Clang!
The sharp clash of metal rang out, so loud it made one's eardrums ache.
Shano's figure appeared midair, his right arm covered in an even denser Armament Haki, casually blocking the lethal blow.
At that moment—
Their faces were mere inches apart.
Locking eyes for a brief instant, Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke, just about to speak—when a gust of wind roared past his ears.
In front of him, Shano quietly uttered:
"Rankyaku: Falling Star!"
Boom!
A powerful downward kick crashed down like a meteor, creating a massive shockwave as it slammed into Crocodile's shoulder. The crack of shattering bone was crisp and unmistakable.
Even though Crocodile reacted in time and used his golden hook to defend, he was still smashed into the ground like a falling meteor, kicking up a storm of sand and dust.
"Cough, cough..."
He struggled to his feet, coughing up a mouthful of blood. When he looked at Shano again, a flicker of fear appeared in his eyes.
Such a fast kick!
This time, even his Observation Haki couldn't react in time. But more terrifying than the speed was the sheer power behind that kick!
Where the hell did this monster come from?!
He couldn't even remember the last time he was this thoroughly overwhelmed in terms of raw strength. Maybe that damned Flower Card guy? But that was five years ago...
No choice—I have to use my trump card right now!
"Desert Great Sword!"
With that thought, Crocodile's right hand turned to sand, forming a massive sand blade wrapped in Armament Haki, which he slashed toward Shano with all his might!
Shh shh!
This move was swift and fierce, creating a massive shockwave. The desert split in half, and purple sparks danced in its wake.
However—
To Crocodile's astonishment—
Shano didn't dodge. Instead, he curiously studied the approaching blade, not even bothering to blink.
Idiot!
Crocodile sneered. This fool actually wanted to take the blow head-on? If it were the usual Desert Spada, he might believe it.
But this was the fully upgraded version—his ultimate technique, developed just months ago! And this guy wanted to block it with his body—
Hm?
The sneer froze on Crocodile's face.
The giant sand blade, strong enough to cleave the desert itself, disintegrated the moment it touched Shano's chest—shattering into grains of sand that fell to the ground without even scratching his skin.
Even the sand that scattered into Shano's eyes bounced off like it had hit steel.
Some of it lingered on his lower lashes, but with just a slight tilt of his head, it slid down his cheek and fell away...
"I gave you a chance, but I guess that's all you've got."
Shano flicked away the last grain of sand from his nose and looked up at the stunned Crocodile.
"Hey. Snap out of it—because from here on out, it's all my turn."
What...?
Crocodile didn't have time to react. Shano had already used Moonwalk to soar into the air, his right index finger thrusting repeatedly at speeds too fast for the naked eye.
Each strike carried the outward projection of Haki, targeting vital points all over Crocodile's body.
"Shigan Barrage: Pear Blossom Rain!"
Not good!
Crocodile's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly used every ounce of Observation Haki to dodge.
Some parts of his body managed to become elemental just in time.
But the speed of the finger bullets far exceeded his expectations.
With a series of thud thud sounds, his knees and shoulders were pierced with multiple holes, blood spraying into the air.
"Erosion..."
Enduring the pain, Crocodile slammed his hand onto the ground and activated another technique:
"Reincarnation!!!"
Rumble—!!!
In an instant, the entire Whiskey Peak began to shake violently. Huge cracks spread rapidly from the harbor outward.
Hmm?
Shano raised a brow. So the desert croc had another move? Using the environment to rapidly replenish his stamina and heal his wounds through sandification?
The Logia types really are broken in some ways...
But—
Too bad you're up against me. Like hell I'll give you that chance!
With a wild grin, Shano flashed forward, diving toward the recovering Crocodile.
"—You think you've earned a second wind?!"
"Stop him!"
Crocodile screamed hoarsely, swinging his golden hook in desperation!
As long as he could buy a little more time, enough to turn the whole island into sand, not only could he fully heal, but he could also use his Devil Fruit abilities without restraint!
Swish swish!
As soon as he spoke, countless sand hands burst from the ground, swarming toward Shano's legs.
Many of them were even wrapped in Armament Haki. If they grabbed him, even Shano would need time to break free.
But—
There's no way they could catch him!
One Haki-covered sand hand pierced through Shano's back—only for that "Shano" to fade into a mirage in the air.
Moonwalk: Cicada Shell!
By rapidly stepping through the air, Shano moved in bizarre patterns at will, dodging every sand hand with ease.
His speed didn't slow at all—in fact, because of the constant redirection, he left behind a string of afterimages like cicadas shedding their shells!
—This was a high-level secret technique, only achievable after mastering the Six Powers to their peak!
Most Moonwalk users trying this would just lose speed and become sitting ducks.
In an instant, Shano shot past every obstacle and appeared in front of Crocodile.
As the latter looked up in terror, Shano grinned savagely and launched a powerful uppercut, sending him flying!
Whoosh!
Before Crocodile could even land, Shano reappeared in the air beside him and hammered down with another punch!
This scene repeated rapidly—Shano's fists rained down faster than sound, striking the chest, neck, and other vital areas, each blow devastating.
Boom boom boom!
Crocodile's body flailed like a rag doll, jerking in the air as bones shattered again and again with loud cracking sounds.
For the final blow, Shano brought his fists together, condensing all his power and Armament Haki into a single point.
"Six Powers Secret Art: Yamabuki Ripple Overdrive!!!"
This was a technique Shano created by fusing his perfected Ripple Fist with the Six Powers' ultimate moves.
Its power could flatten a mountain.
BOOM!!!
The punch landed squarely in Crocodile's chest. For a moment, time froze. Crocodile's expression twisted between horror and disbelief.
Then—
BOOM!!!
A massive shockwave exploded outward from the two of them.
Crocodile's body shot out like a cannonball, smashing through several sand dunes before finally skidding to a halt.
"Urgh... urgh..."
He lay sprawled in a crater, his body twitching. His golden hook was bent, his luxurious coat in tatters.
He trembled on the sand, struggling to move—but his bones were shattered. He couldn't even lift a finger.
Whew!
Shano landed beside him, breathing heavily from the flurry of punches. He looked down at Crocodile and nodded in approval.
"You're about as easy to beat as Spider, but I gotta admit—you natural types really do take a punch. Good for practice."
This bastard...!!!
Crocodile nearly coughed up blood again.
But as Shano slowly approached, Crocodile forced the hatred from his eyes and rasped hoarsely:
"Y-Yeah... I shouldn't have messed with you. Just… don't kill me..."
"Now you say that? Too late!"
Shano grabbed him by the hair and yanked him up like a dead dog, smiling brightly.
"Honestly, if you hadn't come after me, I might've let you go. You hadn't started your nasty little plan yet—I could've just booted you back to the New World."
"But you chose to help the Navy hunt me down? Hah! The Navy's already a lapdog for the Celestial Dragons—and now you want to be their lapdog too?"
"...It was all just an act for them..."
Crocodile's face contorted with resentment, but he forced himself to speak with effort, as if reluctantly making a tough decision:
"Cough… cough… You—someone like you… with your strength, surely you have ambition too!"
"Listen! Let me live, and I'll tell you an ancient secret. Something that could help you conquer the entire sea—or even challenge the World Government itself…"