The Undercover Agent

Just as Crocodile activated the mechanism, the other arm, which originally had Golden Hook, suddenly exploded, and a sandy hand instantly grabbed Green Bull Aramaki's back!

Caught completely off guard, Ryokugyu was immediately pierced in the back by that sandy hand, and his entire body instantly began to wither and shrink!

"Agh!! Crocodile, what are you doing? Have you gone mad?"

Ryokugyu twisted his body, transforming into a bunch of vines. He intended to burrow underground, but was blocked by a faint blue light membrane. The strange power contained within it immediately reminded Ryokugyu of Sea Stone.

This kind of mechanism couldn't have been put together on the spot; Crocodile had prepared for it long ago!

Almost instantly, Ryokugyu understood this, but it was also the thing he couldn't understand the most: why was Crocodile looking for trouble with him?

You have to understand that the Straw Hat Pirates are eyeing this place with hostility. If I, as a Marine Admiral, were to retreat, at most it would be a mission failure, and I would only receive a few mild reprimands from the World Government. But if Crocodile were to retreat, everything he had done in Alabasta would completely collapse!

This is precisely why the Ryokugyu dared to taunt Crocodile; for both sides, the losses from defeat are completely different!

"Crazy? No, I'm perfectly clear-headed! The one who truly doesn't understand is you!"

Crocodile's voice carried a hint of coldness and mechanicalness, and his expression appeared quite stern.

"I am no longer the person I used to be! You don't need to stall for time anymore. The secret room is surrounded by strong Sea Stone Factor radiation. As Devil Fruit User, you have no way to escape!"

Moreover, this completely negates the Woods-Woods Fruit's greatest effect: the ability to directly extract nutrients from the earth, and its near-infinite regenerative ability. Ryokugyu can only rely on his own stamina to fight Crocodile!

Already suffering from serious injuries, Ryokugyu was ambushed by Crocodile, and with his Devil Fruit being inherently countered, he had almost no chance of winning. This is why he wanted to escape immediately.

However, since the other party was, after all, Marine Admiral, and realizing that escape was hopeless, Ryokugyu's eyes turned bloodshot as he glared menacingly at Crocodile:

"Fine, fine, fine! It seems you really have gone mad. If you want my life, then trade your own for it!"

"Forbidden Grove!"

The towering tree giants appeared instantly, growing wildly and quickly reaching the top of the secret chamber. Crocodile gave a stiff smile. Ryokugyu spoke toughly, but he actually wanted to break through the secret chamber and escape.

However, the chamber created by Crocodile was incredibly sturdy and also had the interference of Sea Stone abilities. Ryokugyu's wooden giant was unable to grow after it reached the top of the chamber. Otherwise, it might have actually burst the chamber open.

The walls around the secret chamber had a significantly increased content of Sea Stone Factor, which greatly increased their sturdiness. Although it was not as strong as Sea Stone, the radiation range within the entire soil layer was nearly ten meters. Even a non- Devil Fruit User at the level of Four Emperors would have to dig for several hours. As for Devil Fruit User were countered by Sea Stone Factor, it goes without saying that it would be even more difficult.

Therefore, it's wishful thinking for Ryokugyu to think it could burst the chamber with its own power. On the contrary, with such a huge size, it would only become a target in such a chamber.

"Double Crescent Sand Dune!"

Crocodile didn't let this opportunity slip by either. His original Golden Hook had already shattered, and after Golden Hook crumbled, a new hand actually grew back. With his hands crossed, he instantly unleashed two crescent-shaped beams of yellow sand, which pierced directly into the wooden giant's body.

Then, the entire wooden giant began to wither and crack, turning into dust. Ryokugyu emerged from the wood in a disheveled state, his skin wrinkled all over, and his entire body looked shrunken.

"Damn it... This Devil Fruit ability is too much of a counter to me! And the terrain here is also at my disadvantage!"

