After skipping the opening of episode 31, they were greeted with, "The Most Wicked Man of East Blue, Arlong of the Fishmen Crew!"
Izuku gripped onto his notebook tight.
"Fishmen? I guess they do have animal-human hybrids in the show." Denki said.
Out in the lovely blue sea, fish were jumping out of the water as Luffy relaxed on the boat's bowsprit. Seagulls fly over them as Luffy was just so excited, wondering which way it the Grand Line, but Sanji wants him to pipe down. Luffy was just happy they have a cook now, and once they get Nami, they'll head for the Grand Line.
"But you'll only have five members, including yourself." Iida argued.
"And Krieg wasn't even able to last a week with 5000." Momo added. "They don't even have a doctor."
"It's better than if they suddenly got 1000 extras." Katsuki shrugged.
A dreamy look appeared on Sanji's face as heart shaped smoke came out of his cigarette. Just the thought of her beauty makes him jump for joy.
"Sanji..." Jiro growled.
"I mean, he's better than Mineta in comparison." Toru whispered with a shrug.
Luffy asked about the island Nami's at, but Yosaku scolded him for being too native, saying they're getting closer to Arlong's base. He remembers Nami looking at his poster, and figures that she wants that bounty on Arlong's head. Maybe she's already there by now.
"Yeah, it has to be that!" Denki tried to convince himself.
"But there's no way for her to defeat Arlong by herself." Momo said.
"I mean, she could have asked Luffy to beat up him if she really wanted the money." Ochako said.
Luffy doesn't seem to care, asking Sanji if it's time for lunch. Yosaku was surprised that he haven't heard of Arlong, which even Sanji haven't heard of him.
Yosaku blew into a whistle, and was prepared to give them a lecture about Arlong. He explained that Arlong it a fishman who's already been to the Grand Line.
Luffy claimed that he've never seen a fishman before, but Sanji dreamily remembers hearing about a Fishman island in the Grand Line, where there are a lot of gorgeous mermaids.
A perverted smile appeared on Mineta's face. "Mermaids... We better see them later!"
"Think of the bikinis." Denki drooled.
"Do I have to slap you too? Ribbit." Tsuyu narrowed her eyes at him.
"Just let us dream!" Mineta complained.
Luffy drew his version of a fishman, which made Sanji laugh, but Yosaku shouted at them for not taking this more seriously. He explained that the reason why Grand Line's called the pirate's grave is because there are three 'superpowers' that exist there. One of them, is the Shichibukai.
The Shichibukai are seven pirates whom are acknowledged by the government, and the reason why they're acknowledged is because the Shichibukai would give a fixed percentage of the treasure they get to the government. To the other pirates, they're just government dogs, but powerful as well. In fact, Hawk Eyes Mihawk is one of them.
"Mihawk is one of them..." Tokoyami repeated, wondering if the other six are just as strong as him.
As Izuku wrote down in his One Piece notebook about the new information, Katsuki said with a bit of bitterness, "So the government isn't strong enough to fight them off, so they have to hire them to keep them in line."
"I guess that sounds about right." Denki shrugged.
"But that sounds rather imbalanced." Iida argued. "The government must have a couple of strong enforcers on their side. At least enough to keep them in line."
"But who would be stronger than the world's greatest swordsman?" Tokoyami asked. "Especially when we've seen Mihawk's power?"
"And what of the other two superpowers?" Izuku added.
Luffy was greatly impressed while Sanji seemed more annoyed, Yosaku explained that among the Shichibukai is a fishman named Jinbei, a captain of a fishmen crew, and the one who fought aside him in the Grand Line is a 'most wicked, devastating' pirate, another fishman, Arlong.
Luffy drew a picture of a fish person standing up, which Sanji isn't impressed by. Yosaku warned them that ever since Arlong came into the East Blue, he've already took over 20 villages, a power far beyond Don Krieg's.
"What?! And the marines haven't done a thing about it!?" Iida shouted in shock.
"I guess being the weakest of the seas also reflects on the marines as well." Izuku theorized.
"Can't they get help from the other oceans?" Denki asked.
"It's literally one quarter of the world. Maybe they're expected to take care of their own problems." Ochako guessed.
Sanji asked why would Nami go to Arlong alone. As Yosaku said before, it could be for Arlong's bounty, but Sanji fantasied that maybe Nami is a mermaid herself. His fantasy was ruined when Luffy added hair to his drawing.
Luffy just understands that they're facing really strong fishmen, but Yosaku told them they don't really know how truly powerful these fishmen are.
"So how strong are they? Give us something." Katsuki sighed.
Sanji and Luffy decided that it's lunchtime, as Sanji asked what they want. Luffy wants meat while Yosaku wants fried beans. While Sanji gets to cooking, Luffy is glad to have a chef onboard.
Katsuki let out an annoyed groan as he could hear Denki mutter, "Great. Now I'm hungry again."
"Eat the fucking pizza crusts then."
