Ice vs Sand

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"Did you get it?" Crocodile's cold voice broke the silence, as his sharp eyes fixed on Bon Clay.

Bon Clay, grinning widely, gave an exaggerated nod: "It's done, Boss Crocodile!"

"Kuahaha! Excellent. Let's leave." Crocodile said, letting out a sinister laugh.

Creeeeak!

As they turned to leave, the large palace doors groaned open again. Crocodile's eyes narrowed as a tall figure, cloaked heavily, entered the hall, by his side stood Pell.

"Well, well, look who we have here." Crocodile sneered, as his lips curled into a smirk as he regarded Pell.

"Crocodile!" Pell spat, his voice heavy filled with anger and hatred.

Crocodile removed the cigar from his mouth, exhaling a plume of smoke as his piercing gaze locked onto Pell. His deep voice echoed through the hall, laced with a predatory grin: "I have always valued great talent, and you, as a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, have the potential to become a strong individual. Join my Baroque Works Organization, and together, we can reach the pinnacle of the world."

Pell's unwavering eyes filled with disdain. He didn't bother acknowledging Crocodile's gaze or his tempting words. This wasn't the first time Crocodile had attempted to recruit him. He had made the same offer to Igaram as well, not out of pure admiration but because of their positions in the royal family. Crocodile's ambitions were clear—he sought control over the kingdom through its inner circle.

Behind Pell, the cloaked figure, Kael, remained silent. But the air around him shifted, an icy aura beginning to emanate faintly out of his body.

Whoosh!

A sudden chill swept through the hall, a biting cold wind that made even Crocodile's smirk falter for a moment.

"Crocodile!" Pell's voice rang out filling the chamber: "Did you really think your schemes would remain hidden? His Highness, Prince Kael, knows all about your treachery!"

Shiiing!

Drawing his sword with a metallic hiss, Pell stepped in front of Kael, his stance firm, and his resolve unshakable.

Across Pell, Daz Bonez—also known as Mr. 1—stepped forward slowly with unreadable expression. A former bounty hunter and the highest-ranked male Officer Agent under Crocodile, Daz was a formidable person.

As the user of the Dice-Dice Fruit, his entire body could transform into a living weapon, his steel blades making him a full-body bladed human.

Shhuu!

Daz Bonez stepped forward slowly, his arms instantly transformed into deadly, gleaming blades. His sharp gaze was fixed on Pell and Kael, exuding a menacing confidence.

Whoosh!

As Kael took a step forward, and a terrifyingly cold aura burst out from his body. The air around him was freezing rapidly, frost spreading across the ground beneath his feet.

Kael had been keeping his face hidden beneath the heavy cloak for a crucial reason. He was about to use the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit, a power identical to that of Admiral Kuzan. This moment was pivotal, and Kael was understanding the risks he was taking.

The world was following an unbreakable rule when it came to Devil Fruits: there could not be two identical fruits with the same power existing at the same time. A Devil Fruit's power was only being transferred when its previous user had died. The power was then reborn in the nearest ordinary fruit of the same type, transforming it into a new Devil Fruit.

If Kael was using the Ice-Ice Fruit, it was meaning only one thing—Kuzan, the original owner, had died. However, this was not true, as Kuzan was alive and still wielding his ability. If this truth was being discovered, the consequences would have been catastrophic for Kael.

The Navy and the World Government would not have ignored such a revelation. They would have launched investigations, interrogations, and relentless efforts to uncover how Kael had obtained the Ice-Ice Fruit. This would not only have put Kael at risk but also his family and friends.

Even Crocodile could have been exploited by the Navy to deal with Kael if they were believing that his ability was posing a threat to their power. Kael had been calculating every move, knowing that revealing his identity or the truth about his powers would only bring endless troubles.

By keeping his identity hidden and acting mysteriously, Kael was ensuring that any questions about the origin of the Ice-Ice Fruit would have been directed at Kuzan.

The world believed in the absolute rule that there could not be two Devil Fruits with the same ability. If Kael used this power now, Kuzan would have no choice but to face the suspicions and consequences instead of Kael.

Moreover, with Kuzan currently in Alabasta, it would be even more impossible for him to deny that he was the one who had attacked Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords.

Kael had effectively passed the ball into Kuzan's court. As for how Kuzan would react upon hearing this news, or how it might affect him, Kael frankly didn't care much. After all, Kuzan was an Admiral, while Crocodile was merely a pirate.