The Ryokugyu, having failed to break the secret chamber, was quite angry. He hadn't expected that instead of breaking the chamber, he would suffer a great loss because of his size. In particular, he usually used the Woods-Woods Fruit to absorb nutrients from others, but this time he was the victim of the Sand Fruit and was almost completely drained.

His injuries were already quite severe, and the repeated sneak attacks left him breathless, his eyes now showing a resolute look, with no longer any thought of escaping.

I might have messed up this time, but I'll definitely drag someone down with me!

With a roar, Ryokugyu charged forward again without hesitation. This time, he no longer relied on his Devil Fruit powers, but instead used basic Haki and Taijutsu to fight Crocodile.

"That's strange... Why aren't Crocodile and that Marine Admiral in the Rainbase?"

Princess Vivi looked at the Straw Hat Pirates playing around with a worried expression and sighed helplessly.

Expecting the Straw Hat Pirates to come up with ideas is definitely hopeless. Originally, Robin should be the brains of the Straw Hat Pirates, Nami should be in charge of command, and the rest are basically just henchmen.

Fortunately, the Straw Hat Pirates now have two more ninjas. Although Kakuzu, who is used to working alone and was once tricked by the higher-ups of Takigakure, nor Kisame, who has always been a tool and a henchman, can be considered particularly clever or cunning.

Having undergone ninja training and spent considerable time navigating the Ninja World, both were considered meticulous thinkers and experienced individuals, earning them the reputation of being wise men in the Pirate World.

"Since they're neither in the Rainbase nor in your Alabasta capital, we haven't received any news from them. If these two aren't backing down, then they must have some other conspiracy."

Kakuzu squinted and offered a brief analysis:

"The chances of them backing down are slim. After all, they have the backing of the Navy and the World Government, and they can easily call in new reinforcements, while we don't have any other help..."

"So it's very likely that the other side is hiding and waiting for naval reinforcements?"

Kisame spoke calmly, revealing this to be the most likely possibility he had considered.

"You two, don't be so serious! Let's have a feast!"

Just as a group of serious people were discussing, Luffy had already stuffed a huge pile of food in front of them, laughing loudly as he spoke, leaving Kakuzu and the others speechless.

We're having a serious discussion, Captain, can you please stop causing trouble?!

A rumbling sound suddenly rang out, and the entire Rainbase city began to tremble again, but everyone present seemed unfazed by it.

Starting a few days ago, this situation suddenly appeared in the Rainbase, as if an earthquake was about to occur, with the ground shaking dozens or even hundreds of times a day.

At first, the gamblers who came to the Rainbase made the city's residents a little nervous and scared, but now they have gotten used to it. It has to be said that these people really have big hearts.

The Straw Hat Pirates are naturally even less afraid. Even if they encounter a major earthquake, it won't pose much of a threat to Luffy and the others. After all, when these people fight freely, the destructive power they generate in a small area is far more terrifying than a regular earthquake.

"I don't know what's going on with Rainbase. It seems like there's been an earthquake for the past few days ever since we arrived! It's making me so dusty when I cook!"

Sanji frowned as he held the plate in his hand. Fortunately, the food he had just prepared was covered with an iron lid, so he didn't have to worry about it getting dusty.

Hmm!? Hearing Sanji's words, Kisame seemed to realize something and asked:

"What did you just say? There have been earthquakes for the past few days since we arrived..."

"What? Didn't the earthquakes start the day we arrived? During the first earthquake, many people in the city were scared and ran around in panic. Have you all forgotten?"

Sanji placed the plate on the table and asked, somewhat puzzled.

"No, it's just that your words reminded me... Don't forget, if that Marine Admiral and that Shichibukai also return to Rainbase, their return time should be just a tiny bit earlier than ours!"

"You mean... this earthquake is related to those two?"

Now that things had come to this point, Sanji wasn't stupid and immediately understood. Princess Vivi and the others also brightened up, realizing what Kisame meant.