On the Going Merry, Nami stared at Arlong's island... Her hometown.
"Her hometown." Ochako repeated. That fact seemed to add on more context for them.
At the tall building labelled 'Arlong Park,' a purple skinned fishman was bribing a mouse-like Marine soldier. This long nosed fishman is Arlong.
"Of fucking course the marines are being bribed!" Katsuki complained.
"I definitely didn't miss them." Jiro sighed.
"His design looks so cool!" Kirishima's eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment at the sight of Arlong, but he held back, reminding himself that he's a villain.
The mouse marine was glad that Arlong knows how the real world works, pocketing the wad of cash. Arlong was glad that the man also understood this, saying that you can live a good life as long as you have the money.
Something within Ochako's guts twisted at his words.
Even though Arlong have a hatred for humans, he made an exception for the mouse marine.
The captain was about to leave, but Arlong suggested that he relax a bit. The marine excused that a patrolling marine cruiser stopping at a pirate island won't look too good, though Arlong claimed that he'll kill anyone who dares to report him. Still, the soldier wants to go.
The octopus man, Hachi, was suppose to take the marine soldiers to his ship, and made fun of how the mouse marine looks, but Arlong scolded him since the human is their VIP. As Hachi took the marines to their ship, the mouse marine's thoughts revealed that he though the fishmen looked disgusting, but at least they have money.
"Hey, you're not good looking yourself." Hizashi scoffed.
"God, these fucking marines piss me off!" Katsuki complained.
"There will be times where there are corrupt police and even heroes, but I don't think they're this obvious." Aizawa sighed.
Walking to the side path to Arlong Park was Nami, but soon she was stopped by a little boy who wanted to kill Arlong because he murdered his dad. Nami coldly stared down at the tear stained boy.
From her tank top, Nami took out her staff and smacked the boy with it, sending him to the ground.
"Nami!?" Momo's gasp blended in with the others' surprise, shock at her sudden change in behavior.
Nami told him that Arlong don't have time to deal with punks like him and to get lost. Before she entered Along's area, she tossed a wad of cash to the kid, who continued to cry.
There was another painful twist within Ochako. It didn't feel right, seeing Nami give the money out like that... like it was nothing. Was that goal even true? ...It can't be true. Was the whole thing a lie?
Arlong welcomed Nami back, asking how was her trip this time. Nami causally said it was quite productive, patting her bag. Arlong laughed, saying she's the best at backstabbing others.
They celebrated as a whole bunch of fishmen jumped out of the water for Nami's return.
There was a silence within the room, staring at the screen as they try to process what just happened.
"Nami... you're a traitor?" Mina gritted her teeth, burying her head into her hands. The other students made some noise of agreement.
"No, she must have some plan." Ochako tried to defend. "L-Like... she could be just gaining his trust. She've done this before with Buggy."
"Arlong seems to know her a little too well." Katsuki argued back.
"I mean, Arlong seems to be a pretty tough guy. You'd probably need to establish a strong trust to trick your way to his bounty." Denki tried to reason.
"And she couldn't have let Luffy into that 'plan?' I'm sure Luffy can beat him." Jiro said.
"Well, he looks like a some kind of shark-"
"Why does that matter?"
"I'm sure we'll get some answers if we continue on watching." Izuku piped up.
After the eyecatches, Zoro, Usopp, and Johnny were sailing towards Arlong Park. Johnny and Usopp were panicking, but since Nami's there, they should be able to find the Going Merry. The two thought they should anchor at this island first, but Zoro stood up and prepared to rush in. Of course, Johnny and Usopp were terrified of the idea since they know nothing of this place.
"Exactly! You need to plan!" Iida shouted, raising a hand.
But Zoro doesn't want to do it the 'cowardly' way, especially since Luffy asked him to bring to Nami back.
"Zoro, I appreciate the manliness of what you said, but I think we should have some kind of plan first." Kirishima said.
"Planning isn't cowardly." Iida let out an annoyed huff.
Since Zoro won't listen to reason, Usopp and Johnny hit him with hammers and have him tied up to the boat. They were able to find the Going Merry, locating where Nami is, while Zoro complained about being tied up.
"Well, that's one way to solve that." Sero shrugged.
"It's a little extreme, but effective." Jiro said, nodding.
Aizawa could only shake his head slowly at this.
Johnny and Usopp were able to figure out they're in the east of Arlong Park, Cocoyashi Village, but Johnny wonders why she's anchored so far away from the park.
Zoro ordered them to untie him, but Usopp tried to excuse it as a way to protect him since Zoro got deadly wounds... while touching said wounds. Usopp believed he'll handle the rest while Zoro's thoughts revealed that he's going to kill him someday.
"Agreed." Katsuki raised a hand.
As they plan to anchor, Usopp was being confident, saying this is the time to name his adventure to this 'uncharted' island.
"Oh my god!" Hizashi laughed, being reminded of a little kid.
