An Uninvited Guest in the Desert

After bidding Ace farewell, Lin Feng and Bart continued toward Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta.

The two were like insignificant grains of sand, mercilessly cast into this vast, boundless desert.

The blazing sun overhead was like a massive fireball, freely pouring down its fury. Heat waves rolled through the air, making it feel as though they were trapped inside an enormous steamer.

The scorched air warped, and the distant scenery became blurred and hazy, as illusory as a mirage.

Bart remained silent, closely following behind Lin Feng as he vigilantly observed their surroundings.

Every step he took was exceptionally steady, like a cheetah lurking in the shadows, ready to face any sudden danger.

Lin Feng, on the other hand, looked relaxed and at ease, as though the harsh environment did not concern him in the slightest.

With his hands in his pockets and light steps, a faint smile always lingered on his lips. It was as if he were not traveling through the desert, but taking a leisurely stroll.

Suddenly, Lin Feng stopped. The corners of his lips rose slightly, revealing an amused smile.

"Finally here? A little sooner than I expected."

He spoke softly, with a trace of barely perceptible excitement in his voice.

Hearing Lin Feng's words, Bart immediately went on guard.

His sharp eyes, like those of a hawk, swiftly swept over the surroundings, trying to locate the enemy hidden in the darkness.

"What is it?"

Bart asked in a low voice, filled with vigilance.

"Nothing. Just an old acquaintance."

Lin Feng replied casually, his gaze turning toward the distance.

On the horizon, a sandstorm was rapidly approaching, immense in scale and blotting out the sky.

The sandstorm was incredibly fast and reached Lin Feng and Bart in the blink of an eye.

The howling wind carried grains of sand like countless sharp blades, slicing through everything around them with a whistling roar that sent chills down the spine.

Before that violent sandstorm, Lin Feng and Bart looked utterly insignificant, as though they might be swallowed at any moment.

Yet the two stood firm within the storm like unshakable boulders, completely motionless.

At the center of the sandstorm, a tall figure slowly emerged.

He wore a black coat, a cigar clenched between his teeth. A long scar crossed his face, and his eyes were dark and vicious.

His powerful presence was almost tangible, pressing down so heavily that it was hard to breathe.

It was none other than Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai.

"Who are you?"

Crocodile asked, his voice low and hoarse, carrying unquestionable authority.

His sharp gaze swept over Lin Feng and Bart as though he intended to see straight through them.

"We're merely travelers passing through."

Lin Feng answered lightly, a faint smile on his face, as if Crocodile did not matter to him at all.

"Travelers passing through?"

Crocodile sneered, his lips curving into a cruel smile.

"This desert isn't somewhere just anyone can pass through. Your strength does not look like that of ordinary travelers."

"Oh? Then what do you think we are?"

Lin Feng countered, his tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"Hmph. Whoever you are, since you've come to my territory, you'd better be prepared to pay the price!"

A cold glint flashed through Crocodile's eyes as he released his killing intent without restraint.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, becoming so oppressive that it was suffocating.

"The power of the Sand-Sand Fruit? Interesting."

Feeling the powerful aura radiating from Crocodile, Lin Feng's lips curled into an excited smile.

Crocodile still loves picking fights, doesn't he?

At the same time, Lin Feng said to Bart behind him, "Bart, step back a little."

Then he slowly drew Demon God from his waist. A fierce sword aura erupted instantly and collided with Crocodile's killing intent, producing a crackling sound.

The sand around them was swept into the air by that powerful force, forming a small sandstorm.

"Oh? You actually blocked my killing intent?"

Surprise flashed through Crocodile's eyes. He had not expected this young man to withstand his killing intent.

"Interesting. Looks like I didn't come here for nothing."

A cruel smile appeared on Crocodile's lips as his killing intent grew even stronger.

"Kid, tell me your name. I don't kill nobodies."

Crocodile spoke with absolute confidence.

"Lin Feng."

Lin Feng answered calmly. Though his voice was not loud, it reached Crocodile's ears clearly.

"Lin Feng? Never heard of you."

Crocodile frowned slightly, as though trying to recall the name.

"But since you dared to block my path, that means you've already prepared yourself for death."

Crocodile said as his killing intent erupted once more.

"Prepared myself for death? No, no, you misunderstand."

Lin Feng shook his head, the smile on his face growing brighter.

"I merely wanted to see how strong one of the Shichibukai really is."

"Arrogant!"

Crocodile roared as the sand around his body began to spin wildly, forming a massive sand tornado.

Desert Spada!

With a wave of Crocodile's right hand, the sand tornado instantly transformed into four massive sand blades that slashed toward Lin Feng.

Everything in the blades' path was cut apart, leaving four deep trenches in the ground.

"Good!"

Lin Feng laughed as Demon God instantly left its sheath.

One Sword Style: Iai Slash!

A flash of cold light collided with Crocodile's sand blades.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, Lin Feng's sword aura shattered the sand blades, turning them into dust that filled the sky.

"What?!"

Shock flashed through Crocodile's eyes. He had not expected Lin Feng to break his attack so easily.

"Again!"

Crocodile roared as the sand around his body gathered once more, transforming into a giant sand python that lunged at Lin Feng.

"A cheap trick."

Lin Feng sneered and swung Demon God again.

One Sword Style: Dragon Slash!

A massive blade aura shot forth, instantly cutting the sand python in half.

"That's impossible!"

Disbelief filled Crocodile's face. He had not expected his attacks to have no effect on Lin Feng at all.

"Is that all you've got?"

Lin Feng looked at Crocodile with disappointment in his eyes.

"If that's the case, then this battle should end here."

"Don't get too cocky!"

Crocodile roared as his body turned to sand and merged into the surrounding sandstorm.

Erosion Cycle!

Crocodile's voice came from every direction, making it impossible to determine his location.

Immediately afterward, the surrounding sand began to spin madly, forming a massive prison of sand that trapped Lin Feng within.

"This is my ultimate move, Erosion Cycle!"

Crocodile's voice rang out again.

"Inside this sand prison, everything will be turned to sand and ultimately reduced to nothingness!"

"Is that so?"

Lin Feng's voice came from within the sand prison, still calm.

"Then let me see just how sturdy your sand prison is."

"Arrogant brat, you'll pay for your arrogance!"

Crocodile roared as the sand prison rapidly contracted, trying to crush Lin Feng.

One Sword Style: Dragon Slash: Flame!

Lin Feng's voice rang out once more. Then, a flaming blade aura slashed out from within the sand prison, instantly cutting a huge opening through it.

Lin Feng walked out of the sand prison without a scratch.

"Your sand prison is nothing special."

Lin Feng looked at Crocodile with a mocking smile.

"Y-you... who exactly are you?"

Crocodile's voice was filled with shock and fear. He had not expected his ultimate move to be broken so easily by Lin Feng.

"Didn't I tell you? I'm merely a traveler passing through."

Lin Feng said with a smile as he slowly walked toward Crocodile.

"Still, since you want to know my identity so badly, I'll tell you."

"My name is Lin Feng. I'm with the Whitebeard Pirates."

"The Whitebeard Pirates?!"

Upon hearing that name, Crocodile's pupils contracted sharply. A look of astonishment appeared on his face. "Y-you're Lin Feng, the captain of the 17th Division, the one with the recent 600 million bounty?"