Jozu came to a stop a hundred meters in front of Crocodile.
Rain struck his enormous five-meter-tall body.
Fine sprays of water continuously splashed up.
His blazing gaze fixed on the solitary figure opposite him.
"Admiral Sand Crocodile."
Jozu's voice was deep and powerful, like a war drum being struck.
"Jozu has come to challenge you!"
Crocodile exhaled a ring of smoke.
The white smoke stood out especially clearly against the curtain of rain.
He met Jozu's gaze, no longer wearing the obvious laziness or mockery he had shown the previous challengers.
Instead, there was a measure of seriousness and caution.
The aura around Jozu was as steady as a mountain, yet contained immense strength, enough to make him take this seriously.
"'Diamond' Jozu."
Crocodile's voice carried through the rain. "You are indeed qualified to serve as an admiral."
"But you will not make it through this Paramount War."
"We'll only know after we try!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jozu clenched both fists. Terrifying pressure erupted through the gaps between his fingers, instantly forming a blast of air that forced back the torrential rain.
At the same time, a heavy yet restrained aura rose from him.
It faintly contended with Crocodile's formless field.
"Then."
Crocodile bit down on his cigar, his gaze sharpening.
"Let me see it."
The sky was overcast.
The sea violently battered the shoreline, constantly throwing up muddy waves.
Raindrops the size of beans continued to crash down thickly, leaving countless ripples across the sea and beach.
Until—
The heavens and earth suddenly lit up.
A deathly pale bolt of lightning tore through the dark sky.
It illuminated the two cold faces locked in confrontation with perfect clarity.
Deafening thunder followed immediately after, as if opening the curtain on this Paramount War.
Both sides moved