https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-29-Safe-Secure-and-Absolutely-No-Fame/13535750/
Chapter 30: Klahcrocodile's Caution
Chapter 30: Klahcrocodile's Caution
The vast desert beyond Rainbase. Klahcrocodile watched Luffy slowly vanish into the sand current, sneered contemptuously, then turned his gaze toward Rainbase. "Next there's another troublesome one."
He gathered a swirling mass of sand and launched it toward Rainbase, simultaneously forming a miniature sandstorm in his hands before hurling it forward.
"Sandstorm Slash!"
The sandstorm rapidly expanded in the desert, growing into a colossal tempest that roared toward Rainbase.
"A sandstorm—a sandstorm is coming!"
"It's heading straight this way!"
"Seek shelter immediately!"
Panic erupted as Rainbase residents fled the approaching devastation. The storm ravaged buildings, leaving destruction in its wake.
"Sandstorm!"
Tashigi, who had been preparing to deploy, paled with alarm. She shouted at the Marines, "Everyone—scramble!"
The Marines barely evaded the storm's edge, but the violent gusts still sent them sprawling.
"Phew! Phew! Phew!"
Klah emerged from rubble, spitting dirt from his mouth. Before he could assess his surroundings, a swirling sandstorm coalesced before him, forming a humanoid figure.
Klah's expression hardened as he locked eyes with the figure.
Seven Warlords of the Sea. A renowned pirate of the Grand Line. Klahcrocodile!
"So you're Klah?"
Klahcrocodile's gaze flickered with caution toward the sword at Klah's waist. "The Marine praised by Hawk-Eye?"
"?!"
"Who?"
Klah instinctively nodded at first, then shook his head violently.
"Not admitting it, Marine? Fine. Regardless, you're trouble."
Klahcrocodile, cigarette dangling from his lips, said, "So, stay here."
Cold sweat drenched Klah. On instinct, he gripped his sword hilt, then released it abruptly, realizing he wasn't a swordsman. He frantically shook his head. "You've got the wrong guy! I'm not Klah—not that Klah! I'm Klah, yes, but I'm not a swordsman!"
Klahcrocodile narrowed his eyes, expression darkening.
That brief hilt grip—had it been a feint? The man had seen through his scheme?
Though both the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Marines served the World Government, Klahcrocodile couldn't afford to appear hostile. Even after securing his objectives, now wasn't the time to antagonize the authorities.
The Seven Warlords title held immense value.
He needed the Marines to strike first—then he'd have justification.
This man was no lightweight. Confident as Klahcrocodile was, he knew the Marine praised by Hawk-Eye wouldn't be easy prey.
Even attempting to provoke him, when Klah had actually gripped his sword, Klahcrocodile's own pulse had quickened.
This opponent was formidable.
Sand particles began swirling around Klahcrocodile as he activated elementalization, his eyes flashing crimson.
Observation Haki—the rare form of Haki accessible only in perfect calm, allowing one to perceive life energy and anticipate movements.
Naturally, Klahcrocodile mastered it.
His Observation Haki lacked wide-range perception or precognitive abilities, but detecting an opponent's intent and reacting to threats was well within his capability.
"What's going on? Why no reaction at all?"
Through his Haki, Klah showed no signs of preparing an attack—just standing motionless, like any terrified pirate facing him.
But he couldn't be that simple.
This was the man praised by Hawk-Eye. Impossible to be so weak.
Was he waiting for Klahcrocodile to strike first, providing an excuse for arrest?
Or...could he not even perceive this man's true strength?!
"This one's truly troublesome", Klahcrocodile muttered grimly. "I can't let him live."
As for Klah...
He wasn't thinking anything.
Truly paralyzed by fear.
What the hell was this?!
Why did his aura feel so deadly?!
Those faint sand-like transformations—he'd activated elementalization?!
Klah had worked extensively with Smoker. He recognized this phenomenon instantly.
What had he done to deserve this?!
Right now, Klah just wanted to scream at the sky.
Being labeled a "troublesome one" by a Seven Warlords of the Sea member—should he feel honored?
Maybe, if the situation weren't so life-threatening.
How had this happened?!
Wasn't he supposed to spend his life peacefully in the Marines, joking with Kuro and others? Since when did Seven Warlords of the Sea appear in his life?!
"I'm just an ordinary junior Marine—a recruit!" Klah pleaded.
"A recruit? Coming to fame now?"
Klahcrocodile hesitated further. A thirty-year-old with such power, yet unknown in East Blue until now—this man was clearly a devious schemer.
Fighting the Greatest Swordsman could drag on endlessly. Earlier attempts to blow him away with Sandstorm Slash had proven unrealistic.
Regret gnawed at him—attacking now might complicate things, but delaying could cause greater issues in Alubarna, threatening his plans.
The two remained locked in tense standoff.
A gust of wind whipped their coats, mirroring a Western showdown scene. Under the setting sun, the moment crystallized into a stark tableau.
"Desert Blade!"
Klahcrocodile broke the stalemate, slashing downward. A dark line ripped through the ground, racing toward Klah.
"Shave!"
Klah's pupils contracted. Detecting lethal danger the instant Klahcrocodile moved, he activated Six Powers—Shave, propelling himself backward in a blur.
"Sandstorm Slash!"
Klahcrocodile, prepared for battle, unleashed another sandstorm the moment Klah moved. The swirling tempest erupted forward, merging with his sand-elemental form to engulf the area.
Whoosh!
Klah couldn't escape. The sandstorm blast hurled him skyward within the vortex.
Yet as the storm lifted him, Klahcrocodile's body stiffened. A sensation akin to being pierced by blades coursed through him. Instantly dispersing his Sandstorm Slash into a protective sand cloud, he leapt backward, reforming his right arm into a massive desert sword, eyes locked upward.
No one was there.
The sky held no trace.
No sign of Klah anywhere.
"What in the world?!"
Klahcrocodile's expression darkened. For a moment, he'd almost doubted the man's authenticity—such power shouldn't belong to a mere Marine.
Yet the visceral feeling of being cut by an unseen blade hadn't been mistaken.
"What exactly is that man planning?"
He brooded, face fluctuating between suspicion and calculation.
Beyond Rainbase's desert, a dark figure plummeted from the horizon with a thunderous crash.
"Flew in surprisingly accurately."
Kuro and Lida approached from nearby ruins. Spotting Klah's flailing legs, Lida casually grabbed him by the collar.
"I—I almost died there!"
Klah looked a mess, gasping for breath, his face still pale with residual fear.
So close.
He'd nearly bought it.
(End of Chapter)
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