"Is it really uncharted if it has a map?" Denki asked.
His confidence was gone once he caught sight of three fishmen on the docks, ducking down with Johnny. They attempted to quietly pass them, but Zoro complained that they're not stopping there. Usopp warned him of the fishmen. Johnny and Usopp planned on turning back without Nami while Zoro told them to untie him. Of course, the fishmen noticed their ship and swam into the ocean to check it out.
Johnny and Usopp abandoned ship, leaving Zoro behind.
"You fucking cowards!" Katsuki angrily shouted at them.
The fishmen were able to make it on the boat, guessing Zoro must have drifted away, and they planned on taking him to Arlong. Meanwhile the two deserters decided to go to dry land.
At a village Johnny believed to be Gosa Village, they were shock to see all the buildings were upside down. Johnny heard that Arlong had attacked this place a couple of weeks ago, remembering that fishmen have 10 times the strength of a human.
"They're that strong?!" Toru shouted in shock.
"In a world without quirks, I can see why humans would be so fearful of them." Todoroki commented on.
Johnny ran away from the wet footsteps while Usopp was in thought, wondering why the road is like this, but a fishman approached him from behind, saying that a monster Mohmoo did this, who came from the Grand Line. Finally, Usopp noticed the fishman.
He ran away as the fishman chased after him. Hiding behind a building, Johnny plans on waiting for Yosaku and Luffy to arrive.
At first, Usopp was proud of his running skills until the kid from before tripped him, planning on killing him because he've mistaken him for a fishman.
"Really?!" Jiro exclaimed in disbelief.
"I mean, Long Nose is funny looking compared to the other humans." Katsuki said.
"...I guess you're right."
The kid was stopped by a purple haired woman, telling him they shouldn't fight the fishmen because of how powerful they are.
"Yes! Another hot girl!" Mineta practically cried.
"Her tattoos looks so cool." Denki admired.
The woman realized that Usopp looks more human than fishman, though 'just a tad.' They noticed the fishman from before, and Usopp told them to stand back, about to use his slingshot to attack, but he was hit by a hammer form the woman before he could. The woman dragged him away into hiding.
As a distraction, the woman told the fishman that Usopp went off in a random direction. Once he's gone, she told the kid to get Usopp to her place.
"Well, I guess that was a okay payback for what he've done to Zoro." Katsuki sighed.
Out at sea, Sanji's cooking up their meals, but his delicious looking meals have caught the nose of a shadowed sea monster.
Hachi was cooking up a pig, and tried to call for Mohmoo, but he didn't came.
While Denki wonders if it's even possible to smell underwater, the others worried for the three's safety.
As the sea monster approached the three's ship, Yosaku and Luffy were happily eating their meals while Sanji wished to cook for Nami someday. Yosaku hoped that they all could dine together, along with Nami. Luffy was certain of that since Nami's their navigator.
"That looks so good!" Mina bemoaned.
"I've always wanted to eat those anime meats on a bone." Kirishima drooled.
"I'm pretty sure that's not a real thing." Iida sighed. "Besides, we already had dinner."
"But they have to show us the food." Sato said.
"There's better looking food in other anime." Katsuki shook his head.
While Yosaku and Luffy fight over the last piece of meat, the sea monster appeared under them.
"Okay, that's a lot bigger than I thought." Toru practically squeaked.
Before Mineta could say a word, he noticed Tsuyu giving him a look that can only be described as 'don't you dare say it.'
The two fishmen have brought Zoro to Arlong, who was now interrogating him for information, like why is he here. Zoro said that he's here to find a woman, called Arlong a half-fish bastard.
Since Zoro got guts, Arlong decided to let the 'half-fish comment' slide this time. He reminded him that fishmen are 'evolved beings' who can breathe underwater and can be more powerful than humans, making them superior to them, or at least that's what Arlong believes.
"Well, release Zoro and let's see how your theory holds." Tokoyami said with a little huff.
"Wait, would Tsu be considered a fishman in their world?" Denki wondered.
"...Frogs are amphibians. Ribbit." Tsuyu said with a blank face.
"Oh. I mean, still, you just need the strength to fit in, and you're kind of the same."
Nami came into view, claiming she's sick of hearing that theory. Zoro was completely shock to see her as Arlong claimed that Nami is special since she's their greatest cartographer.
A silence came over them, hoping that maybe there will be more evidence to that 'trust theory' from before.
It has to be an act. Ochako reminded herself. What about her wish of being free?
Zoro demanded why she's acting so close to the fishmen. Arlong asked her if she knows him, but Nami claims that he was just another victim when she gotten a lot of loot from them.
Zoro asked if this is her true nature, especially when she've said that she hated pirates. Nami said that everything was an act, as her Arlong tattoo on her shoulder was proof of her loyalty.
Nami is an officer of Arlong's crew.
"To Be Continued."
No one said a word, feeling betrayed by what just happened.
"...She could have her reasons." Ochako tried to defend, sounding soft.
"Then let's see them." Mina pouted.
Skipping episode 32's opening, they were greeted with, "The Witch of Cocoyashi Village! Arlong's Female Officer."
Out at sea, Luffy, Sanji, and Yosaku were still having lunch. Luffy tried to steal some food, but Yosaku stopped him and tried to tell him, in the form of hand gestures, to not take the food. Luffy have no clue what he's trying to say. When Yosaku tried to swallow his meal, Luffy quickly tossed the food into his mouth.
"Oh... It would be perfect for stealing food." Denki awed.
While the two argues, the sea monster was shown swimming under them. Sanji heard its moo and told the two to quiet down.
Checking the ocean, he noticed something's beneath them... and it's huge. Finally, the sea monster risen from the ocean, revealing itself. Yosaku screamed in terror while Luffy just stared.
Mohmoo easily towered over their little ship... and yet it didn't look too threatening as it should.
"A sea cow in a literal sense." Todoroki commented on.
"It's a lot more adorable than I thought." Toru cooed with the other girls and Koda.
"There's still a chance that it could eat the whole ship." Tokoyami nodded.
"Don't say that!" Mineta shivered.
The sea creature was looking at them, but Yosaku figured out he's eyeing their food. Yosaku said they should give the food to Mohmoo before he turns the ship over, but Luffy's solution was to punch the monster in the face.
There were laughter in the room, along with some impressed awes from his feat, though Koda did worried for Mohmoo.
"Luffy, never change." Sero chuckled.
The sea monster came back up again, now furious. Luffy was going to punch him again, but Sanji kicked him, saying he shouldn't beat up hungry mortals.
"Well, I guess Sanji'd be more sympathetic to that." Sato nodded.
It looks like Sanji was going to feed Mohmoo meat... but Sanji kicked him, telling him to go to hell.
Yosaku was in shock, asking what happened to that compassion from before. Sanji simply said that it was obvious he was going to eat him as well.
"Good point." Hizashi said, chuckling along with some of the other students.
"But it look like he trusted him." Koda quietly whimpered.
Mohmoo came back, absolutely berserk, aiming for their ship. Luffy was going to punch him, but Sanji stopped him, saying he'll take care of it.
Using the boat to jump off of, Sanji kicked the sea monster in the neck. "Collier Shoot!"
As the students were amazed by Sanji's skills, Aoyama can't help but to say, "Oh! A french cooking term."
As Mohmoo was defeated, Sanji and Luffy went back to having lunch while Yosaku thought they were crazy.
There were brief glimpses of a cross and mikan trees. Then Usopp woke up in a house, wondering where he is. The purple haired from before said it's her home and claimed her name is Nojiko. Usopp was angry at her for hitting him before, but Nojiko said she's the one who rescued him, saying that if he fought the fishman in his condition, he would've been killed.
The two looked at the little boy across from them as Nojiko explained that outsiders don't know what's going on here and scolded the boy for trying to fight the fishmen. Still the boy wanted revenge for them killing his father, recognizing the pirates had robbed, destroyed, and killed before. He wanted to go to Arlong Park, but 'that woman' blocked him.
"In all honesty, Nami did saved him." Aizawa admitted.
"Yeah, the kid would have been brutally murdered by those guys." Katsuki said.
The boy wanted revenge and Nojiko told him to drop dead, which caused Usopp to spit out his drink in surprise.
The students reeled back in surprise.
"Jesus, lady!" Kirishima exclaimed, shock that Nojiko is that harsh with the kid.
Nojiko reminded him that he've been saved twice, then told him to leave. Usopp thought she's being too harsh on him, but she believed that if the kid really wants to die, why not let him? She believes that he doesn't have enough will to live in these harsh times.
She've claimed that she always looked to the future, knowing a child who chose to live, who lives a lifestyle that is 'more painful than death.' That's why she hates people who'll go off to die, like that kid.
A silence washed over the room, staring at the purple haired woman.
That child though... Is she referring to...? Ochako's thoughts trailed off.
The kid asked what should he do when he've been holding his emotions in. Nojiko then asked about his mother, who he said is alive. She told him that she must be worried about him and to go back to her. Usopp smiled at Nojiko.
Iida's eyes widen as he was reminded of the lesson he've learned from the Hero Killer. "I understand... Don't be narrow minded and focus on what's left."
Todoroki and Izuku looked at him and nodded.
As the kid walked off, Usopp acknowledged Nojiko's actually a nice gal. She asked who he is, and he calls himself 'Captain Usopp,' asking for Nami.
One small timeskip later, Usopp learns Nami is an officer of the Arlong Pirates. He was shock, even more when Nojiko revealed this home is where the 'witch' was raised.
Nojiko and Nami are foster sisters. Nojiko picked up an old picture of her and Nami as kids with a woman, whose face have been covered by the glare of the light.
"Wait, really?" Denki blinked in shock as he could hear the soft gasps of the others.
"Honestly, if you said they were biological sisters, I would believe you." Katsuki said.
Nojiko explained that they were orphans, and were raised here happily by their now dead mother. Usopp noticed a little compass and boat carved into the table, most likely by Nami, and asked that if she've betrayed her village by joining Arlong. Nojiko wasn't shy to say yes.
Usopp was furious that Nami was deceiving them from the beginning, remembering the time where she seemed to enjoy her time on the ship.
"No! I'm sure she was acting this whole time." Ochako tried to defend Nami.
"Seems like a pretty long act to put up with." Mina frowned with narrowed eyes.
Then Usopp remembers that Zoro have been caught by the fishmen, wondering how he's doing.
At Arlong Park, Nami kept telling Zoro that she was just using them. Arlong laughed, claiming that she've forgotten her mother's death for the sake of money.
By the look on Nami's face, that wasn't true, and Zoro noticed.
"She is acting." Toru let out a relieved sigh as most of the students felt the same reassurance.
"She couldn't be as heartless as they've said." Kirishima slightly smiled.
Soon, Zoro started to go along with this idea as Nami as a 'witch,' claiming he should had never trusted her, but he decided to put that to the test by throwing himself into the pool.
"Zoro!" Students cried out in shock.
The fishmen wondered why he did that as air bubbles came up to the surface. After the eyecatches, Nami anxiously stared down at the bubbles until she couldn't just stand there anymore.
She jumped into the pool and was able to pull Zoro out. Fishmen demanded why she saved him as she breathed heavily, asking why why Zoro did that. The swordsman asked the same thing, mocking that she can't let a person die in front of her.
Being able to lift him up, Nami told him to not be involved with her anymore or he'll die.
"This truly was a persona she've made up." Tokoyami said.
"...To protect them." Mina smiled, becoming a little teary eyed.
"But she may have compromised her position by saving Zoro." Iida reminded them.
Arlong asked what she's going to do with Zoro now. Nami just told him to lock up Zoro and she'll deal with him later.
A fishman came up to Arlong and told him that he failed to capture a long nosed guy who've fled to Cocoyashi Village, allowing Nami and Zoro to know Usopp's here.
Arlong doesn't mind. In fact, he claimed that he have some 'errands' there.
"You're not going to punish that village, are you? That would be so unfair." Toru complained.
"Most likely... yes." Izuku nervously said.
The villagers were warned of Arlong's arrival, wondering why he's coming since they've already paid tribute. One man, Gen, claimed that it might be because he have weapons and Arlong is going to punish him, so Gen told them to hide in their home.
Arlong and his crew confronted the man, who confessed to it, saying that he loves admiring his weapon. The man was dressed in brown police garb with a pinwheel sticking out of his hat oddly enough, but the one of the most noticeable feature was that he's covered head to toe with scars.
"Whoa, where did he get all those scars?" Denki gaped.
"And what's with the pinwheel?" Katsuki raised an eyebrow.
Arlong doesn't want Gen to keep his weapon collection, claiming that weapons will draw in evil and violence, the main factor of disturbing the peace.
"...Aren't you guys pirates?" Jiro rhetorically asked. "Then again, I wouldn't be surprised that you're a hypocrite too."
From his hiding spot, Usopp was frightened by the size of Arlong, watching the fishmen talk to Gen about how Arlong destroyed Gosa Village as a warning since that village failed to pay their tributes. As Nojiko explained to Usopp, these tributes are money they have to spend on their lives, whether you are an adult or a child. If one person can't pay, then the whole village is punished. It's unfair, but thats how Arlong and his crew are; racists who don't care about human lives.
As if to prove Nojiko's point, Arlong claimed that these 'low life humans' should only think about giving their money to him since they'll be funds to his empire that will dominate the East Blue.
Usopp was shock by his idea of a fishman empire.
Worried murmurs came from the students.
"Geez, no wonder Nami's so obsess with money if she had to worry about these tributes." Denki reeled back. "I mean, how do they still have money if they're trapped there?"
"At the same time, I don't feel like that's the main reason for Nami." Ochako said, glaring down at Arlong.
At Arlong Park, Nami shown up in Zoro's jail cell with a knife and released him from the ropes, telling him to leave before Arlong comes back. She've even left his sword there with him.
"Well, at least he's safe." Ojiro sighed.
Back to the village, Arlong grabbed Gen by the neck, preparing to kill him in hopes of stopping any plans of a rebellion. Nojiko couldn't take it anymore, and ran to him, telling the fishman that he's being selfish since this village have been offering tributes for eight years without fail. That has to mean that there's no way they'll rebel against him. Soon, the villagers came out, saying she's right.
"It's nice to see the people work together." Toshinori sighed.
"But they'll surely get into trouble for sure." Aizawa said.
"Eight years... At least we have a time frame." Izuku murmured, writing in his One Piece notebook.
