" Hum? A prisoner ? " Arlong wondered, seeing Zoro being launched at his feet.

Injured after receiving a violent beating, the man had bruises all over his face as well as the poached eye. Bleeding from the lip, he nevertheless ended up smiling before spitting out a spit of blood.

" So you are the famous Arlong ? Honestly, I was told that the fishmen were ugly! But you are even more repulsive than I could imagine. "

Laughing, hearing this, Arlong said.

" You seem to have a big mouth and a bit of courage ! Usually stupid humans like you are frightened by my mere presence and beg me to spare them! And do you know why ? "

" I feel like you're going to tell me. "

" It's because the fishmen are the supreme creatures ! We are stronger than you humans and we have the ability to breathe underwater! Clearly, we are above you, on the scale of evolution. "

" Arlong, stop with your silly words. "

Opening his eyes wide, Zoro finally recognized Nami walking towards them.

" That … ? Nami ? What are you doing with these guys ? "

"You don't understand ? It is however simple ! I'm one of the Arlong pirates. "

" What ? Are you kidding ?

" Not at all. " She said, showing him her tattoo on her arm.

" Who is this guy ? " Wanted to know Arlong.

" Just a pirate that I steal! He must have come to get his boat and me with it. "

" Haha, he is so stupid. " Sneered Syra, wrapping her arms around Nami's shoulders. " Mimi-chan is one of us and a poor crew of pathetic humans could never suit her. "

" Yeah ! With her talents as a cartographer, it is normal that she is among a crew above the others. "

"I feel like our incredible Nami managed to fool you completely. "

" Speaking of it… " Cried one of the fishmen who had brought Zoro back. " We managed to identify two other people with him ! A man with a long nose and a girl with blond hair. "

"Usopp and Lucy ! " Zoro understood.

" They fled but I still managed to take this from them. "

Rummaging through his pockets, he pulled out a bunch of keys. Seeing these, Nami and Zoro could only be surprised, knowing full well that without them Lucy could no longer summon the slightest spirit.

" OH ? What magnificent golden keys." Arlong remarked, examining them carefully. " I imagine that they must be worth very expensive ! Or, let them open chests filled with gold. "

Smiling at the idea, he proposed to Zoro.

" Ok, I will let you leave if you tell me what these keys can open. "

"If I tell them that creatures can come out, he will think that I don't care about him." Zoro noticed. " And if he gets upset or loses interest in them, he could probably end up twisting and breaking them ! And if that happens, I bet Lucy will kill me. "

Then looking for a valid lie, he ends up being cut by Nami.

"What luck ! Me who thought I should return to see you to steal these keys! Finally, I'm glad you came."

" Why that ? " Asked Arlong.

" The blonde haired girl is a former thief who has accumulated a lot of money! These keys allow the opening of chests filled with gold. "

" Oh, that's interesting information. " Sneered Arlong.

Nevertheless, while Nami was about to ask him to give her the keys, Arlong tied them at his belt, while affirming.

" In this case, I would like to parley with this woman ! Who knows, maybe she has a lot more treasures than that on hand ! And then, if she is a thief as gifted as you, I could hire her to bring me money. "

" But Arlong, I ... " Began Nami.

" Arlong, it seems that there is a good chance that the guy with the long nose went towards Cocoyashi. " Taught him one of the fishmen. "Maybe he found refuge there. "

" Cocoyashi, you say ? " Wondered Arlong, with a small smile. " Very well, I had to settle a small case there. "

" This will give us some exercise. " Chew said.

" Since time, I feel that my muscles have rusted. " Said Kuroobi.

" Me too, me too, I'm coming. " Cried Syra, raising her arm, while floating on her buoyant cushion.

Seeing them gathering, while Nami looked down, Zoro said.

" I don't know why, but you seem very pathetic to me. "

Immediately glaring at him, Nami struck him in the stomach, right in his wounds.

Grimacing in pain, the man did not move an inch, however, as he declared.

