WE'RE COMING FOR YOU, NAMI!

East Blue Saga - Arlong Park Arc - Episodes 31 - 32

DAKOTA'S POV:

We continue to sail on the trail of Nami with the duo fussing over the injured Swordsman lying on the floor of the tiny boat. Usopp keeps imagining horrible things about Luffy dying, looking back at the ship's rear. I look out for the Going Merry. "Shut up!" I order them, and they all go dead quiet and stop moving. "We need to keep heading in the direction Nami is going, and I can't concentrate with all your yammering about things like Luffy dying or Zoro dying when none of that is true." I look at them as they stay silent and stand at the front of the boat. "Akuma-Akuma no Human-Demon Form: Eyes From Hell." I close my eyes and open them again, allowing the golden feline eyes to take over. I forward my eyesight around 20 times above natural human capacity to see the Going Merry with Nami aboard, heading for an island about five miles in front.

"Where's she heading?" Usopp asks me, looking up at me with both curiosity and fear mixed in his eyes.

"I'm not too sure, but I recognise the building on the far side of the island," I answer him and close my eyes, deactivating my Demon eyes and walk over to the little cabin to find a map.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

I look around the tiny cabin to find it a complete mess with clothes over the floor, plates of food probably growing mould and some gross magazines too. I proceed to look in a few of the drawers and find the map of the East Blue I'm looking for. A glint of metal catches my eye as I begin to leave the room; I stop in my step to move some pieces of clothing out of the way to see a pair of twin blades and take them, securely putting them around my waist.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

I roll the map out on the floor in front of the boys and point to where we are. "This is roughly where we are, and Nami is heading for this island," I tell them and point at the Island ahead of us. "This is Conomi Island which from my sources say, Arlong is residing at the moment." I look up to see the Pirate Duo looking pale from shock at the mention of the Fishman in question and seem to be shaking terribly.

"Are you sure, Big Sis Dakota?" Johnny stutters and looks at me with sweat running down his brow.

"I'm sure, she's too close now to change direction, and you already said she was looking at Arlong's Wanted Poster which gives me some ideas as to why she would be heading there and none of them are good," I reply and look up to see that Zoro is now awake from his little coma.

"So, we know where she's going?" He asks, looking over at us; the guys all rejoice and crowd him suffocating him as he struggles to escape their grasp.

"Yosaku, stop that," I warn him and pick him up by his coat, letting him hang in the air; as I do this, a black and grey striped shark suddenly jumps out of the water high and takes hold of Yosaku's bottom half and falls back into the water along with the screaming Pirate Hunter.

"YOSAKU!" Johnny shouts out at the shark, and his partner swims away.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," I promise but pay no mind as he continues to shout after his long-lost partner and walk over to Zoro checking his wound. He seems fine, so I smack him on the forehead leaving a small red mark in the centre.

"Ow! What was that for?!" He demands, looking at me as I stare him down.

"You could have done anything but fight Uncle Hawky, and you could have lived, you're now dead," I tell him; he looks at Johnny and Usopp then I smack him on the head again, diverting his attention back to me.

"Ow! Stop doing that!" I ignore him and go to do it again, but he stops my hand from making contact with his forehead.

"Okay, you're not dead, but you could have been!" I warn him and look into his eyes, seeing no regret, so I do what I do with my brothers and smack him with my other hand in the head.

"Ow! I'm fine, and I had to do it. If it were your Mother's killer, wouldn't you wish to face them regardless if you knew they could kill you easily?" He asks, and I know he is right and stand up.

