"Now, we shall take our leave."
Throwing Vivi aside, Crocodile didn't care about this so-called princess at all. He casually tossed the key into the pool, watched as the key was eaten by a Crocodile, then turned and left, releasing a giant banana Crocodile.
"Struggle... Despair... Hahahaha... Do you think this princess can save you?"
Orochimaru blinked, watching Crocodile's retreating figure, his crazy snake tendencies acting up as he waved a small handkerchief. "Kuro-chan~ See you later."
Robin couldn't help but let out a snicker, then became expressionless, as if she hadn't been the one laughing just now. Crocodile stumbled a bit, then quickened his pace, as if afraid of being infected by something.
As the building was damaged by the Crocodiles, water began to seep into the room. Orochimaru chose to sit on Smoker's shoulder again, completely ignoring the roaring Smoker, and leisurely blew on the tea in his hand.
"We're going to die, we're going to die!" Luffy and Usopp howled, while Nami enticed the banana Crocodiles to bite the cage.
Seeing the leisurely Orochimaru, and even Smoker looking calm, Nami made a shark-like face. "Stop watching the show! Come help!"
Usopp roared, "Why are you two so relaxed and at ease! Orochimaru, we're on the same side! Don't be so chummy with that Marine!"
Zoro's face was grim. "Damn it, if only my swordsmanship were a little more refined, this cage would be child's play."
Seeing that it was about time, Orochimaru pulled out a transponder snail.
"Moshi moshi... Calling Mr. Prince... Please come save the princess in the castle. Please turn left after entering, then right, then left at the end of the road."
A moment later, Sanji's voice appeared.
"Please, customers, do not make noise while dining. A kick for violating etiquette!" The giant Crocodile in front of them was suddenly kicked away.
Sanji swayed, his eyes forming hearts.
"Princess Nami~ Your knight has come to save you!"
Sanji quickly dealt with a group of Crocodiles, and from one of them, a white ball was spat out. Mr. 3 crawled out of the ball.
"Hahahaha... We're saved!"
Looking at that scumbag, Orochimaru yawned. Only a fool would go looking for a key.
"Sanji, please ask our dear Mr. 3 for a favor. Make a key out of wax and open the door for us."
"I see..." Everyone suddenly understood. After Sanji's kind guidance... Mr. 3 "happily" helped open the door, after which he was embedded into the wall by Sanji's kick.
Seeing the building beginning to collapse and water threatening to fall at any moment, everyone hurriedly left along the waterway. Five people with three Devil Fruit users should still be quite easy, Orochimaru thought.
So, he thoughtfully left a gift for Crocodile before leaving.
Crocodile, sensing something was wrong, returned the way he came, only to see the empty cage and Mr. 3 in the wall.
His face darkened. Just then, a water ball, seemingly from nowhere, splashed over Crocodile from head to toe as he entered. Then a note floated down.
"Byebye~ Kuro-chan~ ξ (✿ ＞ ◡ ❛)"
Due to Orochimaru's intervention, Chopper didn't need to draw fire, and Sanji wasn't exposed... The group escaped relatively easily.
In a river in the city, three people were half-dead, being dragged ashore by the others.
Orochimaru coughed miserably, his expression somewhat gloomy... This was his first time falling into water, wasn't it? How long had it been since he experienced that feeling of impending death?
His good mood from toying with Crocodile instantly vanished. If he had known that seawater had such a strong suppressive effect on Devil Fruit users, he wouldn't have chosen this path. He originally thought it would just be weakness, and wouldn't affect him much. He miscalculated.
Smoker, who was being pulled up by Zoro, had the same expression. He struggled to his feet and pointed his weapon at Zoro... "Pirate, why did you save me?"
"I was just following Captain's orders. I think he just did it on a whim, no need to pay attention to it." Zoro looked at Luffy lying on the ground, expressionless.
As Luffy woke up, the searching Marines ran towards them.
Smoker's heart was very conflicted.
"You may go... But this is the only time I'll let you off. Next time we meet, you won't be so lucky."
Everyone unconsciously smiled as they turned and ran. Luffy and Smoker exchanged glances, smiling brightly.
"Hehehe... I don't dislike you... Hehehehe... Oh, by the way, Orochimaru seems to like you a lot."
A fuming Smoker swung his Jitte at Luffy.
"Get out of here!!!"
Luffy laughed heartily, carrying the "ill" Orochimaru and running away.
Once out of Smoker's sight, the group headed towards the capital of Alabasta, preparing to stop the rebel army from attacking the kingdom.
As they left the town, they found Chopper riding a moving crab at the gate.
"Everyone, I've come to pick you up!"
Everyone got on the crab. Orochimaru still looked like he was broken, but the group had already gotten used to it. After all this time, they knew that Orochimaru was more capricious than even Luffy in some ways.
Looking at the current situation, it seemed to be because he was submerged in water. He just needed something to vent on later.
No sooner had they spoken than Vivi was pulled up by sand. "Here it is... the culprit for the unvented anger..." Everyone thought in unison... and silently mourned for the pitiful Crocodile for 3 seconds.
Orochimaru grabbed Vivi's hand and threw her to Luffy, while he himself was taken away by the sand. "You go, I'll cover your retreat." Seeing Orochimaru, like a zombie, being taken away without resistance, there was no surprise. Only Luffy mumbled, "This is clearly my opponent."
But he also knew that Orochimaru wouldn't go too far and would leave some for him. Orochimaru had told him before that one only grows by fighting strong opponents, so he wouldn't stop his battle. Luffy also understood that getting Vivi to the royal city to stop the rebels was the most important thing right now; the decisive battle would be saved for last.
The zombie-like Orochimaru was thrown to the ground by Crocodile, covered in mud and sand. He shakily got up, walked in front of Crocodile, and directly bumped into his chest.
"Do you know... Kuro-chan... I... hate getting dirty the most!"
Crocodile was not familiar with Orochimaru; this was only their second meeting, and this person had been teasing him the whole time.
"Are you going to die in their place, voluntarily? Your courage is commendable. Or do you think you can defeat me? You're truly overestimating yourself." With that, the golden hook directly pierced Orochimaru's body.
With a "bang"... the Orochimaru in front of him instantly vanished. Crocodile was somewhat surprised. Was this a Devil Fruit ability?
"Water Release: Water Wall!" The voice came from all directions.
Crocodile looked around, somewhat shocked. Many Orochimarus surrounded him. Before he could even think, Orochimaru spewed high-pressure water jets from his mouth, forming a water wall that confined Crocodile in the middle.
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