T/N: Bonus chapter for the 100 Power Stones, thank you very much!
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A heavy yet swift slash.
When Hyaku's figure appeared again, he stood before Crocodile in a sword-slashing stance. Both hands gripping the sword handle, his blade clashed against the opponent's defending golden hook.
BOOM!
The ground beneath Crocodile's feet instantly cracked from the tremendous force transmitted through Hyaku's blade. The massive impact forced his body to bend, unable to resist.
Crocodile gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at the brat before him. Suddenly, a cruel glint flashed in his eyes.
The fingers of his other hand, positioned below him, made an almost imperceptible hooking motion.
Swish Swish Swish...
In an instant, the sandy ground behind Hyaku stirred. The sand writhed and rose, quickly forming into an extraordinarily sharp sword.
Whoosh!
The sand sword positioned itself behind Hyaku, just outside his field of vision, before viciously thrusting toward him.
This was one of Crocodile's Suna Suna no Mi techniques.
✣ Suna Suna no Mi: Desert Grande Espada ⭄ Great Sword of the Desert! ✣
The Desert Grande Espada wasn't just incredibly sharp — once it hit its target, the Devil Fruit power within would instantly drain all moisture from the victim's body!
It was clearly one of Crocodile's deadliest moves.
Whoosh!
The sand great sword thrust toward the enemy with shocking speed and at a tricky angle.
"Hmm?" The keen-sensed Hyaku immediately noticed something was wrong.
✣ Kenbunshoku no Haki: Ito Kankaku ⭄ Observation Haki: Intent Sensing! ✣
He instantly called out in his mind. The invisible Observation Haki spread out from his body in a circular wave.
Through its feedback, he clearly captured and 'saw' the Desert Grande Espada silently approaching from behind.
A mocking smile tugged at Hyaku's lips. The next second, the attack arrived.
Whoosh...!
The Desert Grande Espada, cutting through the air with a piercing whistle, thrust viciously toward his back.
Just as Crocodile thought victory was his, Hyaku's body shifted sideways with incredible precision.
SLASH!
The Desert Grande Espada missed its mark, merely grazing the edge of his shirt as he dodged with perfect timing.
Swish Swish Swish...
The sand that had formed the Great Sword dissolved back to the ground. Crocodile's eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before him.
How had this brat dodged his assassination technique? It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head!
Crocodile's heart pounded with shock.
"Get lost!"
Taking advantage of Crocodile's stunned state, Hyaku struck.
With a contemptuous snort, he dropped to one side, braced his hand against the ground, and spun to deliver a devastating kick to his opponent's chest.
✣ Busōshoku no Haki: Kōka ⭄ Armament Haki: Hardening! ✣
Armament Haki wrapped around his right foot as he launched the kick.
BAM!
Crocodile couldn't evade in time.
A thunderous crack split the air as the impact sent his body flying upward, convulsing as if struck by lightning.
✣ Rokushiki: Geppo ⭄ Moonwalk! ✣
After sending Crocodile flying, Hyaku slapped his palm down and stood upright.
Giving his opponent no chance to recover, he stomped the ground forcefully. Using Geppo to step on air, he pursued Crocodile's ascending form.
In midair, Hyaku rotated half a turn, propelled by the force of his aerial step. His waist coiled with power as both hands gripped the great sword, using the momentum of his spin to sweep the blade toward Crocodile.
Swish Swish Swish...!
At this crucial moment, Crocodile fought through the pain in his chest and raised his right hand. With his palm facing forward, he suddenly clenched it, unleashing the Suna Suna no Mi power.
Countless grains of sand burst from his body, gathering before him to form a protective shield.
Almost simultaneously, Hyaku's great sword descended.
BANG!!
The great sword crashed against the sand shield.
Hyaku's strike, already formidable on its own and amplified by his body's rotation, carried the force of thousands of pounds. With a thunderous bang, the sand shield split cleanly in half.
Whoosh!
After breaking through Crocodile's defense, Hyaku's right foot stepped on air.
His figure vanished, only to materialize behind his opponent. Without hesitation, Hyaku raised his sword and brought it down in a devastating slash.
SLASH!
This time, Crocodile couldn't evade. The sharp great sword, enhanced with Armament Haki, carved into his body.
Blood erupted from the wound as Crocodile's body, like a severed kite, plummeted helplessly toward the ground. The grievous sword wound on his back left a trail of crimson in his wake.
BOOM!!
Finally, Crocodile crashed into the earth with devastating force, creating a massive crater. Thick dust billowed upward, concealing his fate.
On the ground, seeing the Warlord completely overwhelmed and struck down by Hyaku, the Marines erupted in cheers.
Their Commander's display had been truly formidable!
"He actually defeated Crocodile..." Vivi, who had witnessed everything, covered her mouth in excitement, her eyes growing moist.
The scene shifted back to Hyaku.
After delivering that devastating slash, he descended slowly to the ground.
Unlike the cheering crowd, he maintained his composure, staring intently toward where his opponent had fallen, though the billowing dust obscured his view.
Whoosh...
A light breeze swept through, gradually dispersing the dust cloud. Through the clearing air, a figure rose from the sunken, cracked ground.
It was Crocodile!
His earlier composure had vanished — he was now covered in dirt and thoroughly disheveled. The clothes around his back wound were soaked with dried blood.
It appeared he had used his Devil Fruit power to forcibly stop the bleeding. Standing again, he struggled to catch his breath.
"You must die!"
Crocodile's head snapped up, his face contorting with rage as he roared at Hyaku.
BAM!
He dropped into a crouch, slamming his right palm against the ground.
✣ Suna Suna no Mi: Ground Death ⭄ Erosion Cycle! ✣
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