บท 103: Chapter 103 - Confrontation
Ryu and Yoruichi stepped into the heart of Crocodile's luxurious pyramid-shaped casino, instantly engulfed by a labyrinth of neon lights that cast vibrant hues on every surface. The pulsing music, an eclectic blend of modern beats and timeless melodies, melded with the incessant hum of slot machines, created an atmosphere of unbridled excitement. The air was thick with an intoxicating cocktail of perfume, tobacco, and the promise of wealth, making it almost tangible.
As they made their way through the crowd, the floor beneath them seemed to rumble with the excited chatter of patrons from all walks of life. Ryu and Yoruichi strode across plush carpets, their rich patterns rippling beneath their feet, while the decorated ceilings loomed overhead like gilded masterpieces. The glimmering gold and silver of the slot machines and gaming tables sparkled in the dancing lights, reflecting the dreams of those who dared to try their luck.
Ryu and Yoruichi approached a poker table, where the sharp-suited dealer shuffled the deck with practiced ease. They exchanged nods and Ryu took a seat, his confident posture drawing the attention of the other players. A motley group of wide-eyed tourists and seasoned gamblers, sized up Ryu, each hoping to gain an edge in the game. Unbeknownst to them, Ryu's victory was guaranteed before the first card was even dealt.
Ryu's eyes gleamed with mischief as he skillfully used the Transformation Jutsu to tilt the odds in his favor, subtly transforming the cards in the deck to better suit his hand, getting win after win while avoiding the casino's surveillance team's suspicious gazes.
Additionally, Ryu used Rikai to read the other player's minds, ensuring that he always knew what was the best move to execute.
As the game progressed, Ryu's stack of chips steadily grew larger and larger. Yoruichi smiled devishly, thinking about all the money they were taking.
Soon, they moved on to the roulette table, where a different kind of energy buzzed. The hypnotic spin of the wheel and the bouncing ball captivated the onlookers, their eyes fixed on the erratic dance of fortune.
With a subtle wave of his hand, Ryu influenced the outcome, the ball coming to rest on the number he had chosen. Gasps and groans filled the air as chips were collected and paid out.
Finally, they approached a blackjack table, where the tension was palpable. By this point, Ryu had won an incredible amount. Enough to cause serious harm to the casino's earnings.
The dealer, a steely-eyed woman in a crisp uniform, met Ryu's gaze with a challenging smirk, a group of staff surrounding her to ensure Ryu wouldn't be able to cheat. Unfortunately, they stood no chance.
The game commenced, and Ryu continued to wield his shining Jutsu, transforming cards and reading minds to secure his advantage. The other players were none the wiser, their expressions a mixture of admiration, envy, and disbelief. The affluent surroundings seemed to fade into the background as Ryu and Yoruichi enjoyed their games. The extravagant décor, shimmering fixtures, and decadent atmosphere served as a backdrop to their numerous victories.
Eventually, a burly staff member approached them, his bulging muscles barely concealed beneath his uniform, and a sinister glint in his eyes.
"Sir Crocodile requests your presence," he said, his tone deceptively warm, prompting a knowing smirk from Ryu.
"What took him so long? Was he waiting for us to bankrupt him?" Yoruichi quipped, her smirk broadening.
"Follow me, please," the staff member responded, his voice steady. Ryu, however, noticed the man's fist tightening ever so slightly.
Ryu and Yoruichi followed the muscular staff member as he led them through the bustling casino toward a discreet, unmarked door. With a swift glance around, he unlocked it, and the trio slipped inside. They descended a dimly lit staircase, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. Their footfalls echoed off the walls, the only sound in the otherwise silent passageway.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they entered a vast, well-lit chamber hewn from blue stone.
In the center of the room stood a massive, ornate table, and a matching chair. The table's surface was littered with documents and various illegal materials. It was clear this was where Crocodile orchestrated his organization, far from the prying eyes of the outside world.
It also meant that Crocodile wanted to eliminate the two of them in an isolated environment.
The sound of heavy footsteps shattered the basement's eerie silence, growing louder as someone descended the same staircase that Ryu and Yoruichi had just traversed. As the unsettling footsteps drew nearer, Crocodile emerged at the entrance to the chamber, his twisted smile on full display.
He strode confidently into the chamber, his piercing gaze fixated on Ryu and Yoruichi. Each click of his boots against the concrete floor echoed ominously through the basement.
