17 Chapter 16

A bit after midnight, I was doing some physical exercises with a few of Zoros weights, while my clones were practicing my techniques. Sanji was the only one who was still up. He was in the kitchen preparing ingredients for tomorrow, but I heard him leave it and make his way towards me. Sanji sat down next to me without saying a word.

"How did you know about my identity?" he asked me, after sitting there for a couple of minutes. I honestly expected him to ask me this sooner, but I still wasn't sure how to answer him.

"I read about it somewhere, but I can't tell you where though. For now, I would like you to know, that I mean you no harm. I will warn you though if my sources are correct, your family will come after you in the future." I couldn't straight up tell him that I read about it in a comic book.

"If you know who my family is and you know they would come after me, why would you invite me on your crew?" He asked me a good question, but I didn't even have to think about the answer.

"Throughout the past few days, everyone from my crew managed to get to know you better, and they all like you. You are also one of the kindest people I have ever met, despite the way you talk. I am not scared of your family coming after us, because if they do, I will beat them back to North Blue. Your cooking skills might be subpar, but I still want you as my cook, shishishi." I told him with a grin. Everyone really liked Sanji, considering how he kept everyone always fed. Whenever someone said something about being hungry, Sanji will go and cook some food for them. We also created a bond through being tortured by Zeff together.

"Subpar my ass, I saw you salivating like a dog, every time I brought something to eat. Drooling and staring at the food like an animal." He punched me after hearing my last comment, but I just laughed it off.

We continued talking for some random things after that and had a small argument when I told him Nami is off the charts. After bickering for a bit, he went to sleep, since it was already getting late.

An hour or so later, I heard someone exiting outside. I saw Zoro coming out with his sword in hand. He sat near the mainmast in a seiza-style with Wado Ichimonji sitting on his legs. I don't know if he wants to be left alone, but I figured, he might need someone to talk with, so I made my way to him.

"If you need to talk about something, I will be more than happy to listen." I sat down, in front of him while saying that. He didn't respond for a couple of minutes, but I continued sitting since he didn't chase me off.

"I made a promise on the previous owner of this sword to become the greatest swordsman ever. When Mihawk was aiming to cut it, I knew, I will never be able to use Wado Ichimonji again if that attack connects. To me, losing this sword would be like losing her again." He took a deep breath after saying that and looked at me.

"Mihawk might have beaten me this time, but the next time we fight, the outcome will be different." I saw the fire burn in his eyes while he was talking.

"He shamed me and destroyed two of my swords, but he did show me how much I'm lacking. After being left with only two swords, I felt uncomfortable, but when I had only one, I felt completely lacking." Zoro stood up and started practicing after saying that.

I'm pretty sure he should be resting, but I made a double-edged short sword from my hair and decided to practice with him by using a weapon. Lately, I improved a lot in using the abilities of the Zoan fruit. I can currently sustain a weapon created from one of my hairs throughout a whole fight. Additionally, I have incorporated using my tail in my fighting style when I am in my hybrid form.

We sparred for a bit with Zoro, but despite being injured and only using one sword, he was able to beat me with a sword. I was able to beat him using pure speed or strength, but not skill. After practicing for an hour, Zoro was already getting tired, so he found a comfy place on the deck and went to sleep.

Early in the morning, we reached Conomi Islands. Nami asked us to dock at Gosa Village and walk to Cocoyasi Village from there. Her reason being that we might endanger the citizens there. I agreed with her, so we docked at Gosa Village. Aisha didn't want to be left alone on the ship, so she decided to come with us.

The village was in an awful state. All of the buildings are destroyed, and the place reeks of blood. I was shaking and barely controlling myself from rushing at Arlong right now. Never have I felt so much anger before.

I felt Nami grabbing my left hand and squeezing it, trying to calm me down. It was working, but I had already promised to myself that I will destroy him.

We quickly made our way to the Tangerine Grove, where she had hidden eighty million Berri. Once we neared the grove, we saw there were a few villages around the house, next to the grove. The grove itself was almost ruined, looking at how a lot of the trees were dug out.

The villagers all look scared and panicked. They soon saw us and once they had their sight on Nami all of them rushed her. They looked concerned and were asking her if she is okay.

The villagers were wary at our group, but Nami relieved them. by confirming we are her friends. They brought us to the house and on the way they were able to explain what happened.

A Marine ship had docked yesterday and the captain of the vessel had ordered for the chief of the village to bring him to Nami's house. Genzo, the chief, had to comply with his demands and showed him her house. Upon reach it, the Marines immediately tried to enter the house but were stopped by Nami's sister, Nojiko. Genzo had explained the situation to her and she reluctantly had let them check the house. The Marines were unable to find anything inside and begun questioning them, where had Nami hidden the eighty million Berri she stole.

Captain Nezumi, the man leading the marines, ordered his men to start digging up the grove, seeing how no one "knew" where the Berri are. Nojiko tried stopping them since the Tangerine Grove was left to her by her adoptive mother and because she knew the Berri were hidden there. She was able to knock out a few marines, but she was shot by Nezumi in the gut, thankfully the bullet didn't hit anything vital.

The other villagers were tried stopping them as well, however, it ended in a lot of them being injured. Genzo was the most hurt out of everyone, with two broken hands and a few cracked ribs.

When we entered the house, we saw Nojiko resting on a bed, but she was awake. The adoptive sisters, seeing each other, both burst into tears, happy to know the other is safe. At this point, I was already seeing red and I was barely able to hold myself still.

"Nami, I promised you that we will get your village back. We might not do it the way you wanted to, but I can guarantee you, by the end of today Arlong will be gone." I have never been more pissed.

"Johny, Yosaku you stay with the villagers and make sure no Fish-Men touches them. Zoro, Sanji, Ussop you three are coming with me to visit Arlong Park." I quickly gave orders to my crew.

"Aisha, you are not part of my crew, but I still feel responsible for you. I won't order you, but I would advise you to stay here and wait for us to return." I don't want her to get hurt for no reason.

"Nami, just put your trust in us, I promise we will be back shortly." I left my straw hat with her and left the house with the rest. Unconsciously, I had already transformed into my hybrid form.

Ussop looked slightly scared, Zoro looked pumped for a fight and Sanji was shaking in anger like me. The four of us made our way towards Arlong Park.

Upon reaching the gate, I bit my right thumb and inflated my arm to a massive degree. With all the power I could muster, I sent my strongest punch towards the gate. My arm completely destroyed it and continued for a bit hitting something else before snapping back to me. I saw blood on my hand, but that was definitely not mine.

"ARLONG, COME OUT YOU UGLY PIECE OF SHIT"