At this moment, the Going Merry had already reached the stretch of river between Rainbase and Alubarna.
"To the west is Rainbase, and to the east is Alubarna," Vivi said, her gaze fixed on Alubarna, eyes filled with worry.
A war was about to break out, and she didn't know if she could stop it.
Nami wrapped an arm around Vivi's shoulders and reassured her, "Vivi, worrying won't help now. All we can do is give it our best and make sure we have no regrets!"
Vivi nodded slightly, but the anxiety in her eyes didn't fade.
Tashigi stood beside Vivi, noticing the concern in her expression but unsure how to comfort her. She wasn't even certain about the choices she would have to make herself. For now, the priority was reaching Alubarna. If she managed to reunite with Captain Smoker, she would follow his orders.
Luffy spoke up, "Vivi, I'm heading to Rainbase with Law and Ricky. You and the others go to Alubarna. Don't worry—I'll take down Crocodile!"
Vivi didn't say anything, just gave a firm nod.
Without wasting time, Luffy, Law, and Ricky disembarked, while the Going Merry continued eastward toward Alubarna.
Luffy, Law, and Ricky waited until the Merry had disappeared into the distance before turning west.
The reason for bringing Rob Lucci along this time was actually Law's idea. After learning that Rob Lucci had eaten a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, Law knew he would be an invaluable asset.
First, he could be used as a mount.
Traveling on Rob Lucci's back allowed Luffy and Law to conserve their stamina while covering ground quickly. For Rob Lucci, running this distance was as easy as breathing.
Second, he was a powerful fighter.
Luffy would take on Crocodile, Law would handle Mr. 1, and the rest were just small fry—not enough of a threat to be concerned about. Rob Lucci alone would be more than enough to deal with them.
This was the most efficient use of their forces. With just two people and one lion, they could handle Crocodile while the rest of the crew rushed to Alubarna to assist in stopping the war.
No one had objected to this plan.
At this moment, Rob Lucci was sprinting west at full speed, with Luffy and Law riding on his back, both looking serious.
Law discreetly glanced at Luffy, noticing the brewing fury within him.
If they ran into Crocodile now…
Then the Sand Crocodile was in for a world of pain.
They say speaking of the devil makes him appear.
Just as Law had that thought, a sandstorm suddenly appeared ahead.
In mid-air, a man with slicked-back hair and a stitched scar on his face hovered with a cigar in his mouth. However, he wasn't flying by flapping wings—instead, his lower body continuously transformed into sand, propelling him forward.
There was no doubt.
It was Crocodile!
Unexpectedly, before they even reached Rainbase, he had come straight to them!
"Straw Hat, that's Crocodile!" Law quickly informed. "He left his base and is heading east, which means he's on his way to Alubarna. The riots there must be starting soon—"
But Luffy only heard the first part of the sentence.
A loud battle cry echoed through the desert.
"Crocodile! I'm gonna blow you away!"
Luffy vanished from Rob Lucci's back, reappearing in front of Crocodile in an instant.
Crocodile, just noticing the two humans and the lion below, was momentarily surprised. Then, he recognized Straw Hat Luffy—but before he could utter a single smug remark, Luffy's fist was already crashing toward his face.
BANG!
The punch landed squarely, sending Crocodile flying backward as blood sprayed from his mouth and nose.
Law was stunned.
"As expected—Haki really is the key to countering Logia users! Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit should let him disperse at will, but he couldn't dodge it. That punch hit hard!"
Crocodile crashed into the sand with a heavy thud, looking worse for wear.
"Guh… Straw Hat Luffy… I didn't expect to see you here!"
Crocodile coughed, his voice laced with fury.
"That woman lied to me! She said it was just some no-name pirate crew targeting me… but it turns out to be the Straw Hat Pirates instead!
His expression darkened further.
"Still… even if you've fought an Admiral before, I am a Logia. And this is the desert—my home turf! Even an Admiral wouldn't be my match here!"
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, his face obscured.
"Law, looks like Mr. 1 isn't here. You and Rob Lucci go to Alubarna and back up the others."
"Straw Hat—"
"No problem. I'll take care of Crocodile. Leave Alubarna to you!"
Law patted Rob Lucci's back, and the lion immediately turned around, sprinting eastward.
Crocodile didn't bother stopping them. Wiping the blood from his face, his expression turned grim. He had read about Straw Hat Luffy in the newspapers and knew he wasn't a pushover.
But he remained confident.
"Heh… You really think you can take me on alone?" Crocodile smirked. "You've made a name for yourself, sure, but in this desert, you can't beat me! Even Whitebeard would struggle here!"
His grin widened.
"I'll give you an offer—why don't you join me? With your strength, I could make use of you. You won't regret it!"
Luffy's fists tightened. His voice was filled with rage.
"Crocodile, scum like you doesn't deserve to live!"
With Soru, he flashed forward again, throwing another punch straight at Crocodile's face.
But this time, Crocodile was prepared.
He instantly transformed into sand, dodging the strike.
However—Luffy wasn't done.
A rubber whip came swinging right after, smashing into Crocodile's side and sending him tumbling across the desert.
Crocodile barely managed to stop himself, coughing up more blood.
That kick nearly destroyed his kidneys.
His expression turned furious. "Tch… If I don't fight back properly, this brat will think I'm weak!"
"Desert Spada!"
A massive sand blade erupted from the ground, slashing toward Luffy.
But with effortless steps, Luffy dodged, closing the distance.
"Damn it! That's really Observation Haki!" Crocodile gritted his teeth. "Fine! Try dodging this—Sables Crescendo!"
His arm morphed into a crescent-shaped sand blade as he charged at Luffy.
Yet, against Luffy's advanced Observation Haki, it was useless.
Luffy's Kenbunshoku Haki could keep up with Kizaru, so Crocodile's attacks were nothing in comparison.
Luffy flipped aside, evading the attack, then launched a flying kick toward Crocodile.
But Crocodile had learned his lesson. The moment he missed, he immediately turned into sand, causing Luffy's attack to pass through—
Or so he thought.
As Crocodile began reforming in the distance, his eyes widened in shock.
Because—Luffy's arm had already stretched, twisting in midair, and was coming straight for him!
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