Fried Fishes

**In Arlong's Palace.**

Arlong, who was relaxing and sunbathing, was approached by one of his trusted subordinates.

"Arlong-san, do you really intend to sell that village to that little girl?"

"Shahahaha, Kurobi, you've known me for a long time, do you think I'm someone who breaks promises?... I bribed that Marine not just for show, you know... Shahahaha."

Arlong, at the peak of his power, was very pleased with himself for having massacred and enslaved humans after experiencing a humiliating defeat.

In the Grand Line, he had encountered Kizaru and was brutally beaten until he was imprisoned in Impel Down, but after being released, Arlong's hatred for humans grew even stronger.

He decided to head to the West Blue to conquer and build his own empire.

However, the fishmen were suddenly startled by their headquarters' door exploding.

*BOOM*

"Excuse me, I'm looking for some fresh fish to cook!!"

Sora destroyed the gate of Arlong's headquarters with a single punch.

He saw the fishmen who were shocked by what had happened, and some were angry when they heard Sora's words, especially Arlong, who gritted his teeth.

"*Grrrr.... I don't know who you are, but since you dare to destroy my palace, you'll have to stay and become our food, Shahahaha!!"

Arlong, already enraged, grabbed his saw sword and attacked Sora.

But unfortunately for him, Sora easily stopped the large sword with his bare hand.

"Weak!"

Sora didn't expect Arlong to be so weak, despite being a fishman from the Grand Line.

Meanwhile, feeling humiliated by Sora's words, Arlong used his teeth to bite Sora's hand.

But once again, it failed, and his teeth shattered because they couldn't hurt Sora's haki-covered hand.

Feeling bored, Sora used his haoshoku haki, enveloping the entire palace area, causing all the fishmen to faint and lose consciousness.

Of course, Sora controlled his haki to avoid instantly killing the fishmen or affecting Nami, who was still confined in her room.

While the fishmen were unconscious, the villagers who followed were astonished by what they saw.

They couldn't believe that in just a moment, the fishmen they regarded as incredibly powerful monsters were defeated so easily by the young man who claimed to be Bellmere's acquaintance.

"Ho-how??"

Genzo, who knew a little about the outside world, also couldn't believe what he was seeing.

On the other hand, Nojiko, who witnessed the event, had a look of satisfaction and obsession on her face.

"Oh, you all have arrived? Alright then, let's find Nami and begin the execution."

Hearing Sora's words, the villagers began searching the entire Arlong palace to find Nami, but they remained cautious, fearing the fishmen would suddenly wake up.

Eventually, Nojiko found and brought Nami out, explaining what had happened.

Nami looked at Sora with a face full of gratitude and thanks.

And Sora, as usual, responded with a friendly smile.

Sora then tied up the fishmen with chains and mounted them on a pole he created with his magic.

"I know you have problems and grudges against these fishmen, which is why I'm providing various weapons so you can vent all your hatred."

"But one thing I ask, after everything is over, you must strive to keep living and look to the future, using these memories as life lessons."

The villagers nodded and began taking the weapons Sora provided.

They started attacking the helpless fishmen.

With the first strike, the fishmen woke up from their unconscious state due to the pain, and those who were initially angry became scared when they realized they were tied up and facing hundreds of villagers armed with weapons.

Without mercy, the villagers continued their relentless attacks, remembering the horrific events they had experienced.

Meanwhile, the fishmen, continuously attacked in a blind fury, grew increasingly desperate over time.

However, for Arlong and his three loyal subordinates, Sora didn't allow them to die so easily.

"Torture Tools: Brazen Bull!!"

Sora then created four statues shaped like bulls made of some kind of metal.

He threw the four fishmen into these bull statues, which had enough space inside to contain them.

After locking Arlong and the others inside, Sora created a torch that he handed to Genzo, Nojiko, and Nami.

"I trust you understand my intention. End the cycle of hatred and vengeance here, and let all despair and sadness end."

The three nodded, though Nami and Nojiko didn't fully grasp Sora's meaning, but Genzo, who was older and had lived longer, understood that this was the end of all their suffering, and after this, they had to start a new life from scratch.

Accompanied by Sora, the three of them threw the torches onto the fuel pile beneath the bull statues, and in an instant, the fire ignited, burning the four statues.

Soon, the words heard from inside the statues turned into screams and cries of pain until the statues turned a glowing red.

The screams gradually faded, and the scent of roasting meat spread throughout the palace.

The villagers, still not accustomed to this, felt nauseous and vomited once again.

Sora then invited the villagers to return to the village after he healed Nami's injured hand and removed the tattoo on her shoulder.

However, what Sora didn't realize was the strange way Nami and Nojiko were looking at him.

----

Upon arriving back at the village, Sora informed them of his intention to take Nami and Nojiko with him, explaining that the memories of Bellmere might be too heavy for them to bear.

Genzo said he had no objections as long as the two girls were willing.

If they agreed, he would take care of Bellmere's house and the orange orchard.

They then approached Nami and Nojiko and explained Sora's intention to take them on an adventure, which the two girls readily agreed to.

Finally, they visited Bellmere's grave to say their farewells, with Nami and Nojiko promising to return someday.

After spending the night, Sora took Nami and Nojiko to the harbor, telepathically asking Oceanus Grave to deactivate its camouflage.

In an instant, a magnificent ship appeared, the likes of which the villagers had never seen, leaving them in awe of its grandeur.

Even among those who worked as fishermen, they couldn't believe that metal could float on the sea.

"Okay, let's go aboard, Nami, Nojiko!"

"Umu!!" x2

Sora took the two girls with him and left Cocoyashi Village.