Crocodile the Sand = Masochist + Tsundere?
Bang!
The bullets seemed to hit an invisible barrier, then ricocheted instantly, killing several pirates blinded by desire.
"I thought those silly pirates who thought they could kill Admiral with just a Fire Pistol only existed in anime. I didn't expect I underestimated the intellectual limit of the Pirate World." Roy sighed in frustration after being ambushed by a few weaklings.
His arrival certainly caused countless people to flee in fear, as if he were a messenger spreading a plague, but it also attracted many whimsical pirates who wanted to ride on his power to make a name for themselves.
Of course, most of these pirates never even get to see Roy before being killed by Roy underlings.
That's how the world is: the weaker a person is, the more ignorant they are; the stronger a person is, the more they understand reverence.
As the dream city of Alabasta, "Rain Base" is undoubtedly the most sacred place in the hearts of its people. The streets are bustling with people, a scene of prosperity and flourishing.
But as Roy walked, it was as if gods and demons had vanished, and the crowds disappeared instantly, as if a man-eating demon king had arrived.
"Is this the Rain Dinners? No wonder it's Crocodile the Sand's stronghold. This is the only casino still open along the way. Anyone interested in coming in and gambling?" Roy also complained, wondering how much Crocodile really liked the nickname "Crocodile the Sand." Not only did he raise so many Banana Gator, but the Rain Dinners, as his stronghold, also had a Banana Gator symbol on its head.
"Captain, maybe you shouldn't bully people. I doubt anyone here would dare to gamble with you," Jin said with a shrug.
As they were talking, they stepped into the Rain Dinners. Many gamblers, blinded by their losses, were shouting wildly and oblivious to the approaching danger.
"Phantom, Phantom Sword Roy, the great pirate with a bounty of 300 million, why is he here!" A terrified scream erupted inside the casino. After all, Roy was openly appearing at the casino entrance, and anyone with a little knowledge would not mistake him.
"Damn it, what the hell are you yelling for? I had a great hand, it's just Luo, Luo... Yi, right?" Suddenly realizing something was wrong, the person wished they could just faint.
"No way, could that rumor be true? Does Roy really intend to take action against the Shichibukai...?"
"It seems so, otherwise a big shot like him wouldn't appear here so easily. Wait, doesn't that mean this place is about to become the battleground between Roy and Mr. Crocodile?" Finally, someone realized the seriousness of the problem.
The once noisy and bustling casino fell into a deathly silence in an instant, with only the sound of countless people swallowing their saliva in difficulty. If this was the place where the two big shots were going to fight, wouldn't they be in for a terrible death if they stayed here any longer?
After a breath, the gamblers, regaining their senses, frantically scattered in all directions, trying to escape this place that was about to turn into hell.
However, Roy and his gang were blocking the main entrance, and even the most fearless person wouldn't dare to go out through the front door. In an instant, screams of terror and despair, the sounds of gambling equipment and tables being knocked over, and the clatter of glass breaking and windows being jumped into the nearly empty casino mingled together, echoing throughout the already desolate space.
"What beautiful music!" Roy had long known that in this upside-down, chaotic world, if he couldn't earn everyone's respect, then he should earn everyone's fear.
"Captain, see, I told you so." Jin spread his hands innocently.
"That's not necessarily true. In my opinion, Crocodile the Sand should still have the guts to gamble with me. Am I right, Mr. Crocodile?"
"Hmph, you brat, your arrogant tone is truly disgusting." Crocodile and Robin walked out of the VIP room in the middle. If he didn't even dare to fight Roy when he came knocking on his door, he wouldn't be the proud Crocodile the Sand.
Although Old Sand may not be the strongest, he is at least not a coward and dares to challenge the strongest man in the world. Perhaps most people think that he is overestimating himself, but in reality, most people don't even have the courage to overestimate themselves.
To become strong, one must first have a fearless heart. If one doesn't even have the heart to surpass the strong, how can one talk about becoming the strongest?
"Not interested in taking a gamble?" Roy sat down in a chair, crossed his legs, and said Roy wouldn't admit that he only sat down because he was much shorter than Crocodile.
But the people in the Pirate World really do grow up on hormones. Once Roy becomes Shichibukai, he can successfully take the title of the shortest Shichibukai from Empress. Damn it.
Furthermore, crossing one's legs is a very sacred and serious matter in the Pirate World, reserved for the big shots. The reason why Aokiji's legs were broken was because he didn't cross his legs during the Summit War.
"What do you want to bet?" Crocodile asked, a cigar dangling from his lips, exuding the air of a big shot.
"Originally, I just wanted your title of Shichibukai, but after coming here, I suddenly changed my mind. How about we make a big bet, betting our freedom and our respective destinies?"
Roy did indeed change his plans at the last minute. He originally intended to kill him out of his spirit and seize the title of Shichibukai. After all, in his opinion, there was no possibility of Crocodile the Sand submitting to such a proud person, so there was no need to waste time.
But upon closer reflection, Roy realized something was amiss. Old Sand seemed to be a masochist with a tsundere personality. During the Summit War, why did he help Whitebeard? Because Whitebeard defeated him. Why did he help Luffy? Because Luffy defeated him.
After all that, it turns out he looks down on everyone, completely ignoring Doflamingo's suggestions and killing anyone the Navy wants. The only ones he has a special, inexplicable feeling for Whitebeard and Luffy, simply because those two defeated him in the past.
He'll help whoever defeats him—a masochist, no doubt; he'll say he doesn't want to, but his actions betray him—a tsundere, no doubt.
That's why Roy wanted to try and see if he could also subdue the Crocodile the Sand.
Although his crew members all have great potential, they have only been at sea for a short time, and it is impossible for everyone to Godspeed as quickly as Roy.
He doesn't lack core members, but he lacks top-tier combat power like Old Sand. If he joins, the strength of the pirate crew will undoubtedly rise to another level.
If it really doesn't work out, it doesn't matter. It's just something I did on the spur of the moment anyway. If I get it, I'm lucky; if I lose it, it's my fate. Well, if I lose it, it's my fate.
"Hahaha, what a pointless gamble. Battles between pirates are all about the winner taking all." Crocodile tossed his cloak with both hands, pointing his Golden Hook at Roy: "Only the victor has the right to decide everything."