Chapter 18: Confrontation at Arlong Park
As Ryo approached Arlong Park, his heart pounded with rage and fury. The memories of Nami's suffering at the hands of Arlong and the corrupt Marines fueled his anger, driving him forward with an unrelenting determination. With each step, his resolve hardened, his mind consumed by thoughts of vengeance.
With a powerful swing of his arm, Ryo smashed open the gate to Arlong Park, the sound of splintering wood echoing through the air. He paid no heed to the Fishmen and Marines standing guard, his focus squarely fixed on the figure at the center of their ranks—Arlong himself.
Amidst the throng of enemies, Arlong stood tall and imposing, his sharp teeth bared in a cruel grin as he surveyed the approaching intruder. Beside him, a Marine Captain stood with an air of authority, his gaze cold and calculating.
Ignoring the lesser foes that stood in his path, Ryo strode purposefully towards Arlong and the Marine Captain, his eyes burning with righteous fury. He cared not for the fodder that dared to stand in his way. He was here for one reason and one reason only—to make them pay for the suffering they had inflicted upon Nami and her village.
As he drew closer, Arlong's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "Another fool come to challenge the might of Arlong?"
Ryo's response was swift and decisive. "I'm not here to challenge you," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm here to end you."
The Marine Captain stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "And who might you be?" he demanded, his tone laced with suspicion.
Ryo met his gaze head-on, his eyes blazing with defiance. "I am Ryo," he declared, his voice ringing with authority. "And I'm here to bring justice."
In response to Ryo's declaration of justice the Captain's laughter filled the air, his mocking tone echoing around them "Justice?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with derision. "You think you can bring justice to this world? You're nothing but a fool, you little lowlife. Only the World Government and the Marines have the power to deliver true justice. In their name I the freat Captain Nezumi will do as i see fit and be the one that will gain glory. After all, I was the one who condemned the infamous Pirate Arlong in this unimportantpart of the East Blue"
The words stung, but Ryo remained resolute, his eyes fixed on the treasure behind Nezumi-a treasure that belonged to Nami, stolen from her by this despicable man, claiming that he would be the one standing for justice.
A wave of fury surged through Ryo's veins, igniting a fire within him that burned hotter than ever before. Nezumi had robbed Nami of her hope, her dreams, and her future. He had to be held accountable.
Without hesitation, Ryo drew his katana the blade gleaming in the dim light of Arlong Park. His grip tightened around the hilt as he took a step forward, his gaze locked on Nezumi with unyielding determination.
"You may think you're untouchable, Nezumi," Ryo declared, his voice steely with resolve. "But you've crossed a line that can't be forgiven. You've stolen from someone who's suffered enough, and now you'll pay the price."
Nezumi's laughter faltered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty as he took a step back, his eyes darting nervously between Ryo and the treasure behind him. But before he could react, Ryo lunged forward, to quick to react and pierced his chest with his haki infused katana.
Everything went silent. Even Arlong was surprised by this. Did this human really just killed a marine captain in a mere fraction of a second?
He looked around to his men and the marines. "What are you waiting for? Kill him!", he growled. Every fishman and Marine soldier began to draw their weapons. Some had guns other had swords. But one thing was in common. Every one had Ryo as their target.
As the chaos erupted within Arlong Park, Ryo faced a barrage of attacks from Arlong, his fishmen, and the Marines, each strike fueled by their collective fury and determination to crush the intruder who dared challenge their leader. Although everyone gave their best, nobody was able to hit Ryo. He was able to easily dodge every attack the threw at him. Arlong's laughter reverberated through the air, his menacing words slicing through Ryo's resolve like a knife
"You think you can defy me, human?" Arlong sneered, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "I'II make you regret ever setting foot in my territory. You will die by my hand. And as for that traitorous Nami, she'll pay dearly for her insolence. I think I am gonna give her to my men as a plaything. Then they can do whatever they like to her. After she has no use anymore she will die too.
Ryo's grip tightened around his katana, his knuckles turning white with the intensity of his rage. Arlong's words were like fuel to the fire burning within him, igniting a fierce determination to protect Nami and bring an end to the tyranny that had plagued Cocoyashi Village for far too long.
Meanwhile, Yamato, Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo raced towards Arlong Park, their hearts pounding with fear and urgency. Nami and Yamato were sure that Ryo would be capable enough to defend himself, but they both knew that there were way too many men against him.
As they approached the gate, a powerful shockwave rippled through the air, knocking them off their feet and sending them sprawling to the ground. Struggling to regain her footing, Yamato felt the immense pressure bearing down on her, threatening to crush her beneath its weight. With sheer determination, she forced herself upright, her muscles straining against the invisible force that sought to overwhelm her "Stay behind me," Yamato urged. She knew exactly well what that was. She had witnessed this before. At that time it was her father, but now? This was so much stronger. She helped the others back onto their feet. They had to continue, they were almost at the park.
As they approached the gate, the scene that greeted them was one of devastation and carnage. Marines and fishmen lay strewn across the ground, their bodies battered and broken from the fierce battle that had taken place. Amidst the chaos stood Ryo and Arlong, locked in a deadly standoff that would determine the fate of Cocoyashi Village.