Having defeated Smoker, Crocodile leaped from the roof.
He landed safely, showing no sign of pain. When his eyes fell upon the terrified Marines, he held no special sentiment toward them whatsoever. It was as if he were looking at pebbles by the roadside.
He took a step forward.
The Marines scrambled backward in response, but there was no one left who could stop his advance.
"Just watch from there."
"Gah... Wait..."
"Weakness is a sin."
Crocodile raised his right arm.
Realizing from that single motion what was about to happen, the Marines went pale and froze. Smoker, desperately forcing his paralyzed body up, screamed with raw emotion.
"Stop it!!"
The arm did not stop. It swung down, and multiple blades of sand raced across the ground. They swept through the petrified Marines, cutting them down. Blood sprayed into the air as bodies collapsed.
Many ceased moving instantly; those who survived had no margin to help their comrades.
And Crocodile's assault was not yet over.
He advanced steadily. One step. Then another.
He wasn't rushing. If anything, his gait was terrifyingly leisurely.
With every single step he took, screams erupted, blood painted the air, and then the screams were silenced.
From the roof, Smoker was forced to witness the scene in vivid detail.
An overwhelming predator. An absolute king living entirely by his own whims. Staring at that back, Smoker could not help but feel a rising fury.
He didn't care if he bled. Clenching his teeth and tensing every muscle in his body, Smoker forced his battered frame to move, grasping his fallen jitte once more.
Powering through his knees, dripping blood heavily onto the roof, he stood. His breathing was ragged as he lifted his head.
Even the slightest movement made his vision swim and his head spin. But sheer willpower could compensate for that. Right now, his intense rage made the pain feel irrelevant.
He swept back his blood-matted hair and swung his right arm, gripping the jitte, with everything he had.
My body moves. I can fight.
Glaring at Crocodile, who was walking amidst the screaming Marines, a strange strength welled up within him.
"I know better than anyone that I'm pathetic...! But that's no reason for them to die! What right do you have—"
Exploding into smoke from the waist down, Smoker launched himself into the air.
He flew in a straight line toward Crocodile's back.
"Don't you touch my subordinates!!"
His thoughts vanished, replaced entirely by anger as he thrust his jitte forward.
He closed the distance at a speed that exceeded his top condition. But Crocodile turned calmly, wearing a smile of utter composure as he moved to intercept.
He easily sidestepped the extended arm and the jitte, and in the instant they crossed paths, he swung his left arm.
The golden hook gouged deeply into Smoker's shoulder.
Smoker's body didn't turn to smoke; he crashed into the ground and rolled.
He didn't even have the strength to clutch his slashed shoulder. With a pained expression, he barely managed to turn his eyes toward Crocodile.
Crocodile hadn't moved from his spot, nor did he seem in a hurry to deliver the finishing blow. He was laughing.
"How pitiful. To think the man called the 'Mad Dog of the Marines' has been reduced to this state. Just what were you doing in East Blue?"
Smoker had no retort. Frustration washed over him, and he involuntarily closed his eyes.
A helpless regret spread through his chest.
When he was in East Blue, he had fulfilled his duty as a Marine and protected the peace of the civilians. That much was certain. In fact, pirate activity around Loguetown had dropped significantly.
That was undeniably his achievement. But having returned to the Grand Line of his own volition, after being flattered and goaded, exposing this shameful display was also an undeniable fact.
There are opponents you cannot beat. He was being taught a lesson he should have already known.
Captain of the Marine Headquarters Unit. It sounded impressive, but had he actually accomplished anything?
As he closed his eyes, Smoker's heart sank into a deep darkness.
(What the hell... have I been doing...)
His will to fight was visibly fading. His spirit was on the verge of breaking.
Watching him, Crocodile kept his gaze fixed on the Marine while he called out to Miss All Sunday. She kept walking, listening without stopping.
"Miss All Sunday, how long do you plan to stay there? I've cleared the path. Go ahead and decipher that thing."
"That is my intention. I have no desire to end up like that."
"Hmph..."
Miss All Sunday led King Cobra away, leaving the scene.
They had to be stopped. But the Marines, thrown into chaos by Smoker's defeat and the massacre of their comrades, possessed no such calm tactical thought. While some shouted that they had to save Smoker, the majority were paralyzed by fear.
"Captain! We have to save Captain Smoker!"
"I know, but how...? If the Captain couldn't beat him, how can we...?"
