoro answered. "But we'll listen to what you have to say. Though I doubt hearing your story will change anything." Zoro released a yawn right after, falling asleep.
"But you're sleeping." Nojiko sweatdropped.
"Just ignore him Nojiko. Go ahead and share." Tyler said, patting her back.
"I see, no wonder they're giving Nami so much trouble." Nojiko said.
Nojiko then went on to explain her and Nami's past, and how Arlong came to be in control of the island.
"Ever since that day 8 years ago, that girl decided to not show her tears to anyone, and never ask for help. All because she doesn't want anyone to be killed by Arlong, just like our mother was…" Nojiko looked sad, causing Tyler to set down Chouchou and give her a side hug, rubbing her arm. She shot him a grateful smile and looked back to the rest. "Do you have any idea how painful it was for her? To make that decision to fight alone and continue to live on, when she was barely 10 years old?"
"So in order to save her village, she forced herself to join the very pirates who killed her mother…" Usopp said.
"How dare they cause pain to my beloved Nami! I'll kill those pirates!" Sanji yelled.
"Wait but Captain, didn't you say you were a member of Arlong's crew?" Jango asked.
Both Usopp and Sanji looked at Tyler with very hard looks.
"Yeah now that you mention it, you did say you were a part of that crew. Explain yourself mister!" Usopp declared.
"Yeah, how dare you hurt Nami!" Sanji said, getting ready to kick Tyler, only for Silk to get in the way,
"I'm sure he has no problem offering us a reasonable explanation on his part. Especially since he owes me. Isn't that right Captain?" Silk looked back at Tyler, who sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. Calm down you dolts and I can explain." Tyler told the two, causing them to shut up and listen as Tyler explained to them his involvement. " I won't bore you with all the details. The long and short of it is that 2 years into their take over, I came and joined Arlong's crew at the behest of someone dear to me. The first day I was here, they sent me to collect the payments, soon as I found out what it was for and just how the situation was on this island. I was disgusted. I told the person with me to head back and gave the villagers back half of what they would've paid and covered the rest with some Beli I brought with me. Since then, I've been raising Beli by beating up and turning in pirates or salvaging treasure to help cover the expenses. In that time I got close to 3 of the villagers, Nojiko being one of them. Then about a year ago, I had enough and was gonna go kick Arlong's ass, that is until Nojiko here made me promise her I wouldn't do it." Tyler finished explaining, cleaning his ear.
"So you're not here to beg to get back in Arlong's crew?" Usopp asked.
"What part of all I want to do is beat Arlong's ass and go home didn't you understand of the first thousand times I said it since we met?" Tyler answered. "But, I know I still allowed suffering to occur for all these years and contributed to it, even if it was a minor degree. I understand if you all hate me now." Tyler looked down in shame.
Silk came up to Tyler, and raised her hand. Then all Tyler felt was a hand on top of his head as Silk patted it, "Hey now, you know I could never hate you, we're friends after all. You did what you could." Tyler began to shed tears at her words, then grabbed her up in a hug as he went to the ground. "It's okay, it's okay. Just let it out."
Chouchou let out a whine and came up to Tyler's legs, nuzzling them in an attempt to provide the fishman comfort.
Jango looked to Gin, who looked back at him, the two nodded to each other and came over to Tyler, Chouchou, and Silk. Both placed a hand on his back and began to rub it.
"It's ~Cough~ It's alright Captain, you're among friends." Gin said, a bit of blood coming out with that cough.
"We all have made mistakes in the past. Gin and I especially but you're giving us the chance to make up for it." Jango said.
Nojiko, Sanji, and Usopp looked on with somber faces.
"This is why I need you all to not do anything. You're all going around, calling yourselves Nami's friends and causing trouble. Those pirates are starting to doubt her, putting the 8 years of hard work she and Tyler have put in, in jeopardy." Nojiko told them. "So please…don't make them suffer anymore." Nojiko then went up to the crew of the Dakuwaqa, "May I?" Nojiko looked to Silk, Chouchou and the men, causing them to break from their hold on Tyler. Nojiko kneeled and gave him a hug. "Thank you for fighting for us and restraining yourself, I know it can't be easy."