" You do what you can to take Lucy's keys, not because they are expensive but to be able to return them to her, right? So explain to me, who do you work ? With them or with us ? "

" I work for my account only. " Retorted Nami, hitting him again in his wounds.

Then seeing Nami beat Zoro until he screamed in pain, Arlong questioned her.

" What do you want to do with him ? "

" Lock him up somewhere! I'll take care of him later. "

Seeing her go, Kuroobi wanted to know.

" Arlong-san, did you really believe its history with these strange keys ? "

" Not really. " Arlong said. " Knowing Nami, she would have stolen them before coming back here ! She would never have missed the opportunity to collect the little money she has left. "

" Still happy, in this case. " Affirmed Syra. " It would be too bad she went away. "

" Exactly. " Confessed Arlong. " However, I doubt that she can raise the rest of the money that easily. "

Walking through the forest, Lucy ends up leaving it before seeing a village in the distance. It included a few people, in its streets.

"Finally people. " Rejoices Lucy.

Entering the interior, she quickly realized that good humor was not there. Showing only faces of despair or worried, the few people she met didn't even look at her. They were all like worrying about something.

" What is going on here ? " She wanted to know.

" If you ask, it's that you're not around. " Said a voice behind her.

Turning around then, Lucy could see a man, with a strange cap having a turnstile, on the head.

" Hum ? Who are you ? "

" Genzo ! " He replied simply. " And you ? Who are you and where are you from ? "

" My name is Lucy and I am not from this island. "

" What are you doing here ? "

" I am looking for my friends and a girl named Nami. "

Looking up slightly to see her better, Genzo then sighed.

" If you are looking for Nami, I guess you are a pirate whom she has robbed. "

" Huh ? " Wondered Lucy. " How do you know ? Do you know Nami ? "

" There are only pirates who dare to venture into a place as dangerous as this island in order to find her ! And yes, I know this girl pretty well ! Sorry for you but you can say goodbye to your money if that's what I'm looking for ! And if you want good advice, hurry up and leave here while there is still time. "

" Thanks for the advice, but I can't leave without my friends ! And I'm also here to bring Nami back to our crew ! I'm not going to leave her here. "

" Bring back Nami ? What are you telling me there ? "

" Huh, she surely came here to steal Arlong's treasure! However, I'm afraid she'll get killed. "

" You got it all wrong. " Taught him Genzo. " If she is here it is because she is teaming up with Arlong. "

" What ? "

" WARNING ! Arlong and his gang are coming. " Panicked someone.

" Quick, except who can. "

" Genzo ! " Cried an old doctor. " Quick, go hide. "

" Not worth it. " Replied the man. " They came here for me ! Surely because of the weapons I have ! You, go away. "

Swallowing on hearing this, the old doctor ends up grabbing Lucy's arm, to encourage her to follow him, to his office.

" Hey, what are you doing ? "

" Shut up, and come in. " Ordered the man, opening the door of the house, before closing it behind them.

Immediately after, he went to the window to see the fishmen arriving.

" Decidedly, we lack popularity here. " Said Chew.

" I almost want to pay a bunch of pirates to come and attack us. " Affirmed Kuroobi. " It will do some action. "

" Oh, there is nothing at the grocer's. " Syra sighed, seeing the completely empty grocery boxes. " I wanted good meat. "

" Guys, a little serious. " Scolded Arlong, finding themselves facing Genzo. " We still have to show this human that we must uphold the law here. "

" The law ? " Genzo wondered, looking at him. " Do you mean that I did something uneven by collecting my precious weapons ? "

" Exactly ! They could incite these poor villagers to decide to do something stupid like attacking us ! We would have no choice but to massacre them! Is this really what you want ? "

" And how would that change anything ? " Asked Genzo. " Even if we keep quiet, you will massacre us, as the months come. "

Looking at the two men, Lucy ends up asking the doctor.

