The tremendous impact and sheer terror struck his mind like a sledgehammer.
Crocodile's vision went black. Before he could even react, his body swayed, then toppled straight backward as though every bone had been pulled out of him.
Thud!
He crashed into the scorching sand, kicking up a cloud of dust.
This member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who had schemed for years, had actually been knocked unconscious by the lingering force of the Demon King's casual slash.
"C-Captain!!!"
The Ark Maxim came to an exceedingly precarious emergency stop, hovering a short distance above the Sand Dune.
At the bow, Enel scrambled over to the railing and prostrated himself, tears and snot streaming down his face, his voice thick with sobs and boundless flattery.
"Captain! I've already given those slaves who wasted our time a harsh lesson!"
"The cabin's been remodeled too! It's absolutely spotless! Your throne-the plastic chair-has been polished until it shines! Please spare my life, Captain!" His voice echoed through the now-silent desert night, filled with an absurd desperation to survive.
Below lay the unconscious Sand Crocodile, along with Luffy, who struggled out of the quicksand and stared dumbfounded at the flying ship overhead and the figure on the Sand Dune.
Everyone's gaze focused on the white-haired figure who slowly turned on the Sand Dune and looked up at the golden airship.
Demon King Urizen had officially entered Alabasta's turmoil in a way none of them had expected.
Meanwhile, on the ship's deck, a brief, deathly silence settled amid the aftermath of the violent sandstorm and the smoke from the divine lightning strikes.
Below, Crocodile was charred black, his pupils dilated with extreme terror as he stared blankly at the white-haired figure on the Sand Dune slowly sheathing his blade.
Demon King Urizen... That name