"That'll scar, and we're almost at the island Nami was heading, and Yosaku's been eaten by a shark," I state, he looks up at me with wide eyes, along with the other two then I close my eyes, letting them turn a golden glow in the form of feline-like eyes again. "Akuma-Akuma no Human-Demon Form: Eyes From Hell." I turn my head in the opposite direction, which I saw the shark take him and scan for the missing Pirate Hunter and see The Baratie still intact mostly and quiet till said shark bait flies into the doors. "He's fine; somehow, he made it back to The Baratie." The boys all sigh of relief, and Zoro sits up, leaning against the side with his one sword in hand. It looks so lonely.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

We finally get closer to the Island, which Nami stopped at, but I still wonder why she would go to an island where Arlong resides, but I know my Baby Brother will have no one else but her as our Navigator. So it's our job to get her back. "W-we're finally here, Arlong Park!" Johnny stutters in panic at the front cowering behind the side of the boat next to Zoro. I narrow my eyes at the large building to the left of us as I look down, seeing Zoro shift, looking over his shoulder, and Usopp also cowering behind the side of the ship.

"This is it? The base of the Fishman Pirate, Arlong, who survived the Grand Line." Usopp gulps loudly with fear as we drift closer to the shore. "Is Nami really in there?"

"Firstly, if Big Sis Nami is really here, then we should be able to find the Going Merry. So shall we check if it's really anchored at this Island first?" Johnny reasons, and I look down at him with a glare.

"Yeah, w-we should." Usopp agrees in a stutter; Zoro slams his sword into the deck, lifts himself up, and moves his sword as if getting ready to fight.

"Prepare to rush in!" He declares and flicks his hilt up, exposing the blade, slightly freaking out the two scaredy-cats. I can't help myself and laugh at the idiots and his idea but try to calm myself down.

"W-why would we do that?!" Johnny freaks as he looks up at his idol with shock, along with Usopp, but it is bedwetting terror as always.

"You moron! We don't know anything about this place!" Usopp snaps.

"Our opponents are Fishmen!" Johnny reasons in panic.

"We should plan out everything first," Usopp adds in reason, but Zoro isn't listening as he turns around to face the Island with his foot resting on the top.

"Sorry, but I don't do those cowardly things! Luffy has asked me to bring that woman back. I don't care who the opponents are, but I'll surely get her back!" Zoro declares as we watch the spectacle.

"No, thanks, dummy," I remark, walking past the coward twins and grabbing Zoro by the shoulder.

"Let's go!" He commands, but I'm not dying or anyone else for right now as I use the same move as Uncle Mihawk and slam the side of my hand into the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious long enough to get the twins to get some rope to tie him up to the cabin.

"We need to find the Going Merry, which is here," I tell them, glaring at Johnny, who cowers slightly back at my intense glare. Usopp gets out the binoculars he carries around in his man's purse.

"There it is, I found it! It's the Going Merry! But why would it be over there?" Usopp asks, confused, it is strange, but we need all the facts right now.

"So Big Sis Nami is definitely here just like Big Sis Dakota said," Johnny says as he rubs the side of his face, which I may have slapped.

"What's the meaning of this?! Untie me!" Zoro demands, but it falls on deaf ears.

"This part's to the East of Arlong Park, Cocoyashi Village," Johnny explains as he points out on the ship.

"But that is weird, why would she anchor so far away from the Park?" I question as we look at the map.

"Untie me, dammit!" Zoro demands louder this time; I push Usopp over to him to talk some sense into him.

"You've got deadly wounds all over you. So just sit there quietly and rest." Usopp tells him, and I look over to see his hand right over one of the wounds, with Zoro gritting his teeth in pain. "I'll handle the rest. I'll bring that woman back!" He laughs.

"Just because we're not at Arlong Park, he sure is taking everything in stride," Johnny comments looking at me, and I nod in agreement before looking over Zoro, who keeps demanding to be untied.

"I thought you'd learn by now I know better," I smirk, making him more annoyed than ever.

"Prepare anchor! Head towards the Going Merry!" He orders, and Johnny runs over to steer us towards our ship as Usopp stands at the bow with his arms crossed. "Now it's time for me to name my adventure to this uncharted Island. The title will be, 'The Great Adventure of Captain Usopp'!" He declares, then seems to freak out and run to cower by us.

"Is everything okay, Captain Usopp?" I question, looking at him as he seems to grow pale, he points behind him, and I see three Fishmen on the dock appear to be talking about something.

"Fishmen!" Johnny and Usopp freak out.

"Full speed ahead!" Usopp quietly orders as we pass them.

