End of Arlong's tyranny

In the crumbling Arlong Park, Carina squared off against Chew, the smelt-whiting fishman known for his water-based attacks.

The remnants of battle were evident in the smoldering debris around them.

"You humans have overstepped your bounds," Chew snarled, his grief over fallen comrades fueling his rage. "I'll make you pay!"

Without hesitation, Chew inhaled deeply, preparing to unleash a high-pressure water shot aimed directly at Carina.

But Carina was ready. She swiftly clapped her hands together, generating a dense wall of sound waves that materialized before her, effectively absorbing and dispersing the incoming water blast.

Chew's eyes widened in surprise as his attack was nullified. "What sorcery is this?"

"It's the end of your tyranny," Carina responded calmly.

She then clapped her hands and, with a graceful motion, sent out concentrated sound waves that struck Chew with immense force.

The impact sent him hurtling backward, crashing through the remnants of a wall before he lay motionless.

Carina stood tall, signaling the fall of yet another of Arlong's lieutenants.

***

Nami walked alongside the villagers, her steps measured and cautious.

The distant glow of blue fire still flickered against the night sky. The once-mighty fortress of the fishmeal was now a shattered husk, the smell of charred wood and scorched stone hanging thick.

She hadn't run ahead like a desperate fool. Whoever was strong enough to tear through Arlong's forces like this could just as quickly be another oppressor.

The villagers seemed to think otherwise, whispering with wary hope, but Nami had lived under Arlong's rule long enough to know better—power didn't always mean salvation.

Then she saw them.

Three figures stood amidst the wreckage.

Two women—one with a sword resting on her left hip, the other stretching her fingers as if testing an unseen force.

But the man in the center caught her eye: the freakishly long nose, the confident stance, and his body wreathed in flickering blue fire. His hands burned like torches, but they didn't consume him.

Jacob.

Nami's breath hitched.

She had met this man—briefly.

He had repeatedly tried to invite her to his so-called Revenants, but she refused.

A thief, just like her, but not in the way she understood. He was too reckless, too bold, too… unafraid.

Now, here he was, fighting Arlong himself. And Arlong—

Arlong was struggling.

The shark fishman was panting, blood dripping from his arms, his once-imposing grin now a grimace of pain and rage. His shirt was torn, and his muscles tensed, . Exhaustion pressed heavily on him.

This wasn't the invincible tyrant she had known for years.

This was a cornered beast, wounded and angry.

Her eyes darted around.

Chuu lay motionless in the rubble.

Kuroobi was down, his body slumped against a crumbling wall, a pool of blood coming from his severed right arm.

Nami clenched her fists.

For the first time in years, Arlong Park—the very symbol of her suffering—was falling apart before her eyes.

And the man standing at the center of it all was Jacob.

***

Jacob exhaled slowly, his body crackling with the remnants of blue fire. The battlefield was silent except for the smoldering ruins of Arlong Park, the crackling embers, and the villager's footsteps. His muscles ached, but he wasn't done yet.

Arlong staggered before him, blood dripping from his mouth, his once-gloating expression now twisted with pain and disbelief.

The shark-man tried to steady himself, his gills flaring with every ragged breath.

Jacob clenched his fist, his fire roaring to life one last time. Blue flames coiled around his knuckles. He shifted his weight, twisting his body for maximum force.

"Absolute Hiken!"

His fist connected with Arlong's chest. The impact sent a deep shockwave rippling through the ground as the flames engulfed the fish-man's body.

Arlong let out a guttural roar before the force sent him hurtling through the last standing pillar of his ruined fortress. The stone shattered on impact, dust and debris rising into the air.

Silence.

Jacob let his arm fall to his side, his fire flickering out. His breathing was steady and controlled.

He turned toward the villagers, toward Nami, who stood stiffly among them, her hands clenched into fists. Her eyes darted between Arlong's motionless body and Jacob, wary and calculating.

"I'm not here to rule over you," Jacob said, his voice calm. He raised a hand, gesturing at the wreckage behind him. "I couldn't care less about this village."

He let his words hang briefly before adding, "I came for Arlong's treasure."

A murmur spread through the villagers. Suspicious glances. Some hopeful, some wary.

Nami's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just the treasure?"

Jacob smirked, rolling his shoulders. "That's right. I'm a thief, not a hero." He glanced back at the ruined remains of Arlong Park. "But, I'll take this piece of land."

The villagers exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering between them. They had spent years under Arlong's rule, conditioned to expect tyranny from those in power. And yet, standing before them, the man who had single-handedly crushed their oppressor wasn't demanding fealty.

Just wealth.

And a small piece of land.

Jacob stretched his arms and glanced at Carina and Kuina, watching him with knowing smirks. "Let's get to work," he muttered.

***

Amidst the ruins of Arlong Park, Carina meticulously sorted through the amassed treasure, her eyes gleaming with each glittering coin and jewel she uncovered.

After a thorough count, she turned to Jacob, her face alight with excitement.

"Six hundred million berries!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Without hesitation, she leaped into Jacob's arms, wrapping him in an embrace before planting a fervent kiss on his lips.

As they pulled apart, Jacob's lips curved into a grin. "Let's make sure we use them wisely."

***

As the dust settled over the ruins of Arlong Park, Jacob scanned the area with sharp eyes, making sure there were no lingering threats. The scent of charred wood and scorched stone filled the air.

Kuina took in the wreckage, her expression unreadable.

Carina stretched her arms and sighed, satisfied but still exhilarated by how much loot they had this time.

Then, amid the collapsed remains of what used to be Arlong Park's gate, Jacob spotted a familiar figure—or rather, what was left of one.

Nezumi.

The Marine captain's body was half-buried beneath the rubble, lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. His once pristine uniform was torn and bloodied, his trademark whiskers covered in dirt. He must have been caught in the initial fire bombardment before the structure collapsed on top of him.

Jacob crouched beside the corpse, nudging it slightly with the back of his knuckle.

No response.

No pulse.

Just a dead rat.

"Heh. Guess he didn't scamper away fast enough," Jacob muttered, standing up.

"Good riddance," Kuina said, glancing at the body with no remorse. "He was as bad as Arlong, if not worse."

Carina placed a hand on her hip, tilting her head as she observed Nezumi's unmoving form. "I was expecting a little more from a Marine captain," she smirked. "But I suppose corruption makes you soft."

Jacob turned his gaze toward the gate. Nami and Nojiko were cautiously approaching the ruins. The moment they saw Nezumi's lifeless body, they stopped.

"Is that… Nezumi?" Nami asked, her voice filled with disbelief. "Is he dead?"

Nojiko stepped forward, her sharp eyes taking in the scene before settling on Jacob. "…Did you kill him?"

Jacob crossed his arms. "I didn't have to. He got caught in the crossfire."

Nami remained still. Her eyes were locked onto Jacob, suspicion flickering beneath the surface of her expression. She had spent years believing that no one would come to save her. That anyone stronger than Arlong would only take his place.

And now, this man—the infamous Fire King—had done what no one else had. The question that burned in her mind was simple.

Why?

Was it because he loved her?

***

Jacob's gaze settled on Nojiko, the blue-haired, cool-tattooed girl. She was two years older than Carina and Nami and a year younger than Kuina. Her steadfastness during Arlong's tyranny and unwavering support for Nami highlighted her resilience and loyalty—qualities Jacob valued in allies.

Jacob considered the possibility of recruiting her.

But in the manga, Nojiko doesn't have any treat that makes her valuable, except for her love of tangerines.

He made a mental note to discuss this potential collaboration with Carina and Kuina later.