Sand-Sand Devil Fruit

In the early days of the One Piece world, individuals possessing Logia Devil Fruit powers were virtually unbeatable.

Only a few unique methods could counter these abilities.

For instance, Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit allows him to wield sand attacks and absorb moisture, making him vulnerable to water.

However, exploiting this weakness is no easy task, given the fruit's ability to absorb water.

One reliable countermeasure is the use of Haki, particularly Armament Haki.

Crocodile was baffled to encounter an unranked navy member wielding such formidable Haki.

"No wonder you were so confident from the start!"

Pretending to be weak to catch one's opponent off guard!

"Who exactly are you?" Crocodile demanded, glaring at Bai Yu with a chilling tone.

"Bai Yu, but you can call me White Feather," came the response, accompanied by a nonchalant shrug. "Just a Marine rookie hoping to explore the world."

Tension spiked. Crocodile's temper flared at Bai Yu's words, perceiving them as mockery. A mere Marine recruit, displaying Haki? Since when did the Marines get this powerful?

"Don't assume you can defeat me with your Haki alone," Crocodile retorted.

A standoff ensued between Crocodile, the treacherous Warlord of the Sea, and the Marine recruit, with neither side willing to back down through words alone.

Suddenly, Crocodile's demeanor shifted to one of utter seriousness.

Shifting sands swirled around him, even sealing the bleeding wound on his chest.

Seeing this, Bai Yu's playful expression vanished, gripping his Taidao sword tightly, ready to strike at any moment.

In a swift motion, Crocodile raised his right hand, palm upturned, and a miniature sandstorm materialized, whirling rapidly.

"Desert Spada!"

As the sandstorm reached a critical rotation speed, Crocodile thrust his hand forward, unleashing the towering sandstorm, which instantly grew to a colossal size. Its power was immense, capable of pulverizing anything in its path.

The sandstorm, under Crocodile's command, barrelled towards Bai Yu, obliterating everything in its path, demonstrating the full might of his Devil Fruit power.

Taking a deep breath and casting a peripheral glance at the navy soldiers and Princess Vivi behind him, Bai Yu realized evasion was not an option. His comrades lacked his agility and would be caught in the devastating attack.

Determined, Bai Yu resolved not to dodge from the outset.

"If I can't avoid it, then I'll cut it down!"

With this thought, Bai Yu shifted his grip to wield his sword with both hands.

In a flash, his eyes sharpened, and the Taidao in his grasp began to quiver. A distinct ringing echoed from the blade as green energy surged from Bai Yu's hands, enveloping the sword.

This was Bai Yu's Azure Dragon Sword Aura!

"Azure Dragon, strike!"

As the Sword Spirit's power peaked, Bai Yu let out a fierce cry, lifting his sword and slashing down at the approaching sandstorm!

Roar!

An intense dragon's roar resounded. The Azure Dragon Sword Aura, infused with Bai Yu's blade, transformed into a massive, energy-formed dragon and clashed fearlessly with the gigantic sandstorm.

"Unbelievable!"

"What is that?!"

"The slash... it transformed!"

Amazed exclamations erupted from the navy soldiers, captivated by the eye-catching Azure Dragon Strike. Meanwhile, Princess Vivi, tense with concern, watched as the two forces collided.

Back at the forefront, the Azure Dragon met the sandstorm in a powerful collision.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion shook the palace, the impact shattering the ground and sending clouds of debris skyward.

"How the hell is this rookie so strong?" Crocodile murmured, observing the duel, disbelief etched on his face. His attack, executed with full force, was astonishingly repelled.

Boom!

Unexpectedly, Bai Yu's Azure Dragon slash penetrated the sandstorm, causing an explosion that radiated turquoise energy.

In mere moments, the entire sandstorm was blasted apart, dissipating entirely under Crocodile's stunned gaze.

"I-Impossible!" he exclaimed, struggling to accept that his attack had been so effortlessly neutralized.

It dawned on him then that Bai Yu, the so-called navy rookie, was not an adversary he could quickly, if ever, defeat.

"Soru!"

Amidst Crocodile's shock, Bai Yu's voice rang out again. In an instant, his figure blurred, dashing from the smokescreen at incredible speed, Taidao in hand as he closed in on Crocodile.

Reacting instinctively, Crocodile raised his golden hook to defend.

Clang! Crash!

The force from Bai Yu's blade was so powerful that the ground beneath Crocodile's feet split open on impact.

The immense power caused Crocodile's frame to buckle slightly.

Gritting his teeth, Crocodile glared intensely at Bai Yu, who stood before him.

Suddenly, a menacing glint flashed in Crocodile's eyes.

The fingers of his free hand moved subtly beneath him.

Almost imperceptibly, they twitched.

Shushasha...

In a blink, the sand behind Bai Yu stirred.

It undulated and rose, swiftly morphing into an exceedingly sharp sand blade.

Whoosh!

Then, the formidable sand blade, positioned to strike Bai Yu's blind spot, lunged viciously at his back.

This technique was a manifestation of Crocodile's Devil Fruit power, an advanced form of the Desert Sword—The Desert Cutlass!

The Desert Cutlass was not only incredibly sharp but would also, upon contact, drain all moisture from its target in an instant!

