A few hours have passed since we left the Baratie, that floating miracle. I've stowed away on the ship and am currently lying in the crow's nest at the top of the mast. Sailing has been smooth so far, on account of Nami captaining the ship. I was surprised to see whether she could handle all the chores that would be necessary for sailing. But it seems as if she's been constantly averting her headway to avoid any weather deficiencies that might cause her to laboriously move the sails and perform other tasks in the meanwhile. I was prepared to jump down and offer assistance if that were the case, but it seems I'm not needed so far. Not that she'd be particularly happy if I did, for all intents and purposes she assumes that she's alone on the ship. Who am I to ruin that for her? By all means carry on, I'll just sit back up here.
Fortunately, the distance between Baratie and wherever we're sailing to isn't far. I can even see the peninsula off in the distance. That made me wonder if this was all planned beforehand. In that moment, I simply assumed Nami was brought back to her senses after seeing the wanted poster, but it could've just been a different kind of reaction. Eyeing the poster made her a mixture of anger, fear and pain. That made the tattoo all the more confusing. It was like a mark for property, in which case one option proposed itself all too readily.
Slavery. This was the pirate era it would be stranger for slavery to not exist. It was a tale as old as time. Countries and races persecuted their own people and other nation's people to trade throughout history, there isn't a race of people that exist that haven't at some point been involved in the slave trade. After all, human labor is the oldest resource in all history. It would be more arrogant to assume there exists a people that wouldn't consider the trade of human life. The noticeable differences between fishmen and humans made that all the more pronounced, it wouldn't be surprising for either side to try and subject the other into slavery, especially given their ability to live on both water and land. With a globe covered in a staggering amount of water, they were a desirable resource.
That didn't answer all of the questions though. It was clear that Nami didn't want to return, otherwise she'd already be there. It also didn't make much sense for her to be free without any restraints and travelling with a different crew. Those guys were uninvolved, further they knew nothing about this, of that I was certain. So, then what gives?
She did mention that the pairing would be temporary so perhaps her journey was for money? Or perhaps to grab some particular item whilst on the sea? That'd make sense of her travel, the only part was why she'd return. Of which there was one answer that fit the bill, something she treasured was on this island. I wondered what it would be.
We were nearing a port. A large tower like a pagoda stood erect in the middle of a sanctuary. The large lettering of 'Arlong's Park' along the anterior of the building. I think I'll leave Nami to reunite with old friends, I was more interested in the village a notch over. As Nami's figure disappeared into the cabin, no doubt to retrieve her belongings, I quickly scurried off into the sea to swim the last hurdle.
I climbed the rough abrasive shore onto land, a desolate area of the village, there were very few houses, those that were here were worse for wear. Their windows boarded up and destroyed what looked to be innumerable times. The air itself stank of desertion. But a small sound grabbed my attention. Hurried yet quiet steps, like that of a particularly small child. Followed by the wet flopping of slick flesh, like fish fins slapping against the dry ground.
"Kid. Get your taxes ready and stop these stupid games. Or you'll quickly join your old man."
"DIE!" I heard the unmistakable sound of a flintlock pistol firing at the same time as the squeaky, shrill voice of a scared child. The smell of gunpowder fresh on the sea breeze.
"That hurt, you brat!" The impact of wood snapping could be heard. I followed the sound of the altercation. Happening across a small boy, being stepped on by a fishman. Blue-scale skin with exposed clothing to leave his gills unrestricted. His feet and hands were webbed and untethered the only thing he wore was a pair of shorts that looked laughably summery. I suppose the land was like a holiday resort to fishmen.
"Huh? Who the hell are you?"
"No one important, I just heard noises and got curious."
"Well, it's none of your business. Get lost."
"…"
"Did you not hear me human… Wait. You don't look familiar. How did you even get here?"
"I swam." It wouldn't be a lie to say I did swim a certain distance to get here.
"Impossible the closest island is miles away."
"Does it hurt to have the only thing you're good for done by us humans?" The quickest way to anger fishmen appeared to be these comments.
