Namor McKenzie In One Piece

Namor descended through the clouds, carrying Arlong by the arm as the dense mist broke into an open expanse of blue sky. Below them, the vast ocean shimmered, stretching endlessly in every direction. The thrill of the journey invigorated Namor, but Arlong's grumbling broke the tranquility.

"Do you really have to carry me like this?" Arlong growled, his pride clearly bruised.

"Unless you've suddenly grown wings or learned to walk on clouds, I don't see another option," Namor replied, his tone laced with dry humor.

As they reached the ocean's surface, Namor released Arlong, dropping him into the water with a splash before diving in after him. The moment he hit the water, Namor felt at home, the familiar sensation of the sea enveloping him like an old friend.

Arlong shot him an annoyed look but said nothing as they swam side by side. After some time, Arlong broke the silence.

"Why not just head straight to Fishman Island?" he asked, his voice carrying a mixture of impatience and curiosity. "You're wasting time stopping at all these islands."

Namor's powerful strokes didn't falter as he answered. "I'm not wasting time," he said firmly. "I'm searching for something—someone, to be precise."

"Someone?" Arlong echoed, raising a brow.

"Strong individuals," Namor clarified. "If I'm going to rebuild Atlantis, I'll need a kingdom of warriors, not just subjects. Each island might hold someone worthy."

Arlong grunted, mulling over the statement. "You've already got me," he pointed out. "Isn't that enough?"

Namor turned his sharp gaze to Arlong, his white eyes glinting. "You're strong, but you're not unstoppable," he said bluntly. "And you're not trained in the ways of this world's true power—Haki."

"Haki, you don't know it?" Arlong repeated, confused.

"It's a force that sets the truly powerful apart," Namor explained. "I've already begun to feel it within myself, but I need a master to teach me how to refine it."

Arlong looked skeptical. "You think it's worth all this trouble? Stopping at every island, risking encounters with whoever gets in our way?"

Namor smirked, his confidence unwavering. "You'll see soon enough. Power without control is wasted potential."

Arlong frowned but didn't argue further. Instead, he sighed and muttered, "You'd better find this teacher soon. I'm not exactly thrilled about playing errand boy for your recruitment drive."

Namor let out a low chuckle, the sound resonating in the water. "Be patient, Arlong. Every stop brings us closer to the kingdom I'll build. And once it's complete, you'll understand why I've chosen this path."

The conversation ended as the two swam onward, leaving the floating remnants of Skypiea behind them.

The faint glint of sunlight reflecting off metal grew clearer as they approached, revealing a massive marine fleet sailing in perfect formation. Warships stretched out across the water, their flags emblazoned with the symbol of the World Government fluttering ominously.

Arlong's eyes widened in horror as he took in the size of the fleet. "What the hell is a fleet that big doing out here?" he muttered, his voice tinged with fear. "Namor, we can't take on that many. We need to retreat before they spot us."

Namor, however, didn't seem fazed. Instead, he grinned, his sharp teeth glinting as his eyes scanned the massive warships. "Retreat? Nonsense," he said, his tone casual but commanding. "They've saved me the trouble of looking for entertainment."

Arlong gawked at him, his horror turning to disbelief. "Entertainment? You've lost your mind! That's a full marine fleet! We'll be killed if we get caught up in this!"

Ignoring him, Namor pointed toward the fleet with an air of authority. "They're in my domain now," he said, his voice laced with an edge of arrogance.

The waters around them began to ripple, subtle at first but soon surging with an unnatural power. Arlong watched in stunned silence as enormous shapes began to emerge from the depths, the unmistakable forms of Sea Kings rising to the surface. Each one was monstrous, their sheer size dwarfing even the largest of the marine warships.

The Sea Kings turned their massive heads toward Namor, their glowing eyes fixated on him as if awaiting his command.

"Destroy them," Namor said simply, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to resonate through the ocean itself.

The Sea Kings obeyed straight away. With deafening roars, they surged toward the fleet, their MASSIVE bodies creating towering waves that rocked the marine ships violently. The warships scrambled to defend themselves, cannons firing in every direction, but it was futile.

One Sea King tore through the hull of a ship with its massive jaws, splintering wood and steel like paper. Another lashed out with its tail, sending marines flying into the sea as their vessel was obliterated. The ocean turned into a chaotic battlefield as the once-organized fleet fell into complete disarray.

Arlong, still frozen in shock, could only watch as the Sea Kings carried out Namor's command with brutal efficiency.

Despite the destruction, Namor's gaze remained focused on the fleet. He studied the marines' reactions with a keen interest, noting their desperation and fear. "They're weaker than I expected," he mused aloud.

Arlong shook his head, disbelief still etched on his face. "You call this weak? They're being torn apart by monsters!"