Then, Crocodile began speaking in a threatening tone. "I don't know what tricks you've used, but it's clear you've been cheating in my casino. Did you really think you could stroll in here and rob me blind?" He directed a pointed glare at Ryu, his eyes narrowing. "As for you, I assume you know more about my plans than you're letting on. Care to explain?"
Before Ryu could respond, Yoruichi interjected. "You know, I've been curious about this for a while, but why do you wear a coat in the desert? Are you actually cold-blooded? Is that why they call you Crocodile?" She inquired with a teasing smirk.
Crocodile's expression soured. "You're on the verge of death, and that's the question you choose to ask? It seems I overestimated your intelligence."
"Bold of you to think you can kill us," Ryu retorted, casually leaning against Crocodile's table.
"I mean, you project this image of a fearsome mob boss, but these documents tell a different story. It appears that even with the World Government's protection, you can only build an organization so fragile that it's comprised of nothing more than expendable underlings." Ryu taunted, flipping through the papers on the table.
Crocodile's eyes flashed with anger. "I had initially set a trap for you, but it seems that won't be necessary. I'll take care of you myself!" With that declaration, he conjured a whirlwind of sand, filling the room with a deadly storm.
"Yeah... No. I'm not letting you ruin my outfit with all that sand," Ryu scoffed dismissively. With a casual flick of his hands, he made the swirling sand vanish.
Crocodile froze in confusion, but Ryu turned to Yoruichi instead of taking advantage of the opportunity. "Have at it. I think you'll enjoy this one," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Oh? If you're recommending it, then I'm having high expectations," Yoruichi replied, drawing her Zanpakuto.
Wasting no time, she sprung into action, closing the distance between her and Crocodile with such speed it seemed as if she'd teleported. But as her sword sliced through his neck, it didn't feel as she'd anticipated. His body seemed to part, making way for her blade. Sure enough, when she glanced back, Crocodile's head reattached itself seamlessly, his body seemingly made of sand.
"Now that 𝐢𝐬 interesting," Yoruichi said, her grin widening.
With an angry growl, Crocodile raised his arms, palms spread wide as he invoked his powers, summoning a whirling tornado of sand from the warehouse's cracked floor. The sandstorm engulfed the room in a swift, sweeping motion, turning the entire space into a swirling storm. Dust particles danced around him, creating a formidable, pulsating barrier.
In contrast, Yoruichi stood with a calm serenity that contrasted the chaos swirling around her. As the sand tornado whipped towards her, she used her inhuman speed and agility to catapult herself into the air. She flipped deftly over the surging wall of sand, her lithe figure a flash of violet against the sandy backdrop.
As she landed gracefully behind Crocodile, her sword swung in an elegant arc, aimed precisely at Crocodile's exposed back. The blade cut through the air with a sharp whistle, but just as it was about to hit, Crocodile dissolved into sand, causing the sword to pass harmlessly through.
Unfazed, Yoruichi twisted her body around, launching a flurry of strikes. Her body moved fluidly, each slash and thrust a testament to her superior swordsmanship. Her sword swept left, then right, then up, aiming for Crocodile's head, chest, and arms. Each time, her blade met nothing but a burst of sand.
Crocodile, capitalizing on the enclosed space, tightened the sandstorm around her, condensing the grains into an array of sandy daggers. He sent them flying towards Yoruichi with a flick of his wrist, aiming for her exposed sides and back.
But Yoruichi was faster. She twirled, twisted, and flipped with uncanny precision, her form a mesmerizing dance of motion. Each dagger misses its mark, her agility rendering the aggressive sand assault futile.
Feeling the relentless attack closing in, Yoruichi pushed off the ground and spiraled into the air. Her body moved with feline agility, her legs pushing off the walls, avoiding each wave of sand with seconds to spare. She descended, delivering a powerful, downward slash at Crocodile, who again turned into sand to avoid the hit.
"Ryu, any tips on how to land a hit? This gimmick is becoming annoying" she called out, annoyance in her voice.
"He can transform his body into sand at will, so conventional attacks won't work. But I won't spoil the fun by giving you the solution. See if you can figure it out," Ryu replied.
Yoruichi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Sand, huh? I have an idea," she said, smirking confidently.
Yoruichi adopted a battle stance once more, this time with a powerful stream of yellow lightning engulfing her sword.
Crocodile braced himself for her attack, but just as before, Yoruichi appeared behind him before he could react, slashing his back with her electrified blade.
