Multiverse Mastermind: Starting in Naruto-Chapter 536 - 435: One-Tailed Jinchuriki: Crocodile
Vice Admiral Drake was well aware.
Facing a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, especially the famous Sand Crocodile, did put some pressure on Vice Admiral Drake.
However...
Admiral Aokiji was right behind him!
Having an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters on his side was very reassuring; at least Admiral Aokiji could definitely defeat a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
As long as Vice Admiral Drake spotted Crocodile, he would immediately call for Admiral Aokiji’s support. Once they apprehended Crocodile together, they could launch a full-scale assault on Baroque Works.
The only troublesome aspect was the legendary ancient weapon Pluto that Crocodile supposedly had, an issue the World Government hadn’t clarified for the Navy.
The Five Elders of the World Government were somewhat ambiguous.
The response from the Five Elders to Marshal Sengoku was that Crocodile probably hadn’t acquired the ancient weapon, so the Navy need not worry about its threat;
Even if Crocodile had obtained it, he likely lacked the capability to activate it;
Even if Crocodile had the ability to activate it, he probably couldn’t fully utilize it.
Is this reliable?
This statement was truly alarming.
It was almost like sending the Navy to their deaths.
In truth, the Navy was sent as cannon fodder to test whether Pluto was indeed in Crocodile’s possession for the World Government.
Upon first hearing concrete news about the Netherworld King’s Battleship, the World Government was very eager. They also believed Crocodile hadn’t fully mastered Pluto.
After receiving the news about Pluto, the highest leaders of the World Government, the Five Elders, secretly dispatched the CP Special Agent Organization to Alabasta.
These agents were still on their way to Alabasta.
Such matters definitely couldn’t be discussed with the Navy.
Alabasta, the center of the desert.
Until now, Crocodile hadn’t seen even a shadow of Pluto.
Crocodile was still here diligently creating dust storms, making Alabasta more arid to undermine King Cobra’s prestige.
By this time, Alabasta had become the vortex center of the First Half of the Grand Line, yet Crocodile still hadn’t realized the impending crisis; indeed, he was about to face a major crisis.
Just as Crocodile raised his hand to create a dust storm, a gigantic raccoon cat suddenly emerged from the yellow sand, spouting a blast of wind at him!
"What kind of monster is this!"
Crocodile’s expression changed.
Indeed, there were many terrifying venomous creatures and beasts hidden in the desert, but such a bizarre beast as this raccoon cat was something Crocodile was seeing for the first time!
"Are you the Sand-Sand Fruit user?"
The enormous raccoon cat grinned strangely: "I am the One-tailed Shukaku hidden in the desert, looking for a Sand-Sand Fruit user to nest in..."
In the next moment, Crocodile just felt a patch of yellow sand rise from the ground, transforming into a pyramid and completely enveloping his body!
At that moment, Crocodile attempted to manipulate the sand away but discovered these sands were completely beyond his control!
Soon after, the gigantic raccoon cat transformed into a torrent of yellow sand, flowing into his body, making Crocodile alarmed!
"What on earth is going on!"
"We were meant to be one."
The voice of the One-tailed Shukaku came from deep within Crocodile’s heart, an unpleasant tone: "Hehehehe...let me see how much power I can unleash once we merge!"
"Are you kidding me!"
Feeling the disturbance within his body, Crocodile’s expression was on the verge of collapse: "I won’t allow anyone to take over my body!"
"That depends on your own will..."
The voice of the One-tailed Shukaku remained extremely unpleasant.
After lending its power to Crocodile, the sands beneath Crocodile’s feet began to spin wildly!
Driven by the fierce wind, the sand effortlessly gathered into a sky-obscuring dust storm, a power Crocodile found unimaginable!
With that monstrous creature inside him, controlling the sand became astonishingly simple for Crocodile. He felt as if he could turn everything around him into controllable dust. Perhaps this was the true power of the Sand-Sand Fruit?
This power was indeed formidable.
But what was really happening here?
Just as Crocodile was still marveling in the desert.
Uehara Naraku stood in the Rainy Land of Alabasta, speaking softly into the Radio Snail in his hand: "Crocodile has become a One-tailed Jinchuriki. We can proceed to support Vice Admiral Drake and take down Crocodile."
Yes, the one orchestrating all this was Uehara Naraku.
The Ninja World believes Uehara Naraku has the Chakra of the Six Paths Sage, which has brought him a lot of trouble, but also provided him with many conveniences.
For example, the nine Tailed Beasts are still quite obedient.
