Chapter 168: Crocodile's Conviction Collapses & Zoro Returns Home
Alabasta - Rainbase Ruins
The dust had yet to fully settle. Amidst the scorched earth, Crocodile knelt on one knee, his body broken and wretched.
He clutched the burn wound on his right shoulder tightly. The sand in that area had crystallized, preventing half his body from transforming back into its elemental state.
"Cough... cough..."
He gritted his teeth, spitting out saliva mixed with blood foam. His golden hook dug into the charred ground, supporting his teetering body.
"Damn it... how could I lose... to a brat like this!!"
Sand slowly gathered around him, attempting to provide a final layer of protection, however—
Tap... tap... tap...
Footsteps, familiar yet dangerous, slowly approached from the dying embers.
With every step, the earth seemed to tremble slightly, and the temperature rose a few degrees.
Ace approached step by step, his body still wreathed in white-hot flames. His expression was calm, but his presence bore down like an active volcano.
Crocodile looked up, his pupils shrinking violently!
"BOOM!!!"
An invisible shockwave swept out in all directions, causing the very air to shudder!
Conqueror's Haki.
Like the invisible will of a king, it was released wildly from Ace in this moment!
The loose sand on the ground vibrated, broken brick walls cracked further, and the air became thick with irresistible oppression.
Crocodile trembled all over, cold sweat rolling down his forehead.
"This brat... has Conqueror's Haki?!"
"He possesses the 'Qualities of a King'?!!"
In that moment, his mind roared. For the first time in twenty years, he truly felt the complete suppression coming from the new generation.
"You're kidding... A brat who just set out to sea, what right does he have to make me—"
But before he could finish, Ace's right fist was already raised high. On his knuckles, white-hot flames condensed once more.
He looked coldly at the "Desert Tyrant" who had terrified so many. There was no extra emotion in his eyes, only a low whisper: "It's over."
Crocodile roared, sand surging, attempting to launch a final sandstorm counterattack!
Just as life and death hung by a thread—
"That's enough."
A familiar voice spoke, gentle as the wind, yet it instantly suppressed the entire atmosphere.
Ace paused, his flames extinguishing as he slowly turned his head.
Roy, with Robin beside him, stood behind Ace, his expression calm.
Ace didn't hesitate. He simply nodded, retracted his flames, and stepped aside.
Roy stepped forward, walking up to Crocodile. He looked down from above at the once-proud Warlord of the Sea.
"Oi, Little Crocodile."
"Snuff out those little schemes of yours."
His voice was flat but brooked no argument. "Considering your plan hasn't been fully implemented, and I don't really feel like lifting a finger today, I'll let you off the hook."
Crocodile stared at him, grinding his teeth, his eyes full of unwillingness and humiliation.
"I'm not an unreasonable person. Since I'm taking your subordinate, I'll give you a little compensation."
Roy crouched slowly, his voice suddenly dropping low. He chuckled as he leaned close to Crocodile's ear.
"Pluton... is not in Alabasta."
"Don't waste your effort."
"BOOM!!!"
This sentence struck Crocodile's mind like a bolt of lightning!
His pupils dilated violently, his mind shattering!
"?!!"
"How does he know I'm looking for Pluton?!! Has he seen it with his own eyes?!!"
Roy ignored his shock. He stood up and dusted off his hands. "Also—"
"Your brain really isn't working right."
He tilted his head slightly, speaking unhurriedly. "Back when Ivankov helped modify your body... did he accidentally modify your brain too?"
Crocodile shook all over, as if struck by lightning!
"This... you even know about that...!!!"
His entire body went stiff. He stared tremblingly at Roy's back. Those buried pasts, those hidden secrets, were being peeled away one by one.
"Who... exactly are you..."
Roy didn't answer. He simply waved his hand. "Even if you found Pluton, what then?"
"Cannon fire can destroy an island, but—"
The corner of his mouth hooked into a sarcastic arc. "Which true powerhouse of the sea can't destroy an island?"
"Whitebeard, Akainu... even me."
"Do you think those people would just stand there and let you aim a cannon at them?"
With that, he turned and walked away.
Ace shrugged with a grin and followed. Robin stood silent for a moment, glanced at Crocodile one last time, and finally stepped forward to catch up.
The wind howled, and the flames dissipated, leaving only a solitary figure curled up in the ruins.
Crocodile collapsed on the ground, letting the sand fill his mouth and nose, staring blankly at the sky.
"Pluton isn't in Alabasta..."
"He even knows about Ivankov and me..."
"One shot to destroy an island... strong people can do that anyway..."
His worldview seemed to collapse in an instant.
After a long time, he suddenly started laughing low. The laughter was full of self-mockery and loss, like a trapped beast whose spine had been snapped.
"All these years..."
"What stupid things have I been doing..."
