Everyone here was an adult, and they all understood perfectly well that the spinning wheel meant absolutely nothing. In this world, power was all that mattered.
So the moment Crocodile lunged forward, Renji Kai used an instant step technique to effortlessly dodge to the side.
In the next instant, Crocodile's venomous hook came slashing down hard, instantly tearing the roulette wheel apart!
"Hey now, that's not fair. The bet hasn't even been settled yet," Renji said coolly from the side.
"Hmph. The outcome's already decided. You're finished today," Crocodile sneered, extending his right hand.
In the blink of an eye, a swirling sandstorm formed in his palm!
"Hmph, parlor tricks like that? You dare show off in front of me? Eight Gates Release Technique—Third Gate, Gate of Life... Open!"
As a green energy aura surged around Renji's entire body, the sandstorm in Crocodile's hand began to spin violently.
"Die—Sandstorm Whirl!"
Crocodile didn't wait for Renji to attack. With incredible speed, he hurled the fully formed desert vortex straight toward him.
The high-speed whirlwind howled toward Renji, shredding everything in its path. Furniture and loose objects nearby were scattered in an instant, and the powerful wind made it nearly impossible for anyone to keep their eyes open.
Not only could Crocodile control the storm's trajectory, but it also grew stronger as it moved. At close range, it could crush rock and level buildings. It was deadly.
But just as the sandstorm barreled toward Renji, he shouted and charged straight into it headfirst.
Everyone watching was stunned.
Especially Douglas Bullet. He had fought Crocodile before and knew firsthand how dangerous this technique could be. Seeing Renji recklessly plunge into the heart of it made his palms sweat.
As Crocodile watched Renji dive in without any defensive moves, he finally smirked. But then—something unexpected happened.
Renji burst straight out from the eye of the storm!
The green aura surrounding him glowed even brighter than before.
Crocodile's smirk disappeared. He frowned, extending his hand in an attempt to grab Renji by the throat.
But Renji was now moving at lightning speed—there was no way Crocodile could catch him.
As he closed the gap, Renji suddenly dropped low, placing one hand on the ground, and then launched a powerful kick aimed right at Crocodile's chin.
The attack was so fast that Crocodile had no time to react.
But just as Renji thought he had landed the blow, his foot passed right through Crocodile's face—as if he had kicked nothing but air!
In the next instant, Crocodile's face turned into a pile of sand.
"Elemental form," Douglas Bullet muttered, his brow furrowed.
In this pirate world, only powerful Armament Haki could hurt someone who had the ability to turn into elements.
Douglas knew his own Haki was strong enough—but he wasn't sure if Renji even possessed Armament Haki at all. After all, from the beginning, Renji hadn't shown any Devil Fruit powers or signs of Haki.
Renji hadn't expected his attack to miss either. He knew that even with Crocodile's elemental ability, if he moved fast enough, he might be able to strike before the transformation triggered.
But clearly, it hadn't worked this time.
Before Renji could retreat, the sand reformed around Crocodile's neck, reshaping his head in an instant.
"Kid, looks like you don't have Armament Haki, huh? Then you're completely screwed—Crescent Dune Slash!"
Crocodile laughed coldly, and with a sudden motion, his arm expanded, shaping into a crescent-shaped blade of sand.
Renji's eyes widened in alarm.
He knew that if this technique so much as touched him, it would drain all the moisture from his body—turning him into a dried-up mummy incapable of fighting.
As the sand blade came slashing toward him, Renji could no longer use instant step techniques. All he could do was instinctively duck to avoid it.
Thanks to the incredible speed granted by unlocking the third of the Eight Gates, he managed to narrowly dodge the sand blade.
But in doing so, he left himself open.
Crocodile didn't waste the opportunity. He followed up with a brutal kick to Renji's waist.
Boom!
Renji was sent flying, crashing through the walls of the casino and landing in the sand outside.
Everyone froze for a second in shock—then erupted into cheers.
Meanwhile, Douglas Bullet immediately rushed to Renji's side.
"Captain Renji! Are you alright? Let me handle this. My Armament Haki is more than enough to deal with him," Bullet said, his voice serious.
Crocodile also appeared before them in a flash.
"Kid, don't think just because you stirred up some trouble in Impel Down that you know what you're doing. Even Douglas Bullet won't be able to save you today."
But to everyone's surprise, Renji didn't accept Bullet's help. Instead, he pushed him aside, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth—and smiled.
His bizarre reaction confused everyone present.
"Captain…?" Bullet began, but Renji held up a hand to stop him from speaking further.