43. Use Some Force!

It means he will have a draw with anyone, whether the opponent is weak or strong.

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Inside a quiet tavern, Rob didn't speak, just swirled the glass and looked at the freshly squeezed juice inside.

After a long pause, Crocodile sighed and puffed out a smoke ring.

Crocodile, observing Rob drinking juice, broke the silence, "I know you—Rob, the youngest legendary swordsmith. It seems your easy sailing in East Blue has dulled your judgment!"

He shifted his sitting position and continued with a smirk, "Kid, I see potential in you. Join me, become my subordinate, and I'll overlook what you just said. I'll even give you a significant role."

Rob put down his empty juice glass with a smack, "Sorry! As for your offer, I choose to decline!"

Standing up and stretching, Rob faced Crocodile. With a swift motion, he drew Shinto from his waist, saying, "I'm in a hurry, so I'll give you the chance to make the first move! If I strike first, I'd have to hold back to avoid killing you instantly. So, you show off first, then I finish you quickly without holding back."

Crocodile's expression twisted into an angry sneer, veins popping on his forehead as he stood up. "What a kid, ignorant of the world's vastness! Is living peacefully not good enough for you?"

As Crocodile spoke, he raised his hand, forming a miniature sandstorm tornado that grew stronger and stronger. "As you wish! I'll strike first. Survive this move, and I'll recognize you as my opponent! Just don't die so easily, brat!"

With a swift motion, Crocodile hurled the sandstorm tornado at Rob.

"Sandstorm!"

The unleashed tornado transformed within the tavern, quickly growing into a massive tornado that destroyed the entire establishment. It expanded further, becoming a colossal tornado connected to the sky, a terrifying natural disaster in the now desolate neighborhood.

Crocodile, emerging from a cloud of wind and sand, watched the powerful sandstorm tornado with a cold, indifferent look as he smoked his cigar. "Is that all? Seems like this brat was all talk and arrogance!"

With his cigar in his mouth, Crocodile turned around, ready to leave. But just as he turned...

Sa—

Rob's figure blurred as he moved past Crocodile, and in a flash, his sword struck. Crocodile's head flew off, spinning through the air.

At that moment, the raging sandstorm tornado halted and split down the middle. The sheer force and invisible energy from Rob's sword suppressed and extinguished the natural disaster-level attack in mere seconds. The remnants of the tavern and the damaged neighborhood were the only signs that the tornado had existed at all.

"Hah", Rob exhaled calmly, gracefully turning with Shinto in his hand. He watched as Crocodile's head reformed on his body from the sand, a serious expression on Crocodile's face.

Rob grinned, "That was nowhere near enough! I'll give you another chance! Crocodile, keep going!"

As he spoke, Rob turned sideways, a proud smile on his face. He beckoned Crocodile with a taunting gesture, "Come on!"

Crunch—

The cigar in his mouth shattered. Crocodile's eyes burned with rage and murderous intent. He had never been so provoked and insulted, not even when he lost to Bullet of the Roger Pirates or was defeated by Whitebeard.

"You bastard!!!!" Crocodile roared, his fury boiling over. "You're not going to die so easily! I'll torture you until you beg for death!"

Bang—

Crocodile charged at Rob, unleashing the full power of his Sand-Sand Fruit. The battlefield became a maelstrom of destruction as a massive sandstorm erupted.

Sandstorm.

Desert Girasole.

Desert Spada.

Crocodile's attacks, powered by his Sand-Sand Fruit, turned the battlefield into ruins. Each move he made caused natural disasters, showcasing the devastating power of a Logia Devil Fruit.

Rob danced through the onslaught with Shinto in hand, an elegant dancer amid the chaos. He blocked and slashed, his movements precise and fluid.

"Very good!" Rob shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle. His powerful Armament Haki made him immune to the weathering and dehydration effects of Crocodile's sand-based attacks.

Rob praised Crocodile, "Bigger scenes! More violent attacks! Greater destructive power!"

Ding—

Rob's sword clashed with Crocodile's Desert Spada, his stance unwavering. He looked at the increasingly furious Crocodile with anticipation.

Boom!

A powerful aura erupted from Rob, his Armament Haki flaring like a burning flame. He smiled gracefully, "Because only if you, as a stepping stone, perform well enough, then I, who tramples you underfoot, can gain more fame!"

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