The pirate hunter Zoro stood firm as Arlong taunted him with a cruel grin. "If you can't defeat me, your crewmates will die. Though if you run now, you might still survive." His laughter echoed across the battlefield, confident in his victory.
Zoro scoffed, adjusting his grip on his swords. "Tch. Just a bunch of salted fish."
Nearby, Lucas kept up his lighthearted banter with Hatchan, though his attention remained fixed on Zoro and Sanji's battles. Zoro was uninjured, but the terrain wasn't ideal, could he really defeat Arlong? And with Hatchan still standing between him and Luffy, saving their captain seemed impossible.
Then an idea struck Lucas. 'If I keep Hatchan talking, maybe I can use a clone to distract him...'
But before he could act, Arlong's sharp command cut through the air. "Hatchan! Quit dawdling and kill him already!"
Hatchan's expression shifted instantly. "Sorry, Lucas," he said, rising to his full height. "I can't disobey Arlong's orders. Guess we're fighting now."
Meanwhile, Zoro had already struck his three-sword style slashing across Arlong's chest in a blur of motion. The fishman roared in pain as deep gashes split his skin.
"You're dead if you take your eyes off me," Zoro growled.
Arlong snarled, retaliating with a vicious bite aimed at Zoro's throat. Steel clashed against teeth as Zoro barely blocked with Wado Ichimonji.
Clang!
The force sent Zoro skidding back. His arms trembled slightly, Arlong's strength was monstrous.
"What the hell are his teeth made of?" he muttered, eyeing the undamaged blade.
Arlong laughed, spitting out his dentures and snapping in a fresh set. "Humans are inferior! Fishmen are the next stage of evolution!"
Before Zoro could react, Arlong lunged again, their blades and fangs colliding in a relentless exchange.
Not far away, Sanji pushed himself up from the rubble, wiping blood from his lip. "If karate's level 40," he mused, "then that old geezer's kicks are level 400."
Kuroobi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Still standing?"
Outside Arlong Park, the villagers gathered in tense silence.
"We have to save the straw-hat boy while they're distracted," Genzo declared.
The crowd stirred, voices rising in agreement, but Genzo shook his head. "Too many of us will draw attention. I'll go alone."
Nojiko stepped forward, bandages still wrapped around her torso. "I'm coming too."
"Genzo, I can't just watch while they fight for my sister," she insisted, her voice firm.
After a pause, Genzo relented, and the two slipped toward the park.
Back in the courtyard, Hatchan twirled his six swords with terrifying precision, the blades whirling like a deadly storm. "Behold the Six-Sword Style! No human swordsman can match this!"
Lucas paled. 'No way I'm winning this.'
"Wait!" he yelled, raising his hands. "We're friends, right? Where's your honor? I'm unarmed, shouldn't you fight fair?"
Hatchan paused, scratching his head. "Hmm. Good point." Then he brightened. "I know!"
In a flash, he scaled the roof and returned moments later, dumping six swords at Lucas feet.
"Now it's fair!"
Lucas stared blankly at the blades. 'I don't have six arms, you idiot!'
Scooping up one sword, he forced a grin. Then, "Hatchan, look! A seaking!" he shouted, pointing behind him.
Hatchan spun around eagerly. "Where?!"
Gotcha.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Lucas arms morphed into a swarm of serpents, lashing toward Hatchan, but the octopus fishman reacted instantly. His six swords became a blur, slicing every snake mid-air.
Lucas legs wobbled. 'Oh crap.'
Hatchan's face darkened. "You lied to me!" he bellowed, swords raised.
"HELP!" Lucas bolted, Hatchan hot on his heels.
Villagers gaped as the two raced past. "Did that kid just... run away?" one muttered.
Lucas had a plan, though. 'Lure him into the forest. Stall long enough for the others to win.'
If he could keep Hatchan chasing him until the battle was over, mission accomplished no injuries needed.
.....