"Even if we risk our lives, we can't even serve as a human shield..."
"E-Even so, we can't just let the Captain die!"
The mass of Marines was frozen in terror. Consequently, they weren't even worth a glance from Crocodile.
He looked only at Smoker.
As no one dared to move, Tashigi, though a step too late, raised her voice.
"Get away from that man!"
"Sergeant Major Tashigi..."
"Stop it... don't..."
Choosing to ignore Smoker's weak protest, Tashigi raised her sword and stood against Crocodile. He wasn't particularly interested, but he chuckled, finding it amusing.
He didn't consider their unit a threat.
To Crocodile, this was merely a way to kill time until Miss All Sunday completed her mission.
Deciding to humor her, he turned his body fully toward her.
Tashigi desperately suppressed her fear, standing with her sword tip held steady, not wavering an inch. That alone was praiseworthy, considering the absolute pillar of their unit, Smoker, had just been defeated.
But he had no intention of praising her. Crocodile raised his left arm slightly.
Taking that as a signal, Tashigi steeled herself and charged.
"Haaaaaah!"
"Sergeant Major Tashigi—!"
She stepped in deeply, faithful to the basics, putting her spirit into the strike.
She unleashed a full-power overhead slash, but the blade was caught by the golden hook. Not only that, but immediately upon contact, he skillfully deflected the force, parrying the attack and breaking her stance.
Because there was less impact than she expected, she stumbled forward. Momentum carried her, and she fell.
She kept her grip on her sword, but she ended up on her knees right beside Smoker, frantically pointing her blade back at Crocodile.
It was too clumsy. It didn't even merit a smile.
Crocodile looked down at Tashigi with cold eyes, addressing both her and Smoker.
"What is this disgrace? In the end, this is your true nature. Remember this well, woman marine... Losers don't get to talk about justice. If you want to play make-believe justice, don't leave the conference room."
"Kuh...!"
It was frustrating, but she had no words to return.
She lacked the martial power to silence him.
Even Smoker had been beaten. He wasn't an opponent she could defeat.
Tashigi held her sword in a final act of resistance, but panic was written on her face. Anyone could see she was overwhelmed.
Losing interest, he raised his left arm high.
There seemed to be no further interruptions. This wouldn't even serve to kill time.
Crocodile prepared to deliver the finishing blow, but for some reason, after raising his arm, he froze. The terrified Marines and Tashigi were too frightened to notice the subtle change.
Before swinging his arm down, he turned around with a painfully slow movement.
He had sensed a presence. A presence he had encountered just a short while ago.
Thinking it can't be, yet feeling the rapid approach, he looked to the sky. There, he saw a large bird flying.
The moment he spotted it, the bird began a steep dive.
He recognized the plummeting bird, and more importantly, the presence riding on its back.
"Crocodile—!!"
The scream, packed with power, turned his suspicion into conviction.
The man he had surely killed once had appeared before him again.
Luffy, carrying a large barrel on his back, rode atop Pell, who had transformed into his beast form. Luffy clenched his fist.
He was holding tight to Pell's body for the dive, but his fighting spirit was at maximum. He was ready to ram straight into the enemy. Pell could feel it.
Pell, meanwhile, scanned the area and noted King Cobra's absence.
Their respective objectives were clear. There was no hesitation.
This was where they would part ways.
Pell spoke familiarly to Luffy on his back.
"Luffy-kun, I don't see the King. Do you mind if I go search for him?"
"Yeah. Thanks for bringing me this far."
"Be careful. As I'm sure you've felt firsthand, that man is not normal."
"I know. I'm not gonna lose anymore."
Luffy bent his knees and tensed his legs; Pell felt the preparation.
"I pray for your success in battle!"
"Ou!"
Mid-dive, Luffy kicked off Pell's back and launched himself. The momentum of the fall increased. Pell watched him go, then immediately changed trajectory and flew off into the distance.
Now, Crocodile's figure was reflected once again in Luffy's eyes.
I'm going to beat him. That was why he came.
He spun his body voluntarily, landing with a loud crash.
As a rubber human, his body absorbed the impact of the fall effortlessly; his expression didn't change a bit.
Crocodile, on the other hand, wore a sterner face than before.
"So you survived. But I never thought you'd stand before me again. What do you want?"
"I came to kick your ass."
"You say the strangest things... I thought I politely taught you that was impossible."
"Yeah. I lost that last one. But I won't lose next time."
