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The Strongest Frost Loli (181)
🕑 Added 2025-01-23 16:43:30 +0000 UTCChapter 181 - A Pirate's Pride
“Retreat!”
A Marine’s cry sent both allies and enemies scrambling for safety.
Beasts Pirates Gifters, Waiters, and Pleasures. Big Mom Pirates Homies. Marines. All fled from the same threat – a tsunami of liquefying liquid, unleashed by Lycoris.
A tsunami in the middle of the desert seemed absurd, but the parched sand, compacted and impermeable, wouldn’t absorb the liquid. It flowed across the surface like a corrosive tide.
“Aaaaagh!”
“It burns! Help! Someone, help…!”
Homies and Waiters were engulfed and were dissolving without a trace. The survivors, horrified, ran for their lives. Some, unable to escape, nevertheless ran, driven by the primal fear of such a gruesome end.
“I can’t… I can’t escape!”
“Don’t give up! If that catches you, there won’t be anything left!”
This had happened several times now. Lycoris’s initial, targeted attacks had gradually expanded, engulfing both friend and foe, forcing both sides to retreat.
While they wanted to protest, Lycoris herself was locked in combat with Charlotte Cracker, one of Big Mom’s Sweet Commanders. She had little attention to spare for her surroundings.
“What’s wrong? Getting tired?” Cracker taunted.
“Not at all!”
Their clash of relentless exchange of Haki-infused strikes, continued.
Lycoris’s dissolving liquid melted Cracker’s biscuit armor, but it instantly reformed, the damage negligible. While the liquid softened the armor, Cracker wasn’t simply relying on his Devil Fruit ability. He was a Sweet Commander, his swordsmanship and Haki were formidable, arguably surpassing even Jack’s.
With each clap of his hands, more arms sprouted, each wielding a sword. While she suspected he was creating them with his ability, the sheer number of attacks was overwhelming.
“One clap, two arms. Another clap, three arms. You can’t win! Learn your place, little girl!”
“Shut up. I already know my place, you biscuit-man.”
The Valkyries were Twilight’s elite, selected from among their strongest warriors. Some were renowned pirates seeking to rise within Twilight’s ranks. Others were Kuja warriors seeking to hone their skills.
The Valkyries enjoyed exceptional pay and status, but… they also earned the privilege of being trained by Kanata. While this might conjure images of glorious sparring matches, the reality was far less glamorous.
The Valkyries were those who, having faced the despair of Kanata’s overwhelming power, continued to fight, covered in mud and blood, striving to become stronger. Lycoris, having experienced Kanata’s strength firsthand, needed no reminders of her limitations.
“If I can’t win, I’ll find a way. Especially against someone like you.”
“Big words. Let’s see if you can back them up!”
Cracker, now with three arms on each side, wielded a sword in his right hands and a shield in his left. He blocked Lycoris’s rapid kicks with his shields, retaliating with his swords. While she managed to shatter his softened armor, it instantly reformed. He was strong. His Haki, his ability, his combat skills were worthy of a Yonko commander.
“I don’t have time to play anymore. Thanks to you and the Marines, my ability’s been exposed. I’m going all out!”
With each clap of his hands, more biscuit soldiers emerged, an endless army as long as his stamina held. Combined with his formidable Haki and swordsmanship, Cracker was arguably Big Mom’s most troublesome commander.
He sent five biscuit soldiers after Lycoris, whose attacks were coordinated and relentless. One attacked from the front, another from her blind spot, two more blocked her escape routes, while the fifth aimed for her head.
“Damn…!”
She narrowly dodged, forming a spear of liquid and launching it at Cracker. He blocked it with a biscuit shield, discarding the melting shield and creating another. He could simply replace any damaged or dissolved armor. His ability offered a unique advantage.
(…This might be problematic.)
She could hold him off, buy some time. But she didn’t know when reinforcements would arrive. While Twilight had forces stationed in Paradise, she was unaware of their deployment strategy. She might have to fight until Robin escaped. While she hoped for a swift arrival, she couldn't rely on it. Kanata's decisions were sometimes… baffling.
Regardless, she had to hold the line. She focused on Cracker, her mind clear, calculating her next move. How could she kill him?
***
While Mr. 1 fought Zoro, Miss Doublefinger battled Nami, and Usopp and Chopper struggled against Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek, Cobra, having returned to Alubarna’s palace, found Vivi and Igaram waiting.
They had encountered Mr. 2, disguised as Cobra, on their way back. Vivi had nearly been killed, but Sanji had intervened, remaining behind to fight. While initially wary of Cobra’s sudden appearance, his startled reaction to Pell’s aerial antics convinced them he was the real king.
“Father?! Why are you coming from outside?!”
“I tried to stop the rebel army, but… it didn’t go as planned.”
“That was reckless! If you had been captured, it would have only benefited Crocodile!”
“I wasn’t alone. I had an excellent bodyguard.”
He gestured towards Junshi, and Vivi and Igaram turned their attention to the old man. Cobra explained that Junshi was an elite warrior sent by Twilight.
“Twilight…?!”
“I see… It’s been decades since I last saw anyone from Twilight besides Kanata,” Igaram muttered, recognizing Junshi.
“That’s not important right now. The rebel army is marching on the palace.”
The royal army, stationed near the city gates, had been forced to engage. They couldn’t simply stand aside and let the rebels through. Vivi, Igaram, and Cobra all wore grim expressions. Crocodile’s plan was succeeding.
“We have to stop the rebellion!”
“We need to explain the situation to Chaka and Pell.”
“Yes. We can’t mobilize the royal army without their cooperation.”
