"Tri Attack! Rending Slash!!!"
"Okama Kenpō—Swan Upper Throw!!!"
"Spike—Cannon Beam!!!"
"Homerun—Baseball Bomb!!!"
"Mole Ambush! Dig Strike!!!"
"Hundred Flowers Bloom—Dark Pulse!!!"
"..."
"..."
On the damp desert ground, the agents locked their gazes on Crocodile, unleashing every kind of assault they could muster.
Though none of the attacks were truly fatal to him—
His body, weakened by exposure to seawater, could no longer sustain his full might. The sandstorm he'd summoned earlier had consumed an enormous amount of stamina as well.
For the first time, Crocodile was evenly matched—battling the combined force of the agents and Nico Robin.Both sides were deadlocked, neither able to overcome the other.
But with Red providing support from the sidelines, the balance of the battle was about to shatter.
"Ancient Power!!!"
Fully charged and unconcerned about running out of Pokémon energy, Red hurled boulder after massive boulder that crashed toward Crocodile with thunderous force! Having already earned five Gym Badges, his strength had skyrocketed. What once had power equivalent to an ordinary cannon blast now blazed across the sky like falling meteors—
The speed and number of strikes were so overwhelming that even Crocodile couldn't react in time!Yet, he wasn't someone to be taken lightly.
Throughout the battle, he'd repeatedly drained the life from Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and others, severely injuring them.
But those wounds—hardly fatal—were easily handled by Red.
His in-game avatar was still parked beside a Pokémon Center's healing machine. As long as Robin and the others stalled for a moment, he could fully restore anyone's condition.
Even if time ran short, he could always use a Super Potion to treat the wounded.
Thus, the battle raged on for hours.
The scorching sun sank from the distant sky to the western horizon.
Its last golden rays illuminated a newly risen crescent moon.
And as that final glimmer of sunlight faded from the desert, the weakened Sand Crocodile's stamina finally gave out—he fell backward with a heavy thud.
"It's over, Crocodile."
Red descended from the air, landing before the fallen warlord. His body was riddled with cuts, punctures, and bruises from countless blows. Red could only shake his head lightly.
Thin streams of blood flowed from Crocodile's body into the desert sands, absorbed instantly—Just like how he'd drain moisture from others with his Devil Fruit power.
"Haah… haah…"
Collapsed on the ground, Crocodile gasped violently, struggling to breathe. After a long moment, he steadied himself and focused on Red.
"Brat… just what… are you…?"
With the last of his strength, he managed to ask one final question.
Red answered calmly, "Didn't you already figure it out?"
"As you said… I'm the Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates."
"And if I must add another title…"
"I'm also a Pokémon Trainer."
"Pokémon Trainer…?" Crocodile murmured weakly in confusion.
But it no longer mattered.
Even knowing the truth, Red still couldn't help asking as he looked down at the fallen warlord:"Hey, Sand Crocodile… how about joining me?"
"I can leave you the position of Baroque Works' Vice President."
"Vice President!?"
At those words, Crocodile's eyes shot wide open in disbelief. Somehow, he mustered the strength to lift his head and glare at Red.
But moments later, his body went limp again. His lips curled into a cold, mocking smirk as a low laugh escaped him.
"Ha… hahaha… hahaha!"
"As expected of the man who defeated me."
"To shamelessly say something like that… you're even more suited to being a villain than I am!!!"
"Don't lump me in with you," Red replied instantly, his tone sharp. "I'd never drag innocent civilians into my plans just to achieve my goals."
"Crocodile… you truly are a formidable schemer. But this isn't your era anymore."
"So… what's your answer?"
Red gave him one last chance.
Crocodile responded with a cold chuckle."Answer?"
"You think you know who I am, kid?"
His voice suddenly rose as he stared up at the sky and roared—
"I'm a pirate!!!""I am… Crocodile!!!"
"Cough! Cough!!"
"Hahahahaha!!!"
"Is that so? That's your answer, then?"
Red gazed down at the coughing, bloodstained man who still laughed defiantly at the heavens.
He could tell—Crocodile, the conspirator and warlord, had accepted his fate.
Shu—
At Red's thought, a gleaming blade of psychic energy materialized in his hand.
He pointed the luminous sword at Crocodile's heart, regret flickering across his face.
The Sand-Sand Fruit might not be the most powerful in direct combat among Logias…
But in terms of construction and architecture—especially in a desert kingdom—it was unparalleled.If Red could have recruited him, Crocodile would have been the perfect builder for his future territories.
"What a waste~"
Red sighed softly. Even now, Crocodile could still laugh in the face of death.
So Red bent down and whispered beside his ear:
"Your goal was Pluton—the ancient weapon, wasn't it?"
"I'm sorry to tell you this…"
"You've been chasing the wrong thing all along."
"Pluton has never been on this island."
"What…!?"
Crocodile's laughter stopped cold. His eyes widened in shock, locking onto Red.
And because Red was the kind of man who'd finish what he started, he went on:"What the Alabasta Kingdom guards… is merely the Poneglyph that records Pluton's location."
"The real Pluton lies hidden deep beneath Wano Country."
"Unfortunately, that land is already under the control of one of the Four Emperors—the Beasts Pirates."
"With your current strength, you wouldn't stand a chance."
Red's words pierced Crocodile's heart faster and deeper than the psychic sword in his hand.
His expression twisted—shock, disbelief, confusion all flashing through his eyes.
"You… how do you know all this!?" Crocodile demanded hoarsely.
Red only smiled faintly."Sorry. That's a secret."
"And now…"
"It's time for you to rest."
Shhk!!!
"Ah—!"
In Crocodile's unwilling gaze, Red drove the psychic blade straight into his chest.
A burst of crimson sprayed forth, splattering against Red's prepared psychic shield, not staining him with a single drop.
And thus, the great warlord Crocodile fell—In the very desert he once ruled with pride.
As Red dispelled his psychic energy, blood flowed freely from the fatal wound.
He gazed at the corpse and sighed.
"Well, at least I granted him his lifelong wish—he died knowing the truth about Pluton's whereabouts."
"I suppose that makes me a good guy for once."
"..."
Standing beside him, Robin, who had overheard every word, broke into a cold sweat.
Vice-Captain… are you sure that was fulfilling his dream and not psychological torment? Why did it feel like Crocodile, who'd finally accepted his fate, ended up dying full of bitterness instead?
For some reason, at that moment, even the ever-composed "Devil Child" Robin felt a faint chill toward Red.
"Robin, what are you thinking about?"
Red's voice suddenly pulled her from her thoughts, making her flinch.
He flashed her a warm, comrade-like smile and teased, "Come on, what's with that look?"
"Call over Mr. 1 and the others. Bring Crocodile's body."
"Let's return to Rainbase and find a place to rest."
(End of Chapter)