On the seas, flame-based abilities were often considered trivial. Any moderately skilled swordsman could unleash flame slashes of varying intensity, and even some fist or kick techniques could generate flames out of thin air.
In stark contrast, abilities that imbued attacks with water were far rarer. The only widely known systematic water-based combat style was Fish-Man Karate.
Crocodile never expected Ivan to possess the ability to control water!
Seawater inherently countered Devil Fruit Ability Users, and his Sand-Sand Fruit was especially vulnerable to it.
Upon learning Ivan could manipulate seawater, Crocodile's expression darkened as if it could drip with malice.
This was troublesome. Even if his strength originally surpassed Ivan's, he might still lose to him now.
Moreover, after just a brief exchange, Crocodile could sense that Ivan's strength was not inferior to his own.
"Not attacking? Then it's my turn!" Snowfall turned pitch-black as Ivan transformed into a blur, charging toward Crocodile. "One-Sword Style: Black Azure - Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer!"
A black-blue slash distorted the surrounding air, carrying a chaotic force field as it flew toward Crocodile.
Crocodile didn't dare underestimate it, roaring fiercely, "Sandfall - Crescent Moon Sand Dune!"
Compressed sand formed a hundred-meter-long crescent-shaped sand blade, clashing with the Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer.
The collision resolved quickly—the Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer effortlessly shattered the Crescent Moon Sand Dune and continued advancing toward Crocodile.
In the end, he had no choice but to unleash another Crescent Moon Sand Dune to intercept, finally stopping Ivan's slash.
This outcome made Crocodile grit his teeth. He realized that he, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was truly no match for this Marine Rear Admiral before him!
"Damn you, die! Desert Broadsword!"
After falling behind, Crocodile no longer dared to underestimate Ivan. He knew that if he didn't go all out, he might truly perish in this desert.
How laughable it would be for a Sand-Sand Fruit Ability User to die in the desert!
As the battle continued, Crocodile's expression gradually relaxed because he noticed Ivan's attacks were weakening bit by bit.
Slowly, Ivan was no longer his match!
Crocodile had a theory about this phenomenon.
Although Ivan possessed formidable attack power due to his exceptional swordsmanship, his stamina was too weak.
If he could end the battle instantly, he might still win. But against an opponent with monstrous stamina on his level, prolonging the fight would only lead to his defeat!
Crocodile grinned from ear to ear, laughing mockingly:
"Hahaha, Ivan, I admit you have some skill, but against a true powerhouse, you're still too weak!
Come on, let me see how much longer your stamina can hold out. Entertain me to your heart's content!"
Soon, the tide of the battle turned. Crocodile began reversing his disadvantage, gradually gaining the upper hand.
This scene was witnessed by Nami and the others observing from afar. Robin sighed. Although Rear Admiral Ivan was strong, he was ultimately no match for a Warlord of the Sea.
It seems the rumor about Ivan reaching Hana-Fuda was also a lie spread by the Marines, just to boost their prestige. Major Ivan was still no match for a Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But when she looked at Nami and Tashigi, her expression suddenly turned strange.
Because not only were the two women not the least bit worried, they actually looked quite pleased.
She hesitated, then spoke: "Aren't you worried about Major Ivan? He's at a disadvantage!"
Hearing Robin's words, Nami and Tashigi glanced at each other and suddenly burst out laughing: "Hahaha, Robin, you've been fooled too! That guy Ivan isn't at a disadvantage—he's using Crocodile to train his Observation Haki!"
"That's right. Major Ivan's abilities are too strong; few can pose a threat to him. A pirate of Crocodile's level can actually threaten him, making him the perfect training tool!" Tashigi's beautiful eyes were filled with admiration.
Hearing their words, Robin was stunned, staring in shock at the distant battlefield.
Major Ivan was actually using a Seven Warlords of the Sea as a training tool—just how strong was his true power?
If this was true, Robin might really start to believe the rumors.
Ivan was destined to become a Marine Admiral in the future!
In the distant desert, as the battle continued, Crocodile gradually sensed something was off.
Although he firmly held the upper hand and Ivan had sustained many wounds, he couldn't seem to finish him off.
Even though Ivan looked on the verge of collapse, even after an hour of fighting, he remained in that same precarious state, with no sign of actually falling.
It was like a cannon about to fire, always just one step short, creating an agonizing sense of suspense.
Crocodile grew increasingly impatient, intensifying his attacks, wanting to quickly defeat Ivan and eliminate this variable!
However, to his surprise, even after two hours, the battle still hadn't ended!
"Damn it, are you toying with me?!" Crocodile finally realized something was wrong. He stopped attacking Ivan and instead retreated, cautiously on guard.
Anyone would notice something strange after failing to secure victory for so long.
Yet, facing Crocodile's retreat, Ivan didn't attack either. He stood in place, closed his eyes, and darkness fell before him. But in his perception, the surrounding sand and the gentle breeze were all within his awareness.
It was as if he had gained a brand-new organ—one stronger than his five senses, capable of perceiving with greater precision and over longer distances!
After using Crocodile as a training tool and enduring hours of intense cultivation, Ivan had finally awakened his Observation Haki!
In the distance, Crocodile saw this and his eyes flickered. Seizing the opportunity, he unleashed a Desert Broadsword at Ivan.
Yet, without even opening his eyes, Ivan easily dodged the attack.
Crocodile's pupils contracted sharply as he realized what was happening: "This is... Observation Haki!"
His face instantly turned pale, his entire body trembling violently as he finally understood the source of the earlier strangeness:
"You bastard, you were actually using me to train your Observation Haki? Don't get too arrogant!"
At this moment, Crocodile completely lost his composure!
Unlike the furious Crocodile, Ivan wore an expression of joy, feeling utterly relaxed.
The power long suppressed within him finally erupted—the longer it had been suppressed, the more intense the outburst.
Now, his Observation Haki was powerful enough to envelop the entire Rainbase!
Sensing Crocodile charging toward him in a furious rage, Ivan raised his sunglasses, his tone dripping with malice:
"Tsk tsk tsk, not good, I've been spotted..."
He stretched his body, and the faded black on Snowfall was restored, its color even deeper than before!
"But it's fine, Crocodile. You're no longer useful. So, please die!
One-Sword Style: Black Azure - Water Breathing - Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
Roar!
A sound like the roar of a giant dragon echoed as countless streams of water materialized out of thin air, coalescing into a massive hundred-meter-long water dragon!
The water dragon descended from the sky, crashing directly toward the tiny human below!
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