" RAYNARE. " Lucy frightened, seeing her disappear underwater.
Seeing her pretend to imitate her, Yosaku and Johnny quickly stopped her.
" Don't go sister-Lucy ! Underwater, you will can't win against this mermaid."
" But we must help Raynare. "
Breaking, at this instant, the surface of the water, Sanji took a big breath of air, before starting to swim to the edge. While Zoro and Raynare were fighting on land, the cook had dived into the water to help Luffy. However, having been forced to fight Kuroobi, he eventually gave up and decided to fight out of the water.
" Damn it, I thought I was going to drown. "
" Where is Luffy ? " Zoro asked him.
" Always underwater ! But don't worry, he's in good hands ! I saw Nami's sister with him. "
Looking more in all directions, he wanted to know.
" Where is Raynare-sama ? "
" She also fell to the fleet. "
" What? " Cried Sanji. " My Raynare-sama prey to the attacks of these stupid fishmen ? "
" Who is stupid? " Kuroobi asked, jumping out of the water.
" How is it going, below ? " Wanted to know Arlong.
" I caught a glimpse of Syra, fighting the fallen angel. " His comrade taught him. " She manages the situation perfectly! "
" Good ! It will soon make one less enemy to kill. "
" Two. "Kuroobi retorted, fixing Sanji. " I would soon be done with this stupid human ! And then … "
Staring at Lucy, he said.
" I will kill her toi ! When I want to kill someone, I do it. "
Hardening his gaze, Sanji quickly sent his foot to his face, causing him to fly backwards.
" You won't touch Lucy-chan. "
" Motherfucker. "
Seeing that he was handling the situation, Zoro pulled over to Lucy and Gin, and assured them.
" Sanji and Raynare are perfectly capable of fighting on their own ! However, this is not the case with Luffy, now that he is underwater ! It is a matter of quickly coming to his aid, without giving Arlong an opportunity to kill us. "
" Aquarius could do it. " Assured him Lucy. " She is a spirit that controls water ! She can hoist Luffy out of the pool ! However, … "
" Without your keys, you can't invoke her. " Understood Zoro. " Yet, it seems to me that your spirits often appear on their own, right? "
" Yes, but for that, they need my magic ! If I don't have my keys with me, it's impossible for them to do so ! I need my keys to save Luffy."
Seeing her clench her fist, Gin ends up spinning one of his tonfas, while looking at Arlong's belt.
" So, we just have to collect your keys and Luffy can take care of the rest. It's easy to understand.
Eyes open, despite not really knowing where she was, Raynare allowed herself to sink, while remaining motionless. Still struck by Syra's last attack, it took a while for her to regain her senses. In the meantime, she could only look at the bottom of the pool, where Luffy was already. However, instead of resting in peace, the pirate had his head stretched out of the water, while Nojiko tried to give him a heart massage in order to make him breathe.
" That … ? " Raynare wondered.
Finally remembering his fight against Arlong and his gang, the fallen angel found her means, and began to swim towards Luffy. Finding that he still had his feet stuck in the block of rock, she hastened to create a spear of light in her hand to make it explode.
However, she didn't even have time to make a meter that she felt a blow to her in the abdomen. Opening her mouth in pain, the fallen angel released some of her oxygen, while Syra could be seen swimming in front of her.
" So, miss '' I am the superior being ''? How does one feel after a humiliating defeat ? "
Raynare threw her a glare and quickly threw her spear toward her. Nevertheless, slowed down because of water, the attack didn't frighten Syra, who began to dodge, while undulating around the spear. Then, stepping up her speed, she let herself sink like a torpedo and gave a powerful blow to the skull in Raynare's belly.
Placing her hands on her mouth, to avoid losing oxygen again, Raynare had a hard time not to cry, while Syra then gave her a tail stroke.
" Apparently, humans are not the only weak beings ! Fallen angels are too ! You are nothing but vermin ! You're a shabby. "
Taking one after the other, Raynare then felt a violent anger invading her again. This time, she really wanted to kill Syra at all costs. She wanted to exterminate her and cut it out.
" I'm not weak. " She roared, trying to catch her.
Opening her mouth, Syra immediately released powerful sound waves which, in the water, had no trouble reaching Raynare's ears. Feeling them start to buzz, Raynare quickly made her anger disappear, while the lack of oxygen began to play against her.
