One Piece: Fear [Reboot]

"Nami," she repeated.

I studied her for a moment. Despite the fear in her eyes, there was a determination behind them—something more than the ordinary villagers, something that hinted at knowledge, skill, and perhaps a deeper connection to Arlong than she was letting me know.

I lowered my hand from my revolver, though I didn't fully relax. "What's the deal with you and Arlong?"

Nami hesitated. "It's complicated. Arlong… he's not just a tyrant. He's a monster, but he's also a business opportunity. And that's what keeps me alive. But if you're serious about taking him down, then you'll need someone who knows his weaknesses and his habits. You can't just charge in blind."

"You've worked for him," I observed, more statement than a question.

"Yes but," she responded quickly. "I've been... gathering intel. I know his hideouts, his trade routes, his crew's schedules. But I'm no hero. If I help you, it's not because I think you'll win. It's because I want him gone, too. My way."

I tilted my head slightly. "And your way is?"

"Money," she said bluntly. "Arlong controls the seas, but he's greedy. There's always a way to take advantage of that. I'll help you with your plan, but when the time comes, I want my cut."

There was something in her eyes that told me she was serious. And desperate, perhaps. But desperate people were useful in situations like this. As long as I could trust her information, that is.

"Fair enough," I said, knowing that taking down Arlong would be no easy feat. I might have the firepower, but she had the knowledge. "So, what do we do now?"

Nami smirked. "We start by getting you in close. I can help with that. But remember, Phobos, it's not just about brute force. Arlong doesn't get to where he is without being smart. If you think you can just walk up and shoot him, you're dead."

I nodded. "Girl, you think I'm dumb?"

Nami folded her map and slid it into her bag. "Then let's get to work."

I turned and motioned toward the door. "Lead the way."

She glanced at me one last time. "You know, you've got guts. But guts don't always win the day. Don't get cocky."

Nami led the way, moving with purpose. She knew these streets like the back of her hand. Her eyes were always scanning, always alert.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, she finally spoke. "You'll need to know how things work here if you're going to survive. Arlong's crew isn't just strong—they're everywhere. They keep tabs on the village, on anyone who might be a threat, and they're always watching for outsiders."

I glanced around. "Sounds like a tight grip."

"It is," Nami replied. "Arlong's rule is absolute. But there's always a way in. He's predictable, just like any greedy fool. The trick is figuring out where he's vulnerable."

"Greedy fool, huh? That's something I can work with."

Nami shot me a quick look, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Don't get too cocky. Arlong's not like the other pirates you might've taken down. He's ruthless, and his crew is loyal to him in ways you can't imagine."

I clenched my jaw, a bit of irritation rising. "I'm not here to play games, Nami. If you're helping me, then you're going to have to trust that I can handle myself."

She stopped suddenly, turning to face me. "Trust? In this place? Trust is a luxury no one can afford. Arlong doesn't trust anyone. Not even his crew half the time."

I met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words. "Then we'll have to make him trust us. Or make him think we're worth trusting."

She gave a dry laugh. "Good luck with that."

"I have a plan."

"What?"

*CUT*

I hid my weapons in a safe spot that I found on the outskirts of the village. I knew what I was gonna do, but I gotta do it convincingly, I'm also gonna need a lotta money.

It was noon, and the sun was at its highest. I was gonna play a little game, as a pirate.

Nami had warned me about Arlong's crew, how they were ever-watchful and always looking for anyone out of place. The idea of pretending to be a trader, or even something as simple as a passing pirate, wasn't the best plan—Arlong's men wouldn't just let me waltz in. I needed to make them believe I was worth something. And for that, money would be the key.

I crouched down beside the rough hideout I had chosen for my weapons stash, carefully retrieving the big sack of coins I had hidden earlier. It was a lot, more than enough to buy my way into the game. The trick was to convince Arlong's men that I was someone with power, someone who could offer them something in exchange for their loyalty, or at least, a chance to get in closer.

Walking through the village with the sack tucked under my coat, I kept my head low and tried not to make eye contact. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, not when every passerby looked at me like they knew I didn't belong, but I had to push through. I was getting closer to Arlong's territory.

As I neared the docks, I could see the fish-men watching from the corners. A few of them looked like they had no better work to do, and were gathered near the entrance to Arlong's compound. That was my target.

I adjusted my posture, pretending to walk with a little more swagger. Confidence was key now. I approached the two fish-men with a deliberate pace, not too fast, not too slow. The sack of coins rattled slightly. I needed them to notice me first.

As I passed, one of them, a tall fish-man, took a step forward and blocked my path. "Hey, you," he growled. "You look like a man with something to offer."

I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. You looking to make a deal?"

The fish-man's eyes narrowed. "Depends. You got coin or just another fool with a story?"

I let the sack drop from my coat. The other fish-man's eyes widened. "You're not from around here, are you?"

"That's right," I said. "But I've got business with Arlong. Thought I'd pay my respects. Maybe buy a little protection. Maybe he's interested in some new... associates."

The two fish-men exchanged a glance. The one who had first spoken stepped closer, inspecting me, and the other leaned in as if trying to assess whether I was just another bluffer or something worth paying attention to.

"I think you might have something," the first one said, licking his lips. "But you'll need to talk to Arlong himself. You think he'll give you the time of day?"

