Crocodile could no longer endure the humiliation.
His entire body turned to sand as he surged forward.
He was furious to the extreme.
All he wanted-
Was to teach this old man a brutal lesson.
When had he ever been treated like this?
Even Sengoku or Marine Admirals—
Wouldn't act this arrogantly.
As long as no one died—
There would be no problem.
Kane sneered.
"Attacking Marines… and now attacking me?"
"Now even Sengoku won't have anything to say."
With that—
He casually threw the middle-aged man aside.
Whether the man was from Baroque Works—
Didn't matter anymore.
Right now—
Kane just wanted to beat Crocodile senseless.
He took a deep breath.
A violent surge of fire gathered in his mouth—
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A massive pillar of flames erupted—
Blasting straight toward Crocodile.
Crocodile's expression changed drastically.
He instantly turned elemental—
Summoning a huge mass of sand to defend.
But—
He underestimated the attack.
In an instant—
The sand melted under the extreme heat.
His face twisted.
He immediately dodged.
The flames brushed past him—
The scorching heat nearly burning him alive.
The attack continued—
Traveling far—
Before crashing into the sea.
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion shook the heavens.
A violent shockwave followed.
The blast triggered a massive surge—
A rising sea wave.
Fortunately—
The distance was great—
And the sea level was lower—
So the town avoided destruction.
But still—
Seawater surged inland.
Gradually—
The waves calmed.
Mist filled the sky—
And under the sunlight—
A massive rainbow formed.
Beautiful—
Yet terrifying.
Everyone stood frozen.
Especially the pirates—
Who were utterly horrified.
"If that attack had hit…"
Even Crocodile—
Sweat formed on his forehead.
He stared at Kane—
Who stood calm and composed.
Then realization struck.
"You're the Marine Vice Admiral…"
"The one who fought Dracule Mihawk…"
"Fire Dragon Kane?"
"Oh?"
"You've got good intel."
Crocodile's expression turned grave.
That confirmed it.
This man—
Was a monster.
He took a deep breath.
"Fire Dragon Kane…"
"The one who fought the world's greatest swordsman to a draw…"
"How could I not know?"
"Is that so?"
Kane grinned.
"Even so…"
"I still really want to beat you."
"And compared to Mihawk…"
"You're far inferior."
That sentence—
Ignited Crocodile's rage again.
He had always been confident in his strength.
Otherwise --
He wouldn't have challenged Whitebeard.
"…You're really pissing me off."
"Pissed?"
Kane smirked.
"You're about to feel even worse."
Whoosh—
Kane vanished.
Reappearing instantly—
Right in front of Crocodile.
A kick—
Shot out.
Crocodile's arm transformed—
Into a massive desert blade—
Slashing forward.
CLANG!
Kick and sand blade collided—
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
Their clash began.
But—
Crocodile was no match.
Kane found an opening—
And sent him flying again.
At the same time—
Another instant roar attack came.
This time—
Crocodile couldn't dodge.
It hit him head-on.
Blood burst from his mouth—
As he was blasted out of the town—
His body charred black.
Kane followed—
Like a shadow.
His mastery of Rokushiki was flawless.
Crocodile's eyes widened in shock.
Kane's strength—
Exceeded his expectations.
"Heavy Sandstorm!"
A massive sandstorm erupted—
Centered on Crocodile—
Forming a giant sand tornado—
Rushing toward Kane.
The storm—
Could shred even steel.
Thankfully—
The battlefield had already moved away from the town.
Otherwise—
It would've been a disaster.
Kane's justice coat fluttered wildly.
He looked at the overwhelming storm—
With complete disdain.
"Petty tricks."
"Trying to show off in front of me?"
His body ignited—
Transforming into blazing flames.
A firestorm erupted—
Clashing directly with the sandstorm.
In mere moments—
Crocodile's attack—
Was completely annihilated.
But—
Crocodile disappeared.
"Ran away?"
"Seems I was being generous."
"You're not just worse than Mihawk…"
"You're not even on the same level."
"How could I run?!"
A voice came from behind.
"Desert Greatsword!"
Crocodile struck—
A massive sand blade slashing down.
"Using sand to hide from my perception?"
"Useless."
"And good thing you didn't run—"
"Otherwise I'd lose my punching bag."
Kane turned—
His right hand engulfed in flames.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
BOOM!
The flaming fist—
Collided with the giant sand blade.
Crocodile felt a terrifying force—
And was sent flying again.
Whoosh—
Kane chased instantly.
Grabbing Crocodile's face—
And slamming him into the ground.
BANG!!!
The solid stone shattered instantly.
Crocodile's elemental body—
Was useless against Haki.
And Kane's Haki—
Was strong.
Blood burst from Crocodile's mouth.
His aura—
Collapsed.
Kane stood up—
Stepping on his chest.
With slight pressure—
Crocodile groaned in pain.
Kane glanced at the blood on his hand—
From grabbing his face.
A look of disgust crossed his face.
He casually wiped it—
On Crocodile's black coat.
Then—
Took out a cigar.
Lit it.
Took a deep drag—
And exhaled a massive smoke ring.
"Mm… not bad."
"A smoke after a fight…"
"Feels like heaven."
After savoring the moment—
He looked down at Crocodile.
His expression turned cold.
"Trash pirate."
"Since when…"
"Did someone like you get the right to bark in front of me?"
Crocodile—
Trembled with humiliation.
He coughed up blood again.
"This is your endurance?"
"A Warlord?"
"You're a disgrace to the title."
"Though honestly—"
"The Seven Warlords shouldn't even exist."
"A bunch of trash who don't know their place—"
"Daring to jump around in front of me."
"B-but…"
A heavy voice came from behind—
"As a Marine…"
"You can't kill a Warlord."
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