"Foolish."
Crocodile's lips curved into a sneer, his metallic hook glinting with a cold luster.
As a Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit user, he was accustomed to enemy attacks passing through him like quicksand, rendering them futile. Therefore, facing Yun Lie's incoming fist, he didn't even frown; he simply stood still, his eyes filled with disdain.
However, a sudden chill ran up his spine to the back of his neck, and Crocodile's pupils sharply contracted.
He widened his eyes in disbelief, seeing that Yun Lie's attacking fist was, at some point, wrapped in a strange and dangerous purple aura.
"Armament Haki…" A hoarse whisper escaped his throat. He tried to manipulate sand for defense, but it was already too late.
Yun Lie's full-force punch, carrying the might of a thunderbolt, heavily struck Crocodile's head.
The immense impact caused a blinding white flash before the eyes of the arrogant Shichibukai. His metallic hook emitted a screeching, twisting sound upon impact, and he was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing hard against the wall.
Crocodile felt the world spinning. The brief blankness in his consciousness made him feel as if he had fallen into an endless dark abyss.
"Space: Seawater Influx!"
Yun Lie seized the opportunity, releasing what he had prepared from his spatial storage.
Seawater mixed with fine Sea Stone powder poured down from the void like a surging waterfall, instantly submerging him completely.
"Sand Crocodile! Get in the barrel!"
Yun Lie shouted. Before his voice faded, a giant barrel, two people tall and covered in mysterious runes, appeared out of thin air, precisely trapping Crocodile inside.
"You! Un… sportsmanlike, gurgle…"
Crocodile struggled violently. He finally managed to get his head out of the murky seawater, but the salty water rushed into his nostrils and throat, making him cough violently and unable to speak a complete sentence.
It was then that he horrifyingly realized this was no ordinary seawater—the Sea Stone powder mixed within it acted like countless tiny chains, firmly suppressing his proud Devil Fruit ability, making him feel as if all his strength had been drained, unable to even lift his hand.
"Heh heh, let's see how you escape now."
Yun Lie crossed his arms, watching the disheveled Crocodile in the barrel with interest, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
He knew very well that his ability to subdue this powerful Shichibukai so smoothly this time, besides his own strength, was largely due to Crocodile's underestimation of him.
The other party would never have expected that he not only mastered Armament Haki but also made such thorough preparations for this battle.
Crocodile's eyes almost spat fire. He glared fiercely at Yun Lie, veins bulging in his neck, and gritted his teeth, cursing, "To use such methods, you bastard! If you have the guts, fight me fair and square!"
"Sand Crocodile, this is called never too old to learn, understand?"
Yun Lie slowly shook the Sea Stone handcuffs in his hand, the metal clinking crisply.
He stepped forward and deftly locked Crocodile's hands and feet securely.
Under the dual suppression of seawater and Sea Stone handcuffs, Crocodile finally completely lost his ability to resist and could only be locked by Yun Lie into the special dark room prepared for him.
After a careful search throughout Rain Dinners, Yun Lie found nothing else except a stack of neatly bound documents detailing Crocodile's many conspiracies in a hidden office filled with the scent of leather and cigars.
He carefully put away the documents and then left.
........
Inside Alabasta Palace, the atmosphere was solemn.
Yun Lie strode into the palace, and to Igaram and Cobra's astonished gazes, he unceremoniously slammed the special barrel containing Crocodile onto the polished marble floor with a "bang," splashing water everywhere and nearly making King Kobra, who was sitting on the throne, fall off his chair.
"This is Shichibukai Crocodile," Yun Lie said calmly, pointing at the barrel, then took out a stack of documents: "And these documents, which meticulously record all the criminal evidence of his attempt to overthrow Alabasta and usurp the throne."
"That damned bitch!"
As soon as Crocodile saw the stack of documents, he immediately understood everything. Thinking that Nico Robin had betrayed him, a malevolent glint flashed in his eyes.
King Kobra took the documents with trembling hands. After carefully flipping through a few pages, his face turned red with excitement.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply and solemnly to Yun Lie: "Thank you, Mr. Yun Lie, for saving Alabasta! If not for you, our country would probably have fallen into eternal damnation!"
With this conclusive evidence, Crocodile's Shichibukai status would surely be revoked. At that time, a Marine bounty would again be placed on him, leaving this evil-doing fellow with nowhere to hide.
"Mr. Yun Lie, please help keep an eye on Crocodile. I will contact the World Government right away. As for the reward I promised you earlier, I have already asked Igaram to prepare it," Cobra said, unable to hide his excitement and gratitude.
"Please do," Yun Lie nodded slightly, saying nothing more, and left the palace with Crocodile.
When Yun Lie arrived at the residence Cobra had arranged for them, the sharp-eyed Karina immediately spotted him.
Karina was wearing a very scanty swimsuit, her graceful curves fully revealed, and her wet long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, adding a touch of alluring charm.
"Oh? Yun Lie, are you done with your business?"
Karina walked towards him with light, swaying steps, her subtle fragrance wafting to Yun Lie's nose.
Yun Lie's gaze lingered on her for a moment unconsciously, then he turned his face away, suppressing the ripple in his heart, and asked, "Where are Nami and the others?"
"They're still in the hot spring. I felt it was too stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air." Karina winked slyly, twisting her slender waist to get closer to Yun Lie, her subtle fragrance lingering at his nose.
Her soft arms wrapped around Yun Lie's waist, her fingertips tracing circles on his chest, and she whispered in his ear, "There's a private hot spring in the room. Shall we soak together? The spring water there has special effects, you know…"
Yun Lie understood, a smile playing on his lips. Without another word, he scooped Karina up in a princess carry and strode towards the room…
There would be hot springs, but whether it was soaking in them or something more, only they would know.