"I struggle to understand you. Are you genuinely insane, or just an idiot...?"
Making no effort to hide his exasperation, Crocodile faced him.
The stage was set. The only question was what had changed.
Though he spoke as if bored, Crocodile fully intended to engage him. This meant that, after the first battle, he had undeniably grown complacent.
When Luffy, brimming with motivation, stretched his muscles, Crocodile made no move to be wary of the barrel on his back.
"I'm fairly certain I ran you through the gut."
"Oh, that? I ate some meat and it healed."
"Ridiculous."
After a few deep knee bends to finish his warm-up, Luffy took a stance.
"Here I go!"
"Pointless... In the end, no matter what you do—"
Luffy broke into a run, charging straight from the front. Seeing this, Crocodile assumed nothing had changed.
He planned to impale Luffy through the stomach again the moment they crossed paths.
Without taking a defensive stance, he waited for Luffy, deliberately allowing him to get close.
And just as the distance closed, a wild instinct screamed at Crocodile that something was wrong—but the realization came too late.
Luffy's fist slammed into Crocodile's cheek with tremendous force.
Unable to turn into sand to evade, he took the blow in his physical body. His posture broke, his footing wavered. He tried to recover immediately to avoid falling, but his composure was shaken.
As he planted his feet to endure, Luffy was already stretching his arms.
He pulled back the arms he had stretched behind him, utilizing the tension of the rubber to unleash a devastating double-palm strike. It slammed into Crocodile's unguarded stomach, bending the Warlord—who again could not evade—double.
Though he didn't fall, Crocodile was sent skidding backward across the ground.
"Nnnngh!"
Luffy stretched both hands out across the distance, grabbing the lapels of Crocodile's coat to catch him.
In that moment, Crocodile saw Luffy's arms and finally put the pieces together.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
(This brat, he...!)
"Buzzsaw!"
Using the hands gripping the coat as an axis, Luffy lifted his feet from the ground and spun vertically. With each rotation, he gathered speed and retracted his arms, launching himself like a projectile straight at Crocodile.
He slammed his body into him without killing the momentum, knocking the man—who was taller than him—flying.
Still, Crocodile didn't stay down. He took a step immediately after landing.
Luffy didn't try to close the distance. Instead, he stretched only his right arm, grabbing it with his left hand.
He swung the stretched right arm around to build momentum, looking for all the world like a lasso. Once he had enough speed, he released the arm, hurling it at Crocodile.
"Flail!!"
Caught off guard, Crocodile couldn't move.
The fist flew in from the side, smashing into his cheek and sending him flying once more.
He passed through the stunned Marines, crashed into a crumbling building, smashed through the wall, and vanished from sight. All that remained was collapsing rubble and a noisy clatter.
"Ush. Got 'im."
Retracting his arm, Luffy looked in that direction with satisfaction. The attack had definitely connected. But for the Marines who witnessed the moment, they had no idea what had just happened. They hadn't even fully processed Luffy's sudden appearance, leaving them with expressions of utter bewilderment.
Smoker, still on the ground, opened his eyes wide. Tashigi was equally shocked.
The atmosphere in the area had changed completely.
"That was... Straw Hat Luffy."
"What the hell did that bastard just do?"
It was hard to comprehend, but the fact remained: the target they had been hunting was right in front of them.
Strangely, that alone gave them strength.
Smoker, who shouldn't have been able to move, supported his body with trembling arms and tried to rise.
"Smoker-san. You shouldn't push yourself..."
"Shut up. We have to make a choice right now..."
pushed by his desperation, Tashigi fell silent.
He hadn't given up yet. He seemed to be thinking something.
From the hole opened by his own body, Crocodile walked back out silently.
He had dropped the cigar he was chewing and didn't seem inclined to pick it up.
The smile was gone from his face. His expression was harsher than before, and his eyes, hiding his emotions, glared at Luffy. But the person being glared at remained completely unfazed.
He had landed attacks on the opponent Smoker couldn't touch.
Many knew of the rumored bounty head. The Marines naturally held their breath and watched. Almost all of them understood this was not a fight they could interfere in.
With a look of slight irritation, Crocodile touched his own cheek.
He could feel it. This was definitely different from the last fight.
That in itself was fine. It was something he had considered from the start; he had been foolish to let his guard down.
In other words, this fact wasn't a factor that put him at a disadvantage.
Crocodile's eyes were locked only on Luffy.
"I see. You brought water... So you've finally earned the right to stand before me."
