章 163: Battle of Wills #163
The atmosphere around them crackled with tension as the two combatants locked eyes, each refusing to back down. Having spent the last 30 minutes engaged in a fierce battle, Crocodile and Cedric were covered in blood, evidence of the intense struggle they had endured.
But while Crocodile was heaving for breath, his body battered and bleeding profusely, Cedric's breaths remained even and composed. Whatever scratches he had sustained were healing rapidly, a testament to his formidable abilities.
Cedric's grin remained unyielding as he taunted Crocodile, "By all intents and purposes, the fight is already over... How about you do yourself a favor and give up?" His voice carried a mix of confidence and amusement, contrasting with Crocodile's labored breathing and the crimson stains adorning his clothes.
Crocodile scoffed defiantly, spitting out the blood pooling in his mouth before retorting, "You're not completely worthless, brat, but don't get carried away." Despite the pain and fatigue evident in his expression, there was an air of arrogance in his tone, as if victory was still within his grasp.
The Warlord let out a chuckle, his confidence seemingly unshaken, as he continued, "I've fought and crushed countless people... you will be no different." His words were a testament to his ruthless reputation, a reminder of the countless adversaries who had fallen before him.
Despite his ragged appearance, Crocodile appeared to believe every word he spoke. The warlord was a cunning mastermind, capable of hatching intricate schemes to bring down kings and nations, but he was not always moved by reason. He himself would tell you that.
But Cedric was undeterred. He knew the caliber of the foe standing before him, yet he relished the challenge. With each passing moment, he felt his resolve strengthen, his Haki pulsating through his veins, empowering him to keep fighting.
Crocodile's determination wasn't rooted in rationality or strategic thinking. No, his pride and hubris drove him forward, refusing to bow down to the young pirate who dared to challenge him. He had orchestrated grand schemes and manipulated events on a massive scale, but Cedric's might ignite a fire within him.
Their clash wasn't just a test of strength; it was a battle of wills, a clash of ideologies. Crocodile, the warlord who believed himself invincible, faced off against Cedric, the young fighter who refused to be subdued. It was a battle that transcended mere physical prowess.
The seconds stretched into minutes, both warriors eyeing each other with unwavering determination. The damage they had inflicted on each other was evident, but neither showed any sign of surrender. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and the very air seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the momentous showdown unfolding before it.
As the dust settled around them, a palpable tension lingered in the air. The outcome of this battle was far from certain, but Cedric and Crocodile stood tall, each driven by their own convictions, each determined to emerge victorious.
Cedric chuckled, a wry grin playing on his lips as he was reminded of something Whitebeard had once said about fools who didn't know when to quit.
The irony that Crocodile, a man who harbored a burning desire to kill Whitebeard, was one of those very fools that the old sea emperor was so fond of amused Cedric to no end. However, he quickly shook away the stray thoughts, focusing once more on the battle at hand.
"Alright... then I'll stop holding out," Cedric declared, his voice laced with determination as power surged through his body, causing it to undergo a remarkable transformation. His form enlarged, limbs elongating, and muscles bulging, until he assumed his awe-inspiring Heavenly Ape form. The very ground seemed to tremble beneath his imposing presence.
"Try not to die, will you?" he taunted Crocodile, his voice booming like thunder as flames coalesced around his entire body, radiating a scorching heat. The air around them grew oppressive as the intensity of their battle escalated to new heights.
Cedric raised his hand up high, and the flames surrounding him intensified, forming a gigantic sphere that floated above his palm, akin to a miniature sun. The raw power emanating from the sphere was awe-inspiring, and even the hardened warlord couldn't help but be taken aback by its magnitude.
"You're nothing more than a pest," Crocodile retorted, his voice dripping with disdain as he readied himself for the impending clash.
With a battle cry that echoed through the surrounding desert, Cedric hurled the fiery sphere towards Crocodile with tremendous force.
Crocodile's eyes blazed with determination as he summoned a spherical dome of sand to shield himself from Cedric's incoming attack. His gritted teeth and narrowed gaze revealed his unwavering resolve to push through the intense battle. "Die, brat!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with venom as he sent razor-sharp blades of solid sand hurtling towards the flaming sphere and, by extension, Cedric.
Yet, Cedric remained unfazed, his grin widening as he watched the sand blades meet their fiery demise. Like a mesmerizing dance of elements, the blades melted upon contact with the searing flames, transforming into a molten glass that cascaded down onto the ground. The flaming sphere continued its flight, unhindered by Crocodile's desperate attempt at defense.
With a deafening boom, the sphere clashed with Crocodile's remaining defenses, creating an explosion that engulfed the area in a radiating hue of orange flames. The sand beneath them sizzled under the intense heat, turning into molten glass that, in turn, transformed into swirling dust, carried away by the scorching winds.
As the dust settled, the once-solid ground where Crocodile had stood was now a vast sheet of molten glass. To Cedric's surprise, the warlord still stood amidst the devastation. Though panting for breath, scorched, and bleeding, Crocodile's indomitable spirit refused to be extinguished.
"You're stronger than I anticipated, but it'll take more than that to take me down, brat!" he grumbled, his voice betraying both his resilience and his wounded pride.
Cedric saw through the bravado and, deciding to conserve his energy, reverted back to his human form. He walked slowly but confidently towards the worn and defiant warlord.
Cedric's grin widened as he asked, "Who are you trying to impress...?" With a playful poke, he shattered the last vestiges of Crocodile's resistance, causing the warlord to crumble onto his back. "We both know you can't fight anymore," Cedric stated matter-of-factly, shaking his head.
Crocodile scoffed, his pride still intact, and retorted, "If you want to gloat, then get it over with and kill me quickly." He closed his eyes, attempting to hide the vulnerability that seeped through his tough exterior.
Cedric chuckled at the warlord's remark and replied, "Kill you? Now why would I do that?" He paused, his tone turning serious. "I have no grudge against you, and I'm no longer a marine soldier... enforcing justice isn't my job."
Throughout his life as a drifter and a Marine, Cedric had taken the lives of many, but always with a purpose or to achieve a goal. However, there was only one instance when he killed out of personal sentiment – Rob Lucci, the CP9 who pissed off Cedric as much as the celestial dragons.
But Cedric held no grudge against Crocodile. With his defeat, the World Government would soon strip Crocodile of his Warlord status, and he would no longer be a threat to Alabasta. Thus, dealing with him was no longer Cedric's job.
Crocodile scowled, but his eyes revealed a mixture of surprise and skepticism. "In the end, you're still an inexperienced, reckless brat," he remarked, coughing up a mouthful of blood. "You might not hold a grudge, but who's to say I won't?"
The warlord grinned, exposing his bloodied teeth, as he continued, "You've cost me years of planning... that's enough for anyone to hold a grudge."
Cedric just laughed off the threat, undeterred by Crocodile's words. "Feel free to come at me whenever... I'll just kick your ass again," he replied, his confidence unshaken.
With that, Cedric turned around and began walking away, dusting off the sand from his clothes. "The Marines will be here anytime now, so I'd haul ass and get out of here if I were you," he called back to the defeated warlord.
Crocodile watched Cedric's departing figure, his gaze filled with a mix of emotions—frustration, anger, and begrudging respect. He knew he had underestimated this young pirate, and it had cost him dearly. But even in defeat, Crocodile refused to yield his pride.
...
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