"Fuck, that is Arlong's ship!" growled Zoro as Cocoyashi Village came into view. His voice was laced with a mix of rage and worry that made Shanks raise an eyebrow.
Shanks squinted at the ship and then at the village, a calm but keen observance in his eyes. "Looks like they're disembarking," he noted, his tone measured but hinting at the impending trouble.
Gripping the hilt of his sword his knuckles turned white, Zoro ground his teeth together. To hell with my plan!, he thought. He couldn't stand by, not when one of his friends was about to become a slave. He had to act now!
Zoro turned sharply, eyes locking onto the crew's musician. "Bonk!" he barked, pointing with urgency to the cliff where Nami's house stood, "Can you throw me over there?"
Bonk's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!" His jaw practically dropped to the deck. He glanced nervously at Shanks, seeking some form of sanity in this madness.
"Please!" Zoro's voice cracked with desperation. "I need to stop him!"
Shanks studied Zoro intently, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. The tension in the air was palpable. Finally, he nodded. "Alright."
"This isn't safe at all!" Bonk protested, eyes darting between Zoro and Shanks.
"Just do it!" Zoro's shout was raw, his expression fierce. He could sense Arlong's malevolent presence, but couldn't pin his aura down exactly It was like a dark fog seeping through the village.
Bonk muttered under his breath, shaking his head, but he moved into position, hefting Zoro with a strength that belied his size.
"Wait!" A voice called out, and Snake rushed up, breathless. "Here. If you're doing something crazy, you'll need those!" He handed Zoro his two katana.
"Thank you!" Zoro gripped the swords tightly, feeling their reassuring weight.
Bonk took a deep breath, adopting his fighting stance, muscles coiling like springs. With a mighty heave, he launched Zoro towards the cliff like a human cannonball.
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The world blurred around Zoro, wind whistling in his ears. His mind was laser-focused, every muscle in his body tensed for the landing.
Zoro flew so fast it felt like his face was peeling off, the wind roaring past him in a deafening rush. The cliff loomed ahead, but not fast enough. He could sense Arlong's aura directly in front of him.
Come on, cliff, be already here, he thought impatiently, heart pounding. Arlong's presence halted abruptly, standing before another aura — a frightened one that could only be Nami's mom, Bellemere.
He could see Nami's house growing larger, the figure of Arlong becoming clearer. He had to reach her, to protect her, no matter the cost.
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Zoro was flying directly toward them, his grip tightening on Snake's swords. He could see Arlong more clearly now, the monstrous fish-man towering over Bellemere, a cruel grin splitting his face. Zoro's eyes widened in horror. Arlong had his pistol drawn, finger on the trigger, ready to end her life.
"AGHHHHH!" Zoro's scream pierced the air, a primal roar that startled everyone present. "Two swords style: Nigiri Flash!"
In an instant, Zoro swung his blades, unleashing two airborne projectiles with lightning speed and deadly precision. The attack connected with full force before anyone could blink, sending Arlong flying backward. He crashed into a tree with a bone-rattling wham, the impact reverberating through the forest. Zoro landed right on top of him, the force of his descent adding to the blow.
Arlong groaned, momentarily stunned. Bellemere's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she realized the looming threat was gone. Zoro rose to his feet, his swords gleaming in the sunlight, eyes blazing with determination.
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"What was that?" one of the fishmen exclaimed, eyes wide with shock.
Zoro jumped away from Arlong, landing lightly on his feet. He got into a fighting stance, ready to attack if the fishman moved.
"Get away from her!" Zoro snarled, his voice a low, dangerous growl. He stood protectively in front of Bellemere, his stance firm and unyielding.
Arlong shook off the daze, his eyes narrowing with fury. "Who are you?" he roared.
Zoro didn't bother to answer. He lunged at Arlong, blades flashing in a flurry of steel. Arlong barely had time to react, blocking the first few strikes with his massive arms, but Zoro's relentless assault drove him back.
"What the hell?" roared Arlong, getting to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury. "I don't care where you come from. You'll regret this!"
"Don't think so," smirked Zoro confidently.
With a roar of anger, Arlong lunged at him. Zoro dodged, guided by his Observation Haki. "Try to hit me," he taunted, moving with the fluid grace of a seasoned warrior.
Arlong's attacks grew more frantic, his frustration evident. "Shoot him!" he ordered his men, his voice a feral growl.
Zoro spun around, evading the projectiles with ease. "Two-swords-style: Nigiri!" He unleashed a powerful gust of wind, but Arlong parried it effortlessly.
"You think a worm like you can win against me?! Fishmen are the superior race!" Arlong charged at Zoro again, who dodged, his movements a blur. "Everyone! Catch him!" Arlong's roar echoed through the village.
Suddenly, Zoro found himself surrounded by a huge group of fishmen, all lunging at him with deadly intent. "Shit," he cursed under his breath. There were too many!
