Chapter 108

In the midst of the sandy battleground, Ron stood unscathed while Crocodile grasped the handle of his collapsed desert sword. The once-mighty weapon, reduced to sand, crumbled entirely save for the hilt clutched in Crocodile's hand.

Crocodile stared at Ron in disbelief and horror. Sensing the insurmountable gap between them, he muttered, "Is the difference in our strength truly this vast?"

"Yes, the difference is immense. Your strongest blow barely made a scratch," Ron replied calmly, his attire unruffled by the confrontation. With a mere swing of his left hand, he had crushed Crocodile's formidable attack, relying solely on his physical prowess without even resorting to Haki.

"It's over," Ron declared, extending his right hand, now coated in a purple-red Armament Haki. He aimed a finger toward crocodile's forehead to finish him off.

Crocodile's sand manipulation required Ron to utilize Armament Haki to defeat him. Without access to alternatives like Luffy's water-based strategy in the original story or seastone, Ron had to rely on his Haki to neutralize Crocodile's abilities.

"Die!"

With a subdued pop, Ron's finger (Hand) coated in Armament Haki annulled Crocodile's desertification power entirely. A bloody hole appeared on Crocodile's forehead, his eyes losing their vitality as he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Observing Crocodile's lifeless form, Ron withdrew his hand, then turned his attention to the remaining members of Baroque Works nearby. "Will you surrender or face the same fate?"

The members of Baroque Works, witnessing Crocodile's defeat, were paralyzed with shock. Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords, had fallen so swiftly. How could this be?

It took Ron's question to snap them out of their stupor.

Several exchanged uncertain glances before Mr. 1 managed to speak up, "Ron... Sir, we surrender. Spare us, please!"

Mr. 2, Bon Kurei, trembling, added hastily, "We were merely following orders. Spare us, Mr. Ron!"

Others nodded in agreement, expressing their surrender.

"With Crocodile gone, I have no reason to take further lives today. Leave and never return to your criminal activities," Ron declared, dismissing them with a wave of his hand before turning to approach Vivi, Nami, and the others.

As Ron walked away, the members of the Baroque Works breathed a collective sigh of relief and quickly departed, grateful for their lives being spared.

"It's settled," Ron said with a smile as he reached the girls. "Crocodile is no longer a threat, Vivi."

"Thank you, Ron! We owe you our gratitude," Vivi exclaimed with relief.

"Mr. Ron, on behalf of Alabasta, I extend our deepest gratitude and thanks. Your intervention has saved us from much turmoil," King Cobra expressed his gratitude sincerely.

"I... I never expected Crocodile's betrayal. We were deceived. Thank you, Mr. Ron," Koza added, hesitatingly.

Ron waved off their gratitude modestly. "It was my pleasure to assist."

"Please, join us at the palace. Let us properly show our appreciation," Cobra invited earnestly.

"Sure," Ron agreed casually. "Now that I've fulfilled my promise to Vivi, let's rest here for a few days before continuing our journey."

"Sister Vivi, I want to eat something delicious!" Kaya piped up eagerly.

"Me too! I'm craving some good food!" Apis chimed in.

"Don't worry. You'll be well taken care of," Vivi reassured them with a smile.

With that, the group followed Vivi back to the city, leaving the cleanup and aftermath of the battle to others. Cobra and Koza stayed behind to manage the rebel situation and oversee recovery efforts, while Ron and the others looked forward to a brief respite in the great palace of Alabasta.