Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

Desert of Desperation

Crocodile and Luffy stood in front of each other, neither making a move. The tension in the air felt thick, heavy with the promise of an inevitable clash.

“Your time has come, Straw Hat.” Crocodile said arrogantly, a smirk playing on his lips.

Luffy remained silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing before he spoke. “Vivi's strength is her heart. She always tries to help others. She feels compassion for everybody, so she never stops fighting. She doesn't want anyone to die.”

“No deaths? She's just a peace-loving fool. She's never been in a real fight. Don't you agree?” Crocodile asked, amusement lacing his voice.

“That's right. But as long as you're around, she'll kill herself trying to stop you. So I have to take you down, now!” Luffy's determination was palpable, his fists tightening.

Crocodile chuckled darkly. “How foolish. You'd give your life for a stranger? I've deserted dozens of fools like you!”

“In that case, you're the fool!” Luffy shot back, his anger boiling over.

Crocodile’s expression darkened. He reached into his coat and threw an hourglass at Luffy's feet.

“I’ll give you two…three minutes, but no more.” He said, his voice dripping with malice.

Luffy furrowed his brow, confused. “Are you blind? I’m the only—”

“Luffy!” Ryomen’s voice rang out as he rushed to his captain’s side, breathless.

“Ryomen!” Luffy’s expression lit up momentarily.

“What happened? Where are the others?” Ryomen asked, his eyes scanning the area.

“They left. Now we need to deal with this guy.” Luffy said, his finger pointing directly at Crocodile.

“Alright.” Ryomen nodded, taking his place beside Luffy, though concern lingered in his gaze as he eyed their formidable opponent.

Without warning, Luffy launched the first attack. “Gomu-Gomu no…Pistol!” His fist stretched out towards Crocodile, but the Warlord dissolved into sand, easily avoiding the strike.

Reappearing between the two pirates, Crocodile sneered. Ryomen reacted immediately. “Dismantle!” He shouted, slashing at Crocodile, but the attack missed. Ryomen's heart sank. ‘He dodged them!?’ He thought. ‘Dammit, he has Haki!’

Crocodile countered, lunging with his hooked hand toward Ryomen. But Luffy intervened. “Gomu-Gomu no…Gatling Gun!!” Fists flew at Crocodile in rapid succession. Most passed through his sand body, but one struck the hook, diverting its course just enough to save Ryomen from harm.

“Damn sand monster!” Luffy growled, frustration boiling over.

“You're wasting your time. No matter how much you try, you'll never—” Crocodile was cut off mid-sentence as Luffy's fist drove through his face, the rubber boy snarling with fury.

“You trying to say something, Croc!?” Luffy shouted, his voice a mix of rage and challenge.

Crocodile’s eyes narrowed, fury starting to bubble beneath his calm façade. “Playtime’s over.”

“I wasn’t playing.” Luffy responded, eyes fierce.

Ryomen glanced between them, sensing the shift in Crocodile's mood. He took a step forward, his voice biting. “You sure that wasn’t you at your best? You seemed like the type to hide behind your inability to get hit.” His words were laced with venom, and veins started to bulge on Crocodile’s forehead.