Grand Line - Open Sea
The azure sea sparkled, sunlight scattering like crushed gold.
A small ship floated silently on the water, then slowly began to sail—direction: away from Alabasta.
On the deck, Robin stood at the bow, sea breeze fluttering her long hair. Her expression held a lingering confusion and unease.
Watching the coastline fade away, she spoke softly. "Just like that... we're ignoring him?"
"Crocodile, after all, is..."
Roy leaned against the railing, chin resting on his hand. Hearing this, he waved his hand lightly, his tone casual.
"Relax. That crocodile isn't stupid enough to try anything now."
"Beaten like that, and having his deepest secrets exposed... if he still dares to cause trouble—"
Roy smiled lazily. "Then next time we meet, it won't be as simple as 'just a beating'."
Robin fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
Behind them, Ace sat on the railing, swinging his legs excitedly. "Big Bro Roy, are we going to see Sabo in Baltigo this time?"
Roy nodded. "Yeah. As long as he hasn't gone out on a secret mission recently, he should be there."
The ship accelerated silently, gradually merging into the blue sky and white clouds.
Robin looked down at her slightly curled fingertips, her heart still making waves.
"The Revolutionary Army..."
"The organization the world calls 'Rebels'..."
"Can I really... find a place to belong there?"
East Blue - Loguetown Port
At the same time, a small Marine warship slowly sailed into Loguetown under the morning light.
Zoro and Kuina walked down the gangway side by side, followed by several Marine soldiers who had completed their mission.
"According to Headquarters' approval, we have three days of leave. We'll go back to Shimotsuki Village, then return to the unit on time." Kuina flipped through the itinerary in her hand, her tone light.
Zoro yawned and stretched lazily. "Ah, haven't been back in a long time. Might as well see the old man."
Kuina nodded, but paused when she saw Zoro's absent-minded look out of the corner of her eye.
"I'm going to buy some supplies. You... hmm."
She wanted to let him roam freely, but looking at Zoro's face, which screamed "I'm about to get lost," she sighed. "Forget it. Just come with me to see Commodore Smoker first, so you don't get lost again."
Zoro clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. "Tch... Oi! Don't treat me like a kid!"
Loguetown - Marine Branch Office
"Oh? You're returning to East Blue?" Smoker sat in his office chair, chomping on a cigar, flipping through mission briefs.
Looking up at the two, he noticed the change in Kuina immediately.
She was no longer the little girl with short hair and sharp eyes. Her long hair draped naturally over her shoulders. Her heroic spirit remained, but she had gained a bit more feminine softness.
Smoker paused slightly, as if seeing a shadow of someone else. The cigar smoke lingered in his fingers for a few seconds.
"Growing your hair out?" he asked casually.
Kuina chuckled softly. "Sometimes I want to try... 'looking like an adult'."
Smoker didn't ask further. He just laughed and turned his gaze to Zoro. "But you... don't go causing trouble in East Blue."
Zoro immediately crossed his arms, retorting, "What trouble could I cause?"
Kuina interjected coolly from the side, "Like... getting lost, accidentally boarding a pirate ship, and getting taken hostage."
Zoro: "...Can you not bring up old history?"
Smoker couldn't help but laugh loudly, waving his hand. "Alright, alright, get out of here. Just be back on time."
Loguetown - Streets
After a brief farewell, Kuina went alone to the market to buy supplies.
As for Zoro—
Sure enough, he got lost in the familiar town once again.
"Weird... wasn't I walking with her just now... where is this?"
He stood on a street corner, looking around blankly.
Just then, a familiar wooden sign caught his eye.
He blinked—"Ipponmatsu Arms Shop."
Zoro paused for a second, then smiled and walked over.
Ding-a-ling—
The wind chime on the door rang.
"Welcome—"
The elderly owner behind the counter looked up, and his eyes went wide the next second. "You... You are?!"
Zoro scratched his head, grinning. "Long time no see, boss."
The old man stared tremblingly at the three famous swords at Zoro's waist, especially the black-sheathed "Shusui," his eyes full of disbelief.
"Did you... really become a Great Swordsman?!"
Zoro didn't answer directly. He just walked to the counter, his gaze sweeping over the rows of neatly arranged swords.
"I came back this time," he said, "to buy a few swords."
The owner paused. "Don't you already have three?"
Zoro shook his head. Looking out the window at the sunlit street, his tone was rarely gentle. "Not for me."
His gaze was distant, as if seeing a village far away.
"They're for a bunch of... brats who are still chasing their dreams."
Outside the Shop
In the afternoon light, the figure of a young girl stopped slowly in front of the door.
She wore a simple training uniform, carried a plain bamboo sword on her back, had messy deep blue short hair, and wore a pair of red-framed rectangular glasses on her nose.
She took a deep breath, raised her hand, and prepared to push the door open—
Ding-a-ling—
The wind chime rang again.
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