It was evidently one of Crocodile's most lethal attacks.

Whoosh!

The desert cutlass thrust towards Bai Yu at an astounding speed and from an elusive angle.

"Huh?"

With his heightened senses, Bai Yu immediately felt the impending danger.

"Observation Haki!"

Instantly, he thought.

An invisible, domineering aura erupted from Bai Yu in a radial surge.

As the wave of Observation Haki unfurled, it relayed to Bai Yu the presence of the desert cutlass stealthily approaching from behind.

A playful smirk tugged at Bai Yu's lips.

In the next moment, the desert cutlass arrived.

Whoosh!

The formidable sand blade, cutting through the air, aimed a solid strike at Bai Yu's back.

Yet, just when Crocodile was certain of his triumph,

Bai Yu's form shifted inexplicably to one side.

Rip!

The fierce cutlass missed its mark, merely grazing the edge of Bai Yu's clothing, as he evaded with precision.

Shushasha...

After the unsuccessful strike, the sand composing the desert cutlass gradually collapsed to the ground.

Crocodile's eyes widened in disbelief at the unfolding scenario.

Bai Yu had evaded even this near-fatal assault?!

Could he possess eyes on the back of his head?

Crocodile's heart was in turmoil.

"Is that all you got?!"

As Crocodile reeled in shock, Bai Yu made his move.

With a disdainful snort, Bai Yu suddenly dipped to one side, supporting himself with one hand on the ground, and delivered a backward kick to Crocodile's chest.

Thud!

As his right foot launched forward, Armament Haki enveloped it.

Crash!

Crocodile had no opportunity to evade Bai Yu's powerful kick.

With a thunderous impact, Crocodile's body quaked violently, as if jolted by a bolt of lightning.

Then, he lost control, hurtling into the sky.

"Geppo!"

After sending Crocodile airborne, Bai Yu, with a tuft of condensed air beneath his feat, gracefully regained his upright stance.

Not affording Crocodile a moment's respite, Bai Yu's feet pressed vigorously against the ground.

Utilizing Geppo, he leaped through the air, pursuing the soaring Crocodile.

Mid-flight, Bai Yu's form executed a half-spin by treading on air.

Simultaneously exerting force from his waist, he gripped his sword with both hands and, amidst the semi-spin, propelled it in a sweeping arc towards Crocodile.

Shushasha...!

In this dire moment, despite the agony in his chest, Crocodile managed to lift his right hand once more.

Pointing his palm forward, he gave a brisk flick.

His Devil Fruit power activated.

In an instant, countless grains of sand erupted from Crocodile's body.

Before him, they coalesced into a protective barrier of sand.

Almost concurrently, Bai Yu's broadsword arrived.

Boom!

The blade traversed the breadth of the sand barrier with unyielding force.

Empowered by Bai Yu's formidable swing and further augmented by the momentum of his spin.

This strike bore the weight of over a thousand pounds. With a resonating crash, the sand barrier was severed in twain by the blade.

Whoosh!

Having shattered Crocodile's sand defense in a single blow, Bai Yu's right foot stamped into the open air.

His figure vanished from sight. When he reemerged, he was already behind Crocodile.

Without the slightest hesitation, Bai Yu elevated his blade for a decisive slash downward.

Swish!

This time, Crocodile was too late to react.

The keen edge, infused with Armament Haki, cleaved through Crocodile's form.

Blood sprayed in the aftermath.

Crocodile's body, akin to a severed kite, plummeted helplessly towards the earth.

Throughout the descent, the grievous slash across Crocodile's back oozed blood incessantly.

Thud!

Ultimately, Crocodile's body crashed heavily to the ground.

It landed with such force that it fissured the earth, kicking up a dense cloud of smoke and debris, obscuring life from death.

On the sidelines, witnessing Crocodile utterly defeated and grounded by Bai Yu, the naval forces erupted in jubilation.

Bai Yu's prowess was undeniably astounding!

"He actually beat Crocodile."

Princess Vivi, having observed the entire scene, clasped her hands over her mouth, exhilarated.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, returning her focus to Bai Yu.

After felling Crocodile with a potent slash, he too gradually descended back to the ground.

Contrary to the rejoicing crowd, Bai Yu remained composed.

His gaze fixed intently on the spot where Crocodile had fallen, unable to discern the true state of affairs through the obscuring haze and debris.

Hoo.

A breeze meandered through, slowly dispersing the lingering smog and dust.

At that moment, a figure labored to its feet from within the cratered earth.

It was Crocodile!

But now, he was far from the composed demeanor he initially held.

Disheveled and chaotic.

His attire near the laceration at his back was stained with dried blood.

Upon closer inspection, it appeared Crocodile had forcibly staunched the bleeding with his Sand-Sand abilities.

Crocodile, albeit standing, panted heavily.

"Dammit! I'll kill you!"

Then, with a sudden, vehement jerk of his head, his expression twisted into something wholly ferocious, and he bellowed furiously at Bai Yu.

Snap!

The ensuing instant, Crocodile crouched, slamming the palm of his right hand onto the ground with all his might. His face grinning as a huge portion of stamina was drained into using his Sand-Sand Devil Fruit's true power.