In One Piece, as Hashirama Senju

[65] Arlong Pirates (3)

"Do you know about the terror that resides on this island? I hear that fishmen are more common in the Grandline, so you must have heard of them a lot or even seen them before. Are you aware that this island is ruled by a group of fishmen?"

"Uh-huh?"

Hashirama titled his head. While his hand, holding the mug, waved at the bartender for another drink.

"So you haven't? I'm saying that someone dangerous lives here. It's a fishman. As someone from the bigger sea, you should know how dangerous they are. I might sound rude as the island's sheriff... but could you leave? You'd just put yourself in meaningless danger if you stay here any longer."

Genzo sounded very serious and actually worried for him. He was indeed quite the nobleman to be so worried about a random young man.

In truth, a part of Genzo wanted to ask Hashirama for help. A part of him noted that Nami must have befriended this young man, maybe done even more, so that he could come to this island and take care of Arlong.

However, Nami must be having a pipe dream if she was aiming for that. In Genzo's view, this young man was just a kid, even though he was from the Grandline. So when even Bellemere, who was a marine in Grandline, couldn't bring down Arlong, how could a normal kid do the same?

So whatever the reason for this young man's being on this island may be, it was better he left. It would be good for both him and the islanders.

"You mean the former member of Sun Pirates? Arlong?"

Hashirama said suddenly, making Genzo blink in slight surprise. Until now, he was assuming this young man didn't know the danger he had walked into.

"I am actually-"

Just when Hashirama was about to continue, the door of the bar opened again. This time, to all but Hashirama's surprise, a massive duck walked in.

"Karoo!"

"Quack!"

Hashirama smiled widely from his table and waved his hand at the duck. The duck quacked back and rushed at him, easily avoiding bumping into people skillfully, and found herself standing before him.

Hashirama was still sitting on his chair as he patted the duck on her head.

"Hey, why are you shackled on your feet? Did those bastards tie you up? Furries, for real."

As Karoo released a pained and hurt moan, agreeing with him, Hashirama crouched down and grabbed the thick cuffs connected with chains that were not properly tied around Karoo's feet.

It appeared that she ran from the place before they could fully tie her up. Hashirama grabbed the chain with his hand and clutched the cuffs.

The next scene created a loud sound and attracted the attention of all in the bar.

– Cleaaank!

Metal cuffs flattened with a weird screech and shattered into pieces. One moment Karoo's duck feet were locked, and the next moment she was free. The crowd was left speechless.

"How the..."

Genzo had even stood up from his seat. The display of strength... really reminded him of Arlong, the one truly strong person he had witnessed in this world. That large fisherman who could pick up a house from the ground and throw it around.

Hashirama ignored the reaction of the others and talked to Karoo.

"Aha? And then?"

"Karoo.... Karoo, roo, kaka, roo~"

The duck was clearly speaking its species' equivalent of 'quack!', yet the young man patting its head acted like he could understand all.

Obviously, it was a stupid sight. But the villagers and Genzo were suddenly very optimistic. What if this young man was special? The fishmen could talk to large fishes, they knew about that sea-cow-like creature that the fishmen petted. So what if this young man could talk to girls, and had other sorts of powers?

Perhaps it was pipe dreams of the oppressed villagers, but for once their hope wasn't wrong.

"Ah, so you outran the ones who were after you? Good, good."

The Yamanaka Clan from the Naruto world had multiple mind-related Jutsus. They could telepathically talk to people. While Hashirama lacked the hand seals required to perform such a Jutsu, he had the cheat that was Observation Haki. So he could pull off something very similar.

By a simple self-made Jutsu that didn't even have a name, he used it to read the electrical signals sent by someone's brain. He then used Observation Haki to translate the signals into comprehensible words.

He could only do this for animals rather than humans who had too complex of a brain, so it's not as if he could read people's minds, but it did the purpose anyway. He had created it to talk to Karoo in the first place, who was very smart for an animal. That's how he grew so close to this duck despite being Vivi's pet since when they were both very young. In this world, he was the only human who fully understood her.

"So let's see... They have gone to Nami's house. I don't think Arlong would hurt them, but let's not take any risk."

Hashirama stood up. He had sent Karoo to spy on the fishes to learn how they were reacting to his sudden appearance. To see if they knew his true identity. Now that he was sure of their position, he could finally make a move.

He wasn't planning to fight them himself, though. Actually, he was going for something a lot more satisfying.

"Let's-"

– Everyone!

Just as Hashirama was about to ask Karoo to follow him outside the bar, a deep and loud voice growled from the outside.

It wasn't directed at the bar. It was a call toward the entire island.

– It's me, Arlong! Close your shop, house, work, and whatever you are doing right now. Come out in the open, right now! I have come to open your eyes to how selfish you humans truly are!

Hashirama scowled while the ordinary people froze. The voice must sound like that of the reaper to them. In the grander scheme of things, while Arlong was an ant not worth mentioning, he sure was the death that all these people feared.

At once, like a storm, the people in the bar rushed out. Frightened that the monster might turn the bar building upside down.

Amidst the rush, Hashirama and Karoo moved as well. They rushed out while wearing scowls.

The main road of the village led to the center opening of the village. Houses were lining up on either side of the road, and there was a large palm tree at the end of the road.

"Sahaha! Is everybody here?"

Under the palm tree, the blue fish-monster that was Arlong stood while wearing a grin.

"Agh! Let me go!"

"Ugly fishman bastard!"

Both his palms were full and easily wrapped around the entire waist of both girls. They struggled as he lifted them up in the air as if they were plastic dolls.

...Noting a purple bruise on their waists, Hashirama had to actively hold back a killing intent that he was sure would turn into a wave of Conqueror's Haki otherwise.

'No. Control, me. This is not my fight.'

No, he couldn't do that. As ugly as the fishmen looked in real life, and as punchable as Arlong looked in any case, he had to hold back the urge.

It's not as if it was his fight to begin with.

Rather than being the prince charming to these two damsels in distress, he would give Nami the sweet taste of revenge with her own hands.

That was the least he could do for his Navigator.

**

**

**

If you wish to read [the next 20] chapters right away, visit my Patreøn.

Link: Patreøn.cøm/Master4thWall