"Your speed is remarkable, I'll give you that. But you can't harm me with such feeble attacks," Crocodile taunted, smirking as his body transformed into sand once again. He felt no pain, assuming he had sustained no damage, yet something peculiar spread across his back.
"Why don't you straighten up before you criticize my skills?" Yoruichi retorted, noticing Crocodile's slight hunch from the force of her strike.
Annoyed, Crocodile began to reply with a snarky comment. "Is that what's bothering you? Fine, I'll—" However, as he attempted to stand up straight, he found himself unable to move his back at all.
"What's happening?!" Crocodile cried out, fear creeping into his voice.
"Aw, you look so bewildered. Let me help you out," Yoruichi said, winking playfully. "You see, while lightning doesn't technically have a temperature, it causes materials it passes through to heat up due to electrical resistance. Good conductors of electricity don't heat up as much as poor conductors.
Air, for instance, is a lousy conductor, so lightning can heat it up to about 27,760 degrees Celsius (50,000 Fahrenheit)—about five times hotter than the sun's surface. As for sand, it melts into glass at a mere 1,698 degrees Celsius (3,090 Fahrenheit). Although sand is a better conductor than air, it's not by much. So, congratulations: your back is now a stunning work of glass art," Yoruichi explained, showcasing her knowledge.
"Now hold still. I'll make your head the next exhibit in my glass sculpture collection," Yoruichi taunted, preparing to strike once more.
Crocodile was petrified. Even if Yoruichi couldn't use Haki, she could still kill him just as effectively! And with her incredible speed, he knew she could cut him down before he could escape or counterattack.
"Wait, stop!" Crocodile exclaimed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "And why should I?"
"I'll give you the money you won, plus a generous bonus. Just don't kill me," Crocodile bargained.
"The winnings are rightfully ours. You don't have much of a choice here," Ryu interjected, walking forward and making Crocodile flinch.
"However, there is something I'd like to know. How and why did you instigate this civil war?" Ryu questioned Crocodile.
"Civil war?" Yoruichi inquired, her head tilting in confusion.
"Something I picked up while using Rikai on him," Ryu explained.
"But if you used Rikai, shouldn't y—" Yoruichi began, but Ryu silenced her with a finger to his lips.
"Keep a close watch on him, Yoruichi. Be ready to slice his head off if he tries anything," Ryu warned, noticing Crocodile's mind racing to plan his escape. This caused the latter to mutter a muffled curse under his breath.
Sensing that he had no choice, Crocodile reluctantly began to explain. "Fine, I'll tell you. I had a plan to locate a certain object that is located in this country. But the monarchy stood in my way, so I needed to remove them for the sake of my objective."
Ryu listened intently as Crocodile continued, "I used my organization, Baroque Works, to secretly use Dance Powder to manipulate the weather. The capital city experienced abnormally high amounts of rain, while the rest of the country suffered through an endless drought. The people didn't suspect a thing until they noticed that other cities were receiving below-normal rainfall."
Crocodile paused before continuing, "My agents then brought a shipment of Dance Powder into the country, and once they reached the town of Nanohana, they staged an accident with the delivery cart, spilling the powder for all to see. When questioned, they claimed it was a delivery for the king, leading the citizens to believe their monarch was behind the drought."
He leaned back, his voice taking on a satisfied tone. "I had several Baroque Works members infiltrate the royal guard, which allowed them to smuggle large amounts of Dance Powder into the palace. The final step in the plan was to create a rebellion and prompt them to make their last desperate charge on the capital."
With a chuckle, Crocodile recounted the final steps of his plan. "First, I had two capable agents sneak into the royal palace and kidnap the king of Arabasta. Afterward, I had another agent use his Devil Fruit power to transform into a lookalike of the king and make a public announcement in Nanohana, confessing that he had used the powder."
Crocodile's face contorted into a proud smile. "With the people's trust in their ruler shattered, my plan was set in motion. And the chaos that ensued served as the perfect smokescreen for my true objective."
"Quite an elaborate scheme you had there. Unfortunately for you, the entire country just heard your confession," Ryu remarked casually.
Crocodile's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! How is that possible?"
Ryu smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "I employed a few... let's say, sound techniques to broadcast our conversation throughout the nation. I hope you cherished your time as a perceived hero, because those days are over for you."
The panic in Crocodile's eyes grew as he realized the magnitude of his situation, knowing his reputation and power were now in ruins.
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