He kept pushing on, his swords slicing through the air with lethal precision, but the sheer number of opponents overwhelmed him. One by one, the fishmen closed in.
Next thing he knew, he was buried beneath a pile of fishmen. A pained yelp escaped him as he was crushed by their weight. He struggled against the mass of bodies, but it was like fighting against a mountain.
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Bellemere's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Zoro disappear beneath the fishmen. "No!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to help, to do something, but fear rooted her to the spot.
Arlong loomed over the pile, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "You worm, thought you could stop me?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're nothing compared to us!"
Zoro gritted his teeth, every muscle in his body was burning. He could feel his strength waning, but he refused to give up. Zoro pushed against the fishmen with all his might, his swords glowing with the faintest glimmer of Haki. "I will not be defeated!" he growled.
The fishmen were momentarily stunned by the surge of energy, giving Zoro a brief opening. He swung his swords, cutting through the mass and pushing himself to his feet.
But Arlong was ready. With a powerful kick, he sent Zoro sprawling back to the ground, his body skidding across the dirt. "Stay down!" Arlong commanded, his voice a thunderous roar.
Zoro's vision blurred, pain coursing through his body. He tried to stand, but his legs gave out beneath him. Faintly, he could see Arlong approaching.
As darkness began to close in, the sound of distant shouting reached his ears. Zoro's thoughts drifted to his friends, his promise to Luffy. He couldn't fail now. He wouldn't. With a final, desperate effort, Zoro raised his head, his eyes locking onto Arlong's. "This isn't over," he croaked.
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Bellemere watched in silent horror, her heart aching for the brave swordsman who risked everything to protect them as he fell to the ground. She prayed for a miracle, for something to turn the tide in their favor.
"Take him, Chow", ordered Arlong, grinning viciously.
Chow picked him up, holding him in his arms like a ragdoll. Zoro struggled against the grip, but it was no use. The strong hands of the fishman squeezed his arms painfully tight, his muscles straining against the vice-like hold.
"Who are you?!" demanded Arlong furiously, his eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and curiosity.
"The one who will stop you from invading this village," spat Zoro, his voice laced with defiance.
"You've already failed! Keep barking, you noisy dog!" Arlong broke out in heinous laughter, his sharp teeth gleaming in the sunlight. "But since you're so invested in stopping me, why don't you watch me punish this woman before I take care of you!"
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Chow carried him over to where Bellemere, Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo were restrained by fishmen during Zoro's fight with Arlong. The sight of their frightened faces filled Zoro with a burning rage.
Cackling, Arlong drew his gun and pointed it at Bellemere.
"No!" Zoro gritted his teeth. His mind raced frantically, searching for anything he could do. Shanks was already on his way, but he wouldn't be fast enough. Getting out of Chow's hold seemed impossible.
"Watch!" Arlong commanded sadistically. His finger moved to the trigger, the world slowing down around Zoro. Every heartbeat pounded in his ears, a deafening reminder of his helplessness.
"STOP!" screamed Zoro, putting all of his desperation and determination into his voice. It was a primal, guttural roar that seemed to resonate with the very air around them.
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His yell unleashed a huge blast of Conqueror's Haki, a wave of overwhelming force that swept across the area. Most of the fishmen collapsed instantly, unconscious before they hit the ground. Only Arlong, Chow, Kuroobi, and Hachi remained standing but were visibly rattled. Their bodies trembling. Chow's grip slackened, and Zoro fell to the ground. Arlong was stunned and dropped his gun, the weapon clattering uselessly at his feet.
Nami, Bellemere, Nojiko, and Genzo watched with wide eyes, their jaws dropped in utter confusion, awe and new hope. They had no idea what had just happened.
Arlong's furious gaze snapped to Zoro, his previous confidence now tainted with a hint of fear. "What... what did you do?" he demanded, his voice quivering with barely controlled rage.
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"ZORO!" shouted Shanks, his voice booming across the battlefield. He got to a halt, taking in the scene of passed-out fishmen and the seething Arlong, letting out a surprised gasp.
The other Red Hair Pirates appeared behind him, their expressions ranging from shock to steely determination. Zoro's shoulders sagged in relief.
Arlong turned to them, his fists clenched and eyes blazing with hatred. "You think you can just walk in here and stop me, bastard humans?", his voice a low growl.
Nami and Nojiko let out terrified yelps, pressing themselves against Bellemere, who was holding them protectively. Genzo stood beside them, his face pale but resolute. "What is happening?" cried Nami, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.
Shanks fixed his gaze on Arlong, his expression shifting from casual curiosity to deadly seriousness. "The brat couldn't stand by and watch this village get invaded," he said, a grin slowly spreading across his face.
Radiating confidence, Shanks and his crew advanced. The remaining fishmen hesitated, recognizing the sheer power that stood before them.
Arlong, however, was not so easily intimidated. "I don't care who you are!" he roared; his voice filled with unbridled rage. "Fishmen are superior, and I will crush anyone who stands in my way!"
