On the distant shores of Drum Island, a new story was beginning to take place.
Pink, cherry-blossom-like snowflakes, a miracle of science and a doctor's dying wish, drifted lightly across the sky as the Going Merry sailed away.
Tony Tony Chopper, the crew's new doctor, had officially joined the Straw Hats.
Bathed in the faint light of dawn, they sailed swiftly toward their next destination, the desert kingdom of Alabasta.
...
Back in Rainbase, the crowd's attention was shifted on Mike as he finally stood up from his lounge chair and strode toward Crocodile.
"Look, the handsome Marine is finally making his move," a hushed murmur spread through the plaza.
"Captain Smoker took several hits from Sir Crocodile; he probably can't fight anymore. So they're switching fighters?"
"It doesn't matter who they send. Sir Crocodile is a Shichibukai! His strength far surpasses these Marines."
"We don't need these Marines! Our guardian, Sir Crocodile, is more than enough!"
However, amidst the chorus of support for the Warlord, a sweet-looking sun-kissed girl shook her head with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I don't think so!" she declared, pointing at Mike's approaching figure, her admiration practically overflowing.
"That Marine officer has an extraordinary aura—he looks really, really strong!"
"You—! How can you not support Sir Crocodile?!" a man beside her sputtered.
"But the Marines stand for Justice, too!" she retorted.
"Have you forgotten it was his man who took down all those pirates in an instant?"
"But you don't even know that officer!"
"Of course I do! His name is Mike!"
"He doesn't even know your name!"
"He doesn't need to~" she said with a dreamy sigh.
"You... you're a lovesick insane girl!"
"Damn right I am! So what?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the self-formed "Mike Cheer Squad" of girls around her erupted in enthusiastic agreement, their laughter and cheers filling the air.
At the center of the battlefield, Mike came to a stop in front of Crocodile as a faint smile playing on his lips.
He had heard every word from the crowds.
'The girls of Alabasta are truly... fiery' he thought with amusement.
He sized up the Warlord before him.
Crocodile was undoubtedly a talented man—strategic, business-savvy, and a master of manipulating public opinion.
In a sea where brute force was the norm, this made him stand out.
'If I were trying to build my own empire, recruiting him would be a brilliant move,' Mike mused.
'But I seek neither fame nor fortune... All I want is a peaceful, lazy life.'
'Which means... Crocodile, as the current de facto guardian of Alabasta, needs to understand who's in charge of this 'inspection tour.'
'If I beat him into submission now, it means better service, access to the best scenic spots, and a much more relaxing vacation for me.'
He also considered Crocodile's "50-50" attribute—his tendency to be as strong or as weak as the plot required.
'He's the perfect training dummy,' Mike realized.
'The current CP9 members I plan to recruit are too weak'.
'They need a high-level opponent to push them. Someone with a Logia fruit who has mastered Armament Haki... Crocodile, you're perfect for the job.'
Mike slowly drew Kusanagi, the blade glinting coldly under the sunlight.
'First, I'll beat him down.'
'Then, I'll find a nice, quiet place to share a cigar with him and make him an offer he can't refuse. The carrot and the stick. Perfect.'
"Hmph. Swords?" Crocodile curled his lips into a cold smirk. "Swords are useless against me, boy."
"True," Mike said, a playful glint in his eye.
"But what if it's a water-laced slash?" He exhaled slowly, then suddenly swung his blade.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
A powerful slash descended from above like a crashing waterfall, splitting the dry desert air.
A violent column of pure, shimmering water followed in its wake, an impossible mirage in the middle of the desert.
"Schlick—!"
The edge of Kusanagi cut through the air like lightning, deeply slicing into Crocodile's chest.
The blade sent water droplets flying and a deep gash instantly appeared on the Warlord's torso.
"NANI?!" Crocodile's eyes widened as he looked down at the bright red blood mixing with the dampness on his shirt.
His shock was beyond words.
'There's water on his blade!' Before he could fully react, the massive column of water crashed into him, soaking him to the bone.
His sand abilities were instantly neutralized.
"Damn you...!" drenched and furious, Crocodile gritted his teeth and roared.
"Exploiting my weakness—what kind of cheap trick is that?! Fight me fair and square!"
"Hmm?" Mike raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused.
'I'm already going easy on you. What more do you want?'
However, he then caught sight of his "cheer squad," who were now raising their hands and dancing with joy.
'Ah... I can't let my support squad down, can I?' he thought with a helpless, happy sigh.
'In that case, let's make this even cooler.'
"Crocodile..." Mike's tone instantly turned cold, his gaze sharpening as an overwhelming surge of energy erupted from within him.
The air seemed to tremble, and the entire plaza grew heavy with an oppressive tension.
A cold glint flashed in Mike's eyes as he unleashed a massive, invisible wave of pure willpower.
Crimson energy surged like thunder, sweeping across the entire square in an instant.
"Hmph!"
With a light scoff from Mike, the scarlet Conqueror's Haki seemed to obey his command, instantly crashing down upon Crocodile.
The Warlord immediately felt an unstoppable, crushing force bearing down on him.
"What?!! This... this is...?!" His pupils constricted violently.
'Isn't this something only the monsters in the New World possess?!'
'How does a mere Captain have this?!'
"This is Conqueror's Haki!" Crocodile gritted his teeth, his voice trembling as the invisible tidal wave of pressure slammed into him, making it hard to breathe and hard to think.
"Thud—"
Crocodile's footing faltered.
His legs buckled, and his body collapsed forward like an unsupported statue, his knees hitting the sandy ground with a dull thud.
He tried to push himself up, but the weight of a king's will pressed down on him, leaving him unable to even stand.
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