Nojiko then got up and started to walk away. Tyler stopped crying and stood up, "I'm gonna go for a walk. I….need to think through some things." Tyler then walked away in the other direction.
Tyler was walking around, and found himself arriving back by the shore, as he walked down he spotted an all too familiar Marine ship. His eyes narrowed as he heard laughter coming from it. Jumping into the water, he swam up to the ship and listened in.
"Chichichi! I can't stop laughing! A whopping 93 million Beli, to think we can pocket 30% of this for ourselves. How wonderful." Tyler heard the voice of Nezumi say.
"But Captain, some of these bills are tattered and stained with mud and blood." One of his officers said.
"Chichichi…money is money. That naive little girl seriously believed she could buy back her freedom, and spent 8 whole years saving up all this much, bit by bit! How stupid could she be! Chichichi."
Tyler had heard enough, jumping into the window, he glared at Nezumi, "New command from Arlong. He wants you to give me all the money now. You'll get your cut later." Tyler hoped that Nezumi wasn't made aware of his new status as an ex-member of Arlong's crew.
"Fine, but we shall be around soon to collect it." Nezumi said, not wanting to argue and risk Arlongs wrath. He had his officers round up the money and give it to Tyler, who jumped back out the window with it and headed to Nami and Nojiko's house.
"Nami and Nojiko are probably gonna yell at me for this, but I can't just let it slide." Tyler said, as he arrived there, seeing the state of the grove. He dropped the money and ran to the village in a rush.
He found a crowd of people around the doctor's office and pushed his way through, finding Genzo and a bandaged up Nojiko.
"Did Nezumi do this? Speak. Now." Tyler asked, the crowd of villagers started to make an uproar at his presence only to shut up, when he threw a glare at them.
"Yeah, he came and took all of Nami's money, Arlong told them where it was and they tore up the property looking for it." Genzo said.
"What about Nojiko?" Tyler asked.
"He shot her when she came to stop them." Genzo said.
"I see, well I at least figured the money part, heard him bragging about it on his ship. I stole it back from him though. Sorry if it causes you any trouble. I'm also sorry for what I'm about to do next." Tyler turned and began to walk out the office.
"What are you gonna do?" Nojiko asked as she looked at his back, alerted by his words.
"The only thing I said I was gonna do." Tyler responded as he walked out of the office. The villagers cleared a path for him as he had a stern look on his face, while walking past.
Once he got out of the town he ran into Nami, who was running towards the village with tears. He caught her in a hug, stroked her head," I know I'm probably the last person you want hugging you right now. But I just want to apologize for what I'm about to do, and that I promise once I'm done, you, Nojiko, and everyone else will be free."
"What are you about to do?" Nami asked.
Tyler laughed, "You and your sister are so alike, she just asked me that. The one thing I've been saying I'll do for a while. Beat Arlong's ass and go home." Tyler then let Nami go, and started back on his way towards Arlong Park. While in the village sounds of the people rallying could be heard.
Tyler walked up to the gate of Arlong Park, finding Johnny and Yosaku, sitting out in front of it. Their forms were beaten up from having tried to fight the fishmen just before he arrived. "Move." Tyler looked at them with murderous glare. Both of them moved out of the way, allowing Tyler unobstructed access, "~Sigh~ For what it's worth, you did good, you're both weak and could have gotten yourselves killed. But you were fighting for a friend, so it's not the worst thing to get killed over." Tyler then walked up to the gate, and pulled back a fist.
They were shocked at his words, then came back to their senses, "Wait Tyler-aniki, shouldn't you wait for Luffy-aniki, Zoro-aniki, Sanji-aniki, Usopp-aniki, Jango-aniki, Gin-aniki, and Silk-aniki?"
