A Gorgeous Fishwoman

The village of Cocoyashi remained cloaked in an uneasy peace following our victory over Chew and Kaneshiro. Their charred bodies were a stark warning to anyone who thought they could continue terrorizing the people. But I knew better. Arlong wouldn't take this lightly.

I perched atop an overturned house in the village square, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dirt streets. The villagers began to stir, their murmurs a mix of hope and uncertainty. Fear lingered in their eyes, dreading what Arlong might do in retaliation.

Nearby, I could hear Nojiko and Dr Nako speaking in hushed tones, both still grappling with the realization that their oppressors weren't invincible. A human—a woman—had defeated them, even if the villagers saw her as a witch. Meanwhile, Kaya was tending to the wounded, her gentle hands offering solace to those who had endured so much. At that moment, she cared for a teenage girl her age, and a fishman brutally mauled her for failing to pay the monthly tribute. The girl's amputated limb was a grim reminder of the village's suffering.

I sat calmly, my ammunition spread out before me—trick bolts and compact bombs. I knew I'd need a stronger explosive bolt to take down Arlong, especially after witnessing Chew's durability. It gave me a sense of how powerful Arlong would be.

For two days, I waited, but there was no sign of Arlong. Chew's consciousness gradually faded, and on the third day, I summoned Momoo to deliver the charred bodies of Chew and Kaneshiro to Arlong Park. Along with them, I sent a note: "Meet me in Cocoyashi's palm field, Coward Fish."

***

At Arlong Park, Kaneshiro's and Chew's charred bodies lay sprawled out in front of the massive saw-shaped, nosed Fishman. Chew's burns were severe, and the shame of his defeat still burned more profound than any fire Carmen could conjure. Arlong stood over him, his enormous jaw clenched tightly in anger, his eyes glowing with fury.

His heavy breathing echoed through the courtyard by the pool, creating an oppressive silence as his officers watched.

Kuroobi, one of his officers, stood tall with arms crossed, his jaw clenched angrily at what his best friend suffered.

Beside him stood the lone female fishman among the predominantly male crew. She was tall, like all fishmen, her movements graceful and fluid, almost like a dancer. Her glistening golden hair framed her heart-shaped face like a regal crown. Her soft coral-pink skin was dotted with reddish freckles that adorned her delicate cheeks.

Her name was Aerwyna, an octopus fishwoman with the poise of a seasoned swordswoman. Her long, slender arms, marked with shimmering reddish suction cups, clenched as she grappled with what had happened to her comrades. Her large, deep black eyes held a complex blend of sadness and understanding.

Unlike her brutish counterparts, Aerwyna was the only one who seemed compassionate toward the villagers. When she spoke, her voice was soft, almost a whisper, imbued with quiet wisdom. She exuded an air of reluctant kindness, starkly contrasting Arlong's cruelty.

"Arlong," she said calmly, her tone measured as she tried to diffuse the tension. "Perhaps this is an opportunity to reconsider our approach. Acting out of anger may not be the wisest course."

Arlong's eyes snapped to her, blazing with fury. "You think I'll let some pathetic human humiliate us like this? Some human witch controlling fire brutally killed Kaneshiro! This killing isn't just an insult—it's a declaration of war!" His fists clenched tightly, causing the water in the pool to ripple with his rage.

Kuroobi stepped forward, his voice low but firm. "Arlong, Aerwyna has a point. The humans are still weak, but if we charge in blindly—"

"Enough!" Arlong roared; he sharply turned toward his two remaining officers. "We are marching to Cocoyashi Village now! I'll crush that fire bitch myself!"

Kuroobi frowned, his straight teeth bared, but he didn't argue. Aerwyna, however, glanced away, her eyes flickering with an emotion that almost looked like sorrow. Despite her loyalty, she did not share Arlong's bloodlust.

***

It was another quiet, ordinary morning in Cocoyashi Village when a sudden roar shattered the calm. A skeletal man sprinted toward the village plaza, his face twisted in terror.

"Arlong! Arlong is coming our way!" he screamed.