When Uehara Naraku suggested letting the One-tailed Shukaku enter someone’s body to make that person the One-tailed Jinchuriki, the Shukaku readily agreed.
After all, this period wouldn’t be too long.
Moreover, Crocodile became the One-tailed Jinchuriki through a rough process, without even laying down a seal. This Sand Crocodile has no idea he could be deprived of his body’s control at any moment by the Shukaku.
This is actually a huge pitfall.
With the One-tailed’s impulsive and brutal nature...
Who knows what that guy would do...
However, it’s worth mentioning that Crocodile at least gained several abilities from using Sand Controlling Jutsu, which boosted his force significantly, making him more adept at manipulating his Sand-Sand Fruit powers.
On the other side.
Vice Admiral Drake followed Uehara Naraku’s intel, stepping alone into the desert, while Yakushi Kabuto and Uehara Naraku were tasked with rounding up other members of Baroque Works.
Before departure, Vice Admiral Drake contacted Aokiji, receiving definite assurance from Admiral Aokiji that support was available whenever needed.
What else is there to worry about?
Crocodile also received a Radio Snail call from Nico Robin; his vice president informed him of some unexpected issues, with the Navy following Baroque Works members’ activities to track them to Alabasta.
"Mr. Crocodile, it might be Hoshigaki Kisame who leaked the message."
Nico Robin’s voice carried a hint of nervousness: "At least one Navy Vice Admiral has secretly infiltrated Alabasta, looking for trouble with us;
Besides, Rainy Land here has suddenly been attacked by the Navy, who have claimed they have rescinded your Seven Warlords of the Sea title..."
"I’ll be back immediately."
Crocodile snapped shut his Radio Snail, his face displaying a sinister smile: "Hmph, a Navy Vice Admiral, perfect for testing the new power I just acquired..."
Previously without the Netherworld King’s Battleship, indeed needing the Seven Warlords of the Sea title to stay in Alabasta;
Yet today, Crocodile suddenly attained another formidable force, rendering the World Government’s threats negligible.
On Crocodile’s way back, he encountered Vice Admiral Drake, making this Sand Crocodile wonder if the World Government intended to take action sooner.
Upon seeing Crocodile, Vice Admiral Drake sighed in relief; seeing Crocodile here meant the plan hadn’t gone awry.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Now comes the most challenging battle!
Drake drew his sword with a grim expression, staring at Crocodile in the desert: "Sand Crocodile, you’ve secretly manipulated Baroque Works, threatening the seas. I hereby strip you of your Seven Warlords of the Sea title on behalf of World Government Navy..."
"What rules can pirates have?"
Crocodile’s face flashed a mocking smile: "I already know, it’s Hoshigaki Kisame who leaked my news, right!
But it doesn’t matter, once before I needed that title, now I just need a live target!"
"Sand Scatter Shot!"
Under Crocodile’s control, countless grains of sand gathered into balls in the air, densely packed like bullets, shooting toward Vice Admiral Drake!
"Hmm?"
Drake’s arm was directly pierced by the sand.
The Vice Admiral instantly realized his predicament.
Drake’s body abruptly expanded, transforming into a large dinosaur, attempting to use his sturdy body to withstand the sand’s assault!
Yet even after transforming into his dinosaur form, he couldn’t resist the Sand Scatter Shot, and within moments, the ground beneath him disappeared, countless sands enveloped his body, burying him alive!
The battle had just started not long ago...
Vice Admiral Drake was directly defeated by Crocodile.
At this moment, the Vice Admiral finally realized the terror of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and understood the foolishness of fighting Crocodile in such a desert environment.
Overseeing the battle, Uehara Naraku was a bit stunned; he thought both sides would at least battle for several minutes... But Vice Admiral Drake lost directly?
"Kabuto, is this Vice Admiral just acting?"
Uehara Naraku couldn’t help but glance at the juice in his hand: "My juice hasn’t even gone cold yet... Vice Admiral Drake is going to be cold? Is this all our future leader is capable of?"
"No, Vice Admiral Drake’s strength is indeed like this."
Yakushi Kabuto couldn’t help but chuckle, adjusting his glasses, softly saying, "Maybe it’s because Lord Naraku’s power is too strong, causing you to think an ant should possess at least the strength of one of your fingers..."
"Let Aokiji hurry over to support!"
Uehara Naraku shook his head, sipping his juice, sighed and said: "When the time is right, bring Kisame, Sasori, and Deidara over!
Let Mr. Crocodile know, apart from me and Nico Robin, everyone else in the world betrayed him..."
