the fishermen’s island.

He saw the Coconami Islands in the distance and could only feel a bit of apprehension due to the possible issues that might arise from Arlong's ingrained racist behavior. The recurring behaviors he could deduce were mostly of a cruel, unreasonable nature, and little willingness to cooperate.

He spotted two marine flashes racing toward his ship, swimming at an impressive speed. Like gazelles in a meadow, their reflections were seen moving under a wheat field.

-Gad, intercept them before they damage the ship, - Axel said.

Gad nodded and jumped over the bow to intercept them. Since his training with Axel, his physical abilities have significantly improved. While his Fish-Man Karate hadn't improved, he had learned some boxing from Axel, and his confidence had only grown. The triplets were also more powerful now, and he didn't worry as much about defending them. There was always delicious food on his plate, he could drink wine whenever he wanted, and he received a share of the treasure along with the triplets. Much better than Captain Simon, who acted crazy and mercilessly killed those he didn't consider worthy.

He saw two Fish-Men swimming, one a stingray fish, and the other seemed to be of the sardine race. Many Fish-Men had inherited ancient aspects, so it was difficult to guess 100% what type of Fish-Man they were. The most common assumption was that it was a sardine race with some Napoleon fish traits and distinctive lips.

-I might have to betray you again; you always walk into the lion's den, - Kuro said maliciously.

-Shut up, Axel did it because of the promise with Gad! - Usopp said.

-That doesn't change the fact that he's an idiot. It's said that all ships approaching the Coconami Islands are destroyed and wrecked, - Kuro said.

-That won't happen, -- Axel said. -- Gad will help us, and even if they try to destroy the ship, it's difficult for them to succeed. We have some tricks against those who attack from the depths. -

-That's true; the electric protection system can be activated when you deem it necessary, - Nihtal said.

-Electric protection system? - Emeraude asked.

-Yes, girl, it's my new invention, an electrical network that hits with 100,000 kilowatts. For now, the maneuvering margin is three hits, but I can improve it over time, - Nihtal said, proud of his new invention.

-I didn't understand, sister, - Saphir said, with her big blue eyes wide open.

-A eel, sister, that protects the ship, - Emeraude responded.

-Ohhhh, how pretty! Where is it? - Saphir asked, charmingly naive, imagining eels.

-It comes later; for now, let's see how the meeting with the Fish-Man pirates goes, - Emeraude said.

-Everything will be fine; we can defend ourselves from everything they throw at us, - Axel said. -We're here to greet; I don't see a reason to fight. -

-Ohhhhh, I heard that Arlong is quite powerful. He was in the Pirates of the Sun crew as one of their executives. He sailed in the Grand Line and survived an attack by a Marine vice admiral,- Emeraude said.

-A Marine vice admiral! You brought us here to die, Axel! - Usopp shouted. - Reverse, reverse! I can't die yet. -

-Calm down. Surviving isn't much if they wanted him dead; he wouldn't have lived a day after that attack, - Axel said.

-You always have something in mind, and you tend to be inconsiderate, - Usopp said.

-Come on, Usopp, - Axel approached him. - Deuce told me that he might start narrating the events more rigorously now. You don't want Kaya to read the book and find out that you surrendered before an adventure. -

-He didn't tell me that! We have a conspiracy on our hands, - Usopp said.

-I believe so; all we can do is face it head-on to silence all their doubts, - Axel said.

-Yes! - Usopp said.

-To face it... I think I left my bed unmade; I'll be right back, - Usopp said.

-Hahahaha. You shouldn't scare him like that, - Deuce said, watching Usopp climb to his lookout.

Suddenly, Gad appeared with his shark-like smile, followed closely by the manta ray fish Kurobi and Chew, both Gyojin known for their proximity to Arlong.

-So, these are the humans, -- Kurobi said. -- They don't look particularly special, just as you said, Gad. -

-Oh, they are, especially the black-haired boy with a sword at his hip; he's the captain of the ship and my captain. Don't let the chicken body fool you. He's as powerful as a demon and has a lot of strength in those little arms, -- Gad said.

-We'll keep our word and won't attack the ship. You can dock it at the port. We'll visit Arlong, who will be pleased to meet some friends so far from home, - Kurobi said.

