Chapter 85: The Disheartened Crocodile
Rain Dinners, Rainbase.
Inside a dimly lit office—
"Boss, they've arrived."
Celine stepped in on a pair of elegant high heels, speaking to Crocodile, who was in the middle of his workout.
Boom!
A loud crash echoed as a chunk of iron dropped heavily to the ground.
Crocodile straightened up, breathing hard. Sweat drenched his body, the muscles on his frame glowing red-hot, like molten iron.
He wiped his face with a towel, then threw on his coat.
"Let them in," Crocodile said coolly.
"Yes, Boss."
Celine replied softly, her slim waist swaying as she turned and left the room.
Moments later, she returned, leading in Jiang Qize and the others.
Ryuryu didn't come in—he was far too large for that.
"It's been a while, Crocodile!"
Jiang Qize smiled, his tone easy and familiar.
"Barely a month," Crocodile said coldly.
As he spoke, his eyes drifted over the crew standing behind Jiang Qize.
"So these are your crewmates? Don't look like much to me." He sneered.
"Is that so?" Jiang Qize's lips curved slightly.
Little Robin, ever perceptive, stepped forward, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Ocho Fleur: Clutch!"
Her sweet, clear voice rang out.
Suddenly, pairs of hands appeared on each of Crocodile's limbs, clawing down and wrenching hard.
Puff—
Crocodile's limbs burst into sand, and Robin's attack vanished.
"To deal with a Logia user, you need Armament Haki," Jiang Qize said calmly.
"Yes, Captain."
Robin nodded firmly.
Buzz!
Wings of flesh unfurled from her back, and her feet morphed into sharp talons.
Crocodile's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight.
"Back-Blooming Wings."
"Funeral Bloom!"
Robin whispered the two phrases.
At once, Crocodile sprouted a pair of fleshy wings that flapped violently, lifting him off the ground.
But the moment he rose, his body turned to sand again—though only his back. A second later, countless massive claws erupted from his own body, raking straight toward him.
Pup pup pup—
Each claw pierced through his form, though no blood spilled out.
"Useless." Crocodile's lips curled faintly upward.
He had already turned his body to sand—she couldn't harm him that way.
Just then, a sharp, burning pain shot through his neck.
He froze, glancing down.
A single claw pressed against his throat—its edge gleaming black with Armament Haki.
He hadn't turned his head to sand beforehand; his plan had been to react and shift whichever part of his body was attacked. But the strike at his neck came so silently, he hadn't sensed it at all.
And with that claw imbued with Haki, there was no way to turn intangible now. He had lost.
He hadn't even fought back—and yet his opponent was just a young girl.
For the first time in a long while, Crocodile's pride took a heavy blow.
"That's enough, Robin," Jiang Qize said with a smile.
He had expected Crocodile to underestimate her, assuming a little girl couldn't be a threat.
A small blow to his ego would do him some good—maybe help him grow.
"Don't take it too hard. The lady beside you isn't weak either—you've been developing well lately."
Jiang Qize's tone was light and teasing.
"It's fine," Crocodile muttered, casting him a sideways glance before sitting back down on the sofa, legs spread in a lazy sprawl.
"So? What did you call me here for?"
Jiang Qize shrugged.
Young Crocodile—so arrogant, so damn proud.
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