Tyler looked back at the two, and saw the villagers on the way up, "Eh, if they can get here in time, I'll let Luffy have the first shot, since Nami is his navigator. It's only fair. Meanwhile you might want to stop them." Tyler then faced the gate once more and followed through on his punch. "Fishman Karate: 100 Tile True Punch!" The gate was destroyed, the pieces flying inside the park. "ARLONG, I'VE COME TO KICK YOUR ASS!"
"Oh? So you finally grew a pair and want to fight. Well like I told you before, you'll have to beat the rest of them first. Then I can kill you." Arlong said arrogantly.
The fishmen of Arlong's crew surrounded Tyler, "Hiding behind your men, like the little bitch you are Arlong. Don't worry, once I'm done killing them, I'll kill you."
"Not alone you're not." Silk said as she shoved past Johnny and Yosaku with Jango and Gin trailing behind her, "The fuck is this, were you about to get into a fight? Without your crew? Without me? I thought I was your underling, you're supposed to leave the small fry to me."
"Not now Silk, this is out of your league." Tyler said, which just pissed Silk.
Silk got into her stance, taking a breath she ran at the group of Fishmen. "Concentrated Strike!" 5 of the Fishmen fell to the ground dead as Silk got a good hit on them.
Another group of Fishmen fell over, as Gin came rushing past them, his weighted tonfa in hand, he began to beat on them with the spheres. Gin swinging the tonfas around and knocking the air out of the fishmen. Jango took out the final group by throwing his chakrams at them, cutting them up.
Luffy, Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp showed up just then to find the ass kicking already in progress.
"Hey Tyler, what are you doing?" Luffy asked.
"Goddamnit Luffy, couldn't you have been late by just a little more." Tyler cursed, "Looks like our fight has been delayed Arlong. Luffy gets the first crack at you." Tyler turned and glared at Luffy, "HURRY UP AND LOSE SO I CAN FINALLY BEAT HIS ASS! Let's go guys." Tyler walked over to the wall by the gate, his crew following him.
Luffy and his crew walked into Arlong park, "Don't worry, I ain't gonna lose."
"When did I ever say I was worried. I want you to lose, you rubber idiot." Tyler said, arms folded as he tapped his foot.
"Shahaha! Just what could 4 measly pumans do?" Arlong found them to not be a threat."
"You idiots! As if Arlong would fight the likes of you. I'll turn you all into fish food. COME OUT, BEAST!" Hachi called, as out from the water a giant sea cow raised.
"Could it be? The monster from the Grand Line that destroyed Gosa?" The villagers all said in worry.
"Moo…" The sea cow, Mohmoo, moo'd.
"Ahh, It's a monster!" Usopp yelled.
"You're a monster." Tyler shot at Usopp.
Mohmoo then saw Sanji and Luffy, recognizing them, he began to cry and swim away.
"Mohmoo, the hell do you think you're doing? Well, if you are going to run away, I ain't gonna try to stop you but…" Arlong said as Mohmoo suddenly stopped a strange feeling over taking him, "Well, Mohmoo?"
Mohmoo turned around, the want to fight now returned to him, "Mooooo!"
"Alright, follow Mohmoo's lead! Let's show these inferior pumans not to mess with us!" A couple of fishermen who didn't get taken out said. Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp got ready to attack.
Luffy stood in the way, a serious look on his face, leave it to me, they're a bunch of time wasters!" Luffy then planted both his feet in the ground and started to twist his body till he was wound up tight. He then grabbed Mohmoo by the horns. "Gum-Gum: Pinwheel!" Luffy then began to unwind, hitting all the fishman that came up to attack him. Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro ran out of the strike zone. Luffy then tossed Mohmoo back into the water. "I didn't come here to fight small fries. The one I want to beat up is you!" Luffy pointed at Arlong.
Arlong smiled, "How excellent. I was thinking of killing you myself just now as well."
"Seems like we have no choice but to fight…" Kuroobi said as he, Hachi, and Choo came up.
"How dare you hurt our brethren!" Hachi yelled.
"Looks like we need to teach these humans the difference between our races. Chu." Choo said.
Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji, came back up to Luffy. "Looks like the main force is out to meet us..." Zoro said.
"That was way too dangerous." Sanji kicked Luffy's head.
"Are you trying to kill even us?!" Usopp yelled at Luffy.
"He flung that monster from the Grand Line…! What destructive strength. It's almost too much to believe." The villagers said. "To think that there would be humans who could handle fishmen, is this really a battle of our world?"
"Believe it or not. This is a battle that's gonna shake the world. Whether they win or lose. Things won't be the same." Tyler said, looking at the villagers.
"If this was how things were going to turn out, we should have fought from the beginning. Arlong, please just sit right there." Kuroobi said.
"If we let you fight while that much enraged, Chu, all of Arlong Park will end up destroyed." Choo said.
Tyler smirked and asked, "Is that such a problem?"
"Take this!" Hachi said, tensing up.
"That octopus is doing something." Zoro said.
"First boil the octopus in saltwater, slice it up, and add some olive oil and paprika to make an excellent side dish while drinking." Sanji listed off a recipe.
Luffy tried to grab their attention, "Uhh guys, hear me out. I'm in a bit of a pickle."
Usopp snuck back from the group.
"Zero Field Of Vision Tako-Hachi Black: Octopus Ink!" Hachi spewed an ink cloud from his mouth at the three. Zoro and Sanji dodged, leaving Luffy to be hit.
"You dumbass! Why didn't you dodge that?" Zoro asked, looking back at Luffy.
"He's stuck." Silk said.
"Yup definitely stuck." Jango said.
"Well this is gonna be fun to watch." Tyler's smirk turned into a toothy grin.
"Aghhh! I can't see anything!" Luffy tried to clean his eyes.
"Luffy, watch out! Dodge it!" Usopp yelled.
"Yeah, that's the problem. I kinda can't move nor see." Luffy said.
"What?" Sanji asked.
"For god's sake.." Zoro face-palmed.
"But you're the one who did that to yourself!" Usopp yelled.
"Tako-Hachi Black: On the Rock!" Hachi took a slab of the park and used it to smash Luffy's location. The slab broke up, and under it was Sanji with his leg raised.
"Agh, jeeze, looks like I've chosen to follow a dumbass for my Captain…" Sanji said.
"My feelings exactly." Zoro said.
"I could have told you that." Tyler said with Silk nodding next to him.
"He's amazing!" Usopp yelled.
"But it's still 100 times better than being in a pirate crew that would harm a lady." Sanji said. Silk looked to Tyler, getting his attention.
"What?" Tyler asked.
"Nothing, just glad you are the way you are." Silk said, looking back at the fight.
"For a puman, you're not half-bad but a pirate going around spouting chivalrous lines? How half-assed." Kuroobi said.
Usopp was trying to get Luffy unwedged from the ground making no headway.
"Would you like to test just how half-assed my chivalry really is, Mr. Fish? Despite what you may think, I've spent half my life as a pirate." Sanji told Kuroobi.
"It seems that you fools, don't understand the level that we fishmen are on." Kuroobi said.
Usopp was busy trying to remove Luffy from the ground, "What about now, Lufffy?"
"Eh, you're only stretching it. My feet are still stuck as ever." Luffy responded, picking his nose.
"Are you even trying?!" Usopp yelled. "Is it still not coming out!"
"Nope, not a bit."
"You think you can just horse around at Arlong Park?! I'll kill you!" Hachi yelled, holding up another slab.
Usopp began to run with Luffy, stretching him farther, "Hurry up and get your feet out already!"
Zoro stood behind Hachi with Wado Ichimonji on his shoulder, "Hey Octopus, those guys're busy right now. Why don't you play with me instead?"
"Nyu! Roronoa Zoro! That's right, I forgot!" Hachi threw the slab down at Zoro, only for him to dodge. "How dare you deceive me before! Not only that, you cut down my brethren!"
"I don't care about ancient history, it doesn't matter for what reason you want to kill me. The situation's different now." Zoro started to unsheath his katana, "You guys aren't going to be doing the killing. It's us that's going to be killing you."