" Is he Arlong ? "

" Yes ! He is the chief of the fishmen of this island. "

Examining him very carefully, Lucy then widened her eyes, seeing her precious keys, at the level of his belt.

"My ... my keys. "

" These monsters have no mercy. " Raged the doctor. " To say that they destroyed the village of Gosa just because the inhabitants of the latter no longer had enough to pay the tax. "

" The tax ? "

" Yes, here we have to pay a tax ! We are all concerned: man, woman, elderly person and even children! And if we can't pay it, we get slaughtered. "

" What ? But it's horrible ! What does he want to do with this money, anyway ? "

" Build an empire ! He plans to dominate all of East-Blue. "

" Dominate… East-Blue ? "

"But then ... Shells down ... Orange Town ... Syrup Island ... Baratie ...! All these places are threatened by this monster! No, you have to… "

Suddenly leaving the house, Lucy ran behind, under the doctor's frightened cries.

" No, don't go. "

Staring at Arlong, Lucy saw him begin to strangle Genzo while pretending to aim him with his second hand to decapitate him in one strike.

" Hum? " He wondered.

"I have to collect my keys." Thought Lucy, pulling out her whip. " With Loke and the others, maybe I could beat them . "

Sending the tip of her whip to the chief of the fishmen, she hoped to be able to wrap it around her bunch of keys, to take it back. However, faster than her, Kuroobi managed to grab her whip, before it could touch Arlong. Holding it so tightly, the fishman gave Lucy no chance to bring her whip back towards her.

" Oh no. "

" You're really just an idiot. " Affirmed Kuroobi. " How could you hope for a single second to be able to take it out in Arlong ? "

" What I want, me, are my keys. " Lucy replied.

" Arlong, it's her. " Suddenly recognized her as a fishman. " It's the woman who was on the boat with the other two guys. "

" Oh, then which means that you came specially to collect your keys. " Sneered Arlong, throwing Genzo to the ground. " Interesting ! Nami's story that they are very valuable is therefore true ! Very good ! You are going to come with us, that we can talk business. "

" No way ! Give me back my keys. "

Giggles at that moment, Syra affirmed.

" Always say '' please '', when we want something! "

" Shut up, stupid fish. "

Looking down immediately, Syra asked Kuroobi.

" Can I knock her out ? "

" Go ahead. " He allowed her, still holding Lucy's whip in his hands.

Inhaling then, Syra swelled her cheeks before staring at Lucy. Seeing her stay put, still trying to take her whip in vain, Genzo ordered her.

" Course, don't stay there. "

Too late. Opening her mouth, Syra released huge vibrations with a loud cry. Hitting Lucy with full force, the attack vibrated the smallest part of her body, while she immediately clapped her hands over her ears. Screaming in pain, she felt like each of her bones was shaking or about to break.

" AHHHHHHHH ! Stop! Stop! "

Finally ending the sentence, Syra stopped screaming, letting Lucy's body fall backwards.

" Sincerely, I would rather hear you sing than shout. " Chew said, removing his hands from his ears.

" Sorry, I still haven't learned how to put people to sleep with a lullaby. " Syra chuckled, while Arlong walked over to Lucy.

" Good, let's take her back to Arlong Park and find out where she hides her money ! For her to attack us, her keys must really open chests with millions of berrys inside ! Haha, we are rich ! "

However, as he was about to grab her, an explosion hit him in the back.

" EXPLOSING STAR! "

" What ... What ? " Someone wondered.

" Up there. " Cried a fishman, pointing a man at the roof of a dwelling.

Then looking up, everyone could see Usopp holding his slingshot in his hand while he shouted.

" I am the great captain Usopp, the most valiant warrior of the oceans. "

Raising her head then, while grimacing, Lucy had barely enough conscience to recognize him.

"U ... Usopp ? "

" Hey, the fishman. " Shouted Usopp, pointing his gun at Arlong. " Let this girl go, do you understand ? Because, if not, I will let my eight thousand men massacre you and your gang! You have been warned. "

" He's the guy with the long nose. " Someone recognized him.