"Go find the epicenter of the earthquake! This kind of earthquake must have a source. As long as we find the place where the tremors were strongest, we should be able to find those two people, or their backup plan!"

The Straw Hat Pirates may not be the smartest, but their action is definitely not lacking. After setting a goal, the group quickly used their senses to locate the epicenter of the earthquake.

"This should be it. Strange, with such a strong earthquake, why isn't there even a single crack in the ground?"

Princess Vivi was somewhat surprised to see the flat, smooth ground without any cracks, at most slightly tilted. However, according to the calculations, this was indeed the epicenter of the earthquake.

"This further suggests that there's something wrong with this place... Perhaps we should dig up the ground to take a look!"

Zoro spoke, drawing three swords as he did so, seemingly preparing to cleave the ground in two with Flying Slash.

However, before Zoro could even make a move, Kakuzu had already Hand Seals:

"Earth Release: Rising Rock Technique!"

With a rumbling sound, the earth trembled violently, and tiny cracks appeared on the ground. Soon, a huge square block of earth, nearly a hundred meters in size, rose from the ground.

Just as the clod of earth rose from the ground, a violent tremor and a loud noise emanated from it. The entire clod trembled for a moment, and then, as if it had lost its support, it crumbled into a pile of rubble with a crash.

Amidst the rubble and smoke, Crocodile slowly emerged, looking quite disheveled, especially with a piercing wound on one of his shoulders, from which blood gushed, staining half of his body red.

However, compared to Crocodile, the Marine Admiral Ryokugyu was in a much worse state. He was dragged out by Crocodile, his legs broken, his body withered and shrunken, and even the blood at his wounds had dried up.

Clearly, Crocodile had drained all the water from his body, and he was even in a semi-conscious state. Even so, Crocodile still lifted him up, not daring to let him touch the ground.

As Devil Fruit User, Ryokugyu can use his ability to take root and recover his strength once he touches the ground. Even in a semi-conscious state, Crocodile doesn't want to gamble on this.

"Ah, you're that... that guy again?"

Luffy pointed at Crocodile in surprise, about to speak, but suddenly stopped halfway through.

"Isn't he the sand scorpion you mentioned?! Luffy, you've forgotten way too fast?!"

Usopp immediately unleashed his talent for witty remarks, speaking to Luffy.

"Nonsense, he doesn't have that scorpion hook at all! Where would that sand scorpion be?"

"Well, maybe he wasn't actually injured on his hand, and he was just wearing a Golden Hook as decoration... just like some pirates who have excellent eyesight in both eyes, but still like to wear an eyepatch to pretend to be a one- One-Eyed Dragon!"

"Oh, I see! That Golden Hook was just a decoration. Usopp, you're really clever!"

Luffy Satori and praised Usopp. At this, Crocodile's forehead veins bulged, and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates also had black lines on their foreheads.

No, there's another little moose looking at Usopp with an expression of adoration. It seems that Usopp's words can only fool these two.

"Crocodile, what... what have you done?"

At this moment, Princess Vivi stepped forward, her face turning slightly pale as she looked at the Ryokugyu held in Crocodile's hand.

This was Marine Admiral! To have fallen to such a miserable state, I wonder how the Navy and the World Government will react?

Ryokugyu's two legs have been cut off. Even if they were to be restored, his strength would definitely be greatly reduced, and he would certainly not be able to become Marine Admiral again.

Although there have been losses among serving Marine Admiral over the years, such as Akainu and Kizaru, Princess Vivi still couldn't calm down when it actually happened to her.

Crocodile sneered, glanced at the Straw Hat Pirates, reached into his robes, and pulled out a round badge—a red and white triangle that formed the shape of an umbrella.

This is the emblem of the Umbrella Corporation! The Straw Hat Pirates didn't recognize the emblem, but Princess Vivi knew a little about it and didn't understand its meaning.

On the contrary, Kisame and Kakuzu's eyes widened in surprise. So, after all this time, you were an undercover agent!