One Piece: Fear [Reboot]

I rubbed my fingers as dusted off the bounty poster in my hand, 20 million for this feller, a fish-man. Arlong, his bounty on the other hand is quite long too. 

To gather information about this individual, I first needed to know his location, his secret hideout, his accomplishments, and his moral character. Then, I can develop a plan of action.

First thing, I need to buy the newspaper, look out for this guy. I went to a nearby bookstore and saw the newspaper section, it was filled with the latest news and happenings but no sign of this guy. With a bounty that big, he must be in somewhere. I looked out for the old newspapers and found out that this man settled in the Cocoyasi Village five years ago.

Cocoyasi is not a hideout, it's his empire, his kingdom.

I couldn't scurry in blind. A man worth twenty million wouldn't be brought down by luck. I needed to understand the landscape, the people, and, more importantly, the man himself.

I decided to dig deeper, starting with the stories surrounding Cocoyasi. Stories of oppression and extortion came up again and again, whispered by travellers who passed through the region. They spoke of a tyrant who taxed the villagers into submission, demanding tributes to keep the peace. Arlong, the name was short, but the fear, it's pretty big. I also learned something else, he was the biggest pirate in East Blue, not exactly a motivating discovery.

To get closer, I'd have to blend in. The best way to hunt was to become invisible, part of the background. I traded my usual attire for something plain and worn, something a villager might wear. I also picked up a small satchel—nothing fancy, just enough to make me look like another wandering merchant or labourer. I needed to look like a traveller. I cleverly disguised my weapons in heavy clothing.

Well, I do have my revolver, my compact pistol, a shotgun, and a rifle. I think I'm quite a formidable target, to be honest. Fully loaded, I am as ready as I can be. Let's see how long his empire will last.

Time to set sail, I walked to the comparatively big ship that I kindly borrowed, permanently, from Clarke and his precious subordinates. I boarded the ship and once again checked if I had everything.

The ship squeaked beneath my boots as I stepped aboard, the salty air filling my lungs. Clarke's "precious" vessel had seen better days, but it was fine, it was already one of the biggest in East Blue.

I stowed my satchel below deck and double-checked my gear. The revolver and compact pistol were strapped to my hips, hidden beneath my heavy coat. The shotgun and rifle were in a hidden compartment near the helm.

I wasn't just a hunter; I was a walking armoury. And I'd need every advantage I could get. Arlong wasn't a lone fugitive. He commanded an army—or worse, a cult. His Fishman crew was notorious for their brutality, I mean an entire village? Not your usual villainy that a pirate displays.

The plan was simple: sail to Cocoyasi, blend in, gather intel, and strike when the time was right. Of course, plans like this rarely went off without a hitch.

I set my course for Cocoyasi Village and locked the wheel. The journey would take a few days, giving me plenty of time to think.

Who was Arlong, really? The stories painted him as a monster, a tyrant who fed on fear and crushed hope under his heel. But even monsters had motives. Was it greed? Power? Revenge? Understanding him might just be the key to taking him down.

I leaned against the railing, eyes scanning the endless distance of water. Somewhere out there, Arlong was sitting on his throne.

I smirked, gripping the bounty poster one last time before tucking it into my coat. "Twenty million," I muttered. "Let's see if you're worth the trouble."

The hunt was on.

*CUT*

The journey to Cocoyasi was coming to an end, I figured that it was ten minutes away from Cocoyasi. I needed these ten minutes to think about my choice very carefully, I might lose my life here, this guy might not be like Clarke, he might be the real deal. 

As I spent my time thinking things through, I finally arrived at the place. Well, fu** it. I'm dying or killing this guy. I prefer the latter. 

The village itself was small but bustling. Fishermen unloaded their catches, merchants sold their wares, and children played in the dusty streets. At first glance, it all seemed normal. But the expressions on the villagers' faces told a different story. Fear remained in their eyes, even as they went about their daily routines.

I kept my head down and walked slowly, my satchel slung over one shoulder. Blending in was key, but I couldn't ignore the feeling of being watched. It wasn't just paranoia; eyes were on me—careful, suspicious, and calculating.

A burly man at a nearby stall caught my attention. His frame was imposing, but his gaze betrayed years of weariness. I approached casually, pretending to examine the dried fish he was selling.

"Busy day?" I asked, my voice low and unassuming.

He glanced at me, his expression toughening for a moment before giving a sharp nod. "Always is."

"Seems like a nice place," I continued. "Quiet. Peaceful."