"Aye, Cap't!" Johnny quietly complies.

"Why don't we dock here?!" Zoro exclaims, but we 'sh' him to not draw attention from the Fishmen.

"Did you see? Those were Fishmen over there! They're Arlong's men! You can't blame me!" Usopp whimpers, but Zoro isn't having it as he uses his tied-up feet to hit him in the face.

"You don't have the right to be mad!" Zoro roars.

"This area must've already been controlled by Arlong," I conclude, prying Usopp away from Zoro's feet.

"What should we do now?" Johnny asks.

"Alright, let's just say that we couldn't get Nami back," Usopp suggests; I hit him in the back of the head, and he cries out in pain, rubbing his head.

"Hurry up and untie me, idiot!" Zoro demands loudly, meaning it gains the attention of the Fishmen as they dive into the water heading towards us, making the cowardly twins freak out.

"Abandon ship!" Usopp suggests, and they race towards the bow.

"Hold on, you two!" Zoro shouts, but they pay us no mind as they jump over, making a swim for it.

"Farewell!" They shout as they leave us; I jump onto the cabin's roof, laying flat, hiding from the approaching Fishmen.

"Hey! At least untie me!" Zoro demands, but we don't listen, and I feel a jolt from both sides, meaning two Fishmen are now onboard the boat.

"What? Only one guy?" The chubby one asks his skinny friend as I peek around to look down at them and Zoro.

"Maybe he just drifted here from somewhere." The skinny one reasons.

"You can say so…" Zoro grits his teeth.

"I see… I guess the injury came from the crew of this ship torturing you." The Skinny one adds in.

"Anyways, let's bring him to Arlong before anything else." The Chubby one tells his friend, and they steer the boat to the large building where Arlong resides.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

As we get closer to the building, I shift more to the left and lean over, making sure the two Fishmen can't see me as I pop open the side window of the cabin and slip inside out of view as we approach the building.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

We finally reach the gates to the building and drift to a stop in front as the Skinny one calls out to his fellow Fishmen. "We've found a suspicious man." We pass through as the two Fishmen stop in front of a throne with Arlong lazing there as I peer through the tiny window to see more Fishmen standing around on the ground around the little boat and some in the water on either side. The Fishmen haul Zoro out of the boat to the concrete floor of their tiny home; I watch them with a huff.

"I've had enough of this," I mutter and sneak out of the tiny window onto the boat's deck, still surrounded by FIshmen. I peer over the side to see them all looking at their leader, the Fishman Arlong.

"I'll ask you once more… what's your purpose here?" He demands, looking down at the tied-up Zoro.

"Like I said, I'm here to find a woman… you half-fish bastard!" Zoro snaps, insulting the Fishmen hugely.

"Oh, this low-life human got guts. I'll let that slip by me this time. But you're not allowed to say half-fish ever again! Us Fishmen are evolved beings who can breathe underwater. With these fish abilities, it makes us superior to humans. With merely the power we behold is proof that we are far better than humans. You better get this in your head, the most superior beings on Earth are not humans, but us FIshmen! If humans were to go against us, it'd be defying the laws of nature!" Arlong spews out fantasy though I know from experience Fishmen are strong, but Fishmen like Arlong don't help others when they do things like this.

"I have gotten tired of your theory, Arlong!" I hear Nami's voice as she walks out of the building towards Arlong and his two guards with such confidence it seems fake.

"Why are you so serious, Nami? You're special. You're our greatest cartographer! You never fail to draw the most accurate maps for me." Arlong praises her, so that's their relationship, and I can see the desperation in her eyes.

"Our brain compositions are different, so it's obvious why I can." She snaps at him and looks slightly at him.

"Hey, Nami! What does he mean by 'our greatest cartographer'? Why are you so close to this guy?" Zoro demands, and I use my stealth training to manoeuvre quickly off the boat and jump onto the roof of the building and into a random window to hide but still close enough to hear them.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

"What? You guys know each other?" Arlong asks them.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Nami denies it quickly but is too quick, adding suspicion among the Fishmen. "He's just another victim. I gained a lot of loot from them." She walks towards Zoro as he says this, and I know she is talking about my money and weapons. "You don't even realise you've been deceived. And you still come chasing after me. You're just plain stupid." She squats down in front of Zoro as she says this.

