Chapter 86: Combined Skills, Haki Resistance.
Boom, boom, boom!
Crocodile, flying out like a skipping stone, seemed to have given up resisting, and Luffy remembered Roman's advice: never give the opponent a chance to recover with a speech. He pounced and continued the pursuit! The two almost simultaneously reached the edge of the square, but:
"Enough,"
In a cold voice, Crocodile did a backflip and got up smoothly. With a snap, he caught Luffy's fist in his right hand as he got up! And as expected:
"As I thought, I can't drain you because of this."
On Luffy's body and fists, there was also a layer of Roman's 'life paper'!
"What, don't you feel ashamed to 'duel' using someone else's power?"
Facing the taunt from Crocodile, whose slicked-back hair was now disheveled, Luffy just looked at him seriously, his eyes unwavering.
"There's absolutely nothing wrong with borrowing a companion's strength."
"In fact, the word 'companion' exists precisely because we support each other!"
Boom!
His other hand clashed with Crocodile's golden hook, and both stepped back. Now, Luffy was bulkier than usual, thanks to his combined skill with Roman.
Paper Dance - Rubber Knight Luffy!
"So, why is a pirate like you meddling in other people's business?"
Crocodile spread his hands, looking exasperated.
"What do you think you are?—Marines with 'Justice' written on their backs? Or heroic 'champions of justice'? Or..."
"No!"
Luffy clenched his fist, "Because Vivi is our companion!"
??
"Hey, hey, hey, do you know what you're saying? Risking your life for someone you just met, —what did that princess promise you? I can give you ten times more..."
"Because you made Vivi cry!"
???
"This..."
Crocodile, trying to launch a 'speech attack,' finally understood Roman's pain. The other party wasn't even on the same wavelength, so what's the point of talking?
"I will never forgive anyone who makes my companion cry!"
But Luffy's serious expression and determined eyes left Crocodile speechless, because his 'Observation Haki' clearly sensed that the boy in front of him—
Both physically and spiritually, was true to his word!
"Companion, Companion!"
Gritting his teeth, Crocodile slowly bent down, taking an attack stance.
"One by one, you all hold onto these boring fantasies. Do you think the Grand Line is some kind of playground? Do you know how cruel the world of pirates is—"
"The Grand Line is a place full of adventures, and the world of pirates is our adventure!"
Luffy's words interrupted Crocodile's anger, bringing smiles to the injured Straw Hat crew and Vivi.
"Well said, Captain!"
"Luffy, go for it!"
"Beat that Crocodile bastard—"
"Hmph, this guy~~"
"Hahaha,"
Roman, sitting in a wheelchair, rubbed his cheeks. He had already deactivated his armored form and was now focusing on covering Luffy with paper. If you're wondering why he dared to be so bold, it's because:
"Nico Robin!?"
The tall, intellectual beauty in a white trench coat was already standing beside Roman, looking like one of their own. —Not the highest-ranking officer of Baroque Works, codenamed Miss All-Sunday.
"Sorry, boss."
"No, or should I say Mr. Crocodile."
"Unfortunately, I've decided to resign, —just now."
"You?!"
"Alright, Crocodile, stop pretending." Roman waved his hand. "You were going to kill Nico Robin the moment your goal was achieved anyway, so you never trusted her. Or rather, you never trusted anyone! In contrast—"
Roman nodded towards Luffy, who was confronting Crocodile.
"This is my captain,"
"Compared to my captain's demeanor, Crocodile, with all due respect—"
"You're like a dog."
It wasn't an insult, but the best description of Crocodile's current expression: his face twisted with envy, jealousy, and hatred, like a stray dog wandering in the storm, looking at the lights with the same eyes.
Courting death—
Whoosh!
In a flash, the black coat rapidly enlarged in Roman's pupils, making Nico Robin instinctively cross her arms in front of her chest, ready to activate her ability. But,
Whoosh!
A figure in a red vest and black short hair blocked Roman first! With a piercing clash, the fist wrapped in layers of white paper forcefully stopped Crocodile's golden scimitar.
"You—"
"What do you want to do to my companion?"
"Rubber boy!"
Baroque Works had already been completely defeated, and the Straw Hat crew was all injured. Now it was down to the duel between the two captains! Their victory or defeat would not only decide the fate of the two 'ships' but also the future of millions in the kingdom of Alabasta.
Boom, boom,
Watching Crocodile and Luffy clash again, their every move causing buildings to collapse and the square to crack!
