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On the sea, Xiao Wen swam with panicked intensity, dragging the unconscious Yan Mi behind him. Fear clawed at his heart as he replayed the scene of the small kid with a tail severing Moo-Moo's tail with a single hand chop. He was desperate to reach Arlong and warn him about the two terrifying figures that had appeared on Nami's ship. He knew that while humans were strong, no one could match the swimming speed of a Fishman in the open water; once he reached the base, Big Brother Arlong would handle these monsters.
Splash!
Back on the Dream Chaser, Satori landed on the deck and shook the water from his hair. "He swims too fast, Sanji," he admitted, frustrated that the distance between them had only widened during his initial pursuit.
Sanji gazed at the receding specks of the two Fishmen with a serious, unwilling expression. "Fishmen are born for the water; it's normal you couldn't catch them by swimming. But if they reach Arlong Park, we're in big trouble. They'll alert the entire crew."
Satori didn't look discouraged. He ducked into the cabin and returned with his Ruyi Jingu Bang, handing one end to the chef. "Sanji, hold onto this!".
Before Sanji could ask why, Satori shouted, "Grow, Ruyi Jingu Bang!".
Whoosh—!!
In the blink of an eye, the staff extended with incredible speed. Holding the other end, Satori was launched across the sea like a living projectile toward the fleeing Fishmen. Sanji was nearly flung into the sky by the sudden momentum, only managing to stay aboard by bracing his feet against the ship's railing and pressing his weight down.
The Descent
Xiao Wen, believing he had finally escaped, had slowed his pace slightly. Suddenly, the sky above him darkened. He looked up, expecting rain, only to see the terrifying child with the tail descending from the clouds with a sinister grin.
"Hehehe! You can't escape!".
"Ah ah ah!!!!".
Bang!!
Xiao Wen's eyes rolled back, and he passed out from pure, unadulterated terror before Satori even touched him. Satori landed in the water, splashing a burst of spray, and scratched his head in confusion. "Huh? Why did he faint?". He couldn't have known the Fishman had literally been scared unconscious.
Using his tail to hook the Ruyi Jingu Bang, Satori grabbed both Fishmen and shouted, "Shrink, Ruyi Jingu Bang!". He was pulled back to the Dream Chaser in an instant.
A Change of Plans
Satori tossed the two Fishmen onto the deck. "Here! I brought them both back!". He looked at Sanji, who was red-faced and panting from the effort of holding the staff. "Sanji, what's wrong with you?".
"Ahem... I'm fine," Sanji replied, too embarrassed to admit he had almost been launched into the atmosphere. He looked at the captives. "It's good they didn't get away, but this only buys us a little time. These two are just grunts; the leader, Arlong, is said to be far stronger than Kennard or even Krieg."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze turning toward the island. "Nami-san wanted us to stay hidden to avoid the Arlong Pirates, but now that we've harmed their comrades, they'll eventually come looking for them. We have to break our promise and find her on the island."
Satori finished his bowl of noodles, slurping down the last of the broth, and slung his staff behind his back with a solemn nod. "I understand, Sanji. Let's go find Nami!".
As the two prepared to step onto the forbidden shore, Nami was already standing before the gates of Arlong Park. She adjusted her breathing, forced a smile onto her face, and stepped inside to face her nightmare.
"Arlong! I've come to redeem the village!".