" Perfect. " Asserted Chew. " A water cannon shot, and we'll have the whole gang. "

Preparing to shoot him, he stopped, however, when he heard.

" Dirty brat ! How did you dare ? "

Turning to Usopp, Arlong gave him a murderous look that made him cold in the back.

" Send your men ! I would have no qualms about cutting them to pieces ! But to start, I will kill you. "

Then running towards the house, he had no trouble grabbing it before lifting it as if nothing had happened.

" WHAT ? " Horrified Usopp feeling he was losing his balance.

" Dies. " Cried Arlong, swinging the house far away.

Then jumping in time, Usopp managed to land on the roof of a other house, while his old perch struck the ground violently until nothing was left but rubble.

" HELP ! " He feared, trembling. " I don't want to die. "

" He is still alive. " Noticed a fishman, pointing to him.

Backing away then, Usopp stared at Lucy, while Kuroobi grabbed the woman before placing her on his shoulder.

" What do I have to do ? " He wanted to know, feeling his legs tremble. " I can't fight against these monsters. "

" Guys, catch this stupid kid. " Roared Arlong. "He will pay for his affront. "

Grinding his teeth, Usopp closed his eyes, before finally running away. Fleeing from the roof, he ran out of the village while shouting.

" Sorry, Lucy ! I would come back to deliver you, I promise."

" Quick, catch him ! He runs away. "

" I will crush him ! Annihilate him ! Massacre him ! " Arlong assured, pretending to follow him himself.

" Arlong, no. " Implored one of his comrades, keeping him with another. " If you do this, you will trash everything. "

Seeing him then lose his mind, Syra placed himself in front of her chief, before creating vibrations. Seeing the attack arriving on them, the pirates who detained Arlong moved away in time, leaving their captain to suffer from Syra's attack. Using a cry powerful enough to stop him, the mermaid stopped her attack when he put one knee on the ground.

" It's good ? Are you calm down? "

" Yeah. " He said, getting up. " But I already told you to stop doing this. "

" If I hadn't done anything, you would still have massacred a village. " Got angry Syra. " Our goal is to dominate them, not to massacre them. "

" I don't care about that ! Anyone who dares to attack me will be killed, and this long-nosed guy will not escape the rule. "

" In that case, let me do it. " Assured Chew, setting off. " I will settle this matter very quickly, trust me. "

" Arlong, I have the woman. " Kuroobi said, pointing to Lucy.

" Grrr. " Said Arlong, looking towards the villagers of the village who had left their house, in order to recover Genzo. " You are save but I intend to return! Come on, let's go ! "

Arlond and the rest of his gang left the village, taking Lucy with them.

" Why did we let Luffy do this silly thing ? " Yelled Yosaku, failing to fall backwards every moment.

" Me, I find it rather practical. " Gin retorted.

" At least, the trip will be much shorter. " Raynare adds.

" And like that, Luffy leaves us a little peace. " Assured Sanji.

Indeed, putting a foot on the bow of the boat, Luffy burst out laughing, while he had hung a rope connecting the boat to the horn of Meuh-Meuh. The cow, seeing itself forced to advance the boat, under penalty of being hit again, bore different traces of injury due to his fight against the crew. And so, they was going three times faster than earlier.

" Go, faster. " Shouted Luffy. " We arrive. "

" What… what happened here ? " Roared Arlong.

Advancing slowly, he fell on his knees before the body of one of his men, on the ground, covered with wounds.

" Who ... Who dared to do that ? "

" Ar… Arlong. " Muttered a man on the ground.

" Who attacked you ? " Asked the man.

" It's… Roronoa Zoro. "

" Roronoa? Is he on this island ? "

" No, the prisoner was ... Roronoa Zoro. "

" What ? "

" The bastard; " Exclaimed Kuroobi. " He had hidden it from us. "

" How did he dare ? " Suddenly muttered Syra, being herself fixing her comrades on the ground. " How did he dare? "

Transforming then, her pupils became thinner while hatred could be seen.

