Out of absolute confidence in his own strength, Crocodile launched a reckless charge at the massive warship without the slightest restraint.
His body instantly transformed into countless swirling grains of yellow sand, sweeping up a strange sandstorm across the sea.
After circling twice above the water, the sandstorm abruptly rode the sea wind into the air and eventually flew above the deck of the Dauntless Vanguard Saber.
Crocodile's body gradually emerged from the sandstorm, while the portions that had not solidified remained in the form of dancing yellow sand, holding him aloft in midair.
The moment he steadied himself in the air, Crocodile looked down with murderous eyes, searching the broad deck for the East Blue Knight.
Garen was not difficult to find. His resplendent armor, glittering beneath the sun, made him the perfect target.
"I see you."
Crocodile snorted coldly and, without hesitation, drove an even more violent sandstorm down from the sky.
At that moment, however, Garen had not noticed this uninvited guest at all.
He was fully occupied with an important task—serving as Hawkeye Mihawk's sparring partner.
It was a deadly job. If Garen ever failed to control the timing of his skills properly, Mihawk's full-powered sword slash would cut him in half.
Therefore, Garen had to devote all his attention to this sparring work.
Garen had not noticed Crocodile, and Crocodile, who had visited the New World yet could not even use Haki, suffered just as badly from being a blind contestant:
He did not know Observation Haki, and his urgent desire to eliminate his enemy had blinded him.
Thus, until the very last moment, Crocodile failed to notice the man standing far away on the deck opposite Garen, holding a black blade. He focused only on launching his full-strength attack at Garen.
As Crocodile's fierce