"I've known your weakness for a long time. As long as there's water, anyone can kill you!"
As Robin spoke, her dagger was already stabbing into Crocodile's chest.
However, with a swift motion, Crocodile swung his golden hook and effortlessly knocked the dagger from her hand. At the same time, his right hand grabbed Robin by the neck and lifted her off the ground.
"You're right—water is my weakness," he said coldly. "But with your little tricks, you don't stand a chance against me!"
His grip tightened. "Since you're useless to me now, you can die!"
Just as he was about to finish her off, a hand suddenly clamped down on his wrist.
A boy wearing a straw hat and a red vest had appeared out of nowhere.
"How many more people do you have to kill, Crocodile?!"
Luffy's furious voice echoed through the tomb.
In an instant, he activated Second Gear. His fist, burning with rage, struck Crocodile square in the stomach.
Crocodile's body bent in pain as he coughed up a mouthful of blood. He was sent flying, crashing hard against the tomb wall.
"Cough… cough… Straw Hat… Straw Hat Luffy…!"
Luffy had saved Robin. She gasped for breath, coughing violently, but her gaze remained locked on him.
She recalled Carl's words.
Robin had been betrayed too many times—she no longer trusted easily. She was afraid Carl had been lying to her too.
So she wanted to see for herself.
What kind of person was Luffy?
Was he truly someone she could believe in?
Cobra, meanwhile, looked relieved and overjoyed.
Is this the Straw Hat Luffy that Vivi spoke of? he thought. If he can hit Crocodile like that, then maybe… maybe Alabasta really is saved!
Crocodile slowly picked himself up, his face twisted in pain.
He glared at Luffy and let out a furious roar.
"Straw Hat Luffy! I've never gotten in your way, so why are you ruining everything?! Why?!"
Luffy's response was simple and unwavering.
"Because you're in my way!"
He clenched his fists.
"Vivi has been fighting desperately to save this country. She's naïve—she doesn't want anyone to die. But she's so stupid that all she knows is to keep struggling, no matter how much it hurts.
She's my friend.
You made her cry.
You hurt her.
And you think you're not in my way, Crocodile?!"
Robin and Cobra were stunned.
Cobra's eyes welled up with tears.
"Vivi… she really has found wonderful friends!"
Robin muttered to herself, "Just for this? Just because the princess is crying and feeling hurt… that's enough for him to fight? Is that what it means… to be a partner?"
Crocodile was in complete shock.
Not only had he failed to obtain Pluton, but now he was about to be defeated by Luffy? How could he accept this?!
"Hahahaha!" He let out a crazed laugh. "I lost… because of something like this?! But don't get too happy, Straw Hat Luffy! I planted a super bomb in Alubarna—it's set to explode soon! You, me, and everyone in this city… none of us are getting out alive! My plan may have failed, but at worst, we'll all die together!"
"Crocodile, you bastard! You really planted a bomb?!" Cobra cursed in rage.
Luffy, however, remained completely calm.
"That's not a problem." He grinned. "My friends are here, and Bell already went to help. No way a mere bomb is gonna blow up!"
Crocodile was momentarily speechless.
Luffy's absolute confidence in his crew left him unable to argue.
"You should be worrying about something else… like whether or not you can handle my fists!"
Luffy pointed his palm forward.
"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Pistol!"
Bang!
Crocodile barely had time to react before Luffy's fist slammed into his gut. Blood spewed from his mouth as his body convulsed, then collapsed into unconsciousness.
But Luffy wasn't done yet.
He took a firm stance, and his fists blurred as they rained down relentlessly.
"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Gatling!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Crocodile was completely pulverized. He was smashed from the underground tomb all the way to the surface, then sent flying into the sky with a final, devastating punch.
High above, Bell soared through the air, surveying the capital below.
Alubarna was safe.
And now, seeing the defeated Crocodile hurtling into the sky, a relieved smile spread across his face.
The kingdom's nightmare was finally over.
While the battle in Alubarna reached its climax, the fight at the Sandora River was just as intense.
Carl and Akainu had clashed countless times. Both were visibly exhausted, yet Akainu showed no signs of stopping. His relentless pursuit of Carl made it clear—he wouldn't give up until Carl was dead.
Carl had no choice but to keep fighting.
Meanwhile, Zoro was under immense pressure.
Although the Rear Admirals weren't as strong, more and more Marines kept joining the battle. At first, three Commodores assisted them. Then two more Commodores and three Captains arrived, stretching Zoro to his limits.
But this only fueled his excitement.
Right now, external pressure was the only thing pushing him to grow stronger.
Five Commodores and three Captains were already engaged, and there were likely more still on board the Marine ships.
It was clear Akainu had come prepared—he hadn't just aimed for Luffy and Carl, but brought an entire task force to ensure their capture.
However, his arrogance had led him to believe he could handle them alone. If he had brought just one Vice Admiral, the battle would have been completely different.
Zoro grinned, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Time to push past my limits."
"Dual Sword Style… Hawk Wave!"
"Two Sword Style… Climbing Stairs Slash!"
"Three Sword Style… Tiger Hunt!"
One after another, Zoro unleashed powerful techniques, slicing through the waves of Marines.
With each passing moment, though his stamina drained, his swordsmanship became sharper. His Observation Haki was also adapting—what had started as a desperate struggle was turning into controlled dominance.
Uchimura, one of the leading Rear Admirals, scowled.
"As expected of the swordsman Vice Admiral Onigumo spoke highly of," he muttered darkly. "Not only is this bastard strong, but he's growing stronger as he fights."
His expression turned grim.
"If we let him continue like this, he'll reach the level of a Vice Admiral one day… and that would be a disaster for the Marines!"
He clenched his jaw.
"A sword like that must be broken! Everyone, focus! We're taking him down together!"
"Yes, Rear Admiral Uchimura!" the Marines responded in unison.
Their teamwork tightened. Their attacks became fiercer.
Zoro, despite feeling the exhaustion, only grinned wider.
"Yeah… that's it. Bring it on!" he roared. "I need more pressure if I want to break through!"
Clang!
With a single slash, he shattered a Commodore's blade.
The Marine's standard-issue saber was nothing compared to Zoro's steel-cutting mastery.
It had been effortless.
"One sword… one life. Shishi Sonson!"
With a swift draw, he felled the Commodore in an instant. But Zoro didn't stop—his next target was the three Captains rushing toward him.
"Three Sword Style… Black Rope Dragon Twister!"
He spun his blades with full force, summoning a whirlwind of slashes.
The three Captains were caught in the violent storm, sent hurtling into the sky before collapsing, completely unconscious.
Uchimura's rage boiled over.
"Damn you, Roronoa!" he roared. "Go to hell!"
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