Still, Arlong believes that possession of a weapon is a for rebellion to him, threatening that he will be the cause of their village's demise if they are. Gen tried to tell everyone to go back inside, recognizing it's futile to fight them now and they were able to resist for eight years now. They have to fight with patience, not fists.
Everyone's eyes widen.
"Waiting... They're waiting for help." Izuku said, gripping onto his notebook.
Waiting for eight whole years. That seems like pure torture, especially when this world seems like it only had corrupt marines, no heroes.
Toshinori can't help thinking back to that mouse-like man before. How could he just sit there, knowing that the people have been tortured for years? Does he not have a conscious? If he was there, he could try to save them in an instant, no matter what.
It seems absolutely hopeless for these people.
The fishman said that off course 'worthless pests' would be glad to be still alive. He held Gen up high and threw him onto the ground, causing the man to spit up blood. The villagers could only watch as Arlong proclaimed, "Because not all living things were made equal!"
Izuku's breath hitched. He remembered believing in such words, though it wasn't out of superiority of course. It was feeling hopeless in a world that seemed to be against a quirkless kid. These villagers must be feeling the same thing he felt long ago.
One villager tried to fight back, but Gen told them not to no mater what, just endure.
Just endure... Izuku dryly gulped, memories of his past coming to him. "...But they'll have to reach a breaking point someday."
Arlong picked Gen once again, planning on using his death as a warning, but... "Kayakuboshin!"
An explosion hit Arlong, softening Gen's impact.
One of the fishmen pointed out Usopp, who stood on top of the buildings' roof. When one of them demanded who he is, the long nosed boy called himself 'the brave warrior of the sea, Captain Usopp,' though his shaky legs shown his 'bravery.'
"Oh, thank god. Usopp saved him." Jiro sighed in relief.
"Yeah, but he just painted a target on his back." Aizawa said.
"Basically, he's dead." Katsuki nonchalantly added.
Usopp attempted to lie his way out of the situation, saying he have a thousand people over the world under him, but the big mouthed fishman from before pointed out he's the guy he failed to capture.
"Once again, you need a more believable number." Iida shook his head.
Still, even if he was telling the truth, Arlong was confident that he could have clobber them all to death. Usopp cowered, realizing the fishman doesn't fear him. In fact, he's pissed off.
With his own hands, Arlong was able to pick up the house Usopp's standing on, and turned it upside down, despite what his crew said.
"Holy shit! He can actually do that?!" Denki panicked.
Miraculously, Usopp survived that, and ran off with fishmen running after him. Arlong wanted to kill Usopp himself, but some of his crew members held him back so he won't ruin the village. The fishmen walked, promising to return.
As a doctor tend to his wounds, Gen apologized, but the doctor told him that it wasn't his fault. One of the villagers wondered who was that long nosed lad, but soon, Nami came along with a bouquet, greeting them. All the villagers left without saying a word, except for Nojiko, Gen, and the doctor.
"I mean, I won't blame them for giving her the cold shoulder." Hizashi said.
"But they must know she's doing this for a reason, right?" Ochako glanced at the ground.
Nojiko asked if there's something wrong since it's rare for Nami to use the main road. She claimed she heard a big noise, recognizing that Arlong as the one who made the mess.
Transitioning from Gen's spinning pinwheel to the still wooden cross, Nami set the bouquet down in front of it. Nojiko looked at her from afar as Nami told the cross, "Another 7 million beri more..."
Softened expressions appeared on the audience's face.
The money... It was being used for something important. Ochako thought.
Nojiko told Nami that her reputation is pretty bad, but the redhead took it in stride, saying she is a pirate but Arlong understands her. "Anything can be solved with money."
She just needs a little more to keep her part of the bargain. She just needs to get 100 million beri and she can buy the village.
"I knew it..." Ochako softly said.
At Arlong park, beaten fishmen were all over the place as it was revealed that Zoro haven't escaped. In fact, he's just laying around, wondering what to do next since he did promised Luffy he'll get Nami back.
Out at sea, Mohmoo was pulling Luffy' boat along as they head for Arlong Park.
"To Be Continued."
"Zoro..." Iida shook his head in disappointment. "You couldn't think ahead?"
"Yes, Luffy can save them!" Kirishima confidently shouted.
Skipping episode 33's opening and recap, they were greeted with, "Usopp's Death?! Luffy—Yet to Land?"
"Really?! Fucking spoilers in the title?!" Katsuki furiously complained over the surprise gasps of the others.
"That can't be true. Usopp can't just die in this episode." Denki said with wide eyes.
"It's probably something to bait in viewers." Hizashi reassured.
Mohmoo was in tears, dragging the ship along. Luffy confidently climbed onto the boat's bowsprit, despite the violent waves splashing around and the boat bouncing up and down.
Back to the island, Arlong was still seeing red, remembering how Usopp attacked him. He broke out of his crew's hold, demanding why they haven't caught that human yet. Still, he decided to walk back to Arlong Park.