From another street, Nojiko burst into view; my custom sniper rifle gripped tightly in her hands. Her tanned face was pale with alarm. "Arlong's coming—and he's bringing everyone. Kuroobi, Aerwyna, and the rest of the fishmen. This won't be easy, Faceless One."

I stood swiftly, slinging my recurve crossbow over my shoulder. "Let them come!"

Moments later, waves of terrified villagers flooded the plaza, their faces etched with fear.

Carmen, who had been casually inspecting and snacking on Nojiko's mikans, glanced toward the approaching crowd. Her amber eyes glowed faintly. "Mi Dio, these fishmen don't know when to give up."

Applying herbal remedies to some of the injured children, Kaya approached with a worried expression. "Please be careful, Usopp. Some of these fishmen are incredibly strong. I saw how your bolts barely affected that blue-skinned one before. They're from the Grand Line—the pirate graveyard—and the villagers say Arlong is especially vicious."

I gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, though mentioning the Grand Line sent a shiver through me. I silently hoped Arlong didn't possess any form of Haki in this world. "Don't worry, Kaya. With you, Sham, and Carmen by my side, there's nothing I can't handle." I winked from behind my Faceless mask. "Besides, I've got a plan."

Nojiko, arms crossed, watched me with evident skepticism.

"Finally, a chance to use my new skills," Sham said, stretching nearby, her metal claws gleaming in the sunlight.

***

A few hours before Arlong's attack, we gathered in one of the empty houses near Nojiko's home. The room was covered in drawn and half-drawn maps of Conomi and the surrounding islands; I even spotted Syrup and Polestar Island among them. At the center was a detailed map of Cocoyashi, with its forests, beaches, and every notable feature sketched meticulously.

"Who drew this map? It's beautiful," Kaya murmured, mesmerized by the intricate layout of Cocoyashi.

"Ever since Arlong took my little sister, I've studied navigation, hoping he might trade her freedom for mine someday," Nojiko admitted, her voice steady yet tinged with sadness. "It became a hobby, though the fishmen won't let me near their territory."

Her words caught me off guard. Nojiko had taught herself navigation, all in hopes of saving Nami. The depth of her love for her sister was incredible.

"Do you know how to navigate?" I asked, my eyes still scanning the detailed maps on the walls.

"A little," she replied. "I've been to some nearby islands—Oykot, Syrup, Sixis—but I have to be cautious. Arlong doesn't like us learning ways to leave the island."

I exchanged a look with Kaya. We needed to recruit her. With no sign of Nami around and Nojiko's skill and resilience—plus her striking appearance—who would pass up the chance?

"Really? Do you know how to read the stars, Blue Hair?" Sham purred from a broken sofa in the corner, her gloved claws idly scratching at the wooden floor.

"I believe in you, Señora Nojiko. Unlike the lazy cat servant, who probably couldn't even guess which way the wind blows," Carmen quipped from the kitchen as she scrubbed the pots.

In a flash, Sham disappeared and reappeared above Carmen, her claws ready. With a sigh, I tossed a pellet at both of them. It exploded into a wire net, trapping them both in place.

Turning back to Nojiko, I asked, "If our plan to defeat Arlong succeeds, would you consider joining our crew?"

Nojiko glanced at Kaya and me, her gaze thoughtful. "I… can't. My sister needs me. I have a place here; the sea was always more her path than mine."

A sizzling sound and the snap of slicing wires drew my attention back to Carmen and Sham struggling against the net.

"Captain, what was that for? Are you into tying me up now?" Sham asked with a teasing smirk.

"Husband! If that's what you want, I'll refrain from burning your net next time," Carmen said, casting an apologetic look at the scorched remains of the wire net.

"No, not that! Guys, seriously—can you not think about sex for one minute?" I said, exasperated.

"You're telling me all three of you are… together?" Nojiko asked, clearly taken aback by my outburst.

Kaya spoke softly, her face partially hidden by her pale blonde hair. "It's… not just the three of us."

Nojiko whipped her head toward the kind-hearted blonde, eyes wide. "So, if I join your crew, does that mean I have to… you know, with you too?"