Usopp let go of Luffy and wipes away some sweat, "G-good Zoro, I'll let you deal with that octopus. Nice work." Usopp realized his mistake as Luffy went flying back, "Crap! I accidentally let go! Luffy!"
"Accidentally. Right." Tyler commented.
"They're kind of idiots." Gin commented, then went into a coughing fit, causing the other 3 to look at him in worry. "I'm fine. I'm fine."
"We gotta get you checked out." Silk said.
"What happened anyway?" Tyler asked.
"Poisonous gas." Gin said simply.
"Oh there goes Usopp." Jango said.
This grabbed the others attention as they saw Usopp run past them and out of Arlong Park.
"Welp, that's one loss." Tyler said, only to see Usopp shoot a Flame Star at Choo. "Nevermind." They then all watched as Choo started to run after Usopp.
Arlong then smiled and stood up.
"Arlong, I've asked you not to fight." Kuroobi said.
"I ain't gonna fight but.." Arlong said.
Luffy pulled back a fist and threw a punch at Arlong, "I'm gonna kick your…Ass!"
Arlong grabbed Luffy's fist stopping his attack, "Do you seriously think you can win against us?"
"And what if we do?" Sanji asked.
"You bet I think so, you idiot! Now let go of my hand!" Luffy yelled.
"Seems like he has something to say." Zoro commented.
"No, no." Arlong said, still holding Luffy's arm and digging his hand into the ground of Arlong Park, right under Luffy. Picking him and the piece up. "Why don't we play this game? Devil fruit users are said to be unable to swim. Well, in this situation, even a non-devil fruit user wouldn't be able to swim…! Shahaha!"
"Don't tell me…" Zoro said.
"He's gonna throw him into the sea." Sanji said.
"Ngh, Gum-Gum: Pistol!" Luffy launched a punch at Arlong, only to catch it with his teeth.
"Fool." Arlong said, only for Luffy to bite him back..
"How futile." Kuroobi said.
Arlong then threw Luffy into the ocean, drowning him.
"Luffy!" Zoro yelled.
"You bastard!" Sanji glared and ran to jump into the ocean, only for Zoro to stop him.
"Don't act so rashly. Going into the sea is exactly what these guys want. There's only one way to save Luffy right now…!" Zoro told Sanji.
"You mean we have to beat these guys to a pulp on land first and then into the sea? Fine by me." Sanji said.
"Let's do this!" Zoro said.
"Yeah." Sanji agreed.
"Ah, one of these games, huh." Hachi said.
"Don't think your head and 8 limbs will still be in one piece after I'm through with you, octopus!" Zoro threatened.
"Ahaha! What a fun game this'll be!" Hachi exclaimed.
"You rotten fish bastards, sure do fight dirty!" Sanji exclaimed.
"Hmph, no need to get so worked up, even if things hadn't turned out this way, your chances of survival would still be zero." Kuroobi said.
"Shahaha! A creature that can't even breathe underwater. How pathetic." Arlong laughed.
"This is bad Johnny. Luffy-aniki's in trouble. He won't be able to do anything in that situation." Yosaku yelled in worry.
"Welp Luffy is down. Usopp is gone. Just 2 more and then I step in." Tyler said.
Zoro began charging at Hachi, "I'll end this in 5 seconds."
"Tako-Hachi Black…" Hachi spewed forth ink at Zoro, only for him to dodge and get in close. Hachi dodged at the last second, causing Zor0 to slice off the tips of Hachi's hair.
"Nyuu! My hair! Why you…!" Hachi bent back to look at Zoro, "But..I'll forgive you since it's only hair. The important thing is I'm still alive."
"Oh is that so? Thanks." Zoro said.
"That's Hachi for you, lovable idiot till the end. I'll regret it if I have to kill him." Tyler said.
Kuroobi then attacked Sanji, who was distracted looking at Zoro, "Your life will be cut short if you look somewhere else."