"What did you say land monkey?!" Weren't all apes land dwelling animals? I know sea monkeys also known as brine shrimp exist, but the vast majority of apes are on land. Well, in my original world, I suppose it could be different here…
"Apologies I forgot you fish often can't understand human speech. I asked if you feel useless after realizing humans can swim as well?" I approached the fishman inside the building, his attention was diverting from the child under his foot.
"Garbage human!"
"I don't really know what's going on here. But you should be a bit easier on kids don't you think?"
"…He shot me." I peered at the wound in his torso, the bullet seemed to lie deep in the flesh, it hadn't penetrated all the way through the other side.
"So, he did. I guess I should rectify that." I pummeled him once in the gut and grabbed him by his throat. My hand was tensing more than necessary to ensure a solid grip on the slippery, disgusting flesh. It was like handling raw chicken.
"ARGHHHGH!" I pushed into the bullet wound grabbing the dispensed shrapnel and tearing it out of the fishman's body.
"All better. It's like it never happened."
"AHHHHH!" He screamed and gasped a few heavy breaths his shoulders heaving. "…You-! Just you wait until Arlong-san finds you. He'll tear you apart like the shark bait you are!"
"That sounds worrying, perhaps I'll just get rid of you before that."
"…"
"You know I am curious. If I were to cut you up and grill you, would you taste exactly like a fish? Or would you have a more human flavor? Perhaps, you fishmen and humans are equal in consumption alone." The fishman's face quickly morphed into one of fear. He really thought I was going to eat him… Well, it serves my purpose so that's fine.
"Don't kill him!" A woman with violet hair and tanned skin appeared from behind the corner.
"Why? He was about to kill this boy." Said boy was cheering when I threatened the fishman. He would probably be doing worse if given the opportunity.
"I understand, but things will become even worse if you do that!" The woman shouted. I suppose if no one knew I was here then they could only punish the residents.
"You mean Arlong will go all out?"
"…Yes. That's why, please you can't do this!" The woman pleaded, bowing her head deeply.
"I really should kill you then." I doubled down whilst staring at the injured fishman. He should realize I have nothing to do with the townspeople now. Their suffering held no impact on me, even if he punished them it wouldn't matter. That was what I needed him to understand and relay.
"…Who the hell are you?" The fish sputtered out weakly.
"I'll spare you if you can get a message to Arlong. Tell your master, I can eat even a shark. He can come and find me." Abruptly letting go of his throat the fishman fell to the land, flailing like a fish out of water. I wonder, would he feel even worse gasping for air just like a land dweller? In the face of imminent death everyone was the same. Fear gripped the body and morals were thrown away. I wanted to see something greater than that response. I suppose the only thing left to do was wait.
[Piracy!]
A relatively peaceful village. Or rather a village that wore the persona of a peaceful little hamlet. The people would walk by each other, exchange platitudes and go about their days. But it was a fakery. A mere imitation of a peaceful settlement. Not a single smile reached the eyes of these marionettes. Not a single platitude went beyond the hollow meaning of the gesture itself. It wasn't uttered out of care or willingness; it was a means to an end. It was the result of repetition. There was no heart in it. There was no emotion in anything. It was a living, moving, breathing, corpse of a settlement. Dead in all but function.
The hollow words rang throughout my ear canal. "Good day today. Good day for the fish." Said as if it were the only thing that ever came out of his mouth. It was as if a single negative statement that erupted from the citizenry would result in everything crashing down. Such a fragile façade. Was this what she was protecting? Or were they protecting her?
It was neither.
They were mutual. This guise would've ended a long time ago if either party hadn't cared for the other. If I were the navigator, then I would've left. There was no reason to return, there was nothing these pirates could do if she simply ran far enough. Yet she continued in her futile effort.
I was amused by how blinded people could be when their weaknesses were grasped in the palm of another's hand. She was a thief an extortionist, a con woman. Yet she truly believed that they would stay true to their deal, simply because she would provide the money for the agreement. It wouldn't take a genius to uncover their intentions. Perhaps that was where desperation came in. She refused to even notice the signs because she had no other way of changing things here. She was completely at their mercy. Only their deal could possibly save the townspeople. They had neither the power nor the means to contact those that could dethrone them.
