Crocodile, blood still seeping from the corner of his mouth, braced himself with one hand on the ground. Quickly, with his palm as the center, yellow sand spread rapidly; everything it touched turned to sand, and even the vegetation withered instantly.
"Ground Death!"
The ground of the entire palace courtyard suddenly split apart. Taro, who had just learned this skill, immediately jumped into the air. Just as he landed, he heard Crocodile give another low shout, his right hand still pressed against the ground.
"Erosion Reincarnation!"
The ground gradually died and disintegrated, finally turning into sand. Even the stone statues in the courtyard were reduced to fine sand in an instant.
[Erosion Reincarnation learned successfully]
Having learned this combo, Taro no longer hesitated. Enveloping himself in his "Falcon Form," he soared into the air to escape the ground.
Luffy, however, lost his balance and fell into the sandy pit. He was grabbed by the neck by Crocodile, who sucked all the moisture from his body before casually tossing him off the high platform.
Thinking he had finished off Luffy, Crocodile scanned the area and, seeing no sign of Taro, transformed into a sandstorm and swept toward the Royal Mausoleum in the west.
Just then, the large water ball previously spat out by "Water Luffy" fell, splashing onto Luffy. The shriveled Luffy was instantly revived.
The cheat-like physical constitutions of these pirate natives!
Taro's mouth twitched at the sight. This is forcing me to keep laying low. I want to show off too, damn it!
After circling in the air once, Taro dove down, hoisted Luffy onto his back, and flew toward the Royal Mausoleum.
"Hey, Taro, you can actually fly!" On his back, Luffy's eyes lit up when he realized Taro was flying like a bird. "Quit the Marines and join my crew!"
Taro stumbled mid-air, nearly losing control. "No, I'm doing quite well in the Marines, and I'm not yet ready to accept such a dangerous adventure."
Taro quickly refused; survival was the priority right now, and he still had many things to do.
Luffy didn't respond for a long while. Taro turned his head slightly and discovered that the guy had actually fallen asleep on his back!
Holy crap! Even though I don't plan on joining your crew, this invitation is way too insincere!
Taro was somewhat speechless.
After landing at the Royal Mausoleum, Taro irritably slapped Luffy awake. "Hey, Straw Hat Luffy, we're here. Wake up!"
Luffy opened his eyes, looked stunned for a moment, then stretched his arms and shouted, "I've had enough sleep!"
...Inside the Royal Mausoleum, not long after Robin had entered escorting King Cobra, Crocodile followed. Things had spiraled out of his control, and now his only focus was finding the legendary ancient weapon, "Pluton."
This weapon, which was said to be able to destroy an island with a single shot, now carried Crocodile's dream of world domination. He was determined to have it.
"Nico Robin, have you finished deciphering the poneglyph?" Crocodile's somber tone bordered on madness. "Read it to me—everything recorded on it!"
"Kahira conquered Alabasta, Year 239 of the Heavenly Calendar."
"Year 260, the Bitain Dynasty was ruled by Tima."
"Year 306, Erumar completed the construction of the Daf Great Cathedral."
"Year 325, the hero of Oltea, Mam..."
With every sentence Robin read, Crocodile's expression grew darker. "Is this the kind of thing I want to know? I want Pluton!"
Crocodile roared, interrupting Robin. "I don't care about the history of this country! Tell me where Pluton is!"
"The word 'Pluton' is not recorded on this; there is only history," Robin said calmly, ignoring Crocodile's fury.
The scene fell silent for a moment. Crocodile's grim face was almost black with rage. He closed his eyes, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "I see. So that's how it is..."
Squelch
The gold hook on Crocodile's left arm suddenly pierced Robin's back, lifting her up. "What a pity. Although you were a decent subordinate, I'll kill you here!"
"The fact that you know how to decipher poneglyphs made me think you were valuable, but you failed to keep our agreement."
"Is it that this poneglyph truly has no information on Pluton, or did you simply never intend to tell me?"
"However, none of that matters now. From the moment you hid the fact that Sanji appeared in Katerea, you were already as good as dead!"
"Did you think I didn't know about that?"
Crocodile suddenly pulled out the gold hook, and Robin's heavily injured body slumped to the ground. "I've already confirmed Pluton's existence from King Cobra's reaction. I'll find it myself."
"As for you, I have never trusted anyone from the very beginning!"
Rumble
The entire underground Royal Mausoleum began to tremble. King Cobra had triggered the Self-destruct mechanism; the tomb was about to collapse.
Once Luffy entered the underground Royal Mausoleum, Taro spread his wings again. It was only a matter of time before Luffy defeated Crocodile. As a Marine, it was time for him to leave.
Soaring over the Royal Capital, Taro actually saw a large group of Marines rushing into the city, surrounding Zoro and the others in the square before the palace. Sighing, Taro dove down, landing directly between the two confronting sides.
"Taro!"
As soon as Taro landed, he heard Nami cry out in surprise. He looked at Nami's slightly delighted expression and offered a smile, yet said, "Oh? You guys actually know me? Am I that famous among pirates?"
"L-Lieutenant Taro?"
An excited voice came from behind him. Taro turned around. "Ah, a subordinate of Captain Smoker. I remember you're called Tashigi, right? You've come as well!"
"Y-Yes, Lieutenant Taro. I heard that you are a Great Swordsman with transcendent swordsmanship. Please..."
Taro wordlessly rubbed his forehead. "Tashigi, now is not the time for that. Crocodile has planted a bomb at the top of the clock tower, and it's about to explode!"
"Quickly lead the Marines out of this city!"
Hearing this, Tashigi held her sword across her chest, her tone firm. "No, Lieutenant Taro, I want to fight too. Please let me stay!"
Taro's head throbbed slightly. He waved his hand. "Suit yourself, but have the others withdraw!"
Just then, a gunshot suddenly rang out, and Pell in his Falcon Form fell from the sky. With him were Vivi and Koza, who had gone outside the city to persuade the Rebel Army to retreat.
It turned out the clock face at the top of the clock tower had suddenly opened. It was Crocodile's agents, Mr. 7 and Miss Father's Day!
Taro had almost forgotten about these two. Only now did he remember these minor characters. Their combat power was so weak that even Vivi could beat them, but Pell had been careless and was injured by them.
"Hahahaha, Mr. 7, hurry up and light it, fire the cannon!"
"Launch it, launch it! Once we complete such an important mission, I think we'll gain a very high status, ohohohoho!"
Taro looked up at the top of the clock tower, exerted force with his feet, and leaped into the air. He then extended his limbs mid-air to transform into wings and charged straight up.
A single whip kick sent those two minor characters flying. He then grabbed the massive cannonball and stood on the edge of the clock tower.
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