Chapter 53: Crocodile Showdown & Rainbase Chaos
Releasing mental energy, I enveloped everyone and soared straight into the sky.
With my current mental strength, carrying a few people was effortless—I had no patience for walking slowly.
"Eek! Why am I flying?!" Vivi was clearly frightened—her voice carried a hint of tears.
"Princess Vivi—don't be afraid. I'm here." Igaram immediately comforted her—though his own face was pale, body constantly struggling.
"Relax—it's me controlling your flight. I just don't want to walk slowly with you all." I had to explain.
Hearing this, Vivi finally relaxed a little—though her face still didn't look great. Probably afraid of heights.
"Oh—I see. Truly worthy of Mr. Lin Xiu—to possess such incredible power." Igaram had completely dropped his guard.
"…"
I was speechless at Igaram's constant praise. I didn't remember him being such a flatterer in the original story.
In contrast, Nami and the other three were much more at ease—enjoying the sensation of flight while curiously observing the desert scenery.
Soon a city came into view. Compared to the desolate desert—it looked far more prosperous.
"That's Rainbase!" Before I could ask—Vivi already pointed and shouted excitedly.
I nodded—sped up—and flew directly above the city.
With one glance—I spotted the iconic building: a pyramid topped with a crocodile statue—Crocodile's main headquarters, the Rain Dinners casino.
Rain Dinners was surrounded by a moat—with only one bridge for entry. But I could ignore that.
I found a spot on the outer bank of the moat and set everyone down—then flew back in front of Rain Dinners.
Hovering in midair—I raised one hand toward the sky—pouring lightning energy into the clouds like it was free.
Soon the bright sunny sky was covered by thick dark clouds. Thunder rumbled continuously in the black mass—occasional flashes of electricity visible.
I pointed—one massive lightning pillar filled with tremendous energy struck the crocodile statue atop the pyramid—reducing it to dust. I came to smash the place—no need for politeness.
"Crocodile! Get out here!" I shouted with full force—confident he could hear.
After waiting a while—just as I prepared to shout again—Crocodile's figure appeared at Rain Dinners' main entrance. He looked up at me—then his feet turned to sand—floating upward until he hovered not far away.
"Yo, kid. Never thought you'd actually escape Impel Down. Congratulations."
Hearing this—Crocodile spoke with interest.
"Hmph! And whose fault is that!" His words ignited my rage—lightning crackling in both hands—ready to strike.
"Wait a minute!" Crocodile raised both hands in a pacifying gesture—showing no intent to fight. "Your capture by Impel Down had nothing to do with me."
"What do you mean? I passed out during our fight—how is it not your fault?" I was confused.
"Actually—I wanted to ask you the same thing. I clearly wanted you as my subordinate—why did you suddenly attack?" Crocodile looked helpless.
"This…" I was momentarily speechless. Come to think of it—he was right. I had attacked first—in a rush to save Vivi.
"After our fight that day—we both fell into the sea. My subordinates fished us out."
"Then the Navy arrived—led by a captain who called himself 'White Hunter.'"
"Smoker?" I frowned. That guy chased me here?
"Seems like that was the name. He said he was pursuing you—demanded I hand you over. Then I fought him. Unfortunately—I was exhausted from fighting you, and you were still unconscious. I got careless—he took you away." Crocodile shrugged.
"Uh… this…" I felt a bit embarrassed. So it really was my fault—Smoker was after me.
"Sigh… that statue took so much effort to build. What a headache now." Crocodile looked at the ruined pyramid top—helplessly scratching his head—showing no hostility toward me.
"So yeah—it really was my fault." My face reddened—anger dissipating.
"Hahahaha—no problem—misunderstandings happen. My previous offer still stands. Join my organization—work toward our ideals together. How about it?"
"No way! Mr. Lin Xiu!" Before I could respond—Vivi shouted anxiously from the shore.
"Oh? Princess Vivi is here too?" Crocodile followed the voice—his gaze instantly turning cold.
"You can't touch her." I became vigilant again—lightning crackling in my hands once more.
Crocodile was silent for a few seconds—then burst into laughter again. "Hahahahaha—fine! Kid—I'll give you face. Anyway—she can no longer affect my plans."
Hearing this—I felt somewhat disappointed. Now I had even less reason to fight him. What about Robin?
