Kapitel 72: And?
You all are welcomed to my Discord Channel!
discord.gg/8qYFSnHHAs
--xLOVEx--
Before either of them could react further, Luffy and Usopp simultaneously sprayed water all over Smoker and Tashigi in a classic spit-take, their panic sprouting much like water they sprayed, upon noticing unbeknownst, they sat near Marine that were chasing one, and thought the other was a Bounty Hunter.
"Run!" Luffy yelled, grabbing two barrels of water from behind the counter. Usopp grabbed one too, following Luffy's lead. They bolted out of the tavern, leaving a soaked and fuming Smoker behind.
Smoker jumped up, grabbing his jitte as he shouted after them. "Straw Hat! Get back here!"
Tashigi, wiping water from her face, quickly drew her sword and followed Smoker out the door, both of them determined not to let the pirates escape. "Long Nosed Liar! Don't run!"
Outside, Luffy and Usopp were already sprinting through the crowded streets of Rainbase, barrels in hand. They dodged past people, knocking over market stalls in their frantic attempt to flee. The bustling city turned chaotic as Smoker and Tashigi pursued them.
Coby, who had been waiting outside with the others, noticed the commotion before he even saw Luffy and Usopp. The panicked shouts of merchants and bystanders were a dead giveaway. He spotted them barreling through the crowd, Smoker and Tashigi hot on their heels.
"Shit, here we go," Coby muttered, immediately springing into action. He quickly gathered the rest of the crew and signaled for them to move. Spotting Luffy and Usopp, barrels in tow and Smoker hot on their heels, Coby didn't waste time. He swiftly grabbed Luffy by the arm, yanking him towards the group, while nodding to Zoro and Sanji.
Zoro took the barrels from Luffy's grip without a word, while Sanji grabbed Usopp's. They didn't need to say anything; the urgency of the situation was clear. "Vivi, hop on," Coby instructed, crouching down. Vivi hesitated for a split second but then jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck as he sprinted away from the others. "Let's move!"
Tashigi, who had been tailing Smoker, split off upon seeing Zoro. Her eyes locked on him with that determined glare she always had when swords were involved. "You won't escape this time!" she called out, drawing her blade. Zoro just grinned, ready for the challenge.
"You really want to do this now, huh?" Zoro taunted, unsheathing his swords as they engaged in a quick clash. Sparks flew, the sound of metal against metal ringing through the chaotic streets of Rainbase.
Meanwhile, Smoker focused on Coby and Luffy, his jitte ready to strike. "Straw Hat! Stop running!" he shouted, "Copy Ninja, return my jitte!" he called, as he chased them down the narrow alleyways of the city. But neither Coby nor Luffy had any intention of stopping. They weaved through the crowded streets, narrowly avoiding Smoker's attacks.
They dashed into the casino, the lavish entrance stark against the gritty chase.
The casino's guards were on alert, but before they could move, Robin appeared. She gave a quick signal to the hosts nearby.
"Please escort our guests to the VIP room," Robin instructed. The hosts, oblivious to the danger, complied immediately, leading Coby, Luffy, and Vivi into a luxurious hallway. Smoker, right on their tails, followed without hesitation, not noticing the trap until it was too late.
As they crossed into the VIP room, the floor beneath them gave way, the trio and Smoker falling into a dark pit below. The heavy slam of a cage door closing echoed through the chamber as they landed.
The cage was made with Kairoseki, the stone that nullified Devil Fruit powers. Luffy struggled to his feet, weakened by the Kairoseki bars, while Smoker glared at the situation, clearly pissed off. He tugged at his jitte but knew it was useless in this cage. "Damn it!" he growled, eyes flicking between Coby and the cage door.
Vivi looked at Coby, her voice barely above a whisper, "This is bad."
Coby just chuckled, leaning against the bars. "Don't worry, all according to plan."
Luffy blinked, still catching his breath. "What plan, Coby?"
Coby smirked, keeping his tone light. "You'll see soon enough, Captain."
While Smoker and Luffy started to quarrel, a deep voice cut through the tension. "I suggest you all stop. As fellow prisoners, you're all heading toward the same fate."
