The moment Kai finished speaking, Crocodile froze.
What?
What did he just say?
For a second, Crocodile wondered if he had heard wrong.
He came here for me?
Fist Demon Kai, this monster, had actually come specifically for him?
Crocodile's expression shifted at once. His eyes grew sharp as he stared at Kai, and he stepped back several paces.
He knew exactly how dangerous the boy in front of him was.
This was a monster who could pressure Bullet.
A monster who had captured Edward Weevil.
Crocodile could not afford to relax for even a moment.
"What do you want? To arrest me?"
His voice was low.
That was the only explanation he could think of.
What else would a Marine seek out a pirate for?
Other than arresting him, what other purpose could there be?
Crocodile's body released a faint dangerous aura.
He would never surrender quietly.
Even if the opponent was Fist Demon Kai.
Even if Kai's strength was terrifying.
Crocodile would never kneel without a fight.
He was a Logia user. More importantly, he was standing in the middle of a desert.
This was his battlefield.
His home ground.
"Trying to capture me? Then you'd better be ready to die."
"I know you're strong."
"But in this environment, I am the one with the advantage."
"No matter how strong you are, this desert belongs to me."
Crocodile snorted coldly.
In the desert, he feared no one.
"No, no. You've misunderstood."
"I didn't come to Alabasta to arrest you."
"So there's no need to look at me like that."
Kai smiled calmly.
"Hm?"
Crocodile frowned, his eyes full of suspicion.
Not here to arrest him?
Then what was this about?
Even with his sharp mind, Crocodile could not immediately figure out Kai's goal.
"What exactly do you want?"
he asked.
He did not remember having any connection with Kai.
If Kai was not here to capture him, then there should have been no reason for them to meet at all.
"What do I want?"
Kai's smile remained.
"Before I explain my purpose…"
"I want to measure your strength first."
"I want to see exactly how much weight the Sand Crocodile carries."
"And whether you're qualified to hear the real reason I came here."
Crocodile's face darkened.
Measure his strength?
This brat…
A five-year-old child was openly saying he wanted to test him?
Did everyone think he was some soft target?
First Bullet.
Now Kai.
Did everyone want to step on him today?
Bullet was one thing. That man's strength was truly terrifying, enough to make Crocodile deeply wary. Being dismissed by Bullet was infuriating, but at least understandable.
But now, even this five-year-old boy was treating him like a stepping stone.
Even if that boy was Fist Demon Kai, Crocodile could not accept it.
"So you want to test my strength?"
Crocodile's voice sank.
"You think you're qualified?"
"Kai, I admit you're strong. But don't say things too casually."
"Otherwise, you might be the one embarrassed later."
His anger was being suppressed, but only barely.
He was like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Even clay had some temper.
Did they really think Crocodile had none?
"First that bastard Bullet, running his mouth about tearing me apart."
"Now you."
"What do you two take me for?"
"An easy target?"
Crocodile's anger finally broke through.
He had tolerated Bullet.
But now a second person was treating him the same way.
That was more than he could bear.
Even with his deep scheming nature, being looked down on twice in a row was enough to ignite his pride.
"Kai…"
"You may be called the strongest genius in Marine history."
"But don't forget, I became a top pirate on this sea more than ten years ago."
"Before me, put away that superior attitude."
"You all want to test me?"
"Fine."
"Very well."
"Then I'll give you what you want."
Crocodile laughed in anger.
Sand began to rise around his feet.
The grains circled his body, drifting and gathering with the wind. In moments, they formed a small sandstorm that twisted around him.
A sharp, oppressive aura spread outward.
It was obvious.
Crocodile was serious.
Furious, he had begun to activate the power of the Suna Suna no Mi.
"Kai, didn't you want to see how strong I am?"
"Then come and see for yourself!"
Crocodile roared.
Normally, he rarely lost control like this.
But today, after being treated like an easy opponent again and again, he could no longer hold back.
"You all think I'm soft?"
"Then I'll show you…"
"What kind of power this 'soft target' really has!"
"Open your eyes and watch carefully, brat."
"My reputation wasn't built on tricks and schemes."
"It was carved out with my own hands!"
Crocodile's anger filled the desert.
Across from him, Kai watched every movement with a strange expression.
After a moment, he rubbed his chin.
"Soft target?"
He looked at Crocodile, then smiled.
"Aren't you?"
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