Phew... phew...
The sea breeze swept across the small boat, but only one figure remained aboard.
Crocodile wore his fur coat. He took out a cigar, lit it, and slowly drew on it.
He glanced beside him. Aiven Lindsey had already vanished, leaving only traces of Ancient Armament Haki that had yet to fade, swaying in the wind like seaweed.
"Whoo..."
After savoring the cigar, he slowly exhaled a cloud of white smoke.
"That guy sure loves sticking his nose into things!"
After the attack began, a "certain someone" from the Donquixote Family had boarded the Uninhabited Island and headed straight for the tent where the two kings were meeting.
Lindsey immediately laughed and activated his Devil Fruit Ability before leaping into the air.
Seeing this, Crocodile dispersed the sand around him.
Cobra was his friend in the public eye, and Alabasta was an important base he had painstakingly built up over many years. He couldn't afford to let it suffer any losses.
But since Aiven Lindsey had made the first move, there was no need for him to rush in.
There was no doubt about that Primitive Man's combat ability, so Cobra was likely safe. Meanwhile, Crocodile could take the opportunity to investigate the things that concerned him more...
He looked back toward the sea of fire.
"What exactly attacked the patrol ships on the outskirts?"
Crocodile took out a pair of binoculars and a Den Den Mushi. As he watched the distant sea, he listened to the internal communications from the Alabasta side.
"The flames have formed a wall!"
"It's trying to surround us. Swim toward the inner ring, quickly!"
"Has the Drum Kingdom gone insane? Are they really trying to start a war?"
"Something's wrong. I think the Drum Island ships are under attack too!"
"..."
"Hm?"
Crocodile's gaze shifted.
The Drum Island ships had been attacked as well, which meant the one responsible was most likely the never-before-seen "fourth party"!
"Hehehehe, how interesting..."
Crocodile's expression darkened. He raised the sail and steered the small boat toward the sea of fire.
"I'm going to find out who this bastard is that dares to get involved!"
Uninhabited Island.
Boom—
Crash!
The enormous peace-talk tent exploded, scattering scraps of canvas and pieces of its metal frame everywhere.
The tremendous force spread through the surrounding area, sending everyone inside flying some distance.
"Whoa!"
Jace and Crocomon of the Drum Kingdom were farthest from the blast, so they suffered the least.
They rolled across the ground a few times, clutching their dizzy heads, then struggled back to their feet.
Seeing Wapol lying unconscious nearby, they could only stare in disbelief at how quickly everything had happened.
Their "advisor" had suddenly stormed into the peace-talk tent, knocked Wapol flying, and then gone after Cobra.
Two Alabasta guards had rushed in to stop the "advisor," but they hadn't stood a chance.
Just as the "advisor" was about to succeed, another shadow had dropped from the sky, smashed through the tent, and sent everyone flying with the tremendous impact.
"Th-this..."
Jace stared in astonishment and saw the creature confronting the "advisor"...
A monster?
Whatever it was, it was definitely some kind of terrifying, unknown creature!
It had a massive body, thick limbs, crimson skin and eyes, and a pair of dark green horns like those of a demon...
"What in the world is going on?!"
Jace had never seen such a frightening creature. His legs trembled with fear, and he couldn't move.
Crocomon beside him was even more frightened. His eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
The two Alabasta guards, Bepo and Jaka, were in worse shape, but they held up far better.
Both had taken a direct hit from Vergo and were coughing up blood, their bodies feeling as though they had been shattered. Yet they didn't hesitate for a moment.
Maintaining their partial Zoan Transformation, they used the powerful physiques of Devil Fruit Users to push through the pain and reach Cobra's side.
"Your Majesty!"
Bepo caught Cobra as he stumbled and asked urgently, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Cobra shook his head, then supported Bepo in turn. "You two are the ones who are badly hurt..."
"As long as you're safe, Your Majesty."
Nearby, Jaka wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gripped his sword again. In a low voice, he said, "Bepo, protect His Majesty. I'll go help Lindsey first... Ugh!"