Even with confidence in Luffy, Roman's hands were tightly gripping the wheelchair's armrests, unsure if it was sweat or rain in his palms. He had to fully activate 'White Knight' to cover Luffy, without hindering his attacks, requiring precise 'Observation Haki.'
Luffy's close combat skills were definitely among the best in the pirate world, —after all, he was trained by Garp.
With Roman's life paper immune to Crocodile's most terrifying 'water absorption' ability, and the high defense provided by layers of paper, 'Knight Luffy' now had the ability to stand against him.
Nami's artificial rain using Dance Powder can last for half an hour, and there's still half the time left. As long as the rain continues, Crocodile's 'Sand Sand Fruit' will be continuously suppressed.
The timing is in our favor!
This is the Nefertari Palace of the Alabasta royal family, made entirely of solid rock. The entire city has been heavily watered to stay moist, and with the rain, the surroundings show no signs of desert.
The terrain is in our favor!
A series of 'obstructions' and 'provocations' have already greatly weakened Crocodile's condition. Additionally, even though the people around aren't participating in the fight, their killing intent and hostility also distract Crocodile's Observation Haki, while Luffy, covered in paper, can focus entirely...
The people are in our favor!
With the timing, terrain, and people on our side—if we still can't win, then there's really no hope. So:
"Luffy, beat that crocodile!!"
"Luffy~~ go for it~~~"
"Captain,"
"Take him down!"
"Young man... please—"
Various encouragements turned into an inexplicable spiritual force, wrapping around Luffy! On the other hand, Crocodile's side was left with nothing but impotent rage.
"Do you think you can defeat me like this?"
With Roman's paper wrapped around him at any cost, Luffy's fists and feet could clash head-on with Crocodile's golden hook and sword! Even if some attacks tore through the paper and hit Luffy, his tough physique could withstand them.
So, although covered in blood, Luffy fought more and more bravely! In contrast, Crocodile was already restless, especially with the surrounding people's killing intent like thorns in his back, and the constant cheers making him even more irritable.
Hmph, to be pushed to this extent...
Don't underestimate my experience on the seas!
In another clash with Luffy's fist, the light of Crocodile's desert sword flashed! Using his old trick, the sword's huge suction force suddenly pulled, catching Luffy off guard and pulling his fists apart. Then, the golden hook in his other hand smashed down on Luffy's head! To ensure the power of this strike—
"Armament Haki - Coating!"
After a long battle, Crocodile finally used his trump card! If 'Observation Haki' could be self-taught by some talented individuals in the first half of the Grand Line, then 'Armament Haki' was the most secret of secrets!
Armament Haki could enhance personal defense, acting like an invisible armor; it could also be used offensively to counter Devil Fruit users, even touching the real body of Logia users.
Simply put, Armament Haki not only had offensive and defensive capabilities but also inherently countered Devil Fruit abilities!
"Die, rubber boy!"
Even if you're covered in that kid's paper, even if you have the rubber fruit ability, in front of my Armament Haki, you'll all be pierced through—
Boom!!
The huge golden hook slammed into Luffy's forehead, and for a moment, the entire battlefield fell silent! Everyone stared at Luffy, who was hit on the forehead by Crocodile, with concerned eyes, and only the sound of raindrops falling could be heard.
...
"Luffy..."
"Don't worry—"
Facing Vivi, who instinctively reached out, Roman waved to stop her, but he didn't notice that his voice was trembling.
Back then, it was the opponent's 'Armament Haki' that directly pulled him out of his 'elemental form'...
"Hehe..."
?????
In the square where only the raindrops fell, Luffy's voice suddenly rang out! If others were just surprised and greatly relieved, then Crocodile, facing Luffy, was shocked, horrified, terrified, and scared...
Luffy looked up, ignoring the blood on his forehead, and just grinned.
"Your soft attacks are nothing compared to my grandpa's punches!"
?????
"Hahahahaha~~~~~"
Roman was the first to react, clutching his forehead and laughing wildly.
No other reason, just finding his previous 'worry' laughable. —If anyone in the Straw Hat crew had the highest resistance to Haki, it was undoubtedly Luffy, who was often beaten by top-tier Armament Haki!
Crocodile, your little bit of Armament Haki is nothing compared to Luffy's grandpa Garp, you're not even fit to carry his shoes.
"You?!"
But Crocodile didn't know this. To him, the opponent was mocking him for not even being as good as an old man—
This is unforgivable!
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Garp: To put it politely... your Haki is a pile of crap.
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