Chapter 45 That man, why is he here?

Although they knew Moonlight was incredibly strong, having once fought Mihawk to a standstill, Arlong's overwhelming display of power was terrifying, causing Sanji to feel nervous despite himself. Meanwhile, Luffy, who had been submerged in the water, was still unconscious, with Joseph and Johnny frantically trying to press the water out of his stomach. As a Devil Fruit user, Luffy was completely powerless against seawater.

"Nami, kill him!" Moonlight grabbed Arlong by the head and dragged him in front of Nami.

"Huh?" Arlong was still unable to resist, his body covered in the wounds inflicted by Moonlight's sword energy. Kneeling on the ground, he had only a sliver of consciousness left but was completely unable to move. Hearing Moonlight's words, Nami's eyes flickered with fear as she looked at Arlong.

After all, she had grown up under Arlong's shadow, and his oppression had deeply ingrained itself into her soul. Now, with the chance to kill him, her body began to tremble uncontrollably, overcome with fear.

"If you want to rid yourself of your nightmares and free your bound heart, there's only one way—to kill him. Once he's gone, no one will ever chain you down again." Moonlight said calmly, tossing the Kusanagi Sword to Nami.

Nami had been terrified of Arlong for so long that she had no courage left in front of him—only fear. The trauma rooted in her childhood was a demon only she could defeat.

"Nami, killing isn't always the best solution, but if you want to kill him, I won't stop you." Luffy, now conscious, said in a low voice as he looked at Nami. He understood everything and neither opposed nor supported Moonlight's suggestion.

"There are many like him in this Great Pirate Era. Countless people have gone through the same experiences. It's a tragedy of the times. If you kill him here, another Arlong will just appear in the next place. Only by truly freeing your heart can you be liberated." Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he spoke slowly.

"I understand exactly how you feel," Usopp chimed in, speaking seriously for the first time. "When I found out about Kuro's true identity, I was trapped in a nightmare of my own. If it weren't for all of you, I'd still be living in that man's shadow, even if I hadn't died. But when I finally had the chance to kill him, I didn't. I realized that killing for revenge isn't the best way. Becoming stronger, overcoming him, and standing tall as someone greater than he ever was—that's what a true warrior does. That's why my dream is to become a brave warrior of the sea."

"Snore… snore…" Zoro had already fallen asleep, exhausted beyond measure. Even if he hadn't been asleep, fear wasn't in his vocabulary. After all, he had faced down Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, without flinching.

"Everyone…" Nami gritted her teeth, gripping the Kusanagi Sword tightly. Arlong was indeed not the only one of his kind in this era. Killing one Arlong wouldn't change the fact that there would always be another.

"Nami, whatever you decide, I support you." A gentle voice suddenly rang out. Nami turned to see Nojiko and the villagers of Cocoyasi Village, armed with hoes and makeshift weapons, ready to fight back. Nojiko smiled at Nami.

"Yeah, Nami. You're so lucky to have such great friends who would risk their lives for you." Genzo nodded with a smile.

"Nami, whatever you choose, we'll respect your decision!"

"That's right!"

The villagers nodded, and Nami felt a warmth spreading through her. She looked back at Luffy, Moonlight, Zoro, and Usopp, and her lips curled into a smile. Tossing the Kusanagi Sword back to Moonlight, she clapped her hands and grinned.

"Forget it. I'm not that scared kid anymore. After everything I've been through, I know exactly what to do." Nami said before walking away with confidence.

"Oh, Nami! You're so cool and beautiful!" Sanji's eyes turned to hearts as he dashed after her, desperate to shower her with affection.

"That guy…" Luffy and the others couldn't help but sigh in relief.

"Thank you so much. You're our saviors!"

"Please, let us treat you all to a meal!" Genzo and the villagers approached Moonlight and his crew, filled with gratitude.

"Do you have any meat?" Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Of course!" Genzo smiled and nodded.

"Great! I want meat!" Luffy shouted, bolting toward the village as if he had just struck gold.

"Bang!"

Luffy had barely run a few steps when he suddenly crashed into something, followed by a series of angry curses.

"Damn it, what kind of idiot dares to run into me?" The voice belonged to Captain Nezumi, who had just surrounded the area with his navy soldiers.

Luffy, in his rush, had run straight into him.

"Who are you?" Luffy asked, bewildered as he stared at Nezumi.

"It's the Navy! They're the Navy!"

"Why are the Navy here now? And this Captain Nezumi—he's nothing but a scoundrel!"

"That's right! We've seen him colluding with Arlong behind our backs, working with pirates!" The villagers yelled angrily. For years, they had tried to call for help, but their pleas were blocked by Nezumi, leaving them to suffer under Arlong's tyranny. Now, faced with their enemy, they were seething with rage.

"A corrupt Navy?"

"Captain Nezumi, huh?"

"Disgusting." Usopp, Sanji, and Moonlight's expressions turned cold. As pirates, they naturally weren't afraid of the Navy, especially a corrupt one like this.

"Listen up! If you don't want to be arrested, each of you needs to pay ten million Beli…" Nezumi sneered, his voice squeaking like a rat as he pointed at Luffy and the others.

"You're the one who upset Nami, right?" Luffy's face darkened.

"Cut the nonsense. If you don't want to mess with the Navy, then hurry up and…" Nezumi continued to speak arrogantly, completely unaware of his peril.

"Gum-Gum… Axe!" Luffy's leg stretched out, smashing down on Nezumi.

"Boom!" Nezumi didn't even get to finish his sentence before he was slammed into the ground.

"How dare you attack me! Get them!" Nezumi shouted, struggling to his feet, furious.

"How dare you assault a Navy captain! Looks like you're asking for a fight with the Navy!"

"Save the captain!"

"Charge!"

The Navy soldiers rushed forward, but Moonlight stepped in front of them.

"It's him!" Nezumi trembled at the sight of Moonlight. He would never forget the terrifying moment when Moonlight had appeared before him as Nami handed over her hundred million Beli.

It was horrifying!

"Ah, it's that man! Run away!"

"Oh no, it's him again! What's he doing here, and why is he with these people?"

"Mom, I never want to feel that way again!"