Chapter 15: Clow vs Crocodile

However, this was not possible. The staff wanted to run away, and it was Kuro who stopped them, insisting they stay.

"Hey hey hey, don't leave, at least help me cash in the chips."

The staff completely ignored him, rushing to get out. Kuro could only grab one of them, earnestly saying:

"You can't cancel on this. If the chips aren't exchanged for money, what use are they to me? You can't just leave like this."

The staff struggled to break free but found it difficult, and the shaking from above was getting more intense. Anxiously, he said:

"Customer, you can come back next time for the exchange. This belongs to the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea.' Our hero in Alabasta, Crocodile, would never cancel it."

It's because it's him that I want to exchange now! The Straw Hat crew is already in Rainbase, and in a few days, that crocodile guy will be in prison. Can your business survive?

"Exchange it for him."

Just as Kuro and the staff were entangled, a gentle voice sounded from behind.

"Manager?"

The staff looked towards Kuro's direction.

Robin walked over, saying to him, "Just a little accident. This place won't collapse. After exchanging for this guest, let the staff come back to resume work."

She looked at Kuro and said, "Sorry for the trouble, dear guest."

"No trouble, just exchange the money."

As for Nico Robin, of course, Kuro knew her. But so what? Would he be afraid?

After all, Robin didn't know him.

Robin waited for the staff to bring a suitcase. She took it from him and handed it to Kuro, saying, "Your thirty million Berries have been exchanged. Need to count them?"

"No need, the authenticity of this shop is still very good."

Kuro took the suitcase, turned around, and waved, "Goodbye."

Then he quickly left.

This person has been wanted since she was eight, attracting the attention of the World Government. It's better not to linger.

Robin stared at Kuro's figure and chuckled, "A strange guest."

The deliberately exaggerated walking posture and the carefully maintained movements were enough to expose his deliberate disguise. 

When coming here to play, only government-related personnel would need to disguise themselves. After all, others wouldn't be able to get in.

"Kuro, where are you going?"

Not long after he left, Kuro noticed Lida and Clow running towards him.

Kuro raised an eyebrow, looked left and right, pointed to himself, and looked puzzled.

"What are you doing? Pretending you don't know me?" Lida ran over, staring at him strangely.

"Seriously, even with this appearance, you recognize me?" Kuro wasn't around when Lida disguised herself.

"I know your scent." Lida sniffed, saying, "Even if you turn into ashes, I'd still recognize you."

"Talking about scents, even if I turn into ashes, you'd use me as seasoning for your rice."

Kuro said irritably, "Weren't you supposed to be capturing pirates with Smoker? Why are you wandering around here?"

This was an obvious question. The vibration just now was Smoker and Luffy escaping.

"Smoker is gone, don't know where he went. We got bored, so we're strolling around. This 'Rainbase' is quite prosperous, deserving to be Crocodile's headquarters."

Lida took out a pack of snacks from Clow's arms, tore it open, and started eating.

Clow was holding the food, with Kashu strapped to his waist, looking like a walking utility man.

The three gathered together, and no one noticed that in a nearby corner, several eyes and ears gradually disappeared.

"So, he's a Marine."

Inside the gambling city, Robin opened her eyes, revealing a look of surprise.

The man didn't matter much, but the one in the black suit with a strapped sword was none other than Kuro.

"Gathering intelligence?" Robin pondered to herself.

"What are you doing?"

Crocodile, with an unpleasant expression, looked at the heavily damaged basement. His gaze shifted to Robin.

"Nothing, just marveling at how lucky these people are. They managed to escape," Robin said with a light laugh.

Crocodile scowled, "Ignorant little pirate. I'll make him pay."

...

Kuro changed out of his disguise and coincidentally encountered Smoker. Smoker was soaking wet, holding a cigarette, and lost in thought.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Swimming? Don't feel like taking off your clothes?" Kuro greeted him.

"Don't joke around, Kuro."

Smoker's expression turned serious. He took a deep breath, then exhaled smoke. "Crocodile has a big plan, but we have no evidence. Damn Shichibukai!"

Even if there was evidence, he, being a Captain, lacked the authority to command the World Government. 

The only thing he could do was disobey orders, but even unauthorized action had its limits. After all, he was still a Marine. 

