Ripples stirred across the sand, spreading outward in circle after circle. At the center, the Blue Ogre and Red Ogre stared blankly at Crocodile ahead of them.
Reiner was preparing to seize the chance to charge up a finishing move and end the battle outright. Even though Crocodile had a Seastone Bullet lodged in him, he could not shake off a bad feeling.
What if?
Crocodile's mouth had twisted into that kind of grin. They had to stay on guard.
The next moment, something no one had expected happened.
"Aah!!!" A piercing roar rang out.
Crocodile, pinned to the stone pillar, hardened his gaze and raised his left hand, driving his poison-coated hook into his right wrist. Blood poured out as purple venom visibly spread.
Yet he did not hesitate in the slightest. Clenching his teeth until veins bulged across his forehead, he suddenly yanked downward.
"He actually—"
"Tore off his own hand!"
Nami and Vivi's eyes widened as they covered their mouths. The sight of flesh and bone still connected by strands was horrifying.
At the exact instant his wrist embedded with Seastone separated, Crocodile transformed into flowing grains of sand, escaping the spear as he dove straight down.
"Straw Hat Boy! Nico Robin!
"I don't want anything anymore!"
Crocodile's face twisted savagely as he shot low across the ground, kicking up streams of sand that transformed into blades. He roared himself hoarse.
"All of you, die! Every last one of you, die!!!"
The Blue Ogre and Red Ogre were charging up their attack. Luffy stared fixedly at Sand Crocodile, bent his legs, crouched down, and erupted with white steam before kicking off with explosive force.
Bang!
The ground instantly burst into cracks that spread like a spiderweb. The next instant, Luffy suddenly appeared to Sand Crocodile's left, a