They were fishmen, so they could effectively prevent all travel by the residents. She can't contact the marines because then they would trace it back to the only possible suspect. In a final act against the marines there would be casualties or hostages taken. She was trapped. They all were.
And they would continue to be.
As I ran my finger along the flooring of the upturned house a group approached my upside-down neighborhood. Every house was ripped out of the ground and placed on their roof. Even with modern equipment this would be difficult to accomplish, which gave a glimpse of the strength of these captors.
A group of 20 fishmen continued to approach the upturned house I currently call my roost. The lead most figurehead had a saw-like nose, pale blue-skin and the hungry eyes of a shark. The overbearing physique of a monster crept through the unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and swimming trunks he currently wore.
His entourage was outfitted with much the same apparel. It was as if they were on vacation. The image of a fraternity on holiday came to my mind. Well, minus the terrorist tendencies. I don't think fraternity houses often take prisoners and extort them.
The group stopped a few meters away from the upturned house. Looking from below at me. Rather than saying anything I hovered my eyes over the rest of them. Only one of the individuals was recognizable. A spot of trouble I had made the most of. And now the prey had arrived. I was just awaiting one more important person, though that wasn't for some time.
"Human. I got your message. I haven't seen you here before." A condescending tone reached my ears.
"I'm a new resident." It was only natural to introduce myself to a neighbor.
"Shahaha! In that case we'll be needing your taxes."
"I don't even have a house yet; what taxes are you taking?" I had squatted here for now, by all rights I could just leave.
"There's a house beneath your feet isn't there?"
"So, there seems to be. I was just looking around, haven't quite decided if I like this one yet."
"You could live on the street for all I care, no citizen lives here without paying their dues."
"And what do these taxes entail?"
"For the privilege of living upon this land. My land." How amusing. A fish coveted the land.
"…And if I refuse?"
"It isn't like the citizenry to reject taxes." I'm sure given the opportunity, many would. Here or anywhere else.
"All citizens resent taxes."
"Ah, but Cocoyashi village isn't just anywhere. It's peaceful. You won't find a happier place in the East Blue!"
"It certainly is quiet." To an almost Orwellian degree.
"Indeed. It's a shame, I fear that silence will soon be broken." His eyes set a harsh glare on me.
"I'd hate to be a bother to the neighbors, after all this is my first day."
"Don't worry about that. I know a perfect plot of land for you. You'll be just as quiet as your neighbor. She hasn't made a noise in years." His group snickered boisterously.
"On second thought I'm a bit short on cash, property might have to wait." The only person I could conceivably loan money from was the navigator, I think I'd sooner take death.
"Free of charge. It can be a bit cramped. But I'm sure you'll get used to it." His teeth bared as a maniacal grin covered his features.
"I suppose I'll have to thank your generosity."
"Shahaha!" His arm retracted and shot forward, was he going to stretch as well?
His arm stopped where you would expect, however a large shockwave erupted from the impact against the air. The house I was using as shelter was shocked and began to crumble in on itself. The very foundations were failing. I jumped from the roof onto the next closest house. Looking over the destruction, a few large holes were apparent in the walls. It wasn't one huge shockwave; the impact was split between several locations. It was like a shotgun, only the strength was doubled, enough to break several layers of solid oak.
What were the limitations of his attack? I assumed he needed to wind up, the momentum was necessary, but I didn't see anything solid leave his hands. Did he have limited ammunition? One thing was clear, however.
He wasn't treating me like a threat. That shot wasn't aimed at me, it was a warning. Of the things that would come if I refused payment. Unfortunately, refusal was the only option.
"These land vermin, always skittering around." He muttered loud enough to reach my ears.
"Fishmen. Sloppy as expected." Rage accumulated in his eyes. Red veins became more pronounced as his pupils shrank.
His legs tense instantaneously, propelling him with his maw aimed at my head. Gliding through the air like a dart he zoned in on my body, or where it would've been a fraction of a second ago. I rolled away and jumped to the next building, aware of how outnumbered I would be on the ground below.
