The elementalization that Logia users always relied on for dominance seemed to be ineffective against this Marine!
For a brief moment, Crocodile's mind flashed back to Edward Newgate, the man who wielded a naginata and left an unforgettable mark on him in the past.
Carl was already standing in front of him, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"As expected, if Haki isn't used, the damage is significantly reduced."
He knew that this so-called Sand Crocodile had no mastery over Armament Haki.
Despite that, Crocodile had managed to survive an instant slash without it—testament to the resilience of his Logia-type Devil Fruit, the Suna Suna no Mi.
"Still, it's not bad that my attacks can affect a Logia at all." Carl sheathed Sakura Ten, the sword gleaming faintly under the Alabasta sun.
At his feet, Crocodile had fallen unconscious.
Although Carl's strike lacked Armament Haki, and Crocodile's elementalization reduced the damage, the Warlord's loss was inevitable.
Yet, even among Logia users, there was a vast gap. Compared to the Marine Admirals, Crocodile was simply not on the same level.
Kuzan, Borsalino, and Sakazuki—those three showcased the true terror of Logia abilities.
"Ugh… now I have to haul this guy back," Carl muttered, scratching his head.
With a sigh, he reached down and grabbed Crocodile by his coat.
"Forget it, let's return to the warship first."
Meanwhile, in Alubarna…
The battle in Alabasta's capital continued to rage on.
Despite Crocodile's defeat, Baroque Works agents were still carrying out his last orders, fighting against Zoro, Sanji, and the others.
What they didn't know was that their leader had already been taken down.
The entire city was in chaos.
The war between the Royal Army and the Rebel Army, the clashes between Baroque Works agents and the Straw Hat Pirates, everything was reaching its climax.
Even with Vivi and Tashigi's desperate efforts to stop the war, neither side was willing to back down.
And yet, the true mastermind behind it all was being carried toward the port by a certain Marine.
Suddenly—
The sky over Alabasta darkened.
Patter—
Raindrops began to fall.
For a kingdom that had not seen natural rainfall in three years, this moment was nothing short of a miracle.
"Nice work, Smoker," Carl glanced at the sky, catching some raindrops in his palm with a smirk.
All of Alabasta rejoiced at this long-awaited rain.
Yet none of them knew that this was not a natural miracle—
A certain Marine had made this happen.
At the Port
Smoker's warship was already stationed at the port, but now another ship had arrived—
The warship of Captain Hina.
"Smoker, you mobilized Hina's subordinates to find this ship? Hina is very angry!" The pink-haired female Marine glared at Smoker.
Smoker sat lazily in his chair, two cigars clenched between his teeth.
"Does it matter? We're contemporaries, aren't we?"
"You always do whatever you want. Hina finally understands what Tashigi has to deal with." She crossed her arms, sighing.
What they had been searching for was the artificial rainfall ship, the Dance Powder vessel.
With it, the long drought in Alabasta had been broken.
Suddenly—
"Report! Colonel Smoker!"
A Marine rushed into the cabin, panting.
"What is it?" Smoker frowned.
"Did Crocodile finally appear?"
That had been the one thing bothering them.
The mastermind, Sir Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea, had never shown himself openly—even during the battle in Alubarna.
"Um… no, sir. It's… uh… well, Colonel Smoker, Ensign Carl just returned… with Crocodile!"
"…What?"
Smoker and Hina exchanged stunned looks before rushing out onto the deck.
A single figure was walking slowly up from the port.
Carl.
And in his hand—
A completely unconscious Crocodile.
Smoker's expression darkened.
"…It's really him."
Even Hina, usually calm, couldn't hide the shock in her eyes.
"That's… Crocodile. The same Crocodile who's a former pirate that once challenged Whitebeard."
She turned toward Smoker.
"Who is that Marine? How did he do this?"
Carl, meanwhile, had already walked beneath the warship and casually waved at Smoker.
"Yo, Smoker!"
And in a single effortless step—
He landed on the deck, still holding Crocodile by the coat.
Smoker's veins twitched.
"Carl… explain. Now. Did you take him down?"
Carl immediately shook his head.
"How could I do that?" He waved dismissively, before carelessly tossing Crocodile onto the deck.
Then, before Smoker could react—
Carl reached into Smoker's coat pocket, pulled out a cigar, and lit it.
Smoker's face turned red with anger.
"YOU—"
Carl ignored him.
"I just happened to see Crocodile passed out in the desert, so I picked him up."
"…DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID?!" Smoker roared, his fist clenching.
"This is a Shichibukai! He didn't just 'pass out' in the desert!"
Carl blinked innocently.
"Who knows? Maybe he got beaten by some passing strong guy?"
Smoker twitched violently.
"…And buy your own damn cigars!"
Just then—
Carl's expression froze.
"Wait a minute."
Smoker frowned. "What now?"
Carl gasped.
"I forgot to exchange my casino chips for money!"
Smoker's face turned black.
"…So, when you went to Rainbase… you were GAMBLING?!"
Carl coughed.
"Uh, let's not get caught up in minor details."
He quickly changed the topic, turning toward Hina.
"By the way, who's this?"
Smoker, still rubbing his temples in frustration, exhaled.
"Hina. She's a fellow Marine Captain."
He turned to Hina.
"And this idiot is Solomon Carl. Ensign from East Blue Branch 148, recently recruited by Marine Headquarters. He's also the one who reportedly injured Dracule Mihawk. He's strong."
Hina's eyes narrowed.
"An East Blue Ensign… who fought Mihawk… and now captured Crocodile?"
She studied Carl carefully.
"Hina is curious about you."
Marine Headquarters
As Marines moved to shackle Crocodile with Seastone cuffs, reports were immediately sent to Marineford.
Half a day later, Tashigi returned to the unit.
Despite everything, seeing the chaos in Alabasta had shaken her belief in justice.
Elsewhere—
A Marine rushed into the cabin, holding a Den Den Mushi.
"Colonel Smoker! We have a transmission from headquarters!"
Inside, Smoker, Hina, and Carl were playing cards.
The Den Den Mushi crackled—
"This is Marine Headquarters. Colonel Smoker?"
"Yeah."
"Regarding the Crocodile operation, the World Government has decided to award you and Captain Tashigi with medals and a promotion."
Smoker's face twisted in disgust.
"What?! I didn't defeat Crocodile! It was Carl!"
Carl waved dismissively.
"Oi, don't drag me into this. I just picked him up."
The voice on the Den Den Mushi continued—
"Carl's case has already been decided. You'll be informed upon his arrival at headquarters."
Smoker promptly slammed the Den Den Mushi down, fuming.
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