Cocoyasi Village.
Located west of a village called Gosa, it had been occupied by the Arlong Pirates six months ago and now served as their territory.
"Damn it, we can't take this anymore."
"A protection fee of one hundred thousand Berries a month! Where are we supposed to get that much money?"
As the Arlong Pirates crew left, the gathered villagers in the street were on the verge of collapse. Some vulnerable women knelt on the ground, unable to stop crying.
"What are we going to do next..." "Should we move away?"
"It's not that easy. Besides, the entire island is controlled by Arlong's men."
While everyone was discussing the issue, a man wearing a black police uniform, with a thick black beard and numerous scars on his face, stepped forward. He said, "I already sent a request to the Marines for help, but I never got a reply. Chances are high that Arlong has bribed the Marines... I'm sorry, everyone."
"Genzo, it's not your fault."
"That's right, it's those corrupt Marines... sigh."
Hearing the policeman's words, the villagers didn't complain, but instead offered comfort.
Since Arlong and his crew occupied this village six months ago, every person in the village had to pay a protection fee of one hundred thousand Berries every month, while children had to pay fifty thousand Berries.
A family of three would have to pay a massive sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Berries a month. Those who resisted were killed. Everyone was angry but dared not speak out.
During the first two months, they had even killed Bellemere, a former Marine soldier. Her adopted daughter, a girl named Nami, had subsequently joined the Arlong Pirates.
Just then, another person in a police uniform quickly ran over, gasping for breath. "E-everyone! This is bad! More pirates have come! And the number is high, as high as over a thousand!"
"Over a thousand people?"
Genzo and the others were so astonished their eyes nearly popped out. Is there a pirate crew of that terrifying size in the East Blue?
The policeman continued, "Th-they're already heading our way! Everyone run!" "Run? How can we run?"
"The surrounding area is all controlled by the Arlong Pirates."
"There's no need to panic, is there? Even if there are a thousand people, the Fish-Men are simply too powerful. I don't think they'll even be able to enter before being taken out by the Arlong Pirates' Fish-Men..."
In the East Blue, a measly bounty of 20 million Berries was enough to be considered the strongest. Coupled with the fact that the residents of Cocoyasi Village had suffered under the tyrannical rule of the Arlong Pirates for the past half-year, they naturally exaggerated the Fish- Men's strength to an unimaginable degree. If an Admiral were to show up, the villagers might even claim Arlong was stronger.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Just as everyone was discussing whether to flee or stay, the ground beneath their feet suddenly began to tremble. This feeling only grew stronger and more frequent.
The reporting policeman looked back and was so terrified he nearly fell to the ground. He pointed at the massive shadow above them and shouted, "W-what is that? That enormous body!"
Everyone followed the direction of his finger and saw a monstrous figure, over two hundred meters tall with the shape of an inverted radish, slowly moving towards them.
"Wh-what is that thing!" "Is it... human?"
The moving Wolf saw Genzo and the others, and a delighted smile appeared on his face. "Captain~ Found a village."
As Wolf moved, Alucard and his crew, who were walking in front of him but were undoubtedly much smaller, soon entered the villagers' sight.
And the shock in their hearts upon seeing Alucard's group was not much less than when they first saw Wolf.
The reason was that Matthew and the others beside Alucard were carrying several Fish-Men. In Matthew's hands, with his Iron Mask, he held a Fish-Man with sky-blue skin and extremely thick lips.
"Chew," was the name of that Fish-Man. He was famous because he was one of the top executives of the Arlong Pirates and usually guarded the village perimeter. Many villagers who tried to escape were killed by him, so his impression on the villagers was second only to Arlong himself.
Yet, this Fish-Man, who was unconquerably mighty in the minds of the Cocoyasi Village residents, was now held like a doll, a mere toy, by these "ordinary" humans.
"It was correct to have these guys lead the way." Matthew tossed the Fish-Man, Chew, into the air, and Wolf casually caught him, throwing him into his mouth like a candy drop. He chewed twice and swallowed, then complained, "Too small a portion... I can't taste anything..."
Genzo and the other villagers were terrified enough to wet their pants. They not only captured a Fish-Man, but they... ate him?!
"Then I'll send the rest to you too." Matthew shot a look at his subordinates.
Seeing Matthew's look, the Fish-Men, who were beaten until their heads bled but still retained a shred of consciousness, were scared out of their wits. They struggled, begging for mercy or threatening:
"N-no, don't! Don't!" "Spare us!"
"Boss Arlong won't let you get away with this!"
But no one cared about their lives, pleas, or threats. The dozen or so Fish-Men were tossed into the air by the Immortal Pirates and, like Chew, were instantly swallowed whole by Wolf.
Gulp-hup~
Wolf let out a strange burping sound, and his brow furrowed slightly. "I can sort of taste something now..."
"Towns in the East Blue are certainly easy to take over..." Alucard looked at the Arlong flags fluttering around the town, his expression one of utter disdain.
"Well, Captain, it is the East Blue, the weakest of all seas. Remember, Shiki was so enraged that Roger's execution was held here that he stormed Marine Headquarters," a small fry behind him said with a forced smile.
"Why are you still talking? Time is of the essence."
Matthew waved a hand toward the villagers. "Go get some supplies!" "Yes, sir!"
Hundreds of people responded in unison. Alucard turned and walked toward the sea. "I'm going back to sleep. This is so boring there's nothing to see."
"Then I'll head back too~~"
Wolf fulfilled his duty as a "ship."
The members of the Immortal Pirates walked toward the villagers. To put it plainly, they were there to loot.
Who were they? They were pirates! Not adventurers. Pirates acquire things by "taking," not by "buying."
"Falling into the tiger's mouth again..."
Genzo forced the words out between clenched teeth.