" I'm going to kill him ! I go … ! I go … ! "

" No, calm down. " One of her comrades begged her.

Too late. Turning her head up, Syra started to scream in frustration. The sound produced was so powerful that it forced everyone to cover their ears so as not to have their eardrums sprayed.

" Ah, my ears. "

" Stops, Syra. "

Controlled only by anger, Syra continued to cry out, until a threatening voice commanded her.

" Syra, stop ... NOW ! "

It didn't take more for Syra to stop under Arlong's orders, before questioning him.

" But… are we going to let that ? This guy massacred our brothers. "

" This is out of the question. " Arlong assured her, making his fists crack. " We start looking for this guy and I swear he will know his pain. "

" Hey ! What happened here? " Wanted to know Chew.

Entering the base, he pulled Usopp by his nose. As soon as Arlong saw the man, he said.

" Well, you are right, you. "

Understanding what he intended to do with him, Chew swung the human at the feet of his captain, while Kuroobi placed Lucy next to him. Barely able to move her eyes, she saw Arlong's face in front of them.

" You are lucky, you, I plan to save you a little while ! I'm still waiting for answers regarding your keys ! However, … "

Piercing the ground, with a knife, a few inches from Usopp's nose, the fishman asserted.

" You will know the worst torture if you don't tell me right away what you and your friend are doing here ! Who hired you ? Is that my head you want ? "

" Pity ! I have nothing to do with Zoro. " Lies Usopp. "I swear to you. "

" Oh ? And how come you know I was talking about Zoro? "

Freezing, while cursing his idiocy, Usopp immediately declared.

" Okay ! If you want to know everything, Lucy and I are Zoro's best friends ! If you ever touch us, he will come to kill you. "

" Really ? " Giggles Arlong. " In this case, if I eliminate you right away, he will come to take revenge, is that right ? I just wanted him to come."

" No, please ! Don't kill me ! We not are friends, in fact. "

And while he was just begging for his life, Lucy's arm went straight to Arlong's belt. Silent and discreet, she was about to touch her keys, when Arlong's foot suddenly lifted.

" You stay calm. " He ordered her, violently crushing her hand.

Screaming in pain, Lucy felt her fingers completely pulped.

" Really interesting this constant desire to want to recover your precious keys. " Arlong noticed. " They must really lead to a huge fortune. "

" Arlong. " Suddenly called him Kuroobi.

Advancing towards him, the fishman showed him pieces of rope, while affirming.

" The links have been cut. " Roronoa was therefore helped by outside help. " These two were in the village so they couldn't do it ! Someone else helped him. "

" What are you trying to say, Kuroobi ? "

" It's simple ! It seems obvious to me that Nami is responsible for their presence here ! She must have hired these guys to kill us. "

" Huh ? "Syra wondered. " But it's impossible ! Mimi-chan couldn't betray us now that she is part of the crew. "

" She will never be a full member of the crew. " Kuroobi replied. " Everyone knows that she hates our captain from the day we met her ! And then, betrayal is her domain."

" And you, your stupidity will always amaze me. "

" Hum ? " The fishman wondered, turning to Nami.

Arriving at the base, the young woman said.

" I have been working on your own for eight years! Do you really think I'm going to betray you now that I've almost raised the hundred million berrys? "

" Na ... Nami ? " Usopp and Lucy were surprised.

" This tattoo is still proof that I am part of the team, right? " Nami asked him, pointing to the tattoo on her arm.

Laughing Arlong said.

" Sorry, but it is normal for us to be a little on edge after this massacre! For example, we are looking for the reason why all of this happened when Zoro was tied up. "

" Do you doubt my word ? "

But before Arlong could answer, Hatchi suddenly got out of the water, before crying out.