I stepped back, letting the sack rattle just enough to grab their attention. "I'm not a beggar. If Arlong doesn't want to talk, he doesn't have to. But I guarantee you, he'd regret it if he passed on a good deal."

They hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Follow us. But no funny business."

F****** idiots, they fell for it.

The two fish-men glanced at each other occasionally, making sure I wasn't pulling anything. I had to wonder how many times they'd been tricked by outsiders promising "big deals" or "connections." But right now, I wasn't one of those weaklings. I was more than capable of dealing with them if it came down to it, but I needed them to believe I was on their side.

We reached the massive gates of Arlong Park, where more of his men stood watch. 

One of the fish-men guarding the entrance observed me suspiciously. "Who's this?" he asked.

"This one's got coin," one of the guys I was following explained, motioning toward me. "He wants a chat with Arlong."

"A chat, huh? Well, if you've got something valuable, Arlong might make time. If not, you're just wasting his."

I let the sack rattle a bit more, just enough for him to notice. "I'm not here to waste anyone's time," I said. "I've got more than just coin. I've got opportunities."

The guard stepped forward, still looking as if I killed his mother. "Opportunities, huh? We'll see about that."

 The place was a fortress. The interior had a suffocating feel—fish tanks were stuck in front of the walls, tanks with creatures as dangerous as the men that guarded them.

One of the fish-men leading me spoke up. "Arlong's in his office, but don't get any ideas. We're watchin'."

I didn't respond. I just nodded. The two guards at the door exchanged a look before pushing the door open. 

Arlong looked up. "What's this?" 

I stepped forward. "I came to make a deal," I said.

Arlong stared at the sack of coins for a moment, then at me. "A deal? You think you're important enough for that?"

"The question is, are you important to me?" I said, looking into his eyes. That's it, spike his ego.

"You think, you're above me? You come to my territory... and question me?" Arlong said, menacingly, I think I'm feeling a faint aura pushing onto me. 

I held his gaze, forcing myself to smirk. "Not above you, Arlong. But let's not pretend the seas belong to anyone but those who know how to play the game. I'm just here to see if our games can overlap... for a price."

Arlong's sharp teeth sparkled as he leaned back in his oversized chair. "Interesting. A cocky little human walks into my den and starts talking about games. You must think you've got something worth my time."

I let the sack of coins drop onto the desk with a heavy thud. The room fell silent as the fish-men behind me exchanged uneasy glances. I didn't even blink. "I didn't come here empty-handed. This is just the introduction."

Arlong then leaned forward, resting his massive arms on the desk. "And what exactly do you want in return, little man? My protection? My crew? Or are you one of those desperate fools trying to buy your way into my good graces?"

"None of the above," I replied smoothly. "I'm looking to invest. You've got power, Arlong. Influence. But every king of the sea could use more leverage. I've got connections, information, and—most importantly—ambition. You like money, don't you?"

Arlong's grin widened. "Money is a language even the weakest can speak. But I don't trust smooth talkers who think a few coins can impress me. What makes you think I won't just take this little gift and toss you to my crew for fun?"

"Try it."

"Try it," I repeated. "You think I'm just some fool who wandered into your den without a backup plan? Go ahead, take the coins. But the moment you do, you'll be making a very costly mistake. I'm not just here to play games, Arlong—I'm here to make sure you stay on top. And if you're not interested, there are plenty of others who would kill for what I have to offer."

"You lowly human! You are nothing in front of Arlong." One of the fish-men came forward, raising his hand.

I caught his wrist just as he was about to strike, twisting it to render his hand useless, albeit salvageable. "AHH!" He screamed in pain. 

"If I think about it, you can't get a speck of hair from me, but you decide, you want money or my hair." I was making a threat that I wasn't sure I could fulfil.

"You've got a lot of nerve," Arlong growled. "That's rare in a human. Most of your kind just cower and grovel. But you've got some fight in you." He glanced at the sack of coins, then back at me. "I don't like threats, though. And I especially don't like being underestimated."

"I'm not underestimating you," I replied. "I'm respecting you enough to come to you first. You're right—I'm just a human. But I'm a human with something you want. The question is, are you smart enough to see it?"

Arlong's laugh was loud. "Smart enough? You come into my territory, defy my crew, and still think you have the upper hand? Bold, but foolish."

I let my smirk widen, keeping my hand near my coat just in case. "Sometimes boldness is what it takes to survive in a world ruled by monsters. I've seen men bigger and badder than you crumble because they couldn't see the value of a good deal. I'm giving you an opportunity to be better than them."

 Arlong, for his part, seemed amused more than anything.

"You've got spirit," Arlong said finally, his grin fading into something more calculating. "But spirit doesn't mean loyalty. And it doesn't mean you're worth keeping around. So here's your chance, little human. Prove to me you're more than just a mouth with coins to spare."

I nodded, taking a step closer to his desk. "Fine. Here's the deal. You want leverage, I've got connections in places that even your crew can't reach. Nobles, traders, and pirates who play a different game. You want power, I can help you expand your territory without lifting a finger. But if you want to keep ruling with brute force alone, then go ahead—throw me to your men. You'll be missing out on something big."

Arlong leaned back, his massive frame casting a shadow over me. For a long moment, he said nothing. Finally, he spoke.

"You've got my attention," he said. "But if you try to cross me, I'll make sure your death is slow and painful. Do we understand each other?"

"Perfectly," I replied, extending my hand. And we shook hands, hopefully, an unprofitable deal for him.,