23: The Flames of Justice!

Arlong gripped his sword tightly, his cold gaze fixed on Tony.

"You're strong, I'll admit that. But the Arlong Pirates are feared as the most ruthless crew around. Even the Marines don't faze us. And you think a single warning will scare me and my men? Don't get cocky, you worthless human."

He raised his voice to rally his crew.

"Brothers, kill him! Whoever brings me his head will be promoted to first mate, second only to me!"

"Yeah!"

For a pirate crew, nothing excited them more than treasure and rank. The eyes of the Arlong Pirates shifted, their previous fear replaced by a greedy hunger. Claiming Tony's head would pave the way to the coveted title of first mate.

With a collective roar, dozens of fishmen surged forward, wielding swords, spears, and axes, all aiming for Tony's neck.

"Look out!" Nami shouted anxiously from the side. One-on-one, she had no doubts about Tony's strength, but facing an entire horde… even she couldn't help feeling worried.

"...A bunch of fishmen who don't know their place." Tony's cold eyes flashed with deadly intent as he clenched his fists.

"Making my friend cry carries a heavy price! You'll pay with your lives!"

"Fire Fist!"

Raising his hand, Tony unleashed a fiery punch, a massive blaze erupting like a tiger leaping out of its cage, engulfing the horde charging toward him. The flames swallowed them up, turning them into blazing fireballs as they flailed about the base in agony.

"So hot! Fire! Fire!"

"Captain Arlong, save us!"

"Aagh!"

One after another, the members of the Arlong Pirates fell to the ground, consumed by the flames, lifeless. Only then did Arlong fully grasp the situation. In the Sun Pirates, his former captain, Fisher Tiger, had once spoken of rare powers in the second half of the Grand Line, in the New World—the legendary Devil Fruit wielders.

Now, standing before him, Tony was showing Arlong exactly what true strength looked like.

"This… is the power of a Logia Devil Fruit?" Arlong's face twisted in fury and disbelief. "Why would someone as powerful as you show up here in the weakest sea? Damn it! Why are you helping this foolish woman?"

Arlong, who had come from the Grand Line, knew better than anyone that facing a Logia Fruit user left no room for doubt in the outcome. But his greed and pride wouldn't let him back down. After ruling over Cocoyasi Village for so long, he refused to give it up without a fight.

Tony raised his arms, and flames surged outward, encircling the entire area. The remaining members of the Arlong Pirates were now completely surrounded, with no route of escape. Tony knew he couldn't let a single one of them escape; if even one survived, Cocoyasi Village could face a massacre in retaliation.

The fire's heat made the ground beneath them sizzle, and some of the fishmen attempted to flee toward the water, hoping to dive in and escape. But Tony wouldn't allow it.

"Bakudō #4: Hainawa (Slithering Rope)!"

Tony extended his hand, and glowing ropes of energy shot forth, binding ten pirates tightly. No matter how hard they struggled, the ropes held firm, refusing to yield.

"Captain Arlong, save us! We don't want to die!"

With a flick of his hand, Tony directed the surrounding flames to consume the ten captives.

"Aaaaah!"

Their agonized screams echoed through the base as Tony's merciless assault burned them to ashes, showing no pity for the ruthless pirates.

Now, only three figures remained in the base: Arlong and his two officers, Hatchan and Kuroobi. Watching his comrades die one after another, Kuroobi seethed with rage and charged at Tony. Despite their hatred for humans, fishmen were deeply loyal to each other, and seeing his own people slain drove Kuroobi to the brink.

"You filthy human! You killed so many of my brothers! I'll make you pay with your life!"

"Fish-Man Karate: Thousand Brick Fist!"

Kuroobi unleashed a powerful punch capable of smashing a thousand tiles underwater, aiming directly for Tony's head. His fist tore through the air, generating a fierce wind pressure, as he imagined the satisfying sight of Tony's skull shattering under his blow.

"Wait, Kuroobi!"

Arlong shouted, raising a hand to stop him, but it was too late.

Tony's lips curled with disdain.

"He's your 'brother'? Did you ever think about that when you were massacring the people of Cocoyasi Village?"

"How many families have you destroyed, how many wives and children are left starving because of you?"

"If you're ready to kill, then you better be prepared to face death in return!"

With his Sharingan, Tony effortlessly saw through Kuroobi's attack.

"Armament Haki: Hardening!"

Tony's left arm darkened, covered by a layer of Armament Haki as tough as steel, forming an unbreakable armor. He raised it confidently to meet Kuroobi's strike, knowing that his training had made his own body incredibly strong—though still no match for the resilience granted by Haki.

Boom! Their fists collided.

"Argh!"

Kuroobi's arm shattered instantly, bones breaking into pieces as he howled in pain.

"No… no way! A mere human can counter the strength of a Fish-Man?"

Kuroobi's face twisted in disbelief; the man before him shattered all his beliefs about human limits.

But Tony didn't care. Pirates who'd ruled a small town in the East Blue could hardly comprehend true strength. They likely didn't even know what Haki was.

Without hesitation, Tony grabbed Kuroobi by the head and forced him to the ground.

"Red Lotus: Flame Pillar!"

With a powerful thrust, a blazing column of fire erupted from Tony's hand, shooting high into the sky as it engulfed Kuroobi. He didn't even have time to scream before his head was incinerated, the fire's intense heat leaving nothing but ash.

Arlong looked on, seething yet paralyzed with fear. The power difference was undeniable. His thoughts shifted from victory to survival. But he knew that Tony was here for Nami, and considering everything he'd done to her, he doubted there'd be any mercy.

Especially since… he'd killed her adoptive mother back in the orange grove.

Realizing his only chance, Arlong's gaze fixed on Nami. He might be able to escape if he took her hostage. It was his only shot, especially against a Logia Devil Fruit user.

Arlong didn't hesitate and made his decision.

Tony, meanwhile, turned his gaze to Hatchan, the six-sword-wielding officer trembling nearby. Tony frowned slightly, hesitating for a moment. Despite everything, Hatchan had once saved Silvers Rayleigh, his own master. Killing him might not sit well with Rayleigh… and Tony knew that Hatchan would one day turn to a better path.

After a moment of inner conflict, Tony decided to spare him. He looked down at Hatchan, his voice icy.

"You did a good thing once. Go back to the Sabaody Archipelago and tell Rayleigh I said hello."

"Don't let me catch you causing trouble again, or I won't be so lenient."

Hatchan fell to the ground, stunned. He realized why Tony had spared him—the boy before him was Rayleigh's disciple, and Hatchan's past kindness to Rayleigh had just saved his life.

Tony paid him no further mind and turned toward Arlong.

Arlong felt a creeping dread; his usual brutality evaporated. Feigning submission, he reached behind him, pulling out the zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka.

"This… this is your sword, right? Here, take it. I'll leave Cocoyasi Village and never return."

"See? Can you… can you let us go?"

Arlong's narrowed eyes tracked Tony's every move, while carefully noting Nami's position. He hoped Tony's focus would shift to the sword, providing him the moment he needed.

As Tony reached for his zanpakuto, Arlong suddenly tossed it aside and lunged at Nami with all his strength, aiming to seize her as a hostage...

~----------------------------------------------------------

T/N:

Access 30 chapters in advance on my Patreon: p@treon.com/dreamer20 (Replace @ with 'a')