Crocodile's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the cloaked figure more carefully, a flicker of suspicion crossed his face.

"Kuahaha! I don't know what you're talking about. I've always acted in the best interests of Alabasta." Crocodile laughed loudly, his voice was dripping with mockery as he turned his gaze toward Pell. His smirk quickly faded, however, as a dangerous aura surged from his body. His voice became sharp and menacing: "Do you have evidence to back your claims? Or are you here to waste my time?"

Although Crocodile was momentarily caught off guard by Pell's accusations, he wasn't foolish enough to openly admit his role in the chaos enveloping Alabasta. Even if Pell somehow had evidence linking him to it, Crocodile would deny it outright without hesitation.

"Sandstorm!"

Before Pell could respond, a massive sandstorm erupted from Crocodile's hand, rushing toward him with destructive force.

Whirr—Whirr!

Whoosh!

Just as the sandstorm was about to engulf Pell, a bone-chilling wind surged through the hall. The freezing blast emanated from Kael's position, cutting through the swirling sandstorm effortlessly. In an instant, frost spread across the palace floor, silencing the roar of the sand.

"This—"

Crocodile's pupils contracted as he instinctively leapt backward, his usual arrogance replaced by unease.

Crack!

The sandstorm froze mid-air, suspended in time as shards of ice began cascading to the ground in a glittering frost. Daz, attempting to resist the sudden freeze, was caught off guard. Before he could react, his body was encased in ice, his shocked expression preserved within the frozen block.

Standing on the frozen ground, Crocodile's eyes widened in disbelief. His voice, usually steady and controlled, faltered as he stared at the cloaked figure: "Navy Admiral Aokiji?!"

Kael stepped forward slowly, each step reverberating in the now-silent hall. The icy aura radiating from his body grew more intense, filling the room with an oppressive chill.

"Crocodile." Pell said coldly, his voice was steady and filled with confidence as he fixed his gaze on Crocodile: "If you think your schemes in Alabasta will go unnoticed, you'd better think again."

Crocodile's lips twisted into a snarl as his attention shifted back to Kael. His mind was in chaos, struggling to process the impossible sight before him. How could —Admiral Aokiji—be here?

It made no sense. As an Admiral of the Navy, Kuzan should have far more important matters to attend to than meddling in Alabasta. The only plausible explanation Crocodile could think of was that Kael had somehow convinced Kuzan to intervene. But that was unthinkable. Without undeniable evidence, even an Admiral had no authority to interfere with the actions of a Warlord.

Crocodile's frustration boiled over. Years of meticulous planning and manipulation, all unraveling because of someone he had deemed insignificant.

"Damn it!" Crocodile roared, his voice echoed through the hall.

Crocodile's golden hook gleamed as he raised his arm, determination blazing in his eyes. Even if it was Kuzan hiding under that cloak, he couldn't afford to back down. He had sacrificed too much for Alabasta, and retreating now would render all his efforts meaningless.

"Desert Spada!"

Sssshhh! Booom!

A massive blade of sand erupted from the ground, slicing through the icy floor as it surged toward Kael. The palace quaked under the force of the attack, and shards of ice were sent flying in every direction.

Kael stepped forward, unflinching, and extended his hand. His palm opened with an eerie calm.

"Ice Ball!"

Whoosh!

From his palm, five streams of freezing energy spiraled out, meeting the sand blade head-on. In seconds, the searing heat of the attack was subdued.

Booom!

The blade froze mid-air, encased in thick ice, before crashing to the ground in a cascade of frozen shards. The frost spread rapidly, extending downward and solidifying even the sand beneath the palace, locking every grain of Crocodile's control in a prison of unyielding ice.

"Damn it!" Crocodile growled, his heart sank as he witnessed the overwhelming power on display. That wasn't just Kuzan's ability—it was a precise and deliberate replica.

Krangg!

With a loud roar, Crocodile lunged forward. His golden hook glinted in the icy light, but this time, the outer shell shattered, revealing a smaller, venom-coated blade hidden within. He swung it directly at Kael's head, aiming to end the battle with a decisive blow.

"Clang!"

The hook struck Kael's head, only to crack and freeze upon impact. The cold light glinted off Kael's face as the cloak slipped slightly, revealing a head made entirely of ice. No blood spilled; no wound appeared.