"So is this your true nature? And to think that you hated pirates…" Zoro inquires with a dark look on his handsome face.

"Surprised? Everything was an act. You'll understand better after seeing this…" She moves her left shoulder slightly to the side, showing a shoulder tattoo of the symbol of the Arlong Pirates; he looks up to the top of the building where the flag flies, confirming it. "I am a part of this invincible crew… an officer of Arlong's crew!" That information doesn't make sense if she was out of his control finding treasure, but from what I can tell, he doesn't have a piece. I don't see any of my weapons here in their little armoury. I find myself inside, and they are top-class. "See? You've been following me? From the beginning, I've only been using you. You guys aren't too shabby at fighting. You were a real useful bunch. Especially Dakota and her big pay." Nami comments, making Arlong give out a chuckle.

"You were blindly deceived, weren't you? She can even forget her Mother's death for the sake of money. This woman's a cold-hearted witch." He provokes, seeming to get a rise out of Nami as she stiffens at the mention of her Mother. "You shouldn't have underestimated her." Zoro glances up at Nami, looking at her face.

"I get the picture now… I never did trust her from the beginning. I wouldn't be surprised if she was a murderer ever." Zoro comments, seeming to be playing at something.

"If you understand, just get lost already! You're an eyesore!" Nami snaps, making Zoro begin his idiotic idea as he looks up at her smirking before bending his legs and diving back into the water.

"Why? Why did he jump into the pool all a sudden?" A Fishman with purple skin questions looking down at the water.

"Did anyone say a bad joke?" A Fishman with green skin jests as he points to the water.

"Nope, it's not like he slipped in because of one." A Fishman with blue skin replies.

"Then he must be trying to escape!" The chubby Fishman exclaims in shock.

"No way. His arms and legs are all tied up." The skinny one reasons. "How can he swim? I bet it's suicide."

"Forget him." Arlong orders, Zoro better have a good plan, or I will raise him from the dead to kill him again. Looking out from the window gripping the side tightly, I can feel the stone brickwork crumbling under the force.

"Never imagined that he'd commit suicide." A Fishman comments as they all just look in as the bubbles keep floating to the top.

"He looked too good to just give up that easily." Another Fishman comments.

"Should we teach him on how to value life?" One asks his fellow Fishmen, but I knew they were just taunting as they all burst into light laughter, making my blood boil. Before I can move, Nami dashes towards the edge of the platform towards the water, stripping her sandals, and dives into the water. With that done, it goes quiet. She exposes herself in that one action, and now she has to think of a good excuse before she gets killed and Zoro along with her. Nami jumps out, holds onto the concrete platform's side, and pulls Zoro, who breathes heavily from staying under for too long.

"She got him!"

"Hey! What are you doing, Nami?" The Fishmen break out in questions, but Nami already has it covered.

"What do you think you're doing?" Nami asks as she looks down at Zoro as he coughs up water.

"Same to you; what do you think you're doing?" He asks back and turns his head to look at her. "You can't even let one person die in front of you… quit the act already. Help me here, idiot! I thought I was a goner there." It angers her as she gets to her feet and stomps onto his back.

"Stop messing with me!" She snaps and lifts him to his feet. "If you got involved with me anymore, you'll die!"

"I wonder about that…" Zoro smirks, laughing a little.

"Wonderful bandages you've got there." She comments, trying to play off her saving him.

"I can't afford new clothes. This is a substitute." He lies, but Nami sees through it and punches him in the gut winding him. He falls to the ground from the hit, maybe even opening his stitches; he kneels with his head on the floor, trying to overcome the pain. Nami walks away from him as if she had done nothing.

"Hey, Nami! What are you planning for him?" The one on my left asks her seeming suspicious of her.

"Lock him up. I'll take care of it." Nami retorts as she walks towards them.

"Arlong! Arlong!" A Fishman calls out as he runs over to him.