"No reason to run is there? This is just a friendly village greeting." He said in between sharp crunches of the oak laden in his mouth. The jagged teeth splintering the material as if it were placed into a shredder.
"I'm afraid I don't know you that well. I'm not a particularly intimate person."
"I'll have you change that; I can't have antisocial visitors disturbing the peace of my island."
"I wouldn't say I'm antisocial. I believe I made quite a positive impact on your friend, didn't I? Was he too scared to come visit with you? I thought fishmen were made of tougher stuff... What a shame." For all my efforts he was controlling his rage more than I assumed. It appeared as if diplomatic ties between humans and fishmen were incredibly tense. I had hoped by provoking and injuring one of his own he might lose sight of himself… But this wasn't it. He was more patient than I expected.
"You speak too much human." He swung his arm once more, blowing apart the floor beneath me. I still didn't notice anything solid leaving his hands, but his body was still slick and wet. The nature of a fish I suppose. Did he need to rehydrate every so often? After so long his skin would lose moisture, was that a weakness of his?
The damage he was causing wasn't something so ridiculous as air pressure or the like, it seemed as if he was projecting the fluid at such speeds that it actually decimated the wood. He only had access to so much water here.
"I can't help but notice that you brought a whole school of fish with you. Were you that scared to meet a human by yourself?"
"You flatter yourself too much. They're here to watch me silence an annoying human, you're merely the entertainment!"
"Looks like you're having some trouble with that, to me." He darted towards me once more taking a chunk out of the next house along, shredding the wood with those sharp teeth and piercing it with his saw-like nose.
"So much for being able to eat a shark, you've yet to attack once. Are you only capable of scurrying around like a rat?"
"I was enjoying our conversation."
"Oh, really? And what else did you want to talk about? Think about it whilst I riddle you with holes. Shahaha!" This time both hands flung forward with immense spittle spraying the neighborhood, I quickly jumped down to the ground and up on to another building.
"For one; where's Nami? What have you done with her?"
"Nami? That's what you're here for? Honestly that girl's too good at her job sometimes. Did you follow her across the sea, convinced there was something for you here? Humans are too funny."
"What about you, it seems you're keeping her against her will."
"Nami is a part of my crew, ignorant human. Completely unaware of what he says. Ask her yourself."
"You think I'd believe she's willingly with you?"
"With me? She's a crew member. I couldn't think of anything worse. You wouldn't lie with a dog would you?" Arlong was convinced; I was only chasing the navigator for that reason. I suppose it's at least nice to know that that wasn't in the nature of their agreement. But that only made me assured of his plan. You didn't mediate or negotiate with an animal. You take on a whim, eat until you are full and grow them like cattle to sustain yourself indefinitely.
I continued to dodge as the hungry shark chased after me. The commotion would no doubt gain some attention with time. Hopefully the normal citizenry would avoid this place, there was only one person I was waiting for here. And it looks like she's on her way.
"ARLONG! You said you wouldn't damage this place anymore!"
"Oi, Nami. About time, tell your admirer to calm down. He's come all this way for you after all."
"Ayanokouji!"
"Nami. Arlong told me you were a member of his crew; don't worry I know he's lying. Give me some time and we'll leave this place." The tattoo didn't prove much. Slaves used to be branded with a mark as well, denoting whose property they were.
"No! Ayanokouji, don't. It's true. I've been a member of Arlong's crew all this time." She put on a brave face, but I knew it wasn't true.
"What about Luffy and the others?"
"I already told you guys it was temporary. Tell them to forget about me. My place is here." If we forgot about her, this would be her life forever. It wasn't exactly my place to interfere, so I think I'll at least let my temporary captain make the last decision. Channeling what I knew about him… His answer was obvious.
"Luffy won't leave without his navigator, you know that."
"He'll have to find someone else!" She shouted harshly, desperately. I didn't mind helping, but I wouldn't do it for someone that couldn't ask.
"So, you want to remain in Arlong's service forever?" I stopped facing the shark and turned towards the redheaded navigator.