"Wait til you see what Zoro has done with the place." Hizashi cheekily smirked.
Now Usopp is running across a grassy field with some fishmen chasing after him. Usopp was able to save himself by diving into some bushes.
The fishmen looked around. Usopp attempted to trick them by pretending to be fishmen agreeing to not chasing after him. The fishmen thought they were able to see through his trick, but after jumping onto 'Usopp,' they realized that they've fallen for the sniper's trap.
"Tamagoboshi!" Usopp launched his explosives them, allowing him to grab his goggles from the fake Usopp and run away.
"Oh, what quick thinking." Momo admired while Mineta hummed in thought.
Usopp scurried through the tall grass, confident in what he've down until he nearly went off a cliff. Hearing the fishmen behind him, Usopp hid behind a thin tree, which worked.
Down at the beach by the cliff, a blue fishman with thick lips was integrating a human until he saw Usopp tumble down the cliff.
"Goddamn it, Long Nose. Your 'death' will be pathetic if it's from Fish Lips over there." Katsuki complained.
Usopp was confused by the man waving at him, but he though he was cheering him in, not noticing the shadow in the water. He turned blue in fear once the fishman appeared in front of him.
"Yeah, you deserve that death." Katsuki groaned, facepalming.
Back to Arlong Park, Zoro was complaining about waiting around, bored out of his mind. Then he noticed Hachi accidentally fishing himself. Zoro looked over the wall, and Hachi was shock to see him, but he introduced himself to Zoro as a 'charming octopus fishman,' asking if he was with the Marines or a guest.
"Did you really not notice him beating up your crew mates?" Aizawa deadpanned.
"Apparently fishing is much louder than I thought." Toshinori joked.
Zoro calls himself a guest, gaining information from Hachi that Arlong is looking for a long nosed stranger in Cocoyashi Village. Since he thought it was best to save Usopp, he asked for some directions to that village. Though Hachi pointed in the direction of the village, he wanted to give him a ride there.
Then Arlong discovered the state of Arlong Park, angry to what happened to his comrades.
"At least he doesn't completely care about himself only." Momo attempted to see the bright side of things.
"Then again, they are fishmen." Jiro said.
Upon discovering that Zoro have done all of this, Arlong thought that the pirate hunter was after his head, but found out the man they've captured is Zoro.
Then the thick lipped fishman, Chew, came in, dragging Usopp by the nose, but was shocked by the state of their crew.
"Welp, now I can believe Usopp is going to die." Katsuki said, dusting his hands off.
"Can you stop jinxing it?" Denji asked.
"Hey, I need to get something to get excited about."
Hachi was able to give Zoro a lift to Cocoyashi Village, but before he left, Hachi asked for his name, though he left, saying his own name.
Back to Arlong Park, Chew dropped Usopp in front of Arlong. Usopp attempted to lie his way out of this, but a close encounter with a knife made him turn a pale blue. Arlong asked questions, slowly bringing the weapon to his nose. Usopp tried to lie some more, but they can see through his lies as a fishman with odd looking arms have discovered the cut up ropes in Zoro's prison.
That fishman soon presented the question: How did Zoro get out of the prison?
He suggest that Nami invited Zoro to get Arlong's head, which allowed them to notice that Nami have been acting strangely lately.
"Oh no," Mineta squeaked.
"How is she suppose to get out of this?" Denki asked.
Hidden by the wall, Nami could hear their suspicions, but soon she presented herself to them, saying they shouldn't jump to conclusions.
After the eyecatches, Nami told them that it's been 8 years since she've joined them. There's no way she could be a traitor, swearing on her tattoo as proof.
"Eight years too? But she doesn't look that old." Toru pointed out.
A few students went pale at the implication.
Arlong claimed that he didn't suspected Nami of anything but the others still do since she's too intelligent, though they still remembered that promise 8 years ago to buy Cocoyashi Village for 100 million beris. While playing with the knife, the fishman with the fins on his arms pointed out that while she betrayed her village for money, she still cares about the village. Then he pulled out an old looking map, claiming he found it in her room.
"Wait, is that a treasure map?" Sato wondered.
"Is that why she wants to buy the village?" Denki guessed.
"No, it can't be that." Ochako shook her head.
In the village, Zoro found out that Usopp have been captured and taken to Arlong Park. He ran off, hoping he's still alive.
Back in Arlong Park, the fishmen pointed out that it's a treasure map, and Cocoyashi Village was marked. As the other fishmen were in shock, Nami said that map is her personal belonging, and it has nothing to do with them.
"Maybe it's where she's keep her savings stashed." Ochako theorized. "I don't think she would put it in an average place."
Izuku and Iida nodded along.
Hachi was shocked to see the knocked out fishmen when he came back, and Arlong told him it was from Zoro. He also asked where he went since this wouldn't have happened if Hachi as around. Hachi was furious, but was able to remember a 'weird swordsman.' It took him a while to realize that was Zoro to begin with. Arlong said there's nothing to be worked up about since Hachi did searching for him.