-You heard him; we can pay a visit, - Gad said, eager and happy to reunite with his kind. It had been years since he had seen friends to gather with, ever since his encounter with the triplets, he hadn't been able to communicate with any others of his kind.

The small wooden port, with several sunken ships around, indicated that there had been multiple battles on this island. The short path through the grasslands and rice fields led them to a beautifully constructed building. The thick metal doors swung open with a powerful push from Kurobi. Chew followed him with his hands in his pockets, and for some reason, a lively atmosphere began to develop.

The place was teeming with Gyojin, and they didn't look very friendly. In a wide chair, Arlong sat with a challenging posture and a devilish smile. His long, saw-like nose protruded from under his cap, and the black eyes gave him a golden appearance in the bright sun reflected in his pupils.

-Our dear guests have arrived, - Arlong said. Behind him, an octopus man with a color between pink and purple could be distinguished, his long mouth and white hair standing up with a red sun-shaped tattoo on his forehead.

-Wawawawawaww, - Gad laughed. -Why is everyone so serious? Cheer up a bit, - Gad said.

-It's a pleasure that our compatriots visit us, but we hate humans. We don't like humans, especially those who come armed to our territory, - Arlong said.

-We only came to greet, - Gad said, -at my request. -

-That doesn't matter now. If you want to leave this island, you'll have to pay 1 million berries each, - Arlong said.

-Shahahahahahah, - Arlong laughed.

-Why should we pay? Is that what you've come to do on this island? - Tashigi said.

-Lia, stop, - Axel said.

The discomfort in Gad's posture intensified. The triplets hid behind his large body, and conflict hung in the air. A full-blown battle was about to begin. All the Gyojin were slowly getting into a battle position.

-We do it because of our superiority. You should fear us, inferior humans. These islands are under my power, the supreme lord of the East Blue. I extended my mercy due to the visit of a compatriot, but my mood has soured, - Arlong said.

-Ohhhh, I didn't believe it at first, -- Lia said. -- We can't allow a pirate to abuse the Coconami people and their surroundings. -

Tashigi unsheathed her sword and took an attack position. It was clear she wouldn't yield unless she knew the whole truth. Damn it! Tashigi's values were profound, and the conflict of interests would explode in their faces again.

-You're despising my gift. I tried to be reasonable, but it seems the inferior races understand nothing. I'll finish them and teach these humans the true strength, - Arlong said.

-Friend, you should calm down. Fighting will only cause trouble, - Axel said. He didn't want to harm the Gyojin; after all, Gad had a deep attachment to his race. Axel could distinguish the unyielding strength in their tight muscles. The triplets were annoyed and reflected indifference. The stench of Kuro, the bloodlust emanating since he ate that devil fruit.

Agatha's indifference, Deuce's furrowed brow with visible displeasure at the Gyojin's racist words, Nihtal's electric chair buzzing on his left, and Ussop frightened by his deeply rooted and profound negativity.

-Shajajjajaja, humans only know how to entertain us, damned fools. They think they can come and impose on us, their morality. I only do what I do because of my strength, - Arlong said.

The weight of a captain lies in knowing when to flee when to stay, and face the consequences of all their actions, and though it may not seem like it, the respect the crew enjoys is due to the captain's strength, both physically and spiritually. In this world, there is something true – people seek a leader more urgently than in other places. There are only ways to survive in this cruel and harsh pirate world.

As a legend can be disappointing, Gad maybe nobody, but the triplets were captured at a young age and mistreated by the Celestial Dragons. This damage left a bad influence on their minds due to the sins they lived through, and all those stories sank with Salvador, the tiger fisherman who rescued them from that inhumane life – a life of torture and pain. The Sun Pirates were, in many ways, a symbol for these women – mermaid-Gyojin.

-Why do you say that? Are you proud of torturing the weak, a village of fishermen and farmers? Why don't you face the Marines or the World Government? Your laughter says everything about you – you're a coward, -Lia asked.

Axel wanted to facepalm at Lia's words, who always fought against injustices. --Calm down, Lia, -- Axel said.

Arlong was ominously hidden under the shadow of his Arlong Park, but the killer instinct was vibrant and strong.

...