"Kid—no need to decide right away. My offer remains open anytime. Enjoy yourself in Rainbase first—all expenses on me." With that—Crocodile turned and returned inside Rain Dinners.
I floated back to the group—landed gently. Vivi immediately rushed over.
"Mr. Lin Xiu—you can't join Crocodile's organization! He's the mastermind behind this rebellion! Please—defeat him!" Perhaps from urgency—Vivi's tone sounded almost like an order.
"But he's so reasonable—I really can't find a reason to fight." I helplessly shrugged.
I did want to defeat Crocodile—otherwise how could I recruit Robin?
But to Vivi's ears—this sounded like evasion.
"Mr. Lin Xiu—right now I have nothing to offer you. But once the war ends—no matter what reward you want—I'll do my best to fulfill it. So I formally beg you—please help me defeat Crocodile!"
Vivi's tone was somewhat cold. In her eyes—I had probably become a greedy opportunist. All the goodwill built over these days vanished.
"Sigh—why so impatient? Did I say I'd join him? Did I say I wouldn't fight? Fine—talk reward? Then my reward is you. Will you agree?" Irritated by Vivi's aggressiveness—I blurted it out in the heat of the moment—and immediately regretted it.
"Mr. Lin Xiu!" Igaram—standing nearby—frowned deeply at my words.
Nami, Nojiko, and Kaya—who couldn't get a word in—exchanged looks, thinking: He's trying to pick up another girl again.
Kaya's expression was especially strange—thinking the line sounded oddly familiar.
"Fine! I accept!" After a moment of silence—Vivi raised her head—eyes shining with determination. "As long as Mr. Lin Xiu defeats Crocodile and ends the war—I will offer myself to you as reward!"
"Princess Vivi—absolutely not!" Igaram interrupted again—making me want to throw him in the river.
"Deal!" Before she could take it back—I quickly agreed.
Without waiting for Igaram to ramble more—I soared into the air—shouting again: "Crocodile! Get out here!"
Moments later—Crocodile reappeared at Rain Dinners' entrance—looking somewhat helpless. "Kid—what now?"
"Crocodile—strictly speaking—we have no real grudge. But the beauty has already asked—so I have no choice but to defeat you." Floating in midair—I cracked my knuckles—arrogantly issuing the challenge.
"Oh? That's truly a pity." Crocodile's expression cooled. "I originally thought you had value—so I overlooked things. But that doesn't mean I'm afraid of you!"
"Oh? Is that so? You should be afraid!" Lightning energy surged from my body—covering a dozen meters around me—forming an electric field. Crocodile was within range too.
Such weak static couldn't affect Crocodile—but it was extremely useful for me. As long as I transformed into lightning—I could instantly teleport within this field.
Of course—Op-Op Fruit could also teleport—but consumption was over ten times greater—so unnecessary.
In a single instant—I appeared behind Crocodile—punching his head. I decided to use this sand man as a real sandbag—to practice my fists.
Swish… Crocodile's head exploded from my punch—of course—not really exploded—just scattered into sand.
"Not bad speed, kid…" The scattered sand regrouped—reforming Crocodile's figure.
Then he waved his hand—countless yellow sand pierced my body at extreme speed—flashing with electric sparks.
"Still just so-so." I teleported to Crocodile's side—sweeping a whip-leg at his waist—cutting him in half effortlessly—once again scattering sand.
Next—we looked like two idiots: you punch, I kick—you sandstorm, I lightning spear—but neither could truly harm the other. Like two mages in a video game trading blows at close range.
Actually—this was a stamina contest. Elementalization consumes stamina. Now it was about whose stamina ran out first. But I had Desire Conversion—no stamina worries at all.
We fought gleefully—while to onlookers it looked thrilling beyond measure. Sand filled the sky—lightning flashed—every strike aimed at vital points.
The people on the ground were awed by the scale of battle—and terrified. Vivi gripped her fists so tightly they were soaked in sweat.
Since transmigrating—I hadn't had many real fights—so practical experience was lacking.
But fighting Crocodile brought great gains—my Rumble-Rumble Fruit application becoming smoother.
Crocodile wasn't faring well. Frequent Sand-Sand Fruit usage consumed massive stamina. His reformation after scattering grew slower.
Seeing him nearing his limit—and me getting bored—I stopped holding back—taking the Seastone katana from my spatial ring.
"Alright—no more playing. Time to end this."
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