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Meanwhile, near the Sandora River Basin outside the town of Rain Dinners.
A massive spatial ring suddenly materialized, from which the figures of Red, Robin, and Crocodile emerged.
THUD!
The moment Red's feet touched the soft sand, a violent force erupted from beneath him.
Though Crocodile's clothes were thoroughly soaked with seawater, he managed to wrench himself free with a sudden burst of strength.
After rolling awkwardly across the ground several times, the Sand Logia user abruptly stood up and flung his black coat—which had seemed almost like an extension of himself—to the ground.
Although this was his favorite garment, one he wouldn't remove even under the scorching sun, it had been completely saturated with seawater. Wearing it any longer would only weaken him further!
"You... who are you?!" Crocodile raised his head, fixing Red with a gloomy stare.
Simultaneously, he was secretly using his Suna Suna no Mi abilities to rapidly absorb moisture from his remaining clothes!
Seawater only weakened him and prevented him from transforming into his element—it didn't prevent him from using his Devil Fruit's abilities altogether. Combined with the strong water absorption properties of the Suna Suna no Mi, it wouldn't take long before he could return to full combat capacity.
However, at that moment, Red suddenly extended his palm and raised the corner of his mouth slightly:
"You think I'd let you stall for time with conversation? Do you take me for such a fool?!"
"Hyperspace Hole!!!"
BOOM!!!
As his words hung in the air, several spatial rings suddenly appeared above Crocodile's head, just as they had in the office earlier!
Instantly, endless seawater poured down upon him like a torrential downpour.
"Damn it! What kind of ability is this?!" Crocodile exclaimed in shock.
Still unable to transform into his element, he channeled force through his feet, summoning a sandstorm that propelled his body quickly aside to dodge.
Yet after years of residing in Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line—lording over weaklings with bounties of mere tens of millions of Berries, Crocodile's combat prowess had deteriorated significantly.
Despite his immediate reaction, seawater from the Hyperspace Hole still splashed onto his body, drenching him once again just as he had begun to dry out.
The sensation of weakness crashed over Crocodile's heart, and with it came a sudden surge of fear.
"What the hell is happening?! How can this guy's power manipulate seawater?!"
"Isn't that supposed to be impossible for all Devil Fruit users?!"
Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
But as he watched another Hyperspace Hole forming above him, seemingly pursuing him, Crocodile realized—if this continued, he would be trapped in an endless cycle of weakness.
He could no longer rely on his Devil Fruit powers!
His gaze fell on the golden hook replacing his left hand—the one containing the scorpion poison needle.
Though it had been years since he'd engaged in close combat, in his youth, Crocodile had been a man who could even contend with Bullet, the "Heir of the Devil"!
Even if hand-to-hand combat wasn't his specialty, it certainly wasn't something a mere youth could match easily.
"You forced me to this!!!"
This time, despite being thoroughly soaked and weakened, Crocodile no longer concerned himself with his physical limitations.
As a veteran warrior who had returned from the New World, Crocodile had developed to a level where he could still unleash a portion of his power even while under the influence of Sea-Prism Stone!
The seawater's PYROBROIN factor content was far inferior to that of Sea-Prism Stone!
SWOOSH!!!
With a surge of sand, Crocodile's figure transformed into a galloping silhouette, charging directly toward Red.
"Oh?!" Red exclaimed with interest. "You've changed your fighting style!"
A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on his lips.
"In that case, I'll change mine as well!"
As he spoke, bright electricity suddenly crackled from beneath Red's feet.
Using Magnet Rise, his entire body rose into the air, putting distance between himself and Crocodile.
Then he waved his hand and called out:
"Come forth, my loyal subordinates!"
WHOOSH——
Instantly, several Hyperspace Holes emitting strange light appeared directly in Crocodile's path.
Crocodile instinctively prepared to dodge, expecting more seawater to gush forth.
But instead of water, several figures stepped through the portals, as if traveling through time and space.
They resembled desert soldiers summoned from this ancient wasteland by Red himself.
The obvious nervousness on these soldiers' faces revealed they were indeed creatures of flesh and blood.
But within moments, these nervous agents adapted to the situation, immediately assuming offensive stances and turning murderous gazes toward Crocodile.
This sight caused Crocodile to halt his advance abruptly, extreme astonishment etched across his face.
Because none of the figures before him were strangers!
These were the senior agents of Baroque Works who had followed him for years, working diligently on his behalf!
While Crocodile stood bewildered, Red called out excitedly from above:
"My friends!"
"The man before you is Sir Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai recognized by the World Government!!!"
"He is now the common enemy of us all!"
"This will be the most crucial battle for the reputation of our Baroque Works!"
"Kill him and take his head, and the name of Baroque Works—and indeed your own names—will resound throughout the world!!!"
"Let everyone know who the strongest bounty hunters truly are!!!"
"Hold nothing back! Use the powers I've given you and enjoy this glorious battle!!!"
WHOOSH!!!
With a wave of Red's hand, a brilliant light suddenly appeared, surrounding the battlefield and forming a massive ring.
Simultaneously, mysterious stars flashed around the Baroque Works agents present.
In truth, the ring and starlight had no special effects—they were merely visual displays that Red had created using his Psychic powers.
But seeing the battlefield enveloped in Red's mysterious energies, along with the mysterious glimmers of light surrounding their bodies, combined with Red's stirring speech...
The agents felt their hearts surging with excitement and purpose!
As the two strongest members of Baroque Works, Mr. 1 and Mr. 2 were the first to enter combat stance. One's body suddenly transformed into sharp blades, while the other launched himself into the air with the help of his newly acquired Pokémon move!
"Tri Attack - Destructive Fierce Slash!!!"
"Floaty Fall - Okama Kenpo - Exploding Swan!!!"
As they shouted, Mr. 1's body filled with red, yellow, and blue energy that wrapped around his blade-transformed limbs.
His figure flashed, becoming a swift cold light as he slashed toward Crocodile!
Mr. 2 was not to be outdone!
He extended a slender, hairy leg, contorting his body into a swan-like shape mid-air, then used the momentum from Floaty Fall to deliver a powerful kick aimed directly at Crocodile's head!!!
BOOM!!!
A large cloud of dust erupted across the dry desert.
Through the swirling dust, Crocodile could be seen using his golden hook to block Mr. 1's slash, while his other hand firmly grasped Mr. 2's hairy leg.
As he felt the leg hair against his palm, an inexplicable revulsion passed through him.
It wasn't clear whether his discomfort stemmed from the okama's leg hair or if he'd triggered the flinching effect of the Floaty Fall move.
Where the golden hook met the human blade, a cold chill spread along the hook toward Crocodile's body.
Evidently, Mr. 1 had been fortunate enough to trigger the freezing effect of his Tri Attack.
Looking at the two agents showing such cold murderous intent toward him, Crocodile felt both fury and confusion.
'Baroque Works...'
'Isn't this the organization I spent years of hard work building?!'
'Why have all my subordinates, who were supposed to be loyal to me, turned against me?!'