Daughter of the Sea (One Piece Live Action)

Episode 10 WORST OF THE EAST

A bucket of salt water was tossed towards the limp girl who gasped at the coldness. The back of her head hit a hard surface that almost made her see stars. Coral whined.

When she regained her vision and the dizziness left, Coral tried to move but noticed she couldn't: she was tied-up, trapped on a rock structure standing vertically, resembling a table. Her shoulders, wrists, waist and ankles restrained. She let out one piercing scream of exasperation that turned into a cry as she fought to set herself free.

"Classy." The blonde fishman said disapprovingly and took a few steps back with Kuroobi holding the bucket.

Coral panted, looking around blinking the light off her eyes. Although the windows showed a nightly sky, after spending a day in the dark cell, she found herself recoiling at the fire torches on the walls. While doing so, she also noticed those two weren't the only fishmen around. Standing by the perimeter of the room, a legion of them looked their way, and the Captain was also present.

Arlong, unlike some of his men, wasn't amused by her outburst.

"Where's that wimp brother of yours?" He demanded to know, snarling through his sharp teeth. Coral stared at him, feeling drained and cold. "He's dared to infiltrate my domains?" He continued his interrogation. She intently pursed her lips. "How did you?" He sounded insulted at the mere idea, but kept a measured tone. She continued to keep her mouth shut, keeping her eyes set on him. A pin dropping in the room could've been heard.

Then, from behind him, Arlong pulled a long weapon, its blade resembling his jaws: a serrated sword. It cut the air and stuck on the rock table with a violent force, right next to her neck. Her eyes were wide and her breath was held, before it flowed out in staccato after realizing she was still conserving her head.

For now.

"My map." Arlong's eyes narrowed staring into her wide orbs. "Innit?" She couldn't respond. "He came to steal it back."

He unstuck the sword, dragging it on the ground as he paced around in thought, looking her way. Coral closed her eyes and took her time to control her shivering, before looking back up. The pirate captain still looked at her with rabid eyes.

I cannot cry. I cannot show them... She gritted her teeth.

"Arlong." Kuroobi took a step towards him. "Our brothers have retreated from Coco Village." He looked around at the fishmen waiting at the perimeter. "What now?" He spoke cautiously, and Coral saw he was purposely not looking her way.

I am alone. She realized the one that had brought her into this would not defend her. She looked around at all the fishmen surrounding her. I am truly alone.

But amidst the fishmen surrounding her, Coral caught a glimpse of the youngest fishman with a green tint to his face. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and she saw something different in his gaze-

Arlong ignored Kuroobi and crackled. A terrible, eerie crackle coming out from the bottom of his stomach. It almost sounded like growling in her ears and it chilled her bones.

"Oh, Coral, Coral, Coral of the Sea..." His eyes gleamed with amusement looking back at her. "If I'd never seen your face again, I might've let you live... What's another freak in the world to me, anyway?" He crackled at his surroundings, inviting his subordinates to accompany him. Everywhere she looked, she was being mocked. Only Chu and Kuroobi remained serious, the first one mostly disinterested by the whole ordeal. Arlong raised his hands up in the air to liven up the atmosphere: "My brothers! This human says she's one of us, a daughter of the Ocean-"

"I didn't say-" But the crackles all around her make her choke in her own words. Her eyes itched looking around, and a knot formed on her throat.

Don't cry, Coral. Don't... But, she was so tired. She just wanted to go home. Her lower lip puckered and trembled.