Trying to forcefully apprehend Crocodile wouldn't be approved by the World Government. Even if he informed them in advance, they probably wouldn't care.

The plan was already in motion.

"I need to go out for a while, Kuro. You'll be in charge."

"Huh?"

Kuro pointed to himself, "Me? In charge of what?"

"Anything you like. Crocodile is planning something in Alabasta. What you do depends on you. Follow your Marine instincts. I have something to take care of."

With that, he had the Marines prepare his small motorcycle.

"Kuro, you're a Marine. Don't forget your duty."

Smoker mounted his motorcycle, glanced at Kuro one last time, and rode out to sea.

"My duty? My duty is to stay safe!" Kuro opened his mouth, watching Smoker's retreating figure. He sighed, "Troublesome."

"Mr. Kuro, what should we do?" Tashigi stood nearby, asking.

"Chill." Kuro replied, "What else can we do? Go to Alabasta. Tashigi, you're in charge."

"Me? No, no, I don't have such formidable strength. Besides, Captain Smoker specifically mentioned you..." Tashigi waved her hands.

"You're a Marine and the head of a main branch. As an adjutant for that Smoker, I don't have the same clout as you. Follow your sense of justice."

Kuro's expression turned serious, "I'll go on a solo mission and make some preparations."

"Oh, I see. I misunderstood you, Mr. Kuro. I thought you were slacking off. I apologize!" Tashigi apologized sincerely.

No, you didn't misunderstand. Why would he interfere with the plot for no reason? According to common sense, Luffy would defeat Crocodile, and the Marines would wrap things up.

If he got involved and something unexpected happened, he couldn't just stand by and watch his colleagues get hurt or worse. In that case, the only one who could stop Crocodile would be himself.

Then he would gain recognition.

Last time, he shielded Hawkeye from a sword slash. This time, if there were any unexpected incidents, who would he shield? Even if he didn't defeat the Shichibukai, retreating without casualties would still make him famous.

At that point, the main headquarters would take notice of his strength, promote him, and call him for the next war. This would go against Kuro's original intention.

The best way was to split up. Tashigi could handle the aftermath while he casually wandered around.

.....

Beyond the Rainbase, in the vast desert, Crocodile watched as Luffy slowly entered the sand stream. 

He sneered, then turned his gaze towards Rainbase, saying, "There's still another troublesome guy."

He stirred up a mass of sand and sent it flying towards Rainbase. Then, he gathered a small sandstorm in his hand and tossed it forward.

"Sables!"

The sandstorm took shape within the desert, growing larger and forming into a massive sandstorm heading straight for Rainbase.

"Sandstorm! It's a sandstorm!"

"It's coming in this direction!"

"Quick, seek shelter!"

The residents of Rainbase, seeing the approaching sandstorm, scattered in panic. The sandstorm swept through, leaving destruction in its wake.

"Sand... Sandstorm!"

Tashigi, who was preparing to take action, showed a shocked expression and urgently shouted to the Marines, "Get out of the way!"

The Marines scrambled to avoid the sandstorm, narrowly escaping its range. However, the powerful gusts of wind from the sandstorm still tossed them around.

"Ptui, ptui, ptui!"

Clow stood up from the ruins, spitting out the dirt in his mouth. Before he could examine his surroundings, a dust cloud swirled in front of him, coalescing into a humanoid figure.

Clow's expression grew serious as he stared at the person in front of him.

One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a notorious pirate of the Grand Line, Crocodile!

"Are you Crocodile?"

Crocodile glanced warily at the sword at Clow's waist, "The praised Marine with the sword?"

"?"

"Who?"

Initially nodding to the question, Clow then vigorously shook his head.

"Don't admit it, huh? Marine, whatever, it doesn't matter. In any case, you're a big trouble."

Crocodile, holding a cigarette, said, "So, stay here."

Clow was terrified, cold sweat covering him. For safety, he instinctively gripped the sword hilt, then let go, realizing he wasn't a swordsman. He frantically shook his head, "You've got the wrong person. I'm not Clow, no, I am Clow, but I'm not a swordsman."

Crocodile squinted his eyes, his expression gradually turning serious. Had he seen through his plan when he grabbed and then released the sword hilt earlier?

The Seven Warlords and the Marine are both under the World Government's banner, part of the same faction. 

Crocodile didn't want to reveal his identity. Even if he later obtained what he wanted, it wouldn't be the time to go against the government.

Being a Seven Warlord is a valuable identity. He would only have an excuse to take action if the Marines acted first.

After all, this man is not to be underestimated. Despite his confidence, Crocodile knew that a man praised by Hawkeye wouldn't be easy to deal with.

Even when he wanted to force him to act, the moment Clow clenched the sword hilt, Crocodile himself became nervous.

This man is not to be underestimated.

Crocodile's body began to float with sand, entering his elemental state, and a hint of red appeared in his eyes.

Observation Haki, when one is extremely calm, allows them to sense vital signs and predict the opponent's next move.

Crocodile, of course, possessed Haki.

His Observation Haki is weak, and it can't predict everything, but seeing through the opponent's actions, and being alert to danger, he could do that.

"What's going on? Why is there no movement at all?"

There was no sign of Clow preparing to strike. He just stood there, looking exactly like the expression a regular pirate would have when scared stiff by him.

But that's not the case.

This is a man praised by Hawkeye. He couldn't possibly be like that.

Could it be that he's waiting for me to make a move, giving them an excuse to arrest me?

Or perhaps, I simply can't see through his strength?!

"He is indeed a tricky man..." Crocodile solemnly said, "I won't let you stay."

And Clow...

He can't think of anything. He was genuinely frightened. What on earth is this? Why is the aura so dangerous?!

Is that a sand elementalization?!

Having seen Crocodile and Smoker quite a bit, Clow naturally knows what this appearance signifies.

Why does he deserve this?! At this moment, Clow just wants to roar to the heavens.

Being called a troublesome man by a Seven Warlord, should he feel honored?

It seems like he should be honored, provided it's not this dangerous.

Why, why has it come to this?

Wasn't he supposed to have a peaceful life in the Marine, joking around with Kuro and the others every day, completing a calm life? What's up with the Seven Warlords?

"I'm just an ordinary little Marine, only a Petty Officer" Clow tries to explain.

"Petty Officer? You're only becoming famous now?"

Crocodile hesitates to make a move; this person seems around thirty years old, powerful, yet unknown in East Blue. This guy is quite scheming.

The strength of a Great Swordsman, once they start fighting for real, it might never end. 

He regrets it a bit now. He shouldn't have acted now. But if he doesn't act, it might be even more troublesome in Alubarna, affecting his plans.

The two are deadlocked.

A gust of sand blows by, ruffling their clothes, resembling scenes from a Western duel, gradually forming a picture under the setting sun.

"Desert Sword!"

Crocodile can't hold back any longer, raising his hand and swinging down. A dark line cuts through the ground, heading straight for Clow.

"Shave!"

Clow's pupils contract; he sensed immense danger the moment Crocodile made a move. He steps forward, running far away.

"Sandstorm!"

Crocodile, fully prepared for battle, had already conjured a sandstorm in his hand, throwing it forward the moment Clow moved, creating a desert storm in front of him.

Whoosh!

Clow didn't manage to escape; caught by the sandstorm, he was tossed high into the air.

However, in that brief moment, Crocodile's spirits tightened. It felt as if his entire body had been pierced by a sword. 

He quickly dispersed the sandstorm, transforming it into a sand mass that retreated to the rear. His right hand formed into a desert greatsword, glaring upwards.

No one. No signs in the sky.

No traces of Clow around. He wondered where he had run off to.

"What's going on?"

Crocodile frowned. When he attacked just now, he almost thought Clow was an imposter. That level of strength was no match for him; just a little Marine.

However, the feeling that surged from his heart, like being slashed by a knife, couldn't be wrong.

"What does that man want to do?"

He thought with an uncertain expression.

In the desert outside the Rainbase, a dark figure flew in from a distance, landing with a thud in the sand.

"A quite accurate landing."

Kuro and Lida walked over from nearby buildings, glancing at Clow's legs swinging haphazardly. Lida reached out with one hand, lifting him.

"I... I almost died."

Clow was in a sorry state, gasping for breath, his expression still showing lingering fear.

Close, he could've lost his life.

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