Konoha's Medical Ninja: One Punch to beat up Madara

Chapter 380: Chapter 380: Shukaku's Ridicule



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Alabasta, Rainbase.

Outside the desert, Luffy lay battered and bloodied, his body covered in deep scars.

From a distance, he seemed like a figure made entirely of blood, unmoving yet defiant even in defeat.

Not far away from him, Crocodile stood upright, breathing steadily, though his clothes were slightly tattered. However, his expression was anything but calm. His fists trembled at his sides, and his narrowed eyes darted toward the unconscious boy with a mix of frustration and disbelief.

He had nearly been defeated.

"Tch!"

This kid, dismissed as insignificant, had exploited his weakness-the fact that blood could negate his Logia abilities and disrupt his elementalization.

Luffy had fought like a wild animal, unyielding, adapting with every exchange, turning Crocodile's own power into his downfall.

If it weren't for Shukaku lending him a hand at a critical moment, the outcome might have been entirely different.

"Hahaha! Crocodile, you're pathetic, relying on me to deal with a brat like this," Shukaku mocked mercilessly, his voice ringing in Crocodile's mind with a grating mix of amusement and scorn.

Crocodile's expression darkened further, but he couldn't retort.

The truth was, he hated the situation as much as Shukaku enjoyed rubbing it in.

In truth, the two of them had a functional partnership.

Compared to Gaara, Crocodile's cunning nature and abilities were far more suited to Shukaku's temperament.

Together, they made a formidable pair. But Shukaku relished any opportunity to humiliate Crocodile, delighting in his struggles, knowing he could hold it over him for ages.

"I was caught off guard! Who would've expected this kid to be so tough?" Crocodile finally snapped irritably, breaking the silence.

He couldn't take the taunting anymore.

His voice carried a rare note of frustration as he glanced again at Luffy's prone form.

Luffy was nothing short of a monster-no matter how severe his injuries, they seemed to have no lasting effect.

The longer the fight dragged on, the stronger Luffy became, surpassing limits that would have killed most men.

It was infuriating.

If it weren't for Colt's orders, Crocodile would've gladly joined forces with Shukaku to kill the kid outright.

But now, staring at the bloodied figure, he couldn't shake the unease creeping into his chest. This kid had come dangerously close to victory, and next time, he might just succeed.

"Sables: Pesado (Sandstorm: Heavy)!"

Sensing the approach of Zoro and Bentham with his Observation Haki, Crocodile decided he had had enough.

The shockwave blasted Luffy away, flinging him conveniently near Zoro and Bentham.

With a scornful look at the approaching duo, Crocodile's figure vanished into the desert. "Luffy!"

Zoro hurried to his captain's side, lifting the unconscious Luffy.

Bentham, still uncertain why Crocodile hadn't pursued them, urged quickly:

"Zoro, take Luffy and head for the palace in Alubarna!"

Without hesitation, Zoro carried Luffy, and together, the two fled into the distance.

****

At the Alabasta Palace

When Cobra and Vivi saw Luffy's grievous injuries, their hearts sank.

Although they had anticipated such an outcome, witnessing it firsthand was devastating.

Cobra turned to his daughter, his expression grave.

"Vivi, go with Luffy and his crew. Leave Alabasta immediately. Crocodile will not spare you."

The threat of retaliation loomed large.

"Father, I..." Vivi hesitated, her voice trembling.

But, in the end, she joined the Straw Hat Pirates and departed from Alabasta without delay.

****

Crocodile's Next Move

As Cobra had predicted, Crocodile used Vivi's escape as a pretext to escalate matters, directly appealing to the Marines for action.

A member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, integral to the economic prosperity of Alabasta, had been betrayed by the royal family.

Crocodile demanded justice.

Ironically, the pirate turned to the Marines to deal with a king.

****

Marine Headquarters, Mariejois

Sengoku held the letter in his hand, his brow furrowed deeply.

His anger simmered.

The sound of Garp's incessant snoring grated on his nerves until he couldn't contain himself

any longer.

Bang!

With a mighty slap, Sengoku shattered his desk.

Clerks outside his office flinched.

In recent years, the fleet admiral's temper had worsened, and the number of desks destroyed annually had become a running joke among staff.

"Damn it, Garp! Look at the mess your grandson has caused!" Sengoku roared.

"He attacked a Warlord of the Sea and abducted a princess from a World Government ally. Do you have any idea how much trouble this is causing me?"

Unfazed, Garp picked his nose nonchalantly.

"What's the big deal? Pirates fighting pirates. Why are you so worked up? Besides, Crocodile's

no saint."

Sengoku scowled.

"Then tell me, what violation of the Warlord treaty has Crocodile committed in recent years?"

"He's cleaner than Mihawk!"

Garp fell silent.

As much as he despised Crocodile, the man had kept to the rules, building wealth through legitimate means and avoiding outright plunder.

Sengoku pressed on.

"Nothing to say? Then bring your grandson in before this situation spirals further out of

control. The Five Elders have already issued a 100-million-Berry bounty on him."

Garp clenched his fists, muttering under his breath.

"Those damn Elders. They're always meddling."

Unbeknownst to Garp, the Five Elders' actions were motivated by deeper concerns.

Alabasta's refusal to pay the Celestial Tribute had not gone unnoticed.

Crocodile's sudden rise, paired with Alabasta's historical ties to the Celestial Dragons, had

made the nation a target of their ire.

As Garp left the office grumbling, Sengoku sank into his chair with a sigh.

He knew there was more to Crocodile's rise than met the eye, but without evidence, the

Marine Headquarters could do little.

"I can only hope Garp uncovers something useful," Sengoku muttered, his gaze fixed on the

horizon.