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Chapter 120: Crocodile vs. Ace
"You guessed we would go to Katorea?" Ganyu was slightly surprised. Robin's words undoubtedly told her that she had seen through their strategy.
"But you didn't tell Crocodile; instead, you came to find me alone..."
Ganyu's mind spun, and a special light gradually emerged in her blue eyes. "In other words, you really aren't sincerely staying with Baroque Works, are you?"
Her tone was calm but carried a near-certain conviction.
This wasn't just a deduction of the current situation but based on her knowledge of Robin's essential character.
Ganyu knew very well that the relationship between Robin and Crocodile had always been one of mutual exploitation.
Crocodile needed her ability to interpret the Poneglyphs, and Robin needed his protection to evade the World Government's pursuit.
This fragile partnership could break at any moment.
It was exactly like this in the original story; Robin secretly saved Luffy, who had been driven into a desperate situation by Crocodile, and Luffy consequently decided she was his nakama.
Robin didn't respond immediately.
She just stared quietly at Ganyu. After a moment, she took a slight step forward, closing the distance between them again.
"I'm curious," Robin's voice was as soft as the night breeze. "How did you recognize my identity at first glance? At Whiskey Peak, that was clearly our first meeting."
She leaned down, her face almost close to Ganyu's.
The distance was so close that Ganyu could feel the warm breath brushing against her face as Robin spoke.
This...
Ganyu couldn't quite handle it. Feeling her cheeks heat up slightly, she subconsciously took two steps back, re-establishing a proper distance.
"No special reason," Ganyu composed herself, explaining in the calmest tone possible. "Just because I've seen your wanted poster and knew about your Devil Fruit ability, so naturally, I recognized you."
This wasn't exactly a lie, except the wanted poster she saw wasn't from this world, but from the anime in another world.
Robin nodded gently, unsure if she really believed this explanation.
Her expression didn't change much, but a thoughtful light flashed in her eyes.
Holding the torch, she walked a few steps closer to Ganyu again, though this time she didn't press her face close.
"Where are you planning to go next?" Robin changed the subject, a hint of curiosity in her tone. "Since you've already met the Rebel leader and seemingly persuaded Koza, the next step should be action, right?"
Ganyu's heart stirred. As expected, she figured it all out.
"Are you thinking of coming with me?" she asked back.
"Of course. I came to find you originally. Now that I've met you, I naturally won't let you run off just like that." Robin brushed back her hair and winked at Ganyu.
Ganyu pursed her lips.
In her heart, she was actually willing to travel with this future companion.
After considering it for a few seconds, Ganyu nodded generously. "Alright then. I happen to be going to find Luffy and the others. You can get to know them ahead of time too."
She spoke naturally, having long considered Robin joining them as a sure thing.
But to Robin's ears, it sounded a bit strange.
Why does this sound like she's recruiting me?
Robin pondered secretly.
She was Ms. All Sunday of Baroque Works, the current enemy of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Under normal circumstances, it would be good enough if they didn't fight upon meeting. Yet this intriguing girl spoke as if she already considered Robin one of their own.
Aside from the strangeness, an uncontrollable ripple spread through Robin's heart.
It was strange. The conversation after meeting this blue-haired girl made her feel incredibly relaxed and comfortable—a feeling she had never experienced before.
Moreover, the other party never seemed to worry that her approach carried malice, as if holding an unreserved trust in her.
For Robin, this was something she had almost never experienced in her twenty years of life on the run.
"Then... I'll trouble you to lead the way," Robin finally whispered, her voice gradually blending into the darkness.
...
Meanwhile, in another desert area just a few thousand meters away from Ganyu and Robin's location.
A fierce battle that had lasted the entire afternoon and half the night was finally drawing to a close.
If the identities of the combatants were to spread, it would be enough to shake the entire Grand Line.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, "Sand Crocodile" Crocodile, and the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, "Fire Fist" Ace.
The two met in the desert. Upon meeting, they exchanged almost no words.
The understanding between the strong made them realize that words were superfluous at such a time.
Almost at the moment their eyes met, the battle began.
Fire and sand collided violently in the desert of Alabasta, fighting from the scorching afternoon sun until the starry night.
The sandy terrain of the entire battlefield had changed appearance—half was the gold of billowing yellow sand, the other half was the crimson of raging flames.