"No! I mean, if you wanted to, I wouldn't say no," I replied with a sheepish grin.

"Of course, Captain has the most delightful scent," Sham added, dramatically sniffing the air, her thin whiskers twitching with her exaggerated motion.

Carmen sighed, touching her ample chest as she gazed wistfully into the distance. "It would pain me to share my husband with another woman… but love without a little heartache isn't true love."

"Usopp always has this murky smell that turns me on. I couldn't explain why, but I always want to make love to him whenever he sweats."

"You guys are insane," Nojiko said, looking me straight in the eye. "You've given me yet another reason not to join your Harem Crew."

"Oh, come on! That's not fair. It's not my fault if they like my scent!"

Rolling her eyes, Nojiko refocused on the task at hand. "Let's stick to the plan. Arlong isn't going to be happy with what you did to Chew and Kaneshiro," she said, moving to the center of the room. "You want to lure him away from the sea and defeat him decisively. We must draw him deep into the forest, away from civilization, so Carmen can let loose. But it has to be far from the village. They've suffered enough."

I nodded, fully agreeing with her condition.

I picked up my bag full of compact smoke bombs. My whistle would only trigger the bomb.

As the sun rose, casting a soft glow over the village, I took my place at the forest's edge nearby.

All the villagers hid in the forest, fearful of the terror the fishmen would unleash.

I sat cross-legged on a sturdy tree branch, arms folded as I focused intently on my Haki. I sensed three strong presences approaching from the fishmen's side—likely Hachan, Kuroobi, and Arlong himself.

Sham crouched on a nearby branch, baring her sharp fangs, her eyes fixed forward in anticipation. She brandished her metal claw menacingly, and I made a mental note to upgrade it into a Wolverine-style claw later.

Kaya waited on another branch, flintlock at the ready, while Carmen's entire body glowed red, radiating intense heat as the air around her shimmered.

Arlong marched past the village, his massive figure looming over the tiny houses like a demon from a nightmare. His saw-like nose gleamed in the sunlight, and his beady eyes burned with fury as he glared toward the entrance of the forest ahead.

"Weak Human!" he roared, echoing through the village like a thunderclap. "Show yourself, coward! Face me, or I'll tear this village apart, starting with the humans who dared stand against me!"

Behind him walked Kuroobi, the gray-skinned stingray fishman, alongside a striking six-armed fishwoman I hadn't seen before. Both wore grim expressions.

The fishwoman's dark eyes flickered with hesitation as she glanced around the village. Tied back in a ponytail, her golden hair gleamed under the afternoon sun. I could tell she didn't want to be here, yet Arlong's wrath left no room for compassion—even for his childhood friend. Could she be this world's version of Hachi?

From my perch, I whistled, triggering a series of stink bombs positioned around the fishmen. A thick, foul-smelling cloud enveloped them, causing them to cough and stumble into the forest, some blinded by the acrid fumes.

Most of the fishmen had entered the forest. I shouted, "Carmen! Now!"

"Tempesta di Fiamme!" Carmen cried out, her voice laced with wicked glee. Flames erupted, spreading swiftly through the forest and trapping the fishmen within the fiery inferno.

Kuroobi's facial muscles tensed, his eyes narrowing. "Arlong, this is a trap!"

"I know it's a trap!" Arlong snapped, his eyes locked on the fire surrounding them. "But it doesn't matter. I'll crush them all!"

The Octopus Fishwoman, standing behind him, looked conflicted. Her golden hair swayed gently in the breeze. She hesitated momentarily, her eyes flickering toward the villagers watching outside the burning forest. There was a relief in her gaze that didn't belong with the Arlong Pirates.

Kaya, armed with two new flintlocks I had crafted for her—a pair of sleek black pistols engraved with intricate silver waves—steadied her aim from her hidden position. "This better work, Usopp," she muttered, finger poised on the trigger.

As the flames roared around us, I knew one thing: these fishmen were resilient. But with my crew by my side, I wasn't backing down.