The Beginning of the Marineford War

"Pah! This is so damn annoying! Why?! Why is everyone against me?! Tell me why!"

Crocodile climbed out of the yellow sand and spat out a bloodied tooth that had been knocked loose, his face twisted with fury and savagery.

He simply could not believe that the Straw Hat Kid in the distance, who had not even been qualified to stand before him not long ago, had mastered Armament Haki—the nemesis of Logia Devil Fruit users—in just a few short days.

You must know that he, too, had once tried to master the power known as Haki, but eventually gave up due to certain uncontrollable accidents.

After all, when first learning Haki, the boost in strength it offered was far less obvious than continuing to develop a Devil Fruit. Therefore, many Logia Devil Fruit users inevitably made the same mistake.

Smoker was like that. Enel was like that. Fire Fist Ace was the same.

Those who, like the Marine Admirals, had developed both Armament Haki and Observation Haki to the extreme often did not eat a Devil Fruit at first. Instead, they only consumed a Logia Devil Fruit after their Haki and physical skills had reached a certain level.

"I'm gonna beat you flat!!!!!!"

Seeing the enemy hidden within the sandstorm finally reveal himself, Luffy immediately charged forward like an arrow released from its bow.

He could not be bothered to think about anything too complicated or headache-inducing, much less answer the enemy's questions. His mind held only the goal he had set from the start.

It has to be said, single-celled creatures had the advantages of single-celled creatures.

At the very least, they never felt lost, nor did they harbor even the slightest doubt about their own stance or actions.

"Desert Diamond Sword!"

Crocodile was clearly no pushover either.