Feeling her sight clouded, she didn't see Syra rushing at her again to hit her. Feeling herself falling towards the bottom of the pool, Raynare let out her last bubbles of air, before simply feeling her eyes close.
" It is the end."
"Raynare ! Get up ! ''
"Um ? " Surprised the young woman, feeling like she heard a voice in her head.
Suddenly feeling like she saw Luffy's face in front of her, she could hear him say.
" Don't forget that we are friends. "
" Luffy ? "
" We're counting on you, Ray-chan. " Then said Lucy's voice.
" Lucy ? "
" I have to save my village. " Said Nami, crying. " Nevertheless, I would give everything to return to this crew! They are all my friends. "
Thinking of Nami's tears, Rayanre suddenly widened her eyes, before straightening up, towards the surface.
"No, I can't lose. "
Concentrating her energy, she spurted her pair of wings behind her back.
" I have to win ! To win ! "
" Well, is the shabby on the rise again ? " Syra wondered, swimming towards her. "It's useless , you are too weak to beat me underwater."
Getting ready to release her rage again, seeing her, Raynare calmed down at the last moment. And this time, there was no more trace of black aura around her.
"No, I have to control myself ! Whether I am weak or not, I know I can beat her. Yes, I'm Raynare. "
In an instant, her wings made a powerful flutter, which eventually propelled her upwards. Surprised, Syra could only see her overtaking her, while Raynare '' flew '' in the water.
" But how … ? "
Not asking herself this question, Raynare continued her ascent, without noticing that a second pair of wings had appeared on her back, thus increasing her speed.
" She has four wings? " Syra wondered.
Finally, returning to the surface, Raynare managed to get out of the water, to everyone's surprise, while continuing to fly to the sky.
" I don't believe it. " Exclaimed Johnny and Yosaku.
" Raynare. " Rejoices Lucy.
" But how … ? " Arlong wondered.
" Raynare-sama. " Sanji cheered, when he had just defeated Kuroobi.
" Forward. " Cried Raynare, before turning back towards the pool.
" How did she do that ? " Wanted to know Syra, returning to the surface.
At that moment, she saw two spears appear in the fallen angel's hands , which seemed slightly larger than usual.
" Let's go ! New attack ! DIVINE TORNADO ! "
Swirling her two spears, she launched them at the same time. And, spinning between them, they ended up creating a perfect mini-tornado, which rushed straight towards Syra.
" Tsss ! This attack doesn't work! Have you already forgotten? "
Nonetheless, she was panicking, noticing that the attack gained momentum as she approached dangerously close to her. Eyes wide, the mermaid suddenly had the right whisper to dive into the water to escape the water. However, hitting the pool water, Raynare's attack created an explosion so powerful that it ejected a large portion of the pool water.
Suddenly shouting, Syra's figure could be seen as she was thrown into the air. Immediately unable to flee, she panicked as Raynare flew in her direction.
" It's over, dirty fish. "
" BUBBLE SOUND ! "
Seeing three sound bulls rushing over her, Raynare never lost her cool, and continued to fly, while dodging attacks with speed and elegance. Then, finding herself in front of Syra, she ends up lifting her leg up in the air, before crushing her, forcefully, on her skull.
The powerful blow managed to eject Syra down and the poor mermaid crashed violently against the cement floor.
" SYRA. " Cried Arlong.
Lying on the ground, the mermaid could only utter a groan before losing consciousness. Raynare had just beaten her in one stroke.
Then there was a heavy silence. Then suddenly a cry of joy was uttered.
" Well played Raynare. " Exclaimed Usopp, when he had just returned to the battlefield. " You did almost as well as I did when I fought against my opponent ! I won like a brave ocean warrior. "
" You assured, sister-Raynare. " Yosaku said.
" Awesome ! " A villager rejoices. " This means that there is only Arlong left to defeat ! Freedom reaches out to us. "
Even surprised by the feat she had just accomplished, Raynare ended up looking over her shoulder and could see her four wings.
" I have… two pairs of wings ? But how … ? "
" RAY-CHAN. "She heard suddenly.
Lowering her gaze, she suddenly saw Lucy gesturing to her before shouting.
" You are the best. "
Immediately, an incomparable pride fills the body of the fallen angel. She was proud. Proud to have won and to show her power to Lucy. Yes, she knew it herself. She wanted to win to protect those she was starting to consider like her friends.