"Cut short…? A damn fish shouldn't be going against a cook." Sanji kicked at Kuroobi, only for him to block.
"That's racist Sanji! I'm still a member of the same race as them!" Tyler called out.
"Like I care, you damn shark!" Sanji called back.
Back over with Hachi and Zoro, Zoro tried to attack Hachi with an overhead slash, Hachi prepared to catch, "Octopus 3 Continues Naked Sword Catching Technique!" Hachi clapped his hands attempting to stop the attack but missed, only for Zoro to get the hit.
"I don't have time to play around with you!" Zoro yelled at Hachi. "This is getting ridiculous…Go to hell already! You octopus bastard!" Zoro went to attack Hachi again only for him to jump and stick to a pillar.
Zoro looked up to find Hachi there, "The hell do you think you're playing at. Get your ass down this instant. You trying to buy time or something?"
"I've heard that you use 3 swords. So why are you only using one?" Hachi asked.
"That's because using one sword is still more than enough to beat you!" Zoro yelled up.
"Shut up! I haven't fought seriously yet!" Hachi responded, "There's a clear reason why human swordsmen can never hope to beat me."
Yosaku, Johnny, and Chouchou were watching the entire thing, "Damn it! That octopus bastard is wasting time. But if we jump into the sea right now, he'll drag us under and drown us." All three looked at each other. "At this rate, Luffy-aniki's going to die…! We have to do something." Johnny and Yosaku went to run off only to get stopped by Genzo.
"Do you think you can really accomplish anything by jumping into the sea with those wounds of yours? I'll go save the rubber boy instead." Genzo said.
"I'll go too!" Nojiko offered, the villagers started to offer their help as well.
"No! If we all go, it'll be easier for the fishmen to spot us and that'll only bring more trouble. It's meaningless if we end up hindering their fight. Just me alone is fine. Alright?" Genzo told them.
"Gen, I'll go too!" Nojiko said, blocking the way.
"Nojiko…but your stomach is still…" Genzo said.
"But those guys are fighting for my sister's sake!" Nojiko shot back.
Genzo began to run away, Nojiko trailing behind him, "Fine, let's hurry up."
"Roger!" Nojiko responded.
Tyler saw them running off, then just sighed, "Silk, Gin, go help them."
Silk looked at Tyler shocked, "Wha?"
"Don't argue, just go. If you need to, think of it as training. It's an order. Jango you stay here, I might need your hypnotism soon." Tyler told them.
Silk growled and harrumphed, "Fine, let's go Gin." Silk began to chase after Genzo and Nojiko.
"Uh, right." Gin began to follow her.
Back over to the fight, Zoro had just fallen out due to his wound, which Hachi took advantage of to destroy the pillar, in order to crush Zoro. It failed, as Zoro got back up and dodged, only to once again drop out again.
Sanji looked back at Zoro, "I knew something was up when he acted normal even after receiving those wounds. That Moron."
Taking his eyes off Kuroobi proved to be a mistake, as Kuroobi punched him, launching him through the wall. "I warned you before not to look somewhere else…! I'm a 40th level Fishman Karate Practitioner. They've been taken care of, Arlong. What should we do with Roronoa Zoro?"
"Just throw him into the sea couldn't even put up a fight…how boring." Arlong said. "Hey Hachi! How long are you going to be sleeping?"
Hachi bursts out of the rubble, swords in each of his hands, "Nyu! You've really pissed me off. I'm going to butcher you. Did you know that aside from one man, I, Hachi of the 6 swords style, am the number 1 swordsman in Fishman Island. Even if the heavens were to be flipped over, you would have no chance of beating me!"
"Who're you trying to fight, Hachi?" Kuroobi asked.
"6 sword-" Zoro started to say only to get cut off as Tyler came up and knocked him upside the head.
"Stay down, you're way too hurt to fight. Aside from whatever Usopp is doing, it's technically a loss for you guys, since your 3 strongest are down. That means this fight is mine now." Tyler said, as he cracked his knuckles. "Now then, you ready to fight?"