Pirates: Invincible from the Start

"If you wanted to carry out your justice, why didn't you join the Marines?"

"You bastard... You ruined my dream for a reason that ridiculous."

"You ruined my dream, brat!"

"..."

Once Crocodile had finished roaring, Kuta finally spoke. "Done? Then it's time to go. I hope you'll be a better person in your next life."

"Gah!"

Crocodile glared at Kuta and struggled violently, but it was useless. He could not even move his head now. All he could do was stare at Kuta, his eyes full of fury and resentment.

But deep in those eyes lay a trace of panic and fear, almost too faint to notice.

No one was fearless in the face of death. However brave their words, when that moment truly came, they could not help but panic.

"Don't worry. It'll be quick. You won't feel a thing."

Kuta lowered his head, slowly drew Zankū, and held the blade horizontally before him.

He had another reason for doing this: he wanted to see whether Crocodile really was vulnerable to water.

Kuta raised the Wine Gourd in his left hand and took a mouthful. Instead of swallowing, he lowered his head and sprayed it over Zankū.

Pfft!

A mist spread through the air, leaving droplets all along Zankū's blade.

"Not enough."

Kuta studied Zankū, then used his Space Domain to gather the liquor drifting away and wrap it around the blade.

He looked up at Crocodile's neck. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Without hesitation, he turned the blade toward Crocodile and swung.

Slash!

Blood swiftly stained the liquor coating Zankū.

Crocodile's body convulsed. His elemental form vanished, and he returned to normal.

A thin line across his neck kept welling with blood.

Kuta stared at Crocodile's neck, then raised his gaze to meet the man's