Chapter 18. Hunting reptiles

"Then it's decided!" Ace said as he stood up and ran out of the room.

"Wait, I didn't agree!" Robin suddenly woke up from her stupor. He had said that he would start a war with the world government, which shocked her. And at that moment he had sealed the deal while she was lost in thought and shamelessly escaped before she could answer.

Ace got outside the casino and couldn't help but to smile. He didn't believe he would be so lucky to find Crocodile so fast. He had divided his crew into groups so that they can cover more ground. Yet, it didn't take more than 3-4 or so hours for him to find Crocodile.

Outside of the casino, Ace took out a firework and lit it using his devil fruit abilities.

Suddenly a red firework flew up to the sky and exploded, which was visible to the whole city.

"What's going on here!" Crocodile asked as he came out, hearing the commotion and explosion.

People had stopped outside the casino, looking at the spectacle in the sky, thinking that some event was going on.

Crocodile was frowning as he noticed that Ace was standing there holding into something that looked like the casing for fireworks.

"Ah this? I'm just calling my nakama here since I've found the person I want to beat up." Ace said seing how Crocodile was staring needles at him.

Suddenly, people noticed that the sand from the desert was pouring into the city, on every street there was long lines of sand slithering towards where Crocodile was.

This phenomena wasn't unnoticed by the residents of the city. Soon sand overtook the city and everyone started fleeing towards the opposite where the sand was going towards.

As for the Demon Ace Pirates, as soon as they saw the fireworks they hurried towards where the signal had been setoff.

"Hmm bringing in sand from outside the city, are your trying the destroy the whole place?" Ace couldn't help but ask, but he didn't strike yet as he was waiting for all the people to escape.

"There's no need for us to hold back, I know you're somewhat accomplished in your abilities rookie, so the faster I can take care of you, the faster I can return to complete my plans." Crocodile said while lighting up a cigar. Not really sounding like he believed Ace would give him a hard time.

Just as Crocodile finished his little speech, 13 other subordinates of his came out of the casino, looking eager to fight.

"Boss, isn't there any fun for us?" A man in red coat spoke. He had read spikes on his head instead of hair, a sword in his hand and a 7 on his cheek.

"Tsk, don't raise red flags you fool." Another, muscular, tan man spoke. He had had "number one tattooed on his chest.

Just as he said those words, the Demon Ace Pirates arrived and found their place behind their captain.

"See, you're getting punished later Mr.7." the muscular, tanned man said to the man in red.

"Ohohoh don't be like that Mr. 1, after all, now we'll also get to join in on the fun." A man with number 10 tattooed on his forehead spoke.

Suddenly the sand that had covered the whole place started to rise like a tsunami, ready to swallow the Demon Ace Pirates

"Ah, how boring, boss won't leave any fun for us." The man known as Mr.7 said, putting away his sword.

"I'll leave the weaklings to you guys." Ace said before flashing away.

Before anyone could react, Ace had appeared in front of Crocodile, kicking him straight in the chest, which blew Crocodile right back through the casino.

Silence overtook the place as Crocodile's subordinates stared in awe at what happened. The gigantic sand tsunami fell down as if it got erectile sand dysfunction.

"W-W-WHAT JUST HAPPENED!" A subordinate shouted, not comprehending the situation. They all knew how strong crocodile is. He had proven himself superior many times before, yet, he flew back like a cannonball.

Ace let his feet that had blown away crocodile fall down to the street before he started leisurely walk toward the casino. He walked through the hole that Crocodile had left behind and continued following the trace of Crocodile.

"Ouch, this is going to be expensive!" Ace commented to himself as he saw the how the casino was destroyed.

Ace continued walking towards his foe as he heard his nakama start fighting behind him.

"Ermm... Did I kick him that far away?" Ace asked as he noticed that Crocodile had flown right through the whole casino and left another hole on the other side.

Ace got out of the casino and found crocodile walking towards him from a destroyed building on the other side of the street.

"It seems like I underestimated you, well, a lesson learned, I better take care of you before any more troubles brew."

Before Ace could talk back, a spinning spear of sand pierced his back and came out of his chest.

"Seems like I'm done." Crocodile said as he kept walking towards Ace, all the while lighting up another cigar

But he stopped in his tracks as he noticed that something was wrong.

The spear that had come out of Ace's chest, had turned Cristal clear, like glass, and Crocodile had lost control over it as it fell down on the streets and shattered.

"Ooh how scary...are you the mythical SAND LOGIA?" Ace asked in mock fear.

"How... I see." Crocodile saw how Ace's chest turned into flames and closed up, seing this, he frowned slightly but still didn't feel worried.

"You also have logia abilities.... Flames none the less. Sadly, your still too young, had you been a few years more experienced, you would've given me good fight." Crocodile was about to continue his speech but he stopped because Ace raised his palm towards Him and a gigantic palm of fire flew straight towards him.