Chapter 72

Genzo is caught hiding weapons, which Arlong's regime strictly forbids. Declaring such arms a seed of rebellion, Arlong resolves to execute the lawman publicly so the villagers grasp the hopelessness of resisting fish-men. The townsfolk of Cocoyasi move to intervene, but Genzo pleads with them to stand down, unwilling to let eight years of endurance be wasted.

As the killing blow nears, a blast strikes Arlong. Usopp cackles from a rooftop, bluffing about thousands of seasoned fighters at his back. Enraged, Arlong levels the building, and his crew restrain him to protect the village they tax, vowing to drag Usopp to Arlong Park instead.

Once Arlong departs, Nami quietly enters the village to lay flowers at a grave, ignored by all but her sister Nojiko. She confides that she needs only seven million more to purchase the village outright. At Arlong Park, a freed Zoro has flattened every fish-man and waits for Arlong to come home.

The price for Nami to buy back Cocoyasi Village from Arlong is set at one hundred million Berry. Arlong's extortion of the surrounding villages is established as having run for eight years. Usopp's explosive distraction saves Genzo from execution and forces the Arlong Pirates to chase him rather than slaughter the townspeople.

The cover continues Buggy's Crew Adventure Chronicles with "Shadows On the Horizon," showing the beaten Kumate Tribe as their former captives celebrate four figures cresting a hill. Nami's reveal that she is close to her savings goal foreshadows the deeper history binding her to the village.