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The Strongest Frost Loli (182)
🕑 Added 2025-01-24 17:00:10 +0000 UTCChapter 182 - Make Up Your Mind
Everyone stared, speechless. They hadn't imagined Crocodile, who had effortlessly defeated countless pirates, being sent flying by a single punch. He crashed into the palace wall, raising a cloud of dust. Vivi, fearing the worst, turned to Junshi.
“Is he… dead?”
“Not yet. He’s weakened, but not defeated.”
A figure stirred in the dust cloud, and Chaka and Pell instantly raised their weapons. Crocodile, however, stumbled to his knees. Seeing this, Chaka and Pell relaxed, assuming the threat had diminished. Junshi, however, reacted instantly.
“This is bad!”
He scooped up Vivi and Cobra, leaping into the air. The ground beneath them, around Crocodile, turned to sand. The essence of Crocodile’s power was desiccation. Wood, stone, earth – all crumbled into sand, and humans were no exception. He could drain the moisture from anything he touched, a deadly ability.
“Ground Death!”
Chaka transformed into his jackal form and retreated beyond Crocodile’s reach. Pell, shifting into a falcon, grabbed Igaram and flew into the air. Karoo fled the palace. Vivi, watching the palace grounds turn to sand, shuddered.
This wasn’t the power of an ordinary human, even a Devil Fruit user. She felt the true extent of Crocodile's monstrous strength, the threat he posed to her kingdom.
“A monster…!”
“He’s nothing special. It’s easy to avoid if you’re strong enough.”
Compared to Kanata’s ability to instantly freeze anything she touched, Crocodile’s power was almost child’s play. Though, that was mostly due to Kanata’s… unique application of her powers.
Junshi, having carried Vivi and Cobra to safety, turned back to face Crocodile. Crocodile’s desiccation power required physical contact. It was useless against Junshi, who could traverse the air. However, transforming the battlefield to his advantage, even in this desperate situation, showed Crocodile hadn’t given up yet.
“Sables!”
He conjured a sandstorm, blinding Junshi and creating distance. The swirling debris, remnants of the palace walls, made a direct approach dangerous. It was an indiscriminate attack, unaffected by Junshi’s Observation Haki.
Moreover, Crocodile knew Junshi’s priority was protecting Cobra. If he targeted Cobra, Junshi would be forced to intercept. Unable to pinpoint Junshi’s location in the sandstorm, he aimed at Cobra, hoping to hit Junshi as he moved to protect him.
“Desert Spada!”
Junshi deflected the sand blade with his Haki-infused fist, instantly locating Crocodile with his Observation Haki and firing a finger pistol, striking Crocodile’s left shoulder. No matter how cunning Crocodile was, Junshi’s strength and experience were superior.
The sandstorm, driven by the wind, dissipated, clearing the battlefield. While Junshi could sense Crocodile’s presence even without sight, visual confirmation was preferable.
“Damn it…!”
Crocodile glared at him while his shoulder was bleeding.
Junshi clenched his fist, ready to end the fight. He could kill Crocodile anytime, but… he intended to capture him alive. He wouldn't toy with him, like Lycoris, nor would he show any mercy.
Crocodile, still defiant, summoned sand blades from the ground beneath Junshi’s feet, hoping to ensnare him. If he could touch Junshi, he could potentially drain his moisture, turning him into a mummy. However, Junshi’s fist would reach Crocodile’s head long before that. He effortlessly dodged the sand blades and closed the distance – when a figure wearing straw hat landed between them.
“Crocodile!”
***
Moments earlier. Luffy, having received treatment and a substantial meal in a nearby town, was en route to Alubarna, carrying a barrel of water, courtesy of Twilight.
While Lycoris’s speedboat was a custom model, fitted with a powerful Jet Dial, Luffy’s was a standard model, powered by a large Breath Dial. It was still fast enough to cross the desert, making up for the time lost due to his injury. He couldn’t operate it himself, so he was accompanied by a helmsman.
“We’re almost at Alubarna. Ready?”
“Yeah! I’m gonna kick Crocodile’s ass!”
“He might already be dead. Junshi’s probably already taken care of him.”
“What?!” Luffy stared at him, aghast. What was the point of coming all this way? The helmsman, seemingly unconcerned, observed the entrance to Alubarna, where the rebel army and the royal army clashed. He frowned.
“Getting through that will be troublesome.”
“Just getting me this close is enough! Thanks!”
“Hold on. I used to be a pirate, before joining Twilight. I was a helmsman, and… I’ve even participated in Waver races.”
“What’s that?”
“You don’t know? Races with these engine-powered boats. Some are simple speed races, others involve navigating obstacle courses… Telling me I can’t get through an obstacle… gets my blood pumping! Hold on tight! I’m going through!”
“What?!”
He slammed the accelerator, sending the speedboat hurtling towards Alubarna, straight through the clashing armies. Both the rebels and the royal soldiers, startled, scrambled out of the way as the boat ascended the stairs leading into the city.
“Hahaha! A bit tight, but it will do!”
“You’re insane!”