" My god ! What happened here ? "

" Huh ? " Surprised Chew. " Where were you ? "

" Huh, I was taking a guest to Cocoyashi. "

" A guest ? Which guest? "

" A saber handler with green hair. "

" Idiot, it was Roronoa Zoro ! It's him who massacred everyone. "

" What ? " Hatchi wondered. " Oh, the rascal. "

" Asshole. " Suddenly roared Syra pulling his hair. " Because of your stupidity, he managed to run away. "

" Ouch, ouch, sorry! But he will surely come back here. "

" What do you mean ? " Kuroobi asked him.

" He wanted to see Arlong. "

" Oh, in this case, not even need to move. " Understood the fishman. " He's really here to kill me ! Very well, in this case, I will wait for you very kindly. "

" Do what you want. " Assured Nami. " I don't care if you kill him. "

" Bitch. " The sudden insult Usopp. " How dare you say that when we specially came here to pick you up. "

" Everyone wants you to be part of the crew, Nami. " Assured Lucy. " Even Zoro and Raynare ! As for Luffy, he even decided to forgive you, even after your betrayal ! So why do you behave like this with us? "

" It's simple. " Assured Nami. " Now that you have no more money, you don't interest me at all ! If you are stupid enough not to understand it I have nothing to do with it. " "

" How dare you ? " Was angry Usopp. " Are we not friends ? "

Sighing then, Nami said.

" Decidedly speaking to you will not change anything. "

Then taking out a knife, she pointed it towards her old comrades, while affirming.

" You are obstacles, therefore, I must eliminate you. "

" But, Nami ...? " Horrified Lucy.

" SMOKE STAR ! " Suddenly cried Usopp.

Then throwing a ball on the ground, the attack made appear a screen of smoke which encompassed all the people around the sniper.

" Ah, what is that ? "

" I can't see anymore. "

" Pay attention ! They must not escape. "

Coughing too, Lucy ended up feeling pulled while Usopp took her with her.

" Quick, let's run. " He advised.

Nevertheless, a few seconds later, he suddenly froze when Lucy could hear a strange noise. Then, when the smoke cleared, the blonde could see Nami in front of Usopp, with her knife piercing the body of her friend.

" Nami ? Usopp ? "

Spitting blood then, Usopp staggered on the spot, before falling into the basin. Seeing him die like this, Lucy stared at Nami who was still holding her weapon covered in blood.

" How ... ? How dare you ... ? "

" We are not friends. " Nami simply explained to her.

" Traitor. " Suddenly cried Lucy, feeling tears of anger filling her eyes.

Immediately running towards Nami, she was about to strike her with her whip, when Kurrobi positioned himself next to her.

" HUNDRED BRICK FIST ! "

Then crushing Lucy's arm, a colossal force united in this simple punch broke it and made her propelled above the pelvis. Finally, crashing against the water, she eventually disappears there, as Usopp had done.

" Tsss. " Say Kuroobi. " Finished in one shoot ? Talk about a bounties hunter."

" Hey, Kuroobi. " Suddenly cried Arlong. " Who asked you to kill her ? How do we find her treasure? "

" Oops, sorry. " He apologized. " I can go and fish her."

" No, leave. " Finally said Arlong, returning to his seat. " Nami, do you know where is her treasure ? "

" Of course. " The young girl assured him. " Surely safe with Zoro. "

"In this case, I would question him once he comes back here. " Assured Arlong, sneering.

Then coming back to them, Nami felt Syra hug her close while saying.

" Oh, I'm so happy, Mimi-chan ! I thought you really wanted to betray us ! But, it's impossible since we are friends. "

" Yes. " Said Nami, forcing herself to smile at her. " Great friends! "

" Huh … Sorry. " Suddenly apologized Kurrobi. " I got carried away, just now ! In fact, you are truly one of us. "

" I will never be yours. " Nami replied. " As soon as I have the necessary money, I buy my village and I leave the crew, as agreed ! That's all ! "

Seeing her go, Kurrobi gave a surprised look, looking at her hand covered in blood.

" Hum ? "