In his desperation, Crocodile even used the Armament Haki he had long since abandoned, raising a defense before his eyes.
Seeing this, Luffy didn't care in the slightest. The triple-compressed "Gomu Gomu no Country" shot forth, also coated in Haki. A torrent of devastating energy, formed from a concentrated physical shockwave, erupted instantly.
It struck Crocodile squarely in the chest.
Crocodile couldn't even manage a full scream before his body transformed into a blurry black shadow, hurtling backwards at an astonishing speed.
The energy torrent continued unabated, pulverizing everything in its path for dozens of meters—yellow sand, rocks, even the foundations of ruined buildings—into dust, carving out a shocking vacuum zone!
Finally, at the far edge of their vision...
The point of Crocodile's impact erupted in a blinding white light, followed by a deafening explosion.
The shockwave, carrying rubble and sand like a tsunami, spread outwards, completely flattening and scattering the nearby ruins.
"Said three minutes... already overshot. That Crocodile really wasted my time. Now the most important thing is, where do I find food..."
Hunger washed over him.
To be honest, Luffy didn't have much real sense of the so-called "poison" Crocodile mentioned. His monstrous constitution gave him resistance to many toxins.
His greatest sources of agony right now were hunger and thirst.
The plan's countdown was like a death warrant blaring in warning.
[Warning, meal plan time reached. Countdown thirty seconds...]
His stamina was almost completely drained from the final Country attack, maintaining Gear Second, and using Haki. His stomach was empty, his throat parched and burning.
This extreme physiological need, coupled with the impending, socially catastrophic punishment, subjected Luffy's mind and body to a double torment.
He barely had the strength to keep his eyes open, gritting his teeth, using the last shred of willpower to fight against the instinctive urge surging within him.
His face had consequently turned exceptionally pale, even appearing ashen.
Right now, he wanted to eat less than ever before!
It was completely backwards.
The violent airflow from the explosion ahead swept over them. Luffy couldn't stabilize himself—had no strength to—and was directly blown into the air by the furious gale, tumbling helplessly several times before plummeting towards the ground.
"Luffy!"
Vivi, who had been anxiously watching the battle, cried out and rushed forward without a second thought.
Judging Luffy's falling trajectory, she leaped up, arms outstretched, catching him in her embrace at the last possible moment.
The impact made Vivi stumble several steps, nearly falling, but she held Luffy tight, slowly kneeling on the sand.
"L-Luffy?!"
Vivi looked down at Luffy in her arms, her face full of worry.
Her voice was trembling, on the verge of tears.
Luffy looked utterly exhausted, his lips slightly tinged with purple, his breathing faint and rapid.
"You've already been poisoned by my scorpion venom!"
Crocodile's earlier icy words flashed in Vivi's mind, and her heart was seized by immense fear.
Was the poison taking effect?
Luffy opened his mouth slightly, truly lacking the strength to speak. He was about to lose control.
Just then, steady footsteps approached.
Vivi quickly looked up. Seeing it was Nico Robin, she relaxed a little.
"He seems to be in bad shape. Crocodile's hook is coated in a potent venom. The dose may not be large, but combined with his current state of complete exhaustion, it could be fatal." Robin's gaze at Luffy was complex.
He'd actually done it.
Crocodile's fate was now unknown. The shadow over this country had lifted. But Robin still had her own matters to attend to and couldn't stay long. So she said,
"Hand him to me."
Vivi looked at Robin warily. Although her time on the ship had slightly improved her impression of Robin, this woman was still dangerous.
"What are you going to do?" She held Luffy even tighter.
"I have a way to neutralize the poison. In case of unforeseen circumstances, I prepared a specialized antidote in advance. Hand him over." Robin said.
A specialized antidote?
Vivi was stunned.
Robin had been preparing countermeasures against Crocodile all along? Had she planned to betray him from the start?
Or was it just her habitual self-preservation strategy?
Countless thoughts raced through Vivi's mind. But seeing Luffy's worsening pallor, her worry overwhelmed her doubt.
"Just give me the antidote. I'll administer it." Vivi shook her head at Robin's outstretched hand, her arms encircling Luffy protectively, like a mother beast shielding her young. "You step back a little."
Robin looked deeply at Vivi.
Vivi's behavior was contradictory—both trusting and distrusting.
But she didn't insist. She retrieved a small glass vial from her clothing, containing a clear liquid, and handed it over.
"Oral administration is fine."
Vivi hastily took the vial, pulled out the stopper, and carefully brought it to Luffy's lips. "Luffy, open your mouth. Drink the antidote, quick!"
However, Luffy was currently using every ounce of his will to resist the punishment and his physical needs. His teeth were clenched, his lips pressed into a tight line. No matter how Vivi tried, she couldn't pry open his mouth to pour the liquid in.
He had no idea what was happening outside.
"Luffy, please open your mouth!"
Vivi was frantic.
Every second that passed increased Luffy's danger!
What to do? Was that the only method left?!
An idea instantly flashed through Vivi's mind, her cheeks involuntarily flushing red.
She looked at Luffy's face so close to hers, her heart pounding like a drum.
To save him, it seemed the only way was...
Her hesitation lasted only a second before resolve settled in.
But one second is enough time for others to act.
Just as Vivi was about to take the antidote into her own mouth, a pale, slender hand reached from beside her, gently but firmly taking the small vial from her grasp.
Huh?
"Allow me."
The voice spoke.
Vivi looked up in surprise to see Robin had already taken the antidote into her own full lips.
She casually tossed the empty vial aside, using her other hand to elegantly tuck a few stray strands of black hair behind her ear. Then she leaned down and, under Vivi's dumbfounded stare, precisely covered Luffy's tightly sealed lips.
Transfer.
"!!!"
Vivi's mouth instantly formed an 'O', her eyes wide as saucers, her mind completely blank.
No, no, no!
That was my idea!
I was mentally prepared!
How could you... you just!
Watching this scene, Vivi genuinely felt like she was about to shed little tears.
A confused mix of anger, grievance, and anxiety surged in her heart.
***
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