A sharp crack of breaking bone rang out.
Crocodile spat blood as he was sent flying.
"Urgh..."
He rolled an unknown distance before finally coming to a stop.
He pushed himself up with one hand braced against the ground.
He looked toward Bullet in the distance.
"Cough... cough..."
"Haki again..."
"Damn it..."
Something seemed to occur to him.
Crocodile's already gloomy expression grew even more bitter.
Then he took a deep breath, endured the searing pain, and turned his entire body into yellow sand, merging with his surroundings.
The windblown sand filling the sky grew even more violent.
It closed in on Bullet at its center.
Sabaody Archipelago, on the outskirts of Giant Tree 27.
The arriving soldiers formed ranks behind Sakazuki.
With the Navy's arrival,
the fleeing crowd gradually grew bold enough to look back.
A surge of Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted from Sakazuki, blasting outward.
His impassive voice rang out.
"Clear the area."
Clack-
A crisp sound rang out as they snapped to attention.
"Yes, sir!!!!!"
Nearly a thousand Navy soldiers shouted in unison behind Sakazuki.
Then they split into two groups and ran in opposite directions.
They spread out to encircle Giant Tree 27, leaving a substantial gap between each soldier.
Once the encirclement was complete, Sakazuki signaled for Carol to guard the perimeter.
Then he led Enel into the swirling sand.
Carol drew Sakura Ten from his waist.
Sakura Ten flashed in his hand, releasing two arcs of Sword Aura from where he stood.
They carved deep trenches through the ground, enclosing the giant tree's area.
The display immediately intimidated even those with some strength, discouraging them from investigating further.
Carol chuckled.
Whoosh-
He sheathed his sword.
At the center of the sandstorm.
Crocodile formed layer upon layer of sand waves nearly a hundred