The man's jaw tightened, and he cast a glance over his shoulder before leaning in slightly. "Peace is expensive here, boy," he muttered.

Before I could press him further, a commotion erupted further down the street. A group of Fishmen were making their way through the village. 

The villagers spread, clearing a path for the crew. No one dared meet their eye. It wasn't just fear—it was survival.

I stepped back. Their leader was a tall, shark-like figure with crooked teeth and insolence. This wasn't Arlong, but it was someone high in his ranks.

The Fishmen yapped orders, collecting what I assumed were the tributes owed to Arlong. Bags of coins and goods were shoved into their hands, and the villagers complied without a word.

One woman hesitated, her hands trembling as she held out a small sack of coins. "This… this is all I have," she whispered.

The Fishman sneered, his webbed hand peeking out to snatch the sack. He opened it, counted the coins, and then growled. "Not enough."

"I-I can bring more tomorrow," she stammered, her voice cracking.

"Tomorrow?" He threatened her, his sharp teeth glistening in the sunlight. "You think Arlong waits? For... you." He looked at her with a look that screamed superiority as if she was a lesser being.

My hand instinctively moved toward my revolver, but I stopped myself. Not yet. Drawing attention now would ruin everything. I had to pick my moment carefully.

The Fishman raised a clawed hand, and I could see where this was heading. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to intervene. But just as he was about to strike, another Fishman—smaller but seemingly in charge—placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Enough," he said. "Let her go. Arlong doesn't need leftovers."

Reluctantly, the brute backed off, and the group moved on. The woman collapsed to the ground, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

This was the reality of Arlong's rule—fear, control, and just enough mercy to keep rebellion at bay.

I turned away and continued toward the heart of the village. If I was going to take down Arlong, I needed to find his weak spots. And if I was lucky, I might just find someone brave enough—or desperate enough—to help me.

At the corner of my eye, I saw a girl, a teen, with orange hair and a tattoo on her shoulder. Just as our eyes met, she ran away.

The girl with the orange hair was quick, disappearing into the narrow alleys of the Cocoyasi Village. Her tattoo was undeniable—a symbol I'd seen before on the Fishmen crew. She was one of them—or was she?

I hesitated, considering whether to follow. If she was part of Arlong's crew, she might lead me to him. If she wasn't, she might know something valuable. Either way, she was worth investigating.

I moved through the village carefully. The alleys were quieter, away from the centre. Buildings were deteriorated, the walls scarred with signs of violence. This part of the village carried the weight of Arlong's rule more visibly.

The girl darted out of sight, but I managed to catch another glance of her as she quickly sidestepped into a shabby warehouse on the village's outskirts. I approached cautiously, my hand instinctively resting on the grip of my revolver.

The girl was there, crouched in the corner, muttering to herself as she sketched something on a piece of parchment. Maps. Detailed, intricate maps. A cartographer?

"Nice work," I said, stepping into the light.

She froze, her head snapping up to look at me. Her eyes were sharp, a mix of fear and defiance. "Who are you?" she demanded, her hand darting to a small knife at her side.

I raised my hands, keeping my movements slow. "Just a traveller," I said. "Looking for answers. Thought you might have some."

"Answers?" She narrowed her eyes, her grip on the knife tightening. "You're not from here. You don't know what you're getting into."

"Maybe not," I admitted. "But I know enough. Arlong's got this place under his thumb, and people are suffering. That doesn't sit right with me."

She examined me for a moment. Then, slowly, she relaxed, lowering the knife. "You're either bold or foolish," she said. "Probably both."

I chuckled dryly. "Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that."

She sighed, standing up and folding the map she'd been working on. "If you're here to take down Arlong, you're going to need more than bravado. His crew is strong, and the villagers won't help you. They're too scared. He's probably too strong for you, you can't take him."

"Not all of them," I countered. "There's always someone willing to fight back."

She gave a bitter laugh. "And what happens when they fail? When Arlong makes an example of them? You think this village can afford more martyrs?"

She had a point, but I wasn't about to back down. "What about you?" I asked. "You don't seem like the type to just roll over."

Her gaze hardened. "I have my reasons for staying. And for fighting. But I don't need your help."

"Maybe not," I said, taking a step closer. "But I need yours. You know this place. You know Arlong."

She hesitated, her eyes looking to the map in her hand. "What's your name?" she asked finally.

"Phobos."

She rolled her eyes. "Figures. Alright, Phobos."

"Your name?" I asked her, curious.

"Nami..."