Bang!
He planted his right foot. His legs were visibly trembling, but Crocodile roared and took another step, matching Chaos's pace as they slowly made their way toward the center.
He was Crocodile.
The proudest Crocodile.
The most arrogant Crocodile.
The most audacious Crocodile.
How could he be driven back by something as trivial as Conqueror's Haki?
He recalled the team's guiding principles. That was the kind of life he aspired to!
With every step, Crocodile's resolve grew stronger. He looked up at the figure ahead of him—a beam of light in the darkness, guiding him forward.
He would surpass this man. He would surpass everyone!
Behind him, Stussy wiped the blood from her face. Watching the two figures press onward with their absurdly confident air, her pale face flushed for some reason. A surge of passion rushed straight to her head.
She was young and reckless once. Why should women be weaker than men? Why shouldn't women be in charge? Why should she have to obey their orders?
Her freedom and fate belonged in her own hands.
She could do whatever she wanted. Nobody had the right to lecture her.
The defiance she'd buried deep inside surged out all at once. Stussy finally remembered.
She'd once yearned for freedom and dreams of her own. The life she'd led hadn't been what she wanted.
She, too, had once longed for the things ordinary women desired.
"I'll put my faith in you lot!"
Biting her blood-red lip, Stussy swore, calling herself "this old lady."
She struggled to her feet and took a step, making her decision.
She would change the life she was living!
She was sick of being a puppet, summoned and dismissed at someone else's whim!
She would pursue the life she wanted!
In that moment, she was reborn!