Meanwhile Usopp was confident from hearing this, planning on giving himself more time. He reached into his bag for his slingshot, with Nami being the only one to notice.
As quick as possible, Nami built her staff and hit Usopp in the face. Small tears came from her eyes.
"Usopp!" "Nami!"
Mina gritted her teeth, trying to hold herself back. She feels bad. She has to do this.
Nami claimed that Usopp is an obstacle, saying it's for attack Arlong. Usopp told her that she disappointed him for stealing the ship, even though Luffy never doubted her. He demanded why she would deceive someone like Luffy. Nami tried to tell him that she only trust money and Luffy's an idiot for being fooled.
Nami dropped the staff, and grabbed the knife, not wanting him to ruin her 8 years of business, so she has to kill him.
"You wouldn't do it." Katsuki challenged.
"Bakubro, don't jinx it." Denki said.
"What did you call me?!"
Usopp laughed at such an idea, but the way Nami acts convinces him otherwise.
"Kemuriboshi!" Usopp released a smoke bomb powerful enough to blind the fishmen. He heads towards the pool, but Nami blocked his way.
In the smoke, Nami stabbed him. As the smoke fade, the fishmen could see what she've done. Nami claimed that this is the only thing she could do as Usopp looked at the blood covering his hand. She pulled the blade out, allowing Usopp to stumble into the water.
There was a stunned silence between the class, listening to the cheers of Arlong's crew, though some cried like Johnny when he saw the whole thing.
"...I don't know what to believe anymore." Mina sniffled, her head in her hands.
"Are you happy now?" Aoyama glared at Katsuki's stunned look.
"I didn't expect Long Nose to actually die. He's a main ch-" Katsuki quickly shut his mouth before he said anymore. He just stared at the screen, watching Usopp sink down, surrounded by blood.
The fishmen trusted Nami as their comrade, but Nami only claimed that she's around because of the promise. She made sure to remind Arlong of it before she left with the map, and Arlong claimed that he would rather kill himself than break a promise over money. Johnny ran off, calling Nami a witch.
Meanwhile, Luffy and his crew were getting close to Arlong Park, but Mohmoo was getting tired, so tired in fact that he started to move towards the right, heading towards some rocks.
A few managed out some chuckles, though almost everyone's mood was still soured by the scene before.
"How is Luffy going to feel about this?" Kirishima stared at the ground.
Nami opened a door leading towards what look like a cartography room filled to the brim with maps. A memory came up from the past where a young Nami was introduced to it by Arlong, saying that it's her room now and that it has everything she needs, like a desk and a pen.
In the present day, Nami clung onto her bandaged hand, telling herself she've endured for so long. It's just one thing she need to do.
"No..." Ochako softly whispered, covering her mouth.
"She was just a kid." Izuku bowed his head, thinking of Eri.
"Eight years. That's practically her whole childhood." Toshinori said, gritting his teeth.
A sickening feeling hanged in their guts at the idea of a child so young being forced to work for a bunch of villains, trying to save an entire village by herself. Like the village who've rejected her, Nami endured so much for eight years.
But... she's close... Mina though, remembering the amount Nami needs to collect, but... would Arlong truly keep his promise?
Suddenly, the whole place begins to shake. Outside, when Mohmoo collided with the rocks, Luffy's ship was sent flying through the air, soon crashing into the forest. While Zoro was lost in the forest, he saw the boat coming his way... and was smacked right into it. Only the boat stopped when it passed the rice paddies and into steep hills, pretty much exploding into a pile of broken wood.
The mood was lightened up as a couple of more students let out chuckles, especially when Luffy brushed the whole thing off as if it was nothing.
"Wait, why was Zoro in the forest?" Sero asked between laughs.
Zoro demanded why they're here, and Luffy just said they're here for Nami, asking questions like if he found Nami, and where are Usopp and Johnny.
The swordsman remembered they should be idling around and have to worry before Usopp's killed by Arlong.
"He's dead." Johnny seemed to came out of nowhere as everyone turned their heads towards the hunter. He told them that's it's too late, that Usopp's been killed by Nami.
Unease washed over the audience, watching their stunned faces, waiting for their reactions.
Nami watched over the island in her room.
At the beach, there was a set of footprints in the sand that lead over to a person in a dirty, gray cloak. He wonders if he's a ghost.
"To Be Continued."
Widen eyes appeared as Toru shouted, "Was that Usopp?!"
"Bullshit! There's no fucking way Long Nose survived that stab." Katsuki shouted, almost in hysterics.
"Next episode! Next episodes! We'll get out answers." Iida nearly panicked.
And so they went onto episode 34, eager for answers.
AN: Season 5 of MHA is here! Has anyone watched the first episode yet? I know it's a (mostly) filler episode, but I liked it.
Anyway, sorry it took a while to upload this. I was busy with a few things, but here it is.
Hoped you enjoy this chapter.