They entered the palace, the guards greeted them with surprise. They instructed them to summon Chaka and Pell, who quickly arrived, looking confused. They were likely surprised by Cobra’s safe return, and by Vivi and Igaram’s presence. Regardless, it was a joyous reunion. They knelt before Cobra.
“We’re so glad you’re safe, Your Majesty, Princess Vivi, Captain Igaram.”
“I apologize for my absence.”
“I’m sorry too. I’ve been away for so long… We’re both back now.”
“You two have done well in my absence.”
“It was our duty…”
While they were overjoyed by their return, there was no time for celebrations. The rebellion was still ongoing. The kingdom was on the brink of collapse. As they desperately searched for a solution, Vivi spoke, her voice firm.
“We’ll blow up the palace.”
Everyone stared at her, stunned. Destroying the historic palace seemed unthinkable. But it would certainly attract attention. If she could reach the rebel army during the chaos, she could convince them to stop. Cobra, seeing his daughter’s newfound resolve, smiled. She had grown. She possessed a quiet strength now.
“…Very well. If you believe it will stop the rebellion.”
“Are you serious?! You’re going to destroy the palace?!”
“Igaram, what have I always said?”
“…A kingdom is its people… Understood.”
Igaram, though hesitant, agreed, trusting Cobra’s judgment.
***
As they planted explosives throughout the palace, a figure appeared.
“That’s problematic, Miss Wednesday. I was planning to make this my new home.”
“Crocodile…!”
He had cut down the royal guards, entering the palace unimpeded. He had anticipated Cobra and Vivi’s presence. He knew the Straw Hats were scattered throughout the city. Only Twilight’s assassin remained a threat, but… Crocodile was desperate. He had to act. Though, he hadn't expected Junshi.
“It’s been a while, Crocodile. You’ve grown weaker.”
“Junshi…! I didn’t expect you to be here. Shouldn’t an old man like you be enjoying retirement?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I intend to remain active.”
They had fought once, long before the Warlord system was established. Junshi had emerged victorious, but Crocodile, at the time, had been more interested in testing his strength in the New World than in achieving a decisive victory. The outcome of a rematch was clear.
“You’re a persistent one.”
“Likewise. Your cunning is troublesome.”
Junshi could finish him off here and now. He was confident he could inflict a fatal blow before Crocodile could target anyone else. But it was a gamble. His priority was protecting Cobra. Despite the tension, neither seemed willing, or able, to attack.
“…I have no business with you. I’m here for King Cobra.”
“Me? What could you possibly want?”
“Where… is… Pluton?”
Everyone in the room, except for Cobra, frowned in confusion. Cobra’s eyes widened in shock.
“How do you know that name?!”
“How? Where? Irrelevant. Tell me where it is.”
Crocodile’s desperation was palpable. The Yonko were attacking. The Marines and Twilight were mobilizing. The World Government was likely aware of his actions. His Warlord title was in jeopardy. He had to acquire Pluton. He couldn't afford to fail.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know. I don’t even know if it actually exists.”
“Tch…”
Crocodile had considered this possibility, but… it was the worst-case scenario. Without Pluton, he couldn't change anything. If Cobra knew, things would have been simpler, but… life rarely went as planned.
“I had considered that possibility…”
“It’s over, Crocodile. Surrender.”
“Surrender? You’re planning to kill me the moment I show any weakness, and you’re suggesting I surrender? I’m not giving up. Not yet.”
If Cobra didn’t know, he was useless. He would eliminate the royal army, the rebel army, and search the entire kingdom. Deciphering the Poneglyphs might have offered a clue, but… with Robin’s betrayal, that was no longer an option. He had to search blindly.
“You think I’ll let you escape?”
“Try it. – But let me tell you something. A special cannonball is scheduled to strike the plaza in front of the palace at 4:30 pm. Right where the rebel army is gathering.”
“What?!”
He wouldn’t reveal such information unless he had a reason. He was likely trying to force them to search for it. Even on the brink of death, Crocodile wouldn't reveal its location. That was the kind of man he was.
“Are you insane?!” Cobra exclaimed.
“Perfectly sane. It’s a special explosive, capable of creating a five-kilometer crater. The view from here will be… quite different.”
“Five kilometers?! If you do that…!”
“You should be happy. You’ve been trying so hard to stop the rebellion… All for nothing, it seems.”
“You… How can you do this?! What did those people ever do to you?!”
“A pointless question. Obstacles are meant to be removed.”
“You… Crocodile…!”
“Vivi, stop!”
He taunted her, and as she lunged at him in fury, Pell and Igaram restrained her. Cobra glared at him, while Chaka’s grip on his sword tightened. Junshi stepped forward.
“Enough talk. Are you ready to fight?”
“I have no time for you. I’m busy.”
“Busy searching for something that might not even exist? Relying on an ancient weapon, created by someone you don’t even know? How… pathetic. How utterly… undignified.”
“…What?” Crocodile’s reaction was instantaneous. He couldn’t ignore those words.
“What did you say?”
“I said it’s pathetic. You lost your comrades, your spirit broken, reduced to scavenging for an ancient weapon in this backwater kingdom. How utterly undignified.”
“You…!” He knew it was a provocation. But he couldn't ignore it. To do so would be cowardly. For a pirate, for a man who valued pride and reputation above all else, Junshi’s words were a challenge he couldn't refuse.
“Big words. Are you ready to die, old man?!”
“I’m not so old that I can’t handle a youngster like you.”
BANG!
Junshi deflected Crocodile’s Haki-infused sand blade with his fist, closing the distance instantly. Crocodile, summoning a shield of sand and was sent flying by the force of Junshi’s blow.
“Hmm. I intended to finish you with that one strike… It seems my training is lacking.” He observed Crocodile, who was still conscious, and readied himself for another attack.
