In the damp underground tomb, massive stone pillars supported the lofty ceiling, carved with ancient, mysterious symbols and texts.
The cold, dim chamber radiated an ominous, ancient air. Before a massive square slab of blue-gray stone, three figures stood gazing upward, each with very different expressions.
"How is it, Nico Robin?"
A low, commanding voice broke the tense silence. Crocodile's words carried a tone of absolute authority.
The woman beside him wore a sorrowful look as she replied softly:
"Nothing. There's no mention of the Ancient Weapon here."
Her figure was graceful, clad in a white cowboy hat and a long white coat. Beneath, she wore only a short tank top that left her midriff exposed, paired with a tiny skirt that barely served its purpose.
Her alluring curves were not concealed by the coat; instead, they were enhanced by the contrast, exuding a subtle and hazy seductiveness.
But the man beside her had no mind for beauty. His twisted expression and cold eyes brimmed with suppressed fury. His deep voice shook with hidden rage:
"You're saying… nothing?"
No one answered. The silence thickened, as though the air itself congealed. After a long pause, Crocodile's face smoothed again, though his eyes gleamed with menace.
"Once I obtain its power, combined with our strength, we'll have enough to oppose the World Government itself. Don't you want revenge against them, Nico Robin?"
He refused to believe there was nothing written here. He couldn't accept it. He was convinced Robin was lying—planning to keep the Ancient Weapon's secrets for herself!
Behind them, King Cobra—tied up and restrained—looked strangely at Robin.
BOOOOM!
Suddenly, a thunderous noise erupted overhead. A shaft of light pierced through the heavy ceiling of the tomb, illuminating the darkness.
The three before the Poneglyph looked up in shock as stone chunks fell from above—along with several human figures.
"Straw Hat boy!?"
Crocodile instantly recognized one of them, his expression twisting with hatred.
That damn brat!
The reckless fool who had disrupted his plans again and again!
BAM! BAM!
Stone crashed to the ground, sending dust and debris flying.
"Cough! Cough!"
Cobra turned away, shielding his face from the cloud of dust. But when he spotted two familiar silhouettes among the falling figures, his heart leapt. He shouted hoarsely toward the smoke:
"Vivi! Pell!"
"Father!!"
Vivi's anxious cry rang back. But instead of joy at their reunion, Cobra's face filled with terror.
"No!! Don't come near!! Run, Vivi!!
"Pell! Take her away, now!!"
"Not a chance!!"
A deep, growling voice answered. A shadow darted past Cobra.
Crocodile's lower body turned into sand as his golden hook gleamed. He lunged straight into the smoke.
No words. No hesitation. He was seething, desperate to vent his rage—and the perfect target had just fallen from the sky.
"Die, Straw Hat Luffy!!"
BOOM! BOOM!
The violent impact that followed shocked everyone. Crocodile's body was flung back out of the smoke, slamming hard into the Poneglyph behind him as he spat blood.
"What the hell!?"
Crocodile's face twisted in disbelief, his hair disheveled and his body battered. The smoke cloud still obscured his vision, but he clearly remembered a figure blocking his path—a shield raised just before he could strike.
He'd tried to slip past with his Logia powers, planning to go straight for Luffy's head. But instead—
He'd been knocked flying in a single blow!?
Something was very wrong.
"That was… Armament Haki!?"
Crocodile's eyes widened as the smoke cleared, revealing several figures.
At their head stood Straw Hat Luffy. Beside him were two towering warriors—each wielding a long spear and a round shield, with greatswords strapped to their waists. It had been one of them who intercepted him.
The others? Vivi, Pell, and three unfamiliar faces: a long-nosed man, a short-haired, orange-haired girl, and a timid blond carrying a small reindeer on his shoulder.
Small fry, Crocodile judged. The only threats here were the three standing in front.
Even King Cobra and Robin were dumbstruck. Crocodile, wounded in a single exchange? Could this group truly defeat him?
No… impossible.
Robin studied him carefully. Despite the blood, Crocodile wasn't truly harmed. His strength ran much deeper. But for the first time, her expression wavered. Should she betray him now?
She'd already hidden a vial of water inside her coat, waiting for the right opportunity. She had always intended to betray Crocodile—but it had to be at the perfect moment.
Now? Not yet. Not until his guard was down.
"Who are you two supposed to be?"
Crocodile's eyes narrowed on the blue oni and red oni. His intelligence reports said nothing about them. Yet the sheer sense of power radiating from their movements was undeniable.
"They're Blue Oni and Red Oni—our crew's strongest fighters. You're finished, Crocodile!"
From behind a fallen boulder, Laina poked his head out and shouted. Nami, Usopp, and Chopper were likewise hiding with him. The only ally standing openly with Luffy's group was Pell.
The tension crackled. Luffy, Blue Oni, Red Oni, and Pell now faced Crocodile head-on.
"Robin. Take care of those rats hiding behind the rocks," Crocodile ordered coldly, his voice sharp as the sand swirling in his palm.
"I understand," Robin answered calmly, turning to walk away.
She told herself: Not yet. Wait. Play along, then strike when the time is right.
But just as she turned—
"Unfortunately, I don't trust you, Miss All Sunday."
Crocodile's eyes hardened. The sand in his hand surged, forming a deadly blade.
"Desert Spada!!"
He hadn't intended to kill her—but Crocodile could never allow someone untrustworthy to linger at his side. He was convinced she'd tried to withhold the Ancient Weapon's secrets.
"You'll be lying down for a while, Nico Robin."
The sand blade sliced through the air, vibrating at high speed with a buzzing hum, cutting straight for her unguarded back.
But Robin's instincts screamed. Crocodile didn't trust her—so why should she trust him?
Her entire life had been betrayal. She trusted no one. She was always ready.
As the sand blade swept toward her, she spun, pulling a vial of water and a dagger from her coat. The sand tore through her sleeve, drawing blood—but she flung the water and hurled the dagger like a throwing knife in the same instant.
Everyone froze in shock.
Even Crocodile was stunned.
So… you wanted me dead all along!?
Even Laina was speechless.
Wait, hold on—
Everyone here's playing backstabber?!
This was insane.
No time to think. Blue Oni and Red Oni lunged forward in perfect sync, exploiting the chaos.
Laina knew Crocodile wouldn't fall that easily. But at the very least, they had to save Robin.