"Was it thanks to friendship that I was able to acquire the power necessary to have four wings ? No matter ! Now I have enough power to ... "
A shower of projectiles hit her head on. Spitting blood, the fallen angel eventually drops to the ground.
" That … ? " Zoro and Sanji wondered, looking up to see their friend falling.
" Sister-Raynare. " Exclaimed Johnny and Yosaku, already running towards her.
Jumping both, they managed to seize her in mid-flight and absorb her fall. However, that didn't stop Raynare from screaming in pain while many injuries could be seen in her abdomen.
" What happened ? " Wanted to know Usopp.
Having already had his little idea, Gin turned to Arlong, who looked down, his hand completely drenched.
" Kuroobi ! Chew ! Hachi ! Syra ! You dared to massacre my precious comrades. "
" Tsss! They didn't leave us the choice. " Gin noticed, already spinning his tonfa. " But don't worry, we have enough reserves to finish you off. "
And to prove it, Zoro and Sanji joined him and faced Arlong.
" It's finish. " Assured Zoro. " Your reign will end here and now. "
" You will regret having attacked Raynare-sama. " Roared Sanji.
Groaning for his part, Arlong ends up plunging one of his hands in the water of the basin before propelling water droplets towards them. His gesture was so rapid that the drops turned into veritable destructive arrows. The attack that had hit Raynare.
Immediately understanding the danger, Gin made reels with his tonfas and used them as shields. Cutting the drops, Zoro also protected himself, while Sanji positioned himself behind him.
" You will die ! All of them. "
Finally moving, Sanji ran straight towards Zoro, and leaned on his back. Using it as a springboard, he jumped to the sky, before lifting his leg toward Arlong.
" SHEEP SHOOT ! "
However, looking up at him, Arlong made a malicious smile appear on his face, before swinging his two hands filled with water towards him. Immediately, a cloud of arrows hit him full force, piercing his body here and there.
" SANJI. " Appeared Usopp.
Distracted, seeing his friend's body fall to the ground, Gin lost his focus. Taking advantage of this, Arlong ran towards him, and struck his stomach with a huge kick. The impact was so powerful that Gin dropped his weapons and eventually crashed into a pillar.
" You humans, you are too weak. " Giggles Arlong.
Wanting to prove the contrary, Zoro in turn ran towards him, and tried to cut him at face level. However, he was completely stopped . Stronger than steel, Arlong's nose had absorbed the attack while Zoro's saber had not made the slightest scratch.
" But how … ? "
" Stupid human. " Roared Arlong, hitting him in the stomach.
Feeling his wounds touched, Zoro let out a huge cry of pain, before Arlong grabbed him by the neck.
" Well, well ! What do we have there ? A rebellious human who thinks he is strong enough to defeat me? You idiot ! You'll just be the first one I'll crush. "
Immediately pretending to close his fist to strike Zoro's face, Arlong suddenly stopped, hearing a voice.
" ARLONG ! "
" Hum? " Said the fishman, before smiling. "Oh, Nami ? What are you doing here ? "
Having run to come here, Nami was breathing with difficulty. Yet despite this and her shoulder injury, she stands up to Arlong, while saying.
" It's over, Arlong ! Starting today, I'm leaving your crew ! Rather die than stay with you. "
At first surprised by her words, Arlong ends up laughing. Then, with an arm movement, he introduced Zoro and the others.
" You want to leave me ? But where are you going? And with who ? Do you want to leave this island with your precious friends? You don't make me laugh ! It's been a long time since I drowned their captain ! As for the others, they are half dead ! What do you think you can do now ? "
" Fight you." Nami said, without any fear.
Again surprised, Arlong sighed wearily.
" Nami ! When will you finally understand ? No matter what you try to do, you can never kill me ! Besides, it's not like I hate you ! Over the years, I have felt a certain attachment for you ! Like my comrades, I consider you one of us ! You are my centerpiece ! The most important person on my team ! The one that will allow me to get my empire ! There is no question that I let vulgar pirates take you under my nose. "
" I don't want to work with you anymore and this is my last word. "
Shrugging, Arlong simply ends up placing Zoro in front of him so that everyone can see him.
" Listen to me well, whatever happens, I will kill this man and all the people who dared to hurt my comrades ! However, if you decide to go back on your words and continue to draw cards for me, I would be ready to spare the villagers of Cocoyashi. "
" What ? "
" What junk. " Roared a villager.