"Kiri told me. He said you lose your strength when you get wet, so you hate it when the guy you're fighting is wet too. You're the same, right?"
Grinning, Luffy grabbed the hose extending from the barrel on his back and pressed the button, spraying water. He soaked his body once more.
He remembered the Treasure Battle finals, fighting Kiri one-on-one.
Combined with Crocodile's own words, there was no mistake: water was his weakness.
Come to think of it, he had been told that already. He was late to realize it, but he could finally use it.
The Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit) is classified as a Logia type.
Normally, the user's body turns into sand, granting absolute evasion against all physical attacks. The sole exception was water. Because of the properties of sand, anything that touched water could not be dispersed, allowing physical attacks to inflict damage.
Realizing this, Luffy wore a look that said he had found a way to win.
But to Crocodile, this wasn't a fatal mistake. It just meant his weakness was known.
A serious fight between pirates isn't decided solely by abilities or weaknesses.
That might pass for common pirates, but against a Warlord of the Sea, it meant little.
Crocodile's composure didn't crumble. If anything, taking a hit had sharpened his focus.
"Now I can punch you."
"Have you forgotten? Aside from the one hit I allowed you, you haven't even been able to touch me. Do you really think you can win?"
"What are you talking about? I just punched you a bunch of times."
There seemed to be a disconnect in the conversation. It was strangely irritating.
Crocodile was referring to the first battle; Luffy was pointing out the events of the last thirty seconds. Neither was wrong, but it stoked Crocodile's anger.
If playing around wasn't enough, he would put a little more effort into it this time.
Even seeing the change in Crocodile's eyes, Luffy didn't flinch.
"That was just a few hits. You don't understand anything."
"Really? For some reason right now... I don't feel like I'm gonna lose!"
Luffy broke into a run again. A frontal assault with no tricks.
Crocodile waited, feeling a mix of irritation.
This changes nothing. Just thoughtless suicide attacks. Did he really come here to win?
Luffy's grinning confidence seemed to have no basis in reality.
"I don't hold the title of Warlord for show... I'll teach you the difference in our levels."
When Luffy reached him, Crocodile stepped forward. Timing it with Luffy's attack, he swung his hook up to shear through Luffy's neck.
The timing was perfect. He matched the movement as if he had read the action beforehand.
However, inexplicably, the one who landed the attack first wasn't Crocodile, but Luffy.
His fist smashed directly into Crocodile's face, forcefully blowing the large man away.
Crocodile's body bounced off the ground, an outcome he hadn't predicted.
He hit the ground with his back, but immediately sprang up to regain his stance. But Luffy was already right in front of him, both arms stretched back for an attack.
The speed was simply different from their first battle. He was faster than before.
Forced to be astonished, Crocodile's complexion changed at the intensity of the incoming attack.
"Oooooooh—Bazookaaaa!!"
The double palm strike hit him square in the gut. Unable to withstand it, Crocodile's body flew through the air.
He crashed violently into the ground, ending up spread-eagled on his back.
For those who had seen his strength with their own eyes, it was an unbelievable sight. Tashigi gasped, and even the grim-faced Smoker showed no large reaction, stunned into silence.
Crocodile himself couldn't believe this development and lay unable to move for a moment. As the Marines feared the silence, he didn't twitch. It was as if he were accumulating rage.
Instead, Luffy shouted at him.
"Hah! What Warlord (Shichibukai)! In that case, I'm... an Eight Warlord (Hachibukai)!!"
His voice was full of confidence, but he received no agreement. The area fell into a strange silence.
Breathing heavily through his nose, Luffy didn't seem to care.
Eventually, Crocodile stood up.
His face was downcast, radiating a quiet but intense fury.
Luffy raised his fists again, ready to engage him.
Watching the two of them, Smoker was thinking.
What should I do right now? What can I do? As a Marine, as one who opposes pirates... in this situation where I've been defeated by that man, what must be done?
His expression grew more severe; it was obvious to any onlooker that he was in anguish.
Crocodile wiped the nosebleed with his right hand. Seeing his own blood for the first time in ages, he lowered his hand and began to exude an intensity completely different from before.
He had been careless. He had been arrogant. In this situation, he would discard those feelings.
He hadn't been consciously holding back, but the fact remained that his true depths were still far off. He had no intention of losing to a rookie who had only just started making a name for himself.
With increased pressure, Crocodile lifted his head.