"…" Nami looked towards the floor, trembling slightly. She slowly looked up with a forced smile attempting to spit out the words she desperately wanted to, needed to say. She was trapped she knew I had a chance of defeating them, same with the rest of the crew. But couldn't risk the loss. Even subconsciously she realized Arlong was never going to keep his side of the deal.
"Shahaha, it won't be forever. I'm feeling generous. Nami, you've remained loyal to us for a long time now, what's it been nearly ten years? Tell him the truth. He isn't completely useless; for a human that is. You're close to the payment now, aren't you? You can take him with you on the last trip. Just make sure he doesn't cause any problems like he has before." What was he planning? It would make more sense to try and get rid of me now, instead he was giving Nami access to another ally. Did he underestimate humans that much?
"Oh, and if you're joining her that makes you a part of my crew. I'll give you some work soon, you can ignore the taxes with that. I'll leave you guys to get reacquainted. Make sure you come back to the base in the morning." The shark man and his crew left the two of us humans to the upturned neighborhood. As much as he wanted to he couldn't quite mask the rage still present in his eyes, trained on me as if I were his prey.
[Piracy!]
"Brother are you sure about this?"
"You worried about that human?"
"I'm not blind. Humans are weak by nature, but some that come along are surprisingly sturdy. You weren't going all out brother, but neither was he. Impudent as he is, that human has a certain strength to him."
"He has a measure of ability; I'll give him that."
"Then all the more reason to. Should I take care of him myself?"
"There's no need. Tomorrow our business partners will be arriving. At the same time, you'll take the newest member of our crew for some very important work that requires him to take some time off land. Make sure he doesn't return."
"What if he doesn't agree? What should I tell him, brother?"
"Take the sloop, tell him he'll be taking some merchandise and selling in another port not far away as proof of his commitment. Halfway along the route, ensure that ship rests on the sea floor. Send the Banji brothers and three men for the trip, only tell the Banji brothers the plan. As for if he doesn't agree, tell him we'll hurt Nami. I doubt it'll even come to that; he seems to already understand the position they're in."
"The Banji brothers? It's not like they're weak but shouldn't me or Hachi be the ones to do it?"
"Unnecessary. On the open sea he's all but dead. Besides, he mentioned other members of some certain crew. We don't know if they'll arrive but judging by his behavior there's a good chance."
"If he's anything to go off they might have some strong fighters."
"Getting cold feet, Kuroobi?"
"As if. I'm happy. It's been a while since we had a good fight! I haven't been able to practice some of my forms without injuring the men. I was worried I might begin to get stiff if this continued."
"You'll have your fair share of fights to look forward to, I have a good feeling about it."
"As you say brother."
"We're finally getting close, you can feel it can't you? Shahaha! Soon. Soon. I just need to be a bit more patient; I've already waited this long!"
"Tomorrow marks the start of freedom, brother. Kuhahahaha!"
"A new age for fishmen! I could raise a toast to that. Shahahaha!"
---
Word count: 4163
Ayanokouji chose to do a little trolling rather than meet Arlong straight away. This was for two reasons; he wanted a proper look at the town to gather his own evidence regarding Nami's situation and because he didn't know if meeting Arlong at the same time as Nami might result in all-out war on the spot.
Instead, Ayanokouji chooses to attack an underling and make himself known as a third party on the island so that the townspeople won't be hurt. He also makes it pretty clear that the only person he really cares about on the island is Nami, this reduces their use as hostages for him.
Arlong lets him interact with Nami because if he continued to use force, Ayanokouji might take Nami off the island by force as well. Instead, it makes more sense to integrate Ayanokouji into the crew and just kill him off when it's most convenient. With no immediate threat of force Ayanokouji won't have an immediate reason to escape with Nami.
Of course, he plans to separate them and have Ayanokouji killed whilst Nami's treasures are plundered by the marines. Ensuring Nami's servitude to the Arlong pirates forever. Well, let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
Hope you all enjoyed it. Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Patreon.com/Shir0249
For three chapters ahead of the public releases. Joining as a free member isn't a bad way to get updates on time if Wattpad isn't sending notifications. Whether a free reader or paying member of the patreon, your viewership and support is appreciated greatly. Thanks as always.
Until next time.