It wasn't until the stars in the night sky had shifted position that the two finally separated after one last clash.
The shockwave from the final impact kicked up a sandstorm in the desert.
Fire and sand coalesced into human forms, standing at opposite ends of the devastated battlefield, about ten meters apart.
Crocodile stared coldly at the young man ten meters away, who looked as if he still wanted more, and cursed "Monster" in his heart.
He reached out to adjust the hem of his coat, which had been singed by fire. A small patch had been burnt black.
In this battle, he hadn't gained the upper hand.
"Someone like you coming to Alabasta," Crocodile spoke, his voice raspy with a trace of imperceptible panting, "couldn't be just to pick a fight with me, right?"
He had heard of "Fire Fist" Ace's deeds.
A rookie pirate who set sail three years ago and rose with astonishing speed.
He became a "Supernova" in his first year, then refused the title of Warlord offered by the Navy. Not long after, he fought the other Warlord, "First Son of the Sea" Jinbe, for five days and five nights to a draw, and finally dared to challenge the Emperor Whitebeard.
Although he failed as expected, he became a member of the Whitebeard Pirates and was quickly promoted to 2nd Division Commander.
Such growth speed was terrifying even in the New World, where strong men were as common as clouds.
Against such a person, Crocodile naturally didn't think he could take him down in a short time.
Even on his home turf, the desert, with the environmental advantage, his probability of defeating the opponent was less than seventy percent.
Since losing to Whitebeard in the New World years ago, Crocodile had retreated to the first half of the Grand Line for a full three or four years.
During this time, he had hardly encountered a decent opponent, immersing himself daily in the conspiracy to seize the Ancient Weapon "Pluton."
This had caused his strength to regress significantly, whether it was Haki or the use of his Fruit abilities; he was far inferior to his former self.
"Of course I didn't come for you, Sand Crocodile."
Ace bent down to pick up the cowboy hat that had accidentally flown off during the fight, dusted off the sand, and placed it back on his head.
"You should actually know my purpose for coming."
The battle just now had satisfied his itch for a fight.
He was a battle maniac by nature. Being able to go all out against a powerhouse of Crocodile's level made him feel a long-lost excitement and pleasure.
If he didn't have business to attend to, he might really have settled the score with Crocodile here.
"That traitor named 'Blackbeard'?" Crocodile scoffed disdainfully, his tone full of mockery. "I have no interest in that kind of treacherous scum who betrays his crew. As for that old geezer Whitebeard..."
His eyes turned dark. "He really has gotten old, can't even control his own subordinates. Once I return to the New World, I will personally snatch away his seat as a 'Four Emperor'!"
Hearing this, Ace's expression instantly turned colder.
He could accept provocation directed at himself, but he would absolutely not tolerate anyone insulting the Oyaji he respected most.
WHOOSH.
His right arm ignited with raging flames. The orange-red firelight illuminated a large area of the surrounding sand, the high temperature causing the air to distort.
However, just as Crocodile was on full alert, preparing for the next round of onslaught, the flames on Ace's arm suddenly extinguished.
Like being doused by a basin of cold water, the fire vanished completely.
Ace lowered his arm, his face returning to that relaxed expression.
He remembered something more important.
Crocodile was the opponent Luffy had reserved. As a big brother, he naturally wouldn't steal his little brother's opponent.
"Sand Crocodile," he said leisurely, his tone carrying a strange amusement. "Let me tell you a piece of 'unfortunate' news. You've been targeted by my little brother. That is a guy who will definitely bring you a 'surprise'."
"Your brother?" Crocodile subconsciously searched his memory but had never heard that "Fire Fist" Ace had a brother.
He frowned and asked, "Who is it?"
"You'll know when you meet him." Ace grinned even more brilliantly. "If nothing unexpected happens, tomorrow, he will stand before you. Don't be too surprised then."
After saying this, Ace seemed to lose interest in continuing the fight.
He waved his hand casually, turned around, and prepared to leave.
"Wait!" Crocodile's voice came from behind, carrying obvious anger. "When will you leave Alabasta? I'm warning you, don't ruin my business here!"
"Don't be in such a rush, Sand Crocodile. You have to let me meet my little brother, right? After all, we haven't seen each other in so long."
"Who cares about you two!"
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