Namor shrugged. "A true force of power wouldn't let itself be so easily overwhelmed. This isn't a challenge; it's an exercise."

As the last of the ships sank beneath the waves, the Sea Kings returned to Namor, their monstrous heads bowing slightly before they disappeared back into the depths. The ocean was calm once more, as if nothing had happened.

Namor turned to Arlong, his expression smug. "See? Nothing to be afraid of."

Arlong, still shaken, could only nod as they continued their journey, leaving the remnants of the fleet—and the marine bodies floating in the water—far behind.

…

Namor and Arlong got back to swimming through the open sea, Namor's eyes scanned the horizon, a feeling of unease settling in his gut as he thought about their next destination. They had passed through numerous islands already, but none had given him what he truly sought—knowledge, power, and allies for his ultimate goal.

"The next one should have what we need, right?" Namor muttered, more to himself than to Arlong, who was trailing behind.

Arlong swam beside him, glancing at the dark depths below.

"You sure this place has what we need?" Arlong asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "I don't care for cities. And I'm still not sure about this whole haki business. Seems like a waste of time, I've been fighting just fine without it."

Namor smirked. "You'll understand soon enough. You need it if you want to fight with anyone who actually matters in this world."

Arlong grunted, clearly unconvinced, but he kept up the pace, his muscular form cutting through the water with ease.

As they neared the next island, the towering structures of the city began to come into view, though Namor's sharp eyes could make out the distant hustle and bustle even from this far away. The place seemed to be a city of builders, shipwrights, and workers, a place where the best and most skilled shipbuilders in the world made their mark. But Namor wasn't interested in ships.

It was information he sought now. People with knowledge. And possibly someone who could help him understand the full extent of haki, a power he had seen in action but had yet to fully master.

"We need to be careful here," Namor said as they approached the coast. "This city is different. They're not like the islands we've been to. Stick close."

Arlong, who had a natural distrust of humans and their settlements, narrowed his eyes at the sprawling city ahead. He could smell the salt of the sea mixing with the faintest trace of oil and metal. "I don't trust these people," he muttered.

Namor didn't answer him immediately. Instead, he dove beneath the surface, coming up alongside a dock that jutted out from the city's edge. Arlong followed closely behind, more at ease now that they were near land.

They emerged from the water and made their way into the bustling city, where they were greeted by curious stares from the locals. Despite their disheveled appearance—drenched, dripping, and wild—there was something about the way they carried themselves that commanded attention.

"I don't like the looks we're getting," Arlong growled, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of the civilians. "These people are too soft."

Namor nodded, his gaze also wary. "We'll blend in, but not for long. We need to find food, water, and information. Let's head to the nearest tavern."

They navigated through the city, passing by workers toiling away at the docks, shipwrights hammering away at wood, and merchants haggling over prices. The scent of fresh timber was in the air and the sound of clanging metal was heard everywhere they went .

Eventually, they reached a small tavern tucked away in an alley. The door creaked open as they entered, the low murmur of conversation quieting momentarily.

The barkeep, a burly man with a thick beard, glanced up and narrowed his eyes at the two strangers. "What can I get for you?"

Namor didn't waste time. He looked around the room, sizing up the patrons, most of whom were too absorbed in their own conversations to notice the strange duo that had entered. "We need food, water, and information. Anything you can offer."

The barkeep eyed him cautiously but nodded, disappearing into the back for a moment before returning with a tray of food and two tankards of water.

"Here," the barkeep said, setting the tray down. "On the house, but only because you're not from around here. Just don't cause any trouble."

Namor smirked and nodded his thanks, his eyes scanning the room again as he dug into the meal. Arlong grunted in appreciation, though he was less interested in the food and more in the chance to sit down for a moment. The two ate in silence for a while, but Namor's mind was elsewhere. He was focused on the conversations happening around him, listening closely for any useful tidbits of information. And then he heard it.

"Did you hear? They're looking for new recruits at the Franky Family," a voice across the room said, a man whispering to his companion. "Apparently, they're interested in fighters, big ones."

Namor's interest piqued. "Franky Family?" he murmured to himself. He'd heard the name before, and from what he knew, it was tied to the shipwrights in Water 7. But the idea of joining a crew didn't sit well with him. He had his own plans, and allies were what he needed, not just any random group of people.

He turned to Arlong, who had finished his food and was now eyeing a nearby group of sailors. "We need to find someone who can teach me haki," Namor said quietly. "I don't care who it is. We've wasted enough time."

Arlong snorted, clearly uninterested in the matter. "You really think someone here can help you with that? I still don't get it, but if it makes you stronger, fine."

Namor clenched his jaw. He didn't know who could help him, but he was certain that the information he needed was here, in this city. Somewhere. He just had to find the right person. And when he did, he would make sure they would help him on his quest to rebuild Atlantis.