"Ah, you really are a bastard! My beautiful and charming Young Miss Hina, how did you get such serious injuries!"
"I want to duel you! It's only been half a day, and Young Miss Hina came back injured like this..."
Fumbudhi and Jango, leading several Marine Soldiers, arrived at the seaside in a small boat to meet them. Seeing Hina unconscious from her injuries, the two were furious.
Taro sent both guys flying with a kick each, then instructed the other Marine Soldiers, "Take Colonel Hina back to the ship to rest. I have business to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."
The Marine Soldiers gave a respectful salute. "Yes, sir!"
..."Ah, dear guest, are you looking to rent a camel?" a shrewd-looking boss asked, rubbing his hands as he looked at Taro respectfully.
"Yes, I'm going to the Royal Capital and need to cross a large stretch of desert. A camel would be much more convenient."
The boss's eyes sparkled even more. "If you're going to the Royal Capital, I suggest you rent an f·crocodile. Its speed is second only to the Super Spot-Billed Ducks!"
"f·crocodile?" Taro was stunned for a moment, as if he had some impression of it. "Fine, then I'll rent one."
The boss was overjoyed. "Great, guest. However, the f·crocodile is a carnivorous animal, so we also need to prepare some..."
Taro waved his hand. "Stop with the nonsense. Just prepare the food and water for my journey as well. Be quick about it."
...The f·crocodile sprinted all the way, kicking up a cloud of dust. At first, Taro was in the mood to admire the magnificent desert scenery, but now he was lying limply on the Crocodile's back. After traveling through the heatwaves of the desert for several hours, even Taro was starting to find it unbearable.
Just as he wanted to stop, he saw a cluster of buildings appear ahead. A mirage?
Taro's first reaction was that he was seeing a mirage. After advancing a bit further, he suddenly realized it was indeed a real city; he could already hear the noise coming from within.
Feeling a surge of joy, Taro urged his mount to speed up, but as he got closer, he realized something was wrong.
The noise was mixed with screams, cries, pleas for mercy, and wanton laughter.
Pirates were raiding the town!
Taro jumped off the Crocodile's back, tied it to a weathered rock outside the city, rolled up his headscarf, tightened his outer robe, and with a few leaps, quickly rushed into the city.
However, as soon as he entered the city, he heard an even more shrill scream mixed with the whistling sound of wind and sand. Taro's heart grew more anxious, and just as he was about to accelerate, wave after wave of cheering reached him.
"Hero!"
"Guardian of Alabasta!"
"Lord Crocodile!"
"Long live!"
Taro felt his heart skip a beat. The Sand Crocodile was in this city?
While he was debating whether to find a place to hide or just make a run for it, a person appeared on the street.
Crocodile!
Taro's eyes twitched violently. At this point, wouldn't hiding make him look even more suspicious?
Holy crap! What should I do?
The newcomer was indeed Crocodile. He was carrying a large bundle, which looked like treasures obtained from wiping out the pirates.
He was over 2.5 meters tall, with a stitched scar running across his entire face, and he was puffing on a cigar. Even in this sweltering desert kingdom, he still meticulously wore a mink coat over an orange checkered vest, sporting a self-conceited and arrogant expression.
Taro's mind raced for a strategy as Crocodile drew closer. Taro knew Crocodile's true strength; if Luffy hadn't had the Protagonist Halo, it would have been impossible for Crocodile to lose.
This guy could fight almost any powerhouse to a draw. Taro didn't think he could defeat the Sand Crocodile right now.
Sometimes, backing down isn't shameful!
Thinking this, Taro watched the approaching Crocodile and forced out a smile.
Crocodile had just finished showing off in front of the Alabasta citizens and gained a bunch of fanboys, so he was in a great mood.
Who would have thought that as soon as he stepped from the town's central square onto the street, he would see a young man standing right in the middle of the road.
He's up to no good!
Crocodile thought instantly.
But he was no coward. While walking forward, he secretly watched Taro with vigilance.
As the distance closed, the young man's expression didn't change at all, and his gaze remained calm. Crocodile's heart sank slightly.
At the moment they brushed past each other, Crocodile noticed the young man suddenly smile.
A calm expression and gaze, coupled with that sudden hint of a smile.
A sneer!
Mockery!
This is the precursor to an attack!
Crocodile was instantly enraged. He raised his arm, which suddenly turned into sand, transforming into a massive crescent-shaped sand blade.
"Crescent Moon Dune!"
Taro breathed a sigh of relief after forcing out a smile. Good, no conflict with the Sand Crocodile.
Little did he know that just as he let his guard down, a raspy shout rang in his ears. Taro's heart tightened, and he instinctively dodged.
"Soru!"
The massive sand blade grazed Taro's shoulder, knocking off his long robe and hooded veil.
Taro's eyebrows twitched. That was close!
This Sand Crocodile is really insidious. Luckily I reacted quickly, otherwise I'd be a dried corpse by now. Holy crap!
Then again, he truly is a high-IQ criminal capable of playing the 'Nation-Stealing' game; there was no warning before he struck. Truly terrifying!
Taro thought as he watched the Sand Crocodile vigilantly.
Crocodile also appeared somewhat surprised. To think the opponent dodged even though he struck first. It seemed his judgment was correct—this person was up to no good!
What is this young man's background?
Could he have been sent by the King?
Has the news leaked?
Crocodile's mind whirled, considering many possibilities.
For a moment, the two watched each other with mutual caution.
"Rumble, rumble, rumble."
A rumbling sound echoed from outside the town, followed by a cloud of dust rising over the distant desert.
Taro and Crocodile both looked outside the city, their eyes widening slightly.
A large group of people was rapidly approaching in the distance!
Taro was startled. It's over. The Baroque Works' Officer Agents and those subordinates known as 'Billions' and 'Millions' have arrived.
What should I do?
I need to think of something fast!
Crocodile's gaze also narrowed. This guy actually has reinforcements!
He looked at the dust filling the sky in the distance; there were so many of them!
This guy really is the King's subordinate!
The 'Utopia' plan has been leaked!
Who was it?!
Crocodile was both surprised and even more furious. His gaze was like lightning as he glared fixedly at Taro.
Seeing Crocodile's reaction, Taro became even more certain that the newcomers were Crocodile's subordinates, and he felt a sense of despair.
"I'll remember you!"
Crocodile suddenly spoke. Taro, who was watching Crocodile vigilantly, wanted to flee the moment he opened his mouth, but he was stunned by the words that followed.
Wait! Why does this sentence also sound a bit familiar!
"Whoosh, woo woo woo!"
A gust of wind and sand swirled up, making Taro squint his eyes. When the sand passed, Crocodile's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Holy crap! What just happened?!
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