Shanks didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Arlong's. "You talk a big game," he said calmly, "but you only go after people weaker than you."
With a nod from Shanks, the Red Hair Pirates sprang into action. Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and Lucky Roux moved with the precision and speed of seasoned warriors, engaging the remaining fishmen in a flurry of attacks. The clash of steel and the crack of gunfire filled the air, a stark contrast to the earlier silence.
Zoro's body was aching everywhere as he watched Shanks' and his crewmates. He hated having to rely on them to finish this fight.
"Snake!", he shouted, as he saw the navigator fighting only with two small knives. Snake looked over, ginning as he caught one of his swords.
Arlong charged at Shanks with a primal scream, his powerful jaws snapping in a vicious attempt to bite down on his opponent. Shanks sidestepped gracefully, his sword flashing in the sunlight.
"Give up!" Arlong bellowed. "A mere human has no chance against me!"
Shanks smirked, his grip on his sword unwavering. "Try me."
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Meanwhile, Nami, Nojiko, Bellemere, and Genzo watched in a mixture of awe and terror. The power and skill displayed by the Red Hair Pirates were unlike anything they had ever seen.
"Stay close," Bellemere whispered, her arms wrapped tightly around Nami and Nojiko. "They're here to help us."
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Arlong launched into another attack. His fists swung with the aim to crush Shanks with raw, brutal strength.
This time, Shanks met him head-on, his eyes locked onto Arlong's with unwavering determination. Their weapons clashed with a resounding boom that reverberated through the village. Sparks flew from the point of impact. Dust and debris were kicked up into the air, creating a swirling cloud around the combatants.
Shanks countered Arlong's raw power with finesse and technique. He parried Arlong's wild swings with ease. Arlong's eyes burned with fury and frustration, his attacks growing more desperate with each passing moment.
Despite the overwhelming strength behind Arlong's attacks, Shanks stood his ground. His feet planted firmly the dirt as he moved to the offensive. With a powerful thrust, Shanks drove his sword forward, piercing through Arlong's defenses. The fishman's roar of pain echoed through the village, a sound of defeat and fury. Arlong collapsed to his knees. The remaining fishmen, seeing their leader fall, began to lose their will to fight. One by one, they were subdued by the relentless assault of the Red Hair Pirates.
As the dust settled, Shanks stood over the defeated Arlong. "This village is under our protection now," he declared, his voice firm and authoritative. "If you ever threaten them again, you'll have to deal with me."
Zoro slowly approached, his body aching and exhausted.
Shanks grinned, clapping Zoro on the shoulder. "You did well, Zoro. Now, let's make sure these people are safe." He turned to his crew mates, "Tie them up!"
Zoro scrunched up his face in a mixture of gratitude for Shanks' help and bitterness for having needed it. Sighing he forced himself to smile and nodded curtly.
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The other villagers had been alerted by the shouting and fighting noises. They ran up to them as Nami, Nojiko, Bellemere, and Genzo got up from where they had huddled together. Their expressions were a mix of relief and disbelief. They had been saved, even if it was by another pirate crew.
The villagers were still scared and wary from Arlong's invasion. They watched the Red Hair Pirates with wide, apprehensive eyes, fearing for something even worse to happen now. Before trying to calm them down, the Red Hair Pirates quickly tied up the knocked-out fishmen, ensuring that Arlong and his crew wouldn't pose any further threat.
"We are not here to harm you," explained Shanks, his voice calm and reassuring. "We just noticed the distress and came to help."
No one seemed convinced. The villagers tried to back away slowly, fear evident in their eyes.
Bellemere, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and gratitude, walked up to Shanks with a determined look and spoke up. "His gun was already pointed at me. So, even if you are pirates, you saved my life," she said steadily. Despite the turmoil within her, she stood tall in front of them. The villagers murmured amongst themselves, looking between Bellemere and Shanks.
"No need to thank me," Shanks waved her off with a modest smile. "It was Zoro, who couldn't stand by."
All eyes turned to Zoro. He scratched the back of his head and bit his lip, feeling uncomfortable under the sudden attention. He had only helped because of Nami. Shanks, sensing the tension, grinned widely. "Let's throw a party and celebrate your freedom!" he announced, his voice carrying a contagious enthusiasm.
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The villagers were hesitant at first, but it didn't take long until the Red Hair Pirates made it clear they meant no harm and only wanted to celebrate. The mood began to shift and slowly but surely, the villagers began to relax.
Bonfires were lit, tables were set up, and food and drink were brought out. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, replaced by laughter and music. Children ran around, their giggles filling the air, while adults shared relieved smiles and heartfelt thanks. Nami, Nojiko, and Bellemere joined in with a mix of amazement and gratefulness.
As the night wore on, the villagers and pirates mingled, sharing stories and drinks. Laughter echoed through the village. Everyone was having a good time.