124 (Vol 3) CHAPTER - 26 { Luffy vs Crocodile }

Paradise___

The news of Big Mom's death was still not spread around here.

After all, not even the Navy fleet had learned about it because they still haven't reached the war zone.

But that doesn't mean that there weren't any big events happening.

The defeat of more than seven Warships of the Navy, who were trying to capture Hancock was published not long.

And the image of the legendary creature, 'Sphinx' caused quite a commotion.

The size, power, and flight ability alone has gained it the title of the "Sky Supreme", by the people.

That was not all, another event was soon coming to an end in one location in Paradise, Grand Line.

* * *

Arabasta___

In the capital city, Alubarna, a big fight was breaking out. Multiple houses, shops, bars, vehicles, etc; were destroyed.

"Crocodile!"

Luffy, with his hat behind, glared at the very tall man in front. Everything happening now, the man was responsible.

"Straw Hat…"

Crocodile, a tall man with a wide chest, broad shoulders, muscular arms and legs, and a thick neck.

He has pale skin and nape-length black hair which is kept neatly slicked back, though strands tend to fall in front of his face during battles.

Crocodile has various battle wounds, most notably a long stitched scar at the bridge of his nose that stretches across his face and a large hook made from a tough gold alloy in place of his left hand.

His eyes are deep-set and heavy-lidded, and his thin eyebrows are characteristically drawn upward in the middle.

He had many knows about him, one is that he is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Another, which was hidden a few moments ago, is that he is the main leader behind the criminal organization, Baroque Works.

The white smoke blew up in the air, Crocodile stared at Luffy and then dashed forward.

"You will die here!"

His left hand, which is the golden hook, cut the air as it went through the side of Luffy leaving a small cut.

"Ahge!'

Luffy managed to dodge the deadly attack but not enough to completely avoid it.

"Ahhh!"

Clenching his left fist, Luffy punches Crocodile on his face extremely fast.

Yet, no effect was visible. And Luffy knew exactly why. It was because of Crocodile's devil fruit.

The Suna Suna no Mi is a Logia-type Devil Fruit that allows the user to create, control, and transform into sand at will, turning the user into a Sand Human.

"Ground Death!"

Crocodile placed his right palm on the ground as it cracked open into multiple segments.

Sand sipped out and flew round him, the place around 10 meter radius became a sandstorm.

Everything was getting destroyed like hollow pieces with no weight and density.

"Damn it! Crocodile!"

Luffy ran away immediately from the sandstorm as he looked around for water.

'Water! Water! Where can I get lots of water!"

Luffy was panicking while Crocodile was almost destroying the whole area and making it into a desert.

It was already the second time Luffy had fought against Crocodile but both ended with his defeat.

Not long, Luffy found a water tank in one of the restaurants in the city.

People were running away from the sandstorm, fear, horror and despair clearly seen in their eyes.

"Okay!"

Luffy drank the entire water tank, his stomach expanded as it contained tons of water.

"Crocodile!"

Shouting, Luffy walked in front of the sandstorm while calling Crocodile out.

"Kuhahaha! Straw Hat, how does it look? My rule?"

In the middle above the ground, half of Crocodile's body materialized from sand.

"You will pay for what you did! To Vivi! To Arabasta!"

Luffy extended his arms and legs as the water in his stomach divided into various parts.

Each water portion went to different body parts to keep them hydrated from the blazing sun and the sandstorm.

And also from Crocodile.

"Why should a king pay!"

Crocodile roared as his body mixed in the sand and charged towards Luffy.

Each sand particle could absorb water. If Luffy was directly hit, he would have at most a few seconds until he was sucked dry by the sand.

"No way you're the king! You're just a reptile!"

But that's what Luffy wanted. He didn't run away from the sand but instead stood still.

"Courting death!"

Crocodile, with his upper body solid, punched his right hand fist at Luffy.

"Ptfff!'

Luffy spit out some water at the incoming Crocodile as he clenched his right hand into a fist and punched.

*Bam*

Unlike before, because of the water, Crocodile was hit and pushed back in pain.

"I will suck you dry!"

Crocodile enraged, bursted into sand and circled around Luffy like a serpent.

'One hit! Just one hit!'

Luffy gritted his teeth and let the water flow back to his stomach. The sand stuck to his hands and legs like leeches.

His body looked very dry and crispy, but definitely not in a delicious or wonderful way.

Bones were now seen from Luffy's arms and legs. But the time was still not right for attacking.

He had to wait for that moment when everything could be turned upside down.

"How does it feel, dying? Is it fun? Straw Hat Luffy."

Crocodile's head came before Luffy's as he smiled wickedly while some blood was visible on his lips.

"Ptff!"

Luffy spit some of the last remaining water in his stomach at Crocodile's head causing the latter to be startled.

"Why you! How much water do you have!"

Unable to turn to sand, Crocodile cursed. That was enough of a moment for Luffy.

All the water in Luffy's body shifted into various important parts.

Some in legs, some in a few muscles, and most in his right hand.

"Crocodile!"

Hearing the shout, Crocodile tried to retreat but was a second late as a punch packed with all of Luffy's strength landed on his nose.

*Crack*

The nose broke, the cracking sound was very loud and clear to Luffy's ears.

"Ahge!"

Crocodile's eyes went white as he fainted directly from the last punch from Luffy.

All the sand flying around immediately stopped and fell on the ground.

The fight was over. Luffy was the clear winner but he was left with an almost dying body.

"Ha… ha… ha…"

Luffy gasped for breath heavily as his dried body laid on the sand filled ground.

Not far from him, Crocodile's body returned back to normal. He had yet to regain his consciousness.

"Luffy!"

A cry was heard, a young woman with long wavy light blue hair ran to him with tears in her eyes.

"Luffy!"

Vivi fell to her knees and hugged Luffy tightly as he burst into an even louder cry.

"I-I am fine. What about you?"

With a weak smile, Luffy asked. Vivi couldn't help but give a bitter smile.

"Never better!"