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  Before either of them could react further, Luffy and Usopp simultaneously sprayed water all over Smoker and Tashigi in a cssic spit-take, their panic sprouting much like water they sprayed, upon notig unbeknownst, they sat near Marihat were chasing one, and thought the other was a Bounty Hunter.

  “Run!” Luffy yelled, grabbing two barrels of water from behind the ter. Usopp grabbed ooo, following Luffy’s lead. They bolted out of the tavern, leaving a soaked and fuming Smoker behind.

  Smoker jumped up, grabbing his jitte as he shouted after them. “Straw Hat! Get back here!”

  Tashigi, wiping water from her face, quickly drew her sword and followed Smoker out the door, both of them determined not to let the pirates escape. "Long Nosed Liar! Don't run!"

  Outside, Luffy and Usopp were already sprinting through the crowded streets of Rainbase, barrels in hand. They dodged past people, knog over market stalls in their frantic attempt to flee. The bustling city turned chaotic as Smoker and Tashigi pursued them.

  Coby, who had been waiting outside with the others, noticed the otion before he even saw Luffy and Usopp. The panicked shouts of merts and bystanders were a dead giveaway. He spotted them barreling through the crowd, Smoker and Tashigi hot on their heels.

  “Shit, here we go,” uttered, immediately springing into a. He quickly gathered the rest of the crew and signaled for them to move. Spotting Luffy and Usopp, barrels in tow and Smoker hot on their heels, Coby didn’t waste time. He swiftly grabbed Luffy by the arm, yanking him towards the group, while nodding to Zoro and Sanji.

  Zoro took the barrels from Luffy’s grip without a word, while Sanji grabbed Usopp’s. They didn’t o say anything; the urgency of the situation was clear. “Vivi, hop on,” Coby instructed, croug down. Vivi hesitated for a split sed but then jumped onto his back, ing her arms around his neck as he sprinted away from the others. "Let’s move!"

  Tashigi, who had been tailing Smoker, split off upon seeing Zoro. Her eyes locked on him with that determined gre she always had when swords were involved. “You won’t escape this time!” she called out, drawing her bde. Zoro just grinned, ready for the challenge.

  “You really want to do this now, huh?” Zoro taunted, uhing his swords as they engaged in a quick csh. Sparks flew, the sound of metal against metal ringing through the chaotic streets of Rainbase.

  Meanwhile, Smoker focused on Coby and Luffy, his jitte ready to strike. "Straw Hat! Stop running!" he shouted, "Copy Ninja, return my jitte!" he called, as he chased them down the narrow alleyways of the city. But her Coby nor Luffy had any iion of stopping. They weaved through the crowded streets, narrowly avoiding Smoker’s attacks.

  They dashed into the o, the vish entraark against the gritty chase.

  The o’s guards were o, but before they could move, Robin appeared. She gave a quick signal to the hosts nearby.

  "Please escort uests to the VIP room," Robin instructed. The hosts, oblivious to the danger, plied immediately, leading Coby, Luffy, and Vivi into a luxurious hallway. Smoker, right oails, followed without hesitation, not notig the trap until it was too te.

  As they crossed into the VIP room, the floor beh them gave way, the trio and Smoker falling into a dark pit below. The heavy sm of a cage door closing echoed through the chamber as they nded.

  The cage was made with Kairoseki, the stohat nullified Devil Fruit powers. Luffy struggled to his feet, weakened by the Kairoseki bars, while Smred at the situation, