Crocodile's Death, Sand-Sand Fruit

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The powerful impact, accompanied by thick black lightning energy, plowed a deep trench through the scorched earth left behind by the blazing heat.

Looking at the deep furrow carved by the force of his punch, Rody nodded in satisfaction. He circulated Armament Haki into his fist and struck together with cursed energy. The Black Flash unleashed by cursed energy infused with Haki was like raging fire meeting gasoline—terrifying beyond belief!

"Pfft!"

"Y-you... what's with your Haki...? How can it be so powerful...?"

Crocodile's body had been severed at the waist by Rody's blow. His lower half remained standing while his upper body fell onto its back. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his unfocused eyes staring at the sun overhead as he spoke weakly.

Crocodile considered himself someone who had roamed these seas for many years. As a Logia user, he had fought countless powerful users of Armament Haki, yet he had never seen anyone whose Armament Haki possessed such overwhelming offensive power as Rody's.

"I mixed some other power into my Armament Haki."

"Oh, so that's how it is!"

"Then it's not so strange." Crocodile nodded in understanding, already sensing that his life was nearing its end.

"Your Devil Fruit ability is pretty good. I'll take it." Looking at Crocodile, who had only one breath left, Rody had Mike bring over the fruit.

"Domain Expansion—Malevolent Shrine!"

Rody deployed his domain, keeping its range limited to an area that covered only the three of them.

"Y-you... what kind of ability is this...? It can actually hunt Devil Fruit users... I really... don't know what changes someone like you will bring to this world. What a pity... I won't get to see—"

"You sure talk a lot for someone about to die." With a slash, Rody ended Crocodile's life and tossed out a complaint.

At that moment, one of the fruits in the basket Mike carried slowly transformed into a cactus-shaped Devil Fruit. Rody reached out and picked it up for a closer look. The Sand-Sand Fruit not only had the shape of a cactus, but also cactus-like stems, leaves, and spikes. No wonder one could still gain its power by eating it after cutting it open. Otherwise, anyone trying to eat this Devil Fruit whole would have a miserable time.

"Princess, this is wonderful! Crocodile is finally dead! The mastermind behind everything has finally been eliminated. Now, as long as we put down the civil unrest, the country and its people can return to the peace they once had," Igaram said happily.

"Princess, now that Crocodile, the culprit behind the kingdom's unrest, has been killed, I'll fly back to the capital first and report this good news to King Cobra. With King Cobra's prestige, he'll surely be able to settle this unrest easily," Pell said to Vivi with equal delight.

Vivi silently looked at the city devastated by Rody and Crocodile's battle. She gave a casual response and agreed to Pell's suggestion.

"Haha... as expected of Captain! Even a pirate recognized by the World Government, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was easily killed by you—and you even obtained his Devil Fruit ability." Looking at Crocodile's corpse, Windfire Wheel sighed. "Still, aside from you, Captain, he's the strongest person I've seen since I started following you."

"Lord Rody, is this the Sand-Sand Fruit? This... really doesn't look like something anyone could bring themselves to eat!"

"Still, my lord, you killed one of the Seven Warlords recognized by the World Government. The Marines will probably raise your bounty," Mike said softly as he looked at the Sand-Sand Fruit in Rody's hand.

"Whatever."

"Let's go."

Alabasta, Capital, Alubarna

The royal palace was brightly lit.

The luxurious dining hall was filled with all kinds of food and wine. Alabasta's king, Cobra, was hosting Rody and his group.

"Sir Rody, and everyone present, as the King of Alabasta, I wish to thank you all once again for helping us eliminate Crocodile, the mastermind who incited our nation's internal turmoil. I shall drink first in tribute, and please, everyone, help yourselves." With that, King Cobra drained his full cup in one gulp.

Rody had no particular reaction, but Nami, seated beside him, hurriedly called out to Cobra, "King Cobra, what about the 1.5 billion Beli you promised to pay us?"

Cobra smiled at Rody and Nami. "Sir Rody, Miss Nami, please rest assured. We are doing everything we can to prepare the reward promised to you. Please enjoy yourselves in Alabasta for another two days. In two days, I will have everything ready for you."

Late at night.

The banquet had long since ended. On the large bed in the guest room, Rody held Nami, whose exhausted face was peaceful in deep sleep. Tonight, Nami had changed into Alabasta's distinctive clothing, allowing Rody to fully experience the charm of traditional foreign attire.

Host: Rody

Age: 24

Killing Points: 132

At Whiskey Peak, he had killed two Baroque Works members with code names and gained 2 Killing Points. At Drum Island, he had killed Wapol and the others, gaining 7 Killing Points. Finally, killing Crocodile had directly earned him 100 Killing Points, bringing his total to 132. At this point, the system had finally changed as well.

A large golden wheel appeared on the system interface in his mind. Its glow was simply too bright—so bright that it irritated Rody a little.

Below the golden wheel was the number 100. Its meaning was easy enough to understand: spending 100 Killing Points would give him one direct draw. There was no messy nonsense like a system sprite or anything else. This system was quite simple and straightforward.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Just as Rody was about to spend 100 Killing Points to see what he could draw from the roulette wheel, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Rody put on a robe and opened the door, only to find Alabasta's princess, Vivi, standing there. She was looking at him with a nervous expression, leaving Rody somewhat puzzled. What was she doing here in the middle of the night?

Without Crocodile and Baroque Works stirring up trouble in secret, King Cobra had easily quelled the domestic rebellion with the reputation he had built over the years. Could it be that some of Baroque Works' senior agents were causing trouble?

Since he could not figure it out, he stopped thinking about it. Looking at the nervous Vivi, Rody casually asked, "What is it? Why are you looking for me so late?"

The excitement in Vivi's eyes gradually calmed. "Mr. Rody, we received news about your two subordinates, Miss Friday and Mr. 13."

"Oh? Then tell me."

"That intelligence was only just delivered. The moment I received it, I came to inform you, Mr. Rody. I haven't looked at it myself. Could you come with me to examine it?"

"Let's go, then."

"Alright, please follow me."

Vivi led the way, with Rody following close behind. After walking for only a short while, Vivi stopped before a room. She opened the door and gestured for Rody to enter first. Rody walked inside, and Vivi followed him in.

Click.