"What's wrong, bud?" Arlong asks him, looking over at him.

"Forgive me. There was a long-nosed guy who was with him, but I failed to capture him." He announces. I glare, thinking of the long-nosed sniper, where he is, and if he can feel my anger from over here. "I think he fled into Cocoyashi Village, but…"

"Cocoyashi Village? Good timing. I got some errands there. Shall I pay them a visit?" He asks, looking down at Nami as she clenches her fist in anger; so there is something in the village she wants to protect.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

He finally leaves with a few of his Fishmen to the village, leaving Zoro unguarded; now it is my time to grab him, beat him up, and get us out of here. I walk around the building looking for my weapons, but still, I can't find them anywhere; I'll have to forget about them for now. I look at the window before me and run towards it, jumping through.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

Thanks to my stealth training, I land perfectly on the ground with little sound and walk over to the room I saw them haul him into, it's open, and I see Nami in the doorway with a pathetic little knife in her hand.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

I sneak behind her as Zoro looks up to see her with the little knife; she walks towards him and slices his ropes, freeing him; I move into the room and stand by the wall out of eyesight. Once she's done that, she walks back to the door and looks over her shoulder at him. "Leave quickly. Before Arlong gets back." She orders him and leaves.

"Well, I guess I don't have to rescue you," I comment, leaning against the wall next to him, he seems startled, as if not noticing me, and I smirk, showing my little fangs. I throw his only remaining sword, and he catches it looking it over for any damage. "You're welcome." I push off the wall and walk to the door with Zoro behind me.

ONE PIECE - ARLONG PARK ARC

I walk calmly, with Zoro following me close behind as we approach the main gate. "Well, well, looks like we've got an escapee and intruder." A Fishman with purple skin comments gaining the attention of five other Fishmen.

"Seems so." Another replies and clenches his fists, seeming to mean business.

"Look we just wanna get out of here, no trouble." I lie as I put my hand on the hilt of my two stolen swords and pull them out of their holds, slicing the two Fishmen in front of me in their chests. They fall back onto the floor, gaining the other's attention; Zoro unsheathes his sword, pointing it towards the approaching Fishmen.

"You said no trouble; this looks like trouble." Zoro comments as the Fishmen move in closer, ready for a fight.

"Well, I was more concerned for you not to lose your way Mr Gets Lost In a Straight Line." I tease him as a Fishman meets the end of his blade as he attacks.

"I do not!" He denies as I kick a Fishman in the stomach before slicing him up the gut.

"There's five left," I comment and dash towards two and slice both of them down at the same time. Zoro slices one from behind me in his back as he is about to attack me; I turn to look at him, smiling. "I didn't know you cared." I joke but don't get the reaction I was hoping for as he just shrugs it off and walks to take the last two down.

Everyone is finally taken down; Zoro walks over to a Fishman with a blue shirt, takes it from him, and puts it on. "That's kinda gross," I comment as he walks towards Arlong's pretend throne and sits down, leaning back with his hands behind his head. "What are you doing?"

"She told me to escape, but the only thing we have to do lies here. I did promise Luffy that I'd get her back, didn't I? Now then, what should we do? Things are getting complicated." He reasons but I knew he was right so I take a chance and sit on his lap.

"Don't mind if I sit here, right?" I ask, not really caring, and I finally get the reaction I was hoping for; I can see the faintest blush on his cheeks as I look down at him; he glares at me but makes no move to push me off as I sit here on his lap. "You ever had a girlfriend?" I ask him out of the blue; he seems startled by my question.

"No!" He answers quickly, and I can't help but laugh.

"I had one once when I was a teenager living with Luffy; he always ran her out of my room. He's always been protective of me. Even though I'm way older than him." I tell him and look down at him; he seems almost disappointed. Almost.

"That's just the way Luffy is, I guess." He plays it off, and I look down at him and smile; he really is one of Luffy's good friends. He always makes the best of friends, even with complete strangers, even as a kid.

"Yeah, he is." I agree.

See ya soon, DEADGIRLETERNAL OUT!