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"Tri Attack! Destruction Slash!!!"
"Okama Kenpo · Swan Uppercut!!!"
"Spike Cannon!!!"
"Home Run · Baseball Bomb!!!"
"Mole Raid! Thunder!!!"
"..."
"..."
On the moistened sand, the agents kept their eyes fixed on Crocodile as they continued launching various attacks.
Though no single attack proved fatal to Crocodile...
The seawater's weakening effect had significantly drained his stamina, and the sandstorm he'd summoned earlier had consumed much of his remaining energy...
Suddenly, he found himself evenly matched against the combined force of the agents and Robin!
The two sides reached a stalemate, neither able to decisively overcome the other!
However, with Red's support from the sidelines, the balance of power instantly shifted.
"Ancient Power!!!"
With ample PP and no concern about depleting his Pokémon energy, Red continuously launched massive rocks one after another, each crashing toward Crocodile!
Having already obtained five Gym Badges, his strength had improved dramatically. Even Ancient Power, which initially had only possessed the destructive capacity of ordinary artillery, now manifested like meteors streaking across the sky...
Their speed and quantity overwhelmed Crocodile, leaving him no chance to react!
But Crocodile was certainly no pushover.
During the battle, he managed to strike Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and others several times, inflicting serious injuries.
Yet even these significant wounds posed no real problem for Red.
The characters in his game had long been parked beside the healing machine in the Pokémon Center. As long as Robin and the others could stall for time, the injured could be restored to perfect health.
Even without sufficient time, Red could still use Hyper Potions to treat the wounded.
In this manner, the battle continued for several hours.
The blazing sun sank from its zenith to the western horizon.
Its final glow illuminated the crescent moon just beginning to rise.
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared from the world, Crocodile—who had been fighting in a weakened state for an extended period—finally exhausted his strength and collapsed backward with a thud.
"It's over, Crocodile!"
Red descended from the sky, landing before Crocodile. Observing the Shichibukai's body covered in cuts, puncture wounds, and heavy bruises, he couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
A trickle of blood oozed from Crocodile's body, falling into the remaining sand and being instantly absorbed.
Just like how Crocodile typically used his Devil Fruit power to absorb moisture from others' bodies!
"Hah!... Hah!..."
Crocodile, having fallen to the ground exhausted, panted violently for some time. Only after several minutes did his breathing settle enough for him to focus his gaze on Red.
"Kid... who are you..."
He used his remaining strength to issue one final question.
But Red simply replied calmly: "Don't you already know?"
"As you said, I'm the vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates..."
"If I must claim any other identity, I'd only say I'm also a Pokémon Trainer!"
"Trainer...?" Crocodile mumbled in confusion.
But all this had become unimportant.
Though he already anticipated the answer, seeing Crocodile lying defeated on the ground, Red couldn't help but ask:
"Hey~ Sir Crocodile... would you be interested in becoming my subordinate?"
"I could offer you the position of Vice President of Baroque Works!"
"Vice President?!"
Upon hearing this, Crocodile somehow found unexpected strength, his eyes suddenly widening as he raised his head to stare at Red.
After a moment, though, he collapsed back to the ground with a thud. The corners of his mouth curled into a cold, contemptuous sneer:
"Hahahahahaha..."
"As expected from someone who could defeat me!"
"To speak so shamelessly—you're truly better suited to villainy than I am!!!"
"Don't compare me to you," Red immediately objected. "I'm not willing to involve innocent civilians in my plans just to achieve my goals."
"Crocodile, you could have been a great hero, but unfortunately, this isn't your era!"
"So... what's your answer?"
Red posed his final question to Crocodile.
In response, Crocodile merely sneered:
"Answer?!"
"Who do you think I am?!"
He suddenly raised his voice, directing his gaze skyward, and laughed:
"I'm a pirate!!!"
"I am... Crocodile!!!!"
"Urgh!!!"
"Hahahahahaha..."
"Is that truly your answer?"
Looking at Crocodile, who coughed up blood yet continued laughing loudly...
Red recognized that the former conspirator was prepared to face whatever consequences awaited him.
SWISH——
With a mere thought, a telekinetic sword emitting mysterious light materialized in Red's palm.
He pointed its sharp tip at Crocodile's heart, a look of genuine regret crossing his face.
Although the Suna Suna no Mi might not match other Logia types in pure combat potential...
For construction purposes, especially in a desert country like Alabasta, it offered unique advantages!
Red had initially hoped that by subduing Crocodile, he could employ him to build large-scale structures in future territories.
"What a shame~!"
Red sighed. Looking at Crocodile, who could laugh even when facing death, he spoke again:
"Before you die, I'll grant you one final wish!"
Leaning down, he whispered in Crocodile's ear:
"Your goal is Pluton, one of the legendary Ancient Weapons, correct?"
"I regret to inform you..."
"You've been searching in the wrong place all along!"
"Pluton was never on this island to begin with!!!"
"What did you say?!"
Hearing this, Crocodile's laughter abruptly ceased, his eyes once again focusing intensely on Red.
Red, determined to be 'merciful' to the end, continued:
"What the Alabasta Kingdom guards is merely a historical text revealing Pluton's location!"
"The real Pluton currently lies hidden beneath Wano Country!"
"But it's now controlled by the Beast Pirates, one of the Yonko crews~"
"With your current strength, you'd stand no chance!"
Red's words pierced Crocodile's heart more sharply and swiftly than the telekinetic sword in his hand.
Crocodile's expression instantly turned ghastly, his eyes filled with shock and confusion as he regarded Red with complex emotions.
"You... how do you know this?!" he demanded urgently.
But Red merely responded with a light chuckle:
"Sorry, that's a secret!"
"And..."
"It's time for you to depart!!!"
THUD!!!
"Gaaah~!..."
Before Crocodile's disbelieving eyes, Red suddenly plunged the telekinetic sword forward!
Instantly, a spray of blood erupted, splattering against the telekinetic shield Red had already prepared, preventing even a drop from staining his body.
Thus fell Sir Crocodile, once considered a hero of his generation, defeated in the desert that had been his greatest pride.
As Red dissipated his telekinesis, blood flowed freely from the sword wound in Crocodile's chest.
Looking at Crocodile's body, Red shook his head gently and said:
"I suppose I've fulfilled his lifelong dream by letting him know Pluton's true whereabouts..."
"I can at least say I showed him kindness before his death."
"..."
Standing beside Red, Robin—who had heard the entire conversation between him and Crocodile—felt cold sweat suddenly break out across her forehead.
Mr. Vice Captain, are you sure you were fulfilling his dream and not tormenting him before killing him?!
Why do I see Crocodile, who had clearly accepted his fate, leaving this world with complete anguish after your few words?!
For reasons she couldn't quite articulate, Robin—herself known as the "Devil's Child" with a ruthless reputation—couldn't help but feel a flicker of fear in her eyes as she regarded Red.
"Robin, what are you thinking about?"
Red's voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, making her flinch involuntarily.
He smiled at her like an old friend and asked casually:
"What's on your mind?"
"Call Mr. 1 and the others to come collect Crocodile's body."
"Let's return to Rain Dinners and find a place to rest!"