“We’re in a hurry, aren’t we? The palace is just ahead! Hold on!”
The speedboat rattled through the city streets, heading straight for the palace. The soldiers, unable to stop it, simply moved aside. They reached the palace grounds.
Luffy spotted a sandstorm swirling near the palace. He doubted it was a natural phenomenon. Crocodile was there.
“Go get him, kid!”
“Yeah! Thanks, old man! I owe you one!”
“Don’t mention it!”
The helmsman gave him a thumbs-up as Luffy stretched his arm, grabbing the edge of the palace roof and launching himself into the air. From above, he saw Crocodile fighting someone.
“Crocodile!”
He landed between Crocodile and Junshi, the barrel of water strapped to his back cushioned his fall. Junshi frowned at his sudden arrival. Crocodile stared in disbelief. He had thought Luffy was dead.
“Luffy!”
“Sorry, Vivi! I lost to him once. But not this time!”
“Wait.”
Even knowing Luffy was Vivi's acquaintance, Junshi wouldn’t recommend fighting Crocodile. It was a battle he couldn't win. Luffy, however, ignored him and glared at Crocodile.
“What, old man?”
“He’s stronger than you. Leave him to me.”
“No!” Luffy refused and raised his fist.
“I promised Vivi I’d kick his ass.”
Vivi simply wanted Crocodile defeated. It didn't matter who did it. There was no need for Luffy to fight. But Luffy wouldn't back down. He wouldn’t refuse a fight just because his opponent was stronger. That wasn't the way to become King of the Pirates.
“I’m going to be King of the Pirates!”
“…!”
“You… You’re still saying that… after everything?!”
Crocodile, though injured, was still defiant. Even if Luffy had devised a countermeasure to his sand powers, fighting Lycoris and Junshi had rekindled his fighting spirit. His chances of victory were slim.
“I don’t care if you’re a Warlord! I’m not losing!”
He challenged Crocodile head-on, declaring his intention to defeat him. Anyone could underestimate their opponent. But the courage to boast, and the strength to back it up, were a matter of will. Junshi, impressed by Luffy's resolve, stepped aside.
“I’ll leave him to you. Don’t disappoint me.”
“I won’t!”
Spalsh1!
Luffy doused himself with water from the barrel and charged towards Crocodile.
Junshi turned his back on the fight, grabbed Vivi and Cobra and carried them away from the battle.
“Luffy! He’s still fighting…!”
“There’s nothing you can do there. Don’t forget, you have your own role to play.”
Vivi’s eyes widened. She remembered. They had to find the bomb before it destroyed the plaza. There had to be a cannon somewhere. Less than thirty minutes remained. She needed help.
“Chaka! Pell!”
“Yes!”
“Over here!”
Pell landed beside her, while Chaka, in his jackal form, rushed over. She explained the situation, asking for their assistance in locating the cannon. They readily agreed, and the three of them began discussing their search strategy. They also needed to find the Straw Hats. If they could, they would join the search. Trusting in Luffy’s victory, Vivi focused on the task at hand.
***
At the same time. A damaged speedboat sat smoking in the desert. The harbor was nearby. They had planned to escape to the sea, hoping Who’s-Who wouldn’t pursue them, but… he had destroyed their boat.
“Damn it, you’re persistent.”
Who’s-Who ran a hand through his long, blond hair, strands of sand clung to it. He sighed, lighting a cigarette and turning his attention to Gem, who still showed signs of resistance. While Robin and Mikita were conscious, they were no match for him, a member of the Tobiroppo.
“Still resisting? Hand over Nico Robin, and I’ll let you live.”
He sneered at them. While Robin’s Hana Hana no Mi that allowed her to sprout multiple limbs and restrain her opponents with joint locks, was a powerful ability, the significant difference in their size and Who’s-Who’s speed made it difficult for her to use effectively.
She couldn’t sprout limbs on a target she couldn't see. Her attempts at resistance were futile against Who’s-Who's brute strength. There was no point fighting. He was a Tobiroppo, a high-ranking officer of a Yonko crew. Gem, not even a member of the Einherjar, couldn't defeat him. But…
“Like hell…!”
Gem owed Kanata a debt. She had helped his family after his father’s death, ensuring they had enough to eat. He had been teased by George and Scotch, trained by Junshi, driven by the desire to catch up to Lycoris and Iris. He had pushed himself relentlessly, finally earning Kanata’s trust. He had been chosen for this mission because he was from Hachinosu. His background minimized the risk of information leaks. He had been overjoyed when Kanata said, “I’m entrusting this to you.”
“I won’t betray my nakama!” His father, David, had died protecting Kanata and his crew. He wouldn’t dishonor his father's memory. He glared at Who’s-Who.
“Never! Get lost, you bastard!”
“Heh, brave words.” Who’s-Who grinned.
“Then protect them.”
He knew there was some connection between Twilight and Robin. This information could be used to manipulate the World Government. But that was a last resort. He wouldn't fail. He would kill Gem, capture Robin, and present her as a gift. It would surely earn him a promotion.
