Desert Prison

At the center of the deserted island.

The dust had yet to settle.

The sky was gray, as though it had been torn open.

Crocodile slowly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and flicked it away, fine sand mixed in with it.

The playfulness had vanished from his eyes. Only ambition and cold cruelty remained.

"Not bad... Navy monster."

"Now you're worthy of being my stepping stone."

As the words left his mouth, he slammed his right hand against the ground.

"Erosion Cycle!"

He unleashed the full power of his Logia ability.

Where his palm touched, every trace of moisture vanished. The rock crackled as it dried and split.

The ground rapidly turned gray. Cracks spread, trees withered, and bedrock crumbled into sand.

The erosion spread like a plague. Everything within hundreds of meters became a wasteland.

The rock beneath Bullet's feet crumbled into sand and collapsed. His eyes narrowed sharply. "A Logia domain..."

The wind pressure surged, forming a spinning ring of sand overhead.

The sandstorm closed in, blocking all sight. The air grew dry enough to choke on.

Crocodile's figure slowly dissolved into the windblown sand. Only his voice remained.

"Ready to suffocate?"

Bullet stood at the center of the storm.

He closed his eyes.

Slowed his breathing.

Extended his Observation Haki.

And searched the raging currents of sand for that faint trace of killing intent.

In the next instant—

He spun around.

"Soru!"

The air burst as he shot forward close to the ground.

Almost at the same moment, Crocodile emerged from the sandstorm.

The blades of sand around his hands hardened, then slashed down in a cross.

"Desert Diamond: Cross Slash!"

Two enormous sand blades cut through the air like blades that could cleave mountains.

Bullet advanced instead of retreating, crossing his arms