Before he could finish speaking, Jaka clutched his chest and dropped to one knee.
The force of that bamboo staff had far exceeded their expectations. Even the body of a Zoan Devil Fruit User could barely withstand it.
"Damn it!"
Jaka clenched his teeth and forced himself to his feet.
But when he raised his head and saw Aiven Lindsey's back, he couldn't bring himself to step forward with his sword.
It was as though his instincts were warning him: if he advanced, certain death awaited him!
That premonition of death had nothing to do with "hostility." It was simply inevitable when facing an "unknown colossal beast."
"I... what's happening to me..."
Jaka's body trembled.
He was one of Alabasta's recognized guardian gods, and had once single-handedly wiped out a pirate stronghold of more than ten thousand men.
Even in that utterly isolated predicament, Jaka hadn't felt the slightest fear. But now, he couldn't even move!
Fear filled his heart, then welled up as a few tears at the corners of his eyes.
"Breathe deeply."
Cobra's voice reached him. He gently patted Jaka on the shoulder, without the slightest hint of blame.
Fear was only natural.
Earlier, on the Nanohana coastline, the backlighting and the great distance had kept Cobra from recognizing him.
Now he remembered.
Not long ago, the wanted poster that had shocked the world had borne the name "Aiven Lindsey"—alongside the image of that inhuman, bizarre body!
"[Demon]..."
"The [Demon] is here..."
Vergo looked up at the enormous, abnormal figure.
He rolled his neck, producing a series of sharp cracks.
"What's your goal? The Sand Crocodile? Alabasta's secrets? Or something else..."
Whoosh!
Before he could finish, a thick fist hurtled toward Vergo.
The latter suddenly vanished. He had leaped high into the air, dodging the deadly punch.
Rokushiki—Geppo!
Vergo had spent years undercover in the Marines and had mastered this elite Marine combat technique.
By kicking the air with tremendous force, he could walk through the sky as though climbing a flight of stairs!
But even with this technique, Vergo could clearly feel that his "dodge" had been a close call.
The [Demon] was too fast!
"Tch..."
Vergo's brow furrowed. He could now feel the strength represented by that 650-million-berry bounty.
Brutal, fast, mad, impossible to reason with, and utterly ruthless!
Against such a terrifying monster, one wrong step meant death!
But Vergo wasn't about to sit around and wait to die.
He tightened his grip on the bamboo staff. Black Armament Haki spread across it as he kicked hard with both legs, darting and weaving through the air.
After dodging several deadly punches in a row, Vergo's expression grew darker.
Was it just brute strength? Or...
He was underestimating Vergo!
Vergo wouldn't pass up such a rare opportunity.
Using Geppo to stay airborne and Soru to move at high speed, Vergo instantly appeared behind Lindsey.
He aimed for the back of Lindsey's head and brought down his bamboo staff with all his might.
Demon Bamboo!
Thud!
Boom!
A muffled sound rang out. The tremendous force struck Lindsey, making the ground around him sink slightly.
It had been a direct, devastating blow!
But before Vergo could breathe a sigh of relief, Lindsey opened his mouth and calmly uttered a single word—
"It tickles!"
At that, Vergo felt a chill run down his spine.
He started to retreat, but Lindsey suddenly slammed the ground. Several earth spikes burst upward, blocking Vergo's way back.
Emerald-green scales sprouted along Lindsey's spine. His body grew long and slender as he twisted his neck and let out a roar at Vergo!
Roar!
There was nowhere to dodge!
Out on the perimeter, amid the sea of fire.
Sandstorms swirled everywhere!
Crocodile whipped up a Sandstorm, mixing sand with the surrounding flames in an attempt to disrupt "his" vision.
But it barely helped!
The enormous shadow spread its wings, looming over the small boat Crocodile was aboard. Its claws followed right after.
Swish!
The boat was destroyed, but Crocodile had already leaped into the air. He laughed darkly:
"Hehehehe, this is getting more and more interesting!"
His body twisted, transforming into a vast sandstorm that spread in every direction.
A fierce struggle!
Before you continue