In the early stages of the One Piece world, Logia-type Devil Fruit users were nearly invincible, with only specific methods able to counter their powers.
For example, while Crocodile's Suna Suna no Mi could be countered with water, this method was extremely unreliable since his power could absorb water. Only Busōshoku no Haki proved truly effective against him.
Crocodile was baffled — how could a mere unranked Marine possess Busōshoku no Haki?
Now Hyaku's confidence made sense! He had concealed his true strength all along!
"Who exactly are you?" Crocodile demanded, his eyes cold.
"Hyaku. Strictly speaking, just a Marine recruit." Hyaku replied with a casual shrug.
Whoosh!
Crocodile erupted in fury at these words, taking them as mockery.
A Marine recruit wielding Armament Haki? Since when did the Marines recruit such powerful newcomers?
"Don't think knowing some Haki means you can stop me." Crocodile growled.
The situation was clear — a rebellious Warlord of the Sea facing off against a Marine. Words alone wouldn't resolve this conflict.
Crocodile's demeanor shifted instantly to deadly serious.
Swish Swish Swish...
Countless streams of sand swirled around his body, even sealing the blood flowing from his chest wound.
Seeing this, Hyaku's playful attitude vanished. He gripped his Tachi tightly in his right hand, ready to strike at any moment.
Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh...
Crocodile raised his right hand, palm facing upward. A miniature sandstorm materialized and condensed above it, spinning with increasing speed.
✣ Suna Suna no Mi: Sables ⭄ Sandstorm! ✣
As the sandstorm reached its peak rotation, Crocodile thrust his right hand forward with a cold shout.
Boom!
The whirling vortex detached from his palm, gathering strength as it moved.
Howling winds swept up the surrounding sand, and within seconds, the miniature storm had grown into a towering monster — a hundred meters high!
The sight was terrifying to behold. Within the massive sandstorm, fierce winds raged with enough force to grind anything in their path to dust.
Under Crocodile's command, the sandstorm surged toward Hyaku, obliterating palace pillars and furnishings in its wake!
His Devil Fruit power, unleashed at full force, was truly devastating.
"Breath..." Hyaku drew in a deep breath as he assessed the situation.
His gaze fell on the Marine soldiers and Princess Vivi behind him.
Though he could easily dodge the sandstorm himself, the others lacked his lightning speed. Evading would mean leaving them to face its fury.
The choice was clear — Hyaku would stand his ground. He had never intended to dodge anyway.
"If not dodge, then slash through it!" With that resolution, he shifted his grip on his sword from one hand to two.
Hum!
His eyes sharpened with focus. The Tachi trembled in his grasp, producing a clear, resonant tone. As the great sword sang, blue-green energy flowed from his hands and gathered along the blade.
That was Hyaku's Azure Dragon Sword Intent!
✣ Seiryū Kōrin ⭄ Azure Dragon's Descent! ✣
When his Azure Dragon Sword Intent reached its peak, Hyaku let out a battle cry. Gripping the Tachi with both hands, he slashed downward at the approaching sandstorm!
Roar!
A deep dragon's roar echoed through the air as the Azure Dragon Sword Intent concentrated along the blade. The released energy transformed first into a crescent-shaped slash, then surged forth in the form of a majestic azure dragon! Its ethereal body rippled as it charged fearlessly toward the massive sandstorm.
"My god!"
"What is that?!"
"How can a slash attack take such form?!"
The Marine soldiers burst into astonished exclamations at the sight.
Indeed, Hyaku's azure dragon slash was a magnificent spectacle. Princess Vivi clutched her clothes nervously as she watched the two forces approach their inevitable collision.
On the battlefield, the azure dragon streaked toward the sandstorm like lightning. Under everyone's tense gaze, the two forces crashed together.
BOOM!
A tremendous thunder shook the entire palace as the azure dragon struck the sandstorm. The impact unleashed a devastating shockwave, shattering the ground and sending sand and dust billowing in all directions.
"What kind of background does this kid have?" Crocodile muttered, his brow furrowed as he watched.
Even his full-power Sables attack hadn't managed to overcome this opponent!
BOOM!
Another change swept through the battlefield as Hyaku's azure dragon slash burst through the sandstorm's surface, driving deep into its core.
Within moments, the dragon's remaining energy erupted. The entire sandstorm began radiating blue-green light from within, as if being torn apart by an otherworldly force.
The terrifying energy continued its relentless assault from within.
BANG!!
The energy eruption was brief but powerful. With an explosive bang that echoed throughout the palace, Crocodile's summoned sandstorm completely shattered and dispersed before his incredulous eyes!
"How is this possible?!" He couldn't accept this reality.
His technique, so easily destroyed by Hyaku!
By now, Crocodile finally understood — the self-proclaimed Marine rookie before him clearly wasn't someone he could defeat quickly.
In fact... He might not be able to defeat him at all!
✣ Rokushiki: Soru ⭄ Shave! ✣
As Crocodile stood there in shock, Hyaku's voice rang out again.
Whoosh!
Through the billowing smoke and dust from the explosion, a figure shot out at extreme speed, leaving only blurry afterimages in its wake. In an instant, he appeared before Crocodile.
It was Hyaku, pressing his advantage!
Crocodile inwardly remarked on the incredible speed as he saw Hyaku charging with his sword. He reflexively raised his left hand's golden hook.
Clang!
The next second, a clear metallic clash rang out as Hyaku's blade met Crocodile's parrying hook.
✣✣✣
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