In that instant, feeling the palpable change, Luffy—who had been about to run—stopped cold. Crocodile's body was turning into sand and beginning to vanish.
"The playtime went a little too long... Don't get ahead of yourself, Straw Hat Luffy."
"He's turning into sand... What is this?"
Luffy kept his fists raised, watching as the man's body turned completely to sand. It drifted on the wind and disappeared from the spot in the blink of an eye.
Where did he go?
Luffy waited, his nerves on high alert. The attack came immediately.
Having quickly taken his back, Crocodile swung his arm down as he re-materialized.
The attack came while parts of his body were still sand. Luffy noticed the sound and presence and turned instantly, but he wouldn't make it in time. Crocodile's speed was superior.
The hook closed in on his face. Just as a Marine let out a gasp—
The hook on the left arm was stopped by a jitte suddenly thrust into its path.
Crocodile, who had attacked, and Luffy, who had turned to counter, both froze.
Standing between them, interrupting the clash, was the battered Smoker.
If anything, his positioning looked as if he were siding with Luffy.
Smoke rose steadily from the two cigars in his mouth.
"You... The Smoke Guy from Loguetown?"
"What is the meaning of this? This man is supposed to be a pirate you detest."
Ignoring the questions from the two men, Smoker swung his jitte and knocked the hook away.
Forced to react, Crocodile stepped back a few paces to reassess Smoker's intent.
Given this moment of time, Smoker struggled internally before finally addressing his subordinate.
"Tashigi. Take the unit and head to the plaza."
"Eh? Smoker-san..."
"The soldiers of this country went after the King. Either way, you lot can't beat that woman. In that case, at least try to stop this 'skirmish' he was talking about."
"W-Wait a minute, Smoker-san. That means—"
"Right now, this is the only way..."
Grinding his teeth loudly, he shouted his declaration.
"I am ordering everyone in my unit! Support the Straw Hat crew!!"
Tashigi felt a tremor run through her entire body.
Smoker, who hated pirates more than anyone, had cast aside his pride to rely on them. How much hesitation must have been in that decision? Wounded and fallen, he had made this choice alone.
Despite the shock that nearly made her lose herself, Tashigi processed it faster than anyone.
She immediately turned and shouted orders to the shaken Marines.
"Everyone, move immediately! Gather the wounded in one place for first aid! Those who can fight, grab your weapons and follow me! We're heading to the plaza!"
"B-But Sergeant Major Tashigi, the Straw Hats are pirates—"
"Don't you understand the situation!? I won't hear any complaints, hurry!"
Seeing Tashigi frantically shouting and raising her sword, the men finally realized the gravity of the situation. Without time to calm down, they hurriedly began to act.
Amidst the sudden flurry of activity, Tashigi spoke without turning back.
There was no guarantee they would survive. Yet, the choice had to be made.
She was leaving Smoker here. Before Crocodile, the man who had defeated him.
"Smoker-san... please be safe."
"Don't waste your worry. Just go."
Nodding forcefully, Tashigi broke into a run.
"You follow your own justice."
Just before she left, she definitely received those words.
From there, Tashigi took command, and the entire unit hurriedly vacated the area.
Left behind were Luffy, Crocodile, and the Marine, Smoker.
He exhaled smoke like a sigh and relaxed his shoulders.
Glaring at Crocodile, he stood next to Luffy. He didn't look at the pirate at all, but his words were directed at Luffy, who remained unfazed.
"Don't get the wrong idea. It just happens that our enemy is the same. After him, I'm arresting you."
"Yeah. I don't really get it, but thanks."
"Don't thank me. Makes me want to curse my own judgment."
Luffy, wrapped in bandages, and Smoker, covered in blood, stood shoulder to shoulder.
Two men who had tasted defeat once were now intending to face him together.
Crocodile smiled fearlessly.
"Cornered and desperate, are we? Is this acceptable? He's a pirate."
"My job is to catch pirates. As long as I get results, that's enough. Am I wrong?"
"Kuhahaha! As expected of the Mad Dog. No wonder they shipped you off to East Blue."
His smile turned into something vicious, pressuring the two of them.
"But don't get conceited. The question is whether you can beat me."
Luffy and Smoker took their fighting stances simultaneously.
In battle, the only thing necessary is victory. Words like 'unfair' do not exist there.
They showed their willingness to cooperate without speaking much, and Crocodile accepted the challenge.
In the middle of the street, emptied of people, they faced off once again.
-----------------------------
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