" How can he propose this to Nami after everything he has done ? "
" So ? " Wanted to know Arlong, ignoring what the villagers said. " My proposal is simple, right ? Either you choose to stay with me and your village will be safe and sound, or you decide to continue to stand up to me and, by this evening, you will be the only person still alive ! What do you choose, Nami ? "
Immediately, Lucy could see Nami being shaken. The poor girl did not know what to choose.
" What should I do ? " She wondered, while she couldn't help shaking. " I want to be free ! Leave Arlong's crew! Go with Luffy and the others ! But ... But in this case, Arlong will kill everyone and ..."
A sneer was suddenly heard.
" Stupid fish ! "
" Hum? " Said Arlong, looking at Zoro. "What are you laughing at ? "
" You dare to say that you will win ? How can you be sure? As long as I am alive, nothing will guarantee your victory. "
" Really ? " Arlong wondered, putting his hand on his bandages. " Do you dare say that despite your condition ? I must admit that you have courage ! Unless, of course, your injuries are much less important than you dare claim."
Removing Zoro's bandages with a violent gesture, Arlong made the swordsman cry out in pain. However, Arlong didn't even hear him. Watered by several drops of blood, the fishman opened his eyes wide when he saw the huge wound on Zoro's abdomen.
" How… ? How can you still stand with such an injury? You should already be dead. "
" I made a promise to Nami. " Assured Zoro, daring to smile. " Like Luffy, I promised to protect her village ! I would never go back on my promise because of an insignificant scratch. "
" Zoro ? " Nami wondered.
" S… Stop playing proud. " Cried Sanji, grimacing as he got up. " If anyone has to defeat the man who horrified Nami-swan's childhood, it's me."
" Sanji? "
" Whatever my reasons, there is no question that I back away from this rot. "Raynare assured, creating a spear of light in her hand.
" Raynare ? "
" Even if Luffy is not with us, we are strong enough to defeat the enemy. " Cried Usopp, aiming for Arlong with his slingshot.
" Nothing will prevent us from saving Nami and her village. " Assured Lucy, armed with her whip.
" Usopp ? Lucy ? "
" I will continue to fight until you are nothing more than a corpse. " Roared Gin, resuming his tonfas.
" Yeah. " Johnny approved, while taking out his saber. " We are not afraid of you, stupid sardine. "
" We will win and make you regret what you did to sister-Nami. " Adds Yosaku.
" Friends ? "
Astonished to see each of them get up in order to attack him, Arlong wanted to know.
" Why did you get up ? "
" FOR OUR FRIEND NAMI. " Several voices roared.
Immediately, widening her eyes, Nami stopped trembling. Yes, now she understood. Understood who were all these people who risked their lives to come to this island in order to recover it. They were these friends. These precious friends.
As a result, Nami took a deep breath, before raising her stick in the air.
" Everyone, I made my choice. "
Immediately, all heads were turned towards her, while she assured loud and clear.
" I will fight Arlong ! Yes, I want to be free. "
It didn't even take a second to hear multitudes of voices begin to approve her choice.
" Yeah, let's go. "
" We are going to beat Arlong. "
" He will not understand his pain. "
Groaning then, Arlong ended up throwing Zoro with all his might against the ground. Then, looking at each of the enemies around him, he roared.
" Very well ! In this case, I would be happy to kill you ones after the others ! It's going to be a real carnage. "
Preparing for battle, everyone suddenly stopped, while a huge jet of water could be seen in the distance.
" That … ? " Arlong wondered.
" What is that ? " Wanted to know Gin.
In response, a loud cry was uttered.
" ARLONG ! I'm going to slaughter you. "
Immediately, big smiles lit up the faces of those who could recognize the voice.
" Luffy. " Glad Usopp.
" It was Luffy-aniki. " Yosaku said.
" Yes, it was good Luffy-aniki. " Johnny agreed.
" Tsss, this idiot will never stop surprising me. " Raynare said, while showing a slight smile. " He is truly immortal. "
" Luffy. " Said Nami, regaining hope in order to deliver her village.
" If Luffy is alive, we can win. " Assured Sanji.
Then, staring at Lucy in her eyes, he made her understand her next plan. Immediately, Lucy directed her eyes to Arlong, at the level of his belt and understood what he should do.
"I have to collect my keys at all costs."
" What does it mean ? " Roared Arlong, turning to them.
In response, Sanji and Gin screamed before running towards him.
" Let's go ! We're going to slaughter you! "