The trio turned toward the voice. Crocodile sat in his chair, his dark coat draped over his shoulders, the flicker of amusement playing on his lips. His sharp gaze moved to Smoker, who looked visibly annoyed.
"Crocodile," Smoker spat, gripping his jitte tighter.
Crocodile's grin widened. "You're quite the wild dog, aren't you, Smoker? Never trusting anyone. Wise, but it's led you right into this trap." He chuckled darkly, leaning back. "Don't worry, I'll make sure the World Government knows you died heroically... fighting a small-time pirate crew like the Straw Hat Pirates."
He laughed, the sound echoing in the chamber. "Of course, no one will question it. After all, you came here without orders. That was your mistake. The World Government trusts me. No one will come looking for you."
Luffy, who had been quietly fuming, finally erupted. "So you're Crocodile? Fight me, bastard!"
Before Crocodile could respond, the door to the chamber creaked open, and Nico Robin entered. "Rebels are on the move, Mr. 0," she reported.
Crocodile glanced at his watch, irritation flashing in his eyes. "They're early," he muttered, as if the entire kingdom's destruction should bend to his whims. He waved his hand dismissively. "No matter. Start the Utopia plan."
Robin nodded and left the room without another word. Crocodile then turned his attention to Vivi, who had been glaring daggers at him since he appeared.
"Baroque Works' grand plan, in which even you played a part, has now reached its finale," Crocodile said, his tone almost mocking. "If you listen carefully, you can almost hear Alabasta's death throes." His grin widened as he continued, "And the masterstroke? Those tearing Alabasta apart truly believe they're protecting it."
Vivi's face twisted in pain, his words hitting hard. Crocodile watched her reaction with cold satisfaction. "Doesn't that bring a tear to your eye? Their love for their country is what's going to destroy it."
He began listing off his crimes, each one heavier than the last. "Sabotaging irrigation canals, teaching men to act like royal guards, eroding the citizens' trust in your father by having those fake guards commit crimes in his name... even transporting Rain Powder to drought-stricken towns just to fuel the people's anger."
Vivi's eyes filled with tears, each revelation cutting deeper than the last. Crocodile reveled in her anguish, his voice dripping with cruelty.
Once he was done listing his crimes, Coby, who had been quietly listening, turned to Smoker. "Heard enough?"
Smoker's face twisted with fury, teeth grinding as he glared at Crocodile. "Even if I hear all that, what can I do while trapped in here?"
Coby snorted. "You think I'd trap myself here without a backup plan?" His eyes flicked toward Crocodile, who was now watching him with interest.
"Coby the Copy Ninja," Crocodile drawled. "I've heard of you, but honestly, I don't believe the rumors."
Coby chuckled, raising a finger. "Believe whatever you want." At the tip of his finger, a wax key formed. Crocodile's eyes widened in shock.
"Impossible!" Crocodile hissed. "That cage is made of Kairoseki!"
Coby remained unfazed, casually walking to the door and inserting the key. As he turned it, the lock clicked, and the door swung open. He stepped out, giving Crocodile a lazy grin.
While Mr. 3 had been a prisoner on their ship, Coby had scanned his Devil Fruit abilities. The full power of the Doru Doru no Mi had been too costly to acquire, but Coby had settled for something practical.
[Skill Scan initiated on 'Doru Doru no Mi'. Analysis in progress… The Doru Doru no Mi grants the user the ability to generate and manipulate wax, which can be hardened to steel-like strength. This includes a wide variety of uses, such as creating weapons, shields, and structures. Due to the versatile and utility-based nature of this ability, the estimated cost for acquisition is 170,000 SP. Please confirm if you wish to proceed with the Skill Scan and acquisition.]
Coby had found the cost too high and instead focused on a specific aspect.
[Skill Scan initiated on 'Wax Key Creation'. Analysis in progress… This ability allows the user to create functional wax keys capable of unlocking various locks. As a specific utility-focused application of the Doru Doru no Mi, the estimated cost for acquisition is 18,000 SP. Please confirm if you wish to proceed with the Skill Scan and acquisition.]
"And?" Coby shrugged, casually opening the door.
--
Read up to 100 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/pinkisjustice
Tell me what you think!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein