Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

Because a mere rookie pirate dared to defy him.

"Straw Hat."

Crocodile said coldly.

"This isn't some pirate game you're playing. Do you know how important Miss All Sunday is to me? She's an indispensable key to my plans."

It's all because of you! You've caused these changes to my plans. Why do you think I came here in person instead of leisurely waiting for you to walk right into my trap in the rain?

You've gone a bit too far.

Luffy put Vivi down. "What does your plan have to do with me? Vivi wants to stop this war. She doesn't want anyone else in her country to die, and I'm her captain. I'm here to help her. It's that simple."

Crocodile's face was so dark it could drip water. "You really dare to say that. You're all a bunch of naive idiots who don't know what battle is."

"And what about her? You also want to provide shelter for that woman? Do you even know who she is?"

Crocodile looked at Robin.

“Nicole Robin... I don’t know why you always call her by her code name, Miss. All Sunday.”

Luffy said, "You really are rude, aren't you?"

Crocodile exhaled a puff of thick cigar smoke, which swirled in the scorching air:

"What an innocent brat! You have no idea what the name Nico Robin means or what the consequences are."

In this world, only I know her identity and have the power to protect her!

Nico Robin was already a devil's child with a bounty of tens of millions when she was seven years old.

The only woman in the world who knew ancient writing.

Hunted by the World Government and having survived the Buster Call, she had nowhere to hide.

Crocodile swung his iron hook, and the lower half of his body instantly transformed into flowing sand, lifting him slightly off the ground:

"A brat like you who only knows how to play pirate house in the East Blue has no idea about the true darkness and power struggles of this sea."

You don't understand the value of ancient texts, the significance of historical records, or the world-changing power that Nico Robin possesses!

[Warning, punishment countdown begins...]

My mind was still disturbed.

Not only did they disrupt Vivi's country, but they also treated Robin like a disposable object to be used at any time.

"Crocodile, is it? If the so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea are really that strong, then you'd better let me see."

Luffy remained expressionless, cracking his knuckles as he said, "Otherwise, you'll be beating me to a pulp."

"I've seen plenty of pirates like you."

Crocodile took an hourglass from his person and threw it next to Luffy, his voice carrying a condescending sarcasm: "I'll give you three minutes. If you take more than that, I won't have the patience to play with you."

Before he could finish speaking, Luffy threw a punch.

Chapter 109 How could you possibly be domineering?!

"Utterly foolish."

Crocodile sneered, "Let me give you a piece of advice, Straw Hat Kid: I'm a sandman who ate the Sand-Sand Fruit. Your attacks can't harm me no matter what. My pirate level is nowhere near yours!"

Rustling sounds...

His arm turned into sand, and at the same time he made a throwing motion. The arm, which had become a sand blade, shot out an attack, and then grew to a gigantic size.

A purple lightning-like slash flew rapidly towards them.

A red light flashed in Luffy's pupils as he slowly walked forward, tilting his head to dodge the slash.

"too slow."

Crocodile's expression grew even more somber.

Depending on how it is used and the level of training, the power of a Devil Fruit can be continuously transformed into a powerful fighting style.

This is the development of Devil Fruits.

Unlike those simple, practical fools, Crocodile developed various techniques using the properties of the Sand-Sand Fruit.

but......

"Your development of the rubber fruit looks promising."

Both their previous perception and their current evasion are very effective.

Is it an ability to develop the Gum-Gum Fruit? Crocodile subconsciously thought in that direction, even though there was clearly an even simpler and more adaptable possibility.

He also possesses this ability.

Observation Haki!

"It's not just good, it's incredibly impressive. Can you stop being so stubborn?"

Luffy clearly got anxious when the topic of developing Devil Fruits came up.

Do you know how I got through it all?

Have you ever experienced developing Devil Fruits during the day, only to dream about developing them for another day at night?

Compared to his own various Gear Second and Gear Third abilities, Crocodile's Devil Fruit powers were nothing special in his eyes.

"You look just average."

"A fool who doesn't know what's good for him."

Luffy's words completely enraged Crocodile, causing his body to turn into sand and rush towards Luffy like a sandstorm.

"You have no idea what the sublime nature is! Physical attacks are ineffective against me."

Despite the raging sandstorm, Luffy remained unusually calm.

Elementalization?

This wasn't the first time he'd seen it.

Smoker had already told him how to fight against Logia-type Devil Fruit users.

but.

"The sand doesn't look like anything special, it's quite ordinary, not even as good as the smoke."

Whoosh!

Amidst the sandstorm, Crocodile's true form suddenly materialized, and his golden hook, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound, pierced straight towards Luffy's heart. This attack was ruthless and cunning, filled with the intent to kill.

However, Luffy's reaction was also surprisingly fast.

Crocodile's attack trajectory was already detected by his Observation Haki. He twisted his body at an almost unbelievable angle, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow of the golden hook. At the same time, his rubber arm lashed out like a whip, counterattacking Crocodile's face.

"Such a quick reaction."

Crocodile was slightly startled and quickly turned his head to dodge, parrying with his golden hook.

boom!

Luffy's fist collided with the golden hook, producing a dull thud.

Luffy is incredibly fast, and his physical prowess surprised even Crocodile, who isn't known for his martial arts skills. Luffy's physical abilities are simply too strong.

It's completely unlike someone his age.

You can't start training as soon as you're born.

This time, Luffy didn't immediately use Armament Haki because he wanted to personally experience the basic power of this Shichibukai.

Just how strong are these so-called great pirates?

The force of the collision was felt, and Luffy raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The opponent's strength doesn't seem to be as formidable as I imagined?

At least in terms of pure physical strength, he felt he had the upper hand!

The Seven Warlords of the Sea, is that all?

Luffy flicked his wrist, looked at Crocodile's gloomy face, and said bluntly, "Is this all the power you have?"

One sentence struck Crocodile hard at his sore spot.

Since his failed challenge against Whitebeard, he has placed his hopes on the Ancient Weapons, and has indeed neglected to hone his physical skills and Haki, relying more on Devil Fruit abilities and cunning schemes.

But even when Whitebeard mocked him, he was able to retort. To be looked down upon like this by a greenhorn was an utter disgrace!

He took a bite of his cigar, his expression gradually hardening.

Crocodile has already forgotten about saying he'd end the battle in three minutes; he's going to torment this guy to death!

Natural-type abilities are invincible. Besides, this is the desert, his home turf.

Crocodile's body turned into sand again, attempting to use his elemental properties to wear down Luffy.

"A sharp-tongued brat."

I can make countless mistakes, but if I catch you making just one mistake, you're doomed.

"An initial bounty of 50 million Berries. Those guys at Marine Headquarters certainly have a good eye. It's a pity; you should have had a chance to see the New World, but now, your journey ends here!"

Crocodile was already laughing.

A bounty of 50 million Berries on his first try was indeed impressive. It's a pity he ran into him. If it weren't for that, he might have had the chance to reach the latter half of the Grand Line and perhaps have grown stronger.

Sand blades, sandstorms, cracked ground... Crocodile manipulates the sand, launching various ranged attacks and keeping his distance to toy with Luffy at will.

Seeing Luffy's attacks repeatedly pierce through his sand-covered body only to fail, a smug smirk returned to his face, and he began to judge with the air of a senior:

"Your speed is decent, and your strength is not bad, but it's a pity you rely too much on your Devil Fruit ability. In the face of absolute power, such tricks are meaningless!"

Just then, Luffy suddenly smiled, revealing a set of white teeth:

"Hey, Crocodile. I ran into a Logia-type back in Loguetown, and that guy was practically smoking. Guess how I managed to hit him?"