One Piece: Starting with Breathing Techniques

As a typical spring island landscape, St. Ting Island has a pleasant climate and the sky is always a clear blue.

However, as Kilo moved forward, the greenery beside him gradually turned into desolate yellow sand.

The cyclone created by the high-speed movement gradually stirred up a massive sandstorm behind Kilo.

Looking out into the distance, Kilo sees a desolate and scorching desert.

The scorching sun baked the boundless sea of ​​sand, with endless dunes stretching to the horizon. The burning yellow sand underfoot reflected a blinding white light, and the heat waves rising from the ground distorted and deformed the distant scenery.

The air became dry and scorching, and the few clumps of camel thorn cast short shadows under the direct sunlight. The only sound on the silent sand dunes was the mournful whistling of the wind.

Kiro frowned, not because the high temperature made him uncomfortable.

With his current physical condition, he is already immune to water and fire and can withstand most extreme environments.

Looking at the desolate desert around him, Kiro realized why Crocodile had come to this place.

The opponent is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user with the Sand-Sand Fruit ability, so naturally they can unleash strength far exceeding their usual abilities in the desert.

Although he knew Crocodile's purpose, Kiro did not hesitate at all and continued to move forward at full speed.

His figure, enveloped by the gust of wind, created a sharp sonic boom as he sped toward the location he sensed.

Wherever it passed, the yellow sand was lifted high by the strong wind pressure, forming a golden dust trail behind Kilo.

A lizard poked its head out of the hole, curiously looking toward the source of the sound.

next moment……

Swish!

A ghostly figure flashed past at lightning speed, and the lizard, unable to dodge in time, was buried under the sand pile by the flying sand and burrowed into a deeper sand hole in terror.

……

Five minutes later.

Kilo stopped in his tracks. Not far in front of him was an oasis city in the desert, Rainland.

That was one of the more prosperous cities in Alabasta, known for its numerous casinos.

From afar, the city was bustling with activity, the noisy streets filled with laughter and chatter, and countless Alabasta citizens were moving through the city.

However, a tall figure blocked Kilo's path.

He had slicked-back hair, a long horizontal scar on his face, a cigar dangling from his mouth, and a sinister look in his eyes as he stared at Kiro.

In his left hand was a huge golden hook, its sharp tip gleaming with a cold, icy light.

"Tsk, they arrived really fast."

Crocodile's eyes were serious, and his expression as he looked at Kiro was full of vigilance.

The previous contemptuous and disdainful expression had long since vanished.

As a powerful figure who had once fought against Whitebeard, his senses were extremely sharp.

Upon seeing Kiro for the first time, his Observation Haki emitted a stinging sensation, like being pricked by needles.

It's important to know that Crocodile is one of the strongest fighters, ranking among the top even among the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

However, Crocodile felt a distinct flutter in his heart the moment he saw Kiro.

In particular, the longsword at the other party's waist made Crocodile extremely wary.

The last time I had this feeling was when I challenged Whitebeard, and it came from the naginata I used.

All signs indicate that he has clearly encountered an extremely terrifying expert, and that the expert is very likely targeting him!

Where is this place?

This is the first half of the Grand Line, the Alabasta Kingdom that I know best!

Crocodile never dreamed that he would encounter such a mysterious and unfathomable master within his own territory.

It's like when you're herding sheep and suddenly you see a Siberian tiger mixed in with your own flock.

Upon seeing Kiro, Crocodile immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

However, being a ruthless and powerful figure, he did not panic. Instead, he quickly used his reputation to stall Kiro before making his escape.

Although he didn't expect to completely hold off Kilo, he did buy him enough time.

Right now, feeling the desert beneath his feet, a sense of security welled up in his heart, and Crocodile snorted coldly.

"Although I don't know who you are..."

"But you have a lot of courage, daring to fight me in the desert."

"This is my home turf!!"

boom!

As Crocodile activated his ability, the desert beneath his feet shook violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

A deep rumble resounded through the heavens and the earth, the yellow sand collapsed and crumbled, and countless gaps and deep pits suddenly appeared on the ground.

Countless wisps of yellow sand rose out of thin air and slowly swirled around Crocodile's back, forming a giant tentacle tens of meters high made of countless wisps of sand, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

Moments later, as a massive vortex of quicksand took shape, Crocodile stood high in the sky, looking down down at Kiro.

"No one has ever been able to defeat me in the desert."

He lightly raised the golden hook in his left hand, aiming it at Kiro below.

"Though I don't know who you are, now, may you be buried beneath the yellow sand!"

"Chongsha Lan!"

A sandstorm formed instantly and sped toward Kilo.

As the storm progressed, countless grains of sand joined it, making this destructive sandstorm even more powerful.

The distance of tens of meters was covered in an instant, and Kilo's figure was suddenly swallowed up by the sandstorm.

However, the next second, this massive sandstorm, which was tens of meters high, suddenly exploded after a brief pause.

A fist, carrying astonishing force, emerged from the center, its powerful gust of wind even creating a sand crater several meters in front of it.

Kiro retracted his right fist and looked at Crocodile. "If you don't go all out, you really will die."

With a stomp of his foot, Kiro's figure vanished from Crocodile's sight.

In an instant, a sharp gust of wind swept past the back of his head. Crocodile turned around in horror and, without hesitation, transformed into a cloud of yellow sand that scattered in all directions, becoming elemental.

boom!

As Kiro's right fist slammed down, Crocodile felt a tightness in his abdomen, followed by an immense force.

How is that possible?

I've already become an elemental being, so theoretically I shouldn't be able to be touched at all...

His eyes were filled with disbelief, and he couldn't stop spitting out a mouthful of blood as he plummeted into the desert below like a cannonball.

boom!

A moment later, Crocodile wiped the blood from his mouth and walked out of the pit with a solemn expression.

"How did you manage to encounter me in my elemental form?"

When he saw the thick black covering Kiro's right fist, his expression changed slightly.

"Armament Haki?!"

Kiro's calm voice came through, "What's wrong? You seem surprised?"

"Looks like you've been in the amusement park for too long; you've even forgotten how to use Haki?"

Crocodile remained silent, spitting out his blood-stained cigar, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"While it was certainly a bit unexpected, who doesn't have this kind of ability that's so common in the new world?!"

Swish!

His golden hook, resembling a scorpion's tail, was instantly stained with a dark luster, gleaming with a cold light.

"Wow, you're really good at being domineering!"

Kiro raised an eyebrow, his tone a mixture of surprise and a hint of mockery.

Upon hearing this, Crocodile's forehead creased with annoyance. "Nonsense! I'm a great pirate who's fought Whitebeard, how could I not even know Haki!"

Before he finished speaking, he transformed into a streak of yellow sand, his left hand covered in ink-like Armament Haki, and a golden hook shot out, swiftly stabbing towards Kiro.

"Desert Scorpion Hook!"