Crocodile stumbled backward, half of his body encased in thick frost. His golden hook, was frozen solid, rendered useless against the overwhelming power before him.

"Why are you interfering with my plan?!" Crocodile asked, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and despair.

Kael remained silent, his icy aura was filling the room with a suffocating chill. The frost crept along the floor, biting at the skin of everyone present. The oppressive silence was broken only by Crocodile's ragged breathing.

Kael turned away, his back to Crocodile. Crocodile's thoughts spiraled in confusion. The admiral—or whoever this was—had chosen not to kill him. Why? Was it mercy? Hesitation? Or was there another reason entirely?

What Crocodile didn't know was that Kael's decision to spare him was entirely calculated. Killing Crocodile now could plunge Alabasta into further chaos. As the mastermind behind the kingdom's turmoil, Crocodile's sudden death would leave a power vacuum, unleashing his subordinates as uncontrollable forces within the kingdom.

Moreover, Kael was acutely aware that the Royal Family was constantly under surveillance. Spies from the Navy and the World Government were always watching.

If Crocodile were to be killed in the Royal Palace, the blame would undoubtedly fall on the Royal Family. The World Government would not hesitate to use this as a pretext to tighten their grip on Alabasta.

For now, Crocodile was alive. His schemes were unraveling, and his perception of control had been irreparably shattered.

---

In the King's chamber, Cobra and Igaram were deep in conversation when a violent rumble shook the entire palace.

Boom!

"What was that?!" Cobra exclaimed, pulling Vivi close as she stood beside him, her face paled with confusion and fear.

"Did someone pick a fight with Crocodile?" Cobra wondered anxiously, his mind was racing with possibilities.

Exchanging a grim look with Igaram, Cobra quickly reassured Vivi before rushing out toward the grand hall. Igaram followed closely.

The commotion also caught the attention of the Marines stationed near the palace. Momonga, standing among them, turned sharply toward the source of the disturbance.

"Damn it!" Momonga growled under his breath as he began striding purposefully toward the palace: "If something happens to the Royal Family under my watch, my career will be finished!"

---

Cobra was the first to reach the grand hall, only to be met with a surreal and chilling sight.

The lavish hall had been transformed into a frozen fortress. Every intricately carved wall and delicate piece of furniture was encased in ice, glittering like crystalline sculptures. Crocodile and his five subordinates stood immobilized, frozen in place within thick blocks of ice.

It was both breathtaking and terrifying!

Cobra's gaze quickly landed on Kael, who stood silently with Pell by his side. Despite the devastation surrounding them, both Kael and Pell appeared unnaturally calm, as if untouched by the chaos.

"Kael…" Cobra muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. His expression reflected his struggle to process what he was seeing. The thought that his young son could have been involved in such a destructive battle was unfathomable.

Moments later, Vice Admiral Momonga and his subordinates burst into the hall. The fury that had driven him vanished the instant he laid eyes on the frozen Crocodile. His shock was palpable as his gaze darted over the scene.

"This… could only be Admiral Aokiji?" Momonga murmured, his voice laced with awe and uncertainty.

Rumors of Kuzan's presence in Alabasta had reached him before, but he hadn't expected the Admiral to intervene so directly. Yet the evidence before him was undeniable. Only Admiral Kuzan, with the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit, could create such an overwhelming display of ice on this scale.

Cobra, piecing the situation together swiftly, turned to Kael, his face stern and his voice filled with anger: "What are you doing here?! Didn't I tell you not to leave your room without my permission?" His tone grew sharper as he continued: "Go back to your room! Now!"

It was clear Cobra wanted to shield Kael from further involvement in this matter. Kael, understanding his father's intent, remained silent and obedient, choosing not to defend himself or offer an explanation.

Cobra then shifted his attention to Momonga, his tone softening into one of apology: "I'm sorry, Vice Admiral. My failure to properly supervise my son has caused unnecessary complications. But right now, dealing with Crocodile is more important. I leave him in your hands."

Momonga nodded in and said in a serious tone: "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I'll ensure this situation is handled appropriately."

Though both men understood that Admiral Kuzan was likely responsible for the scene before them, they shared an unspoken agreement not to pursue the matter further. The weight of the situation and the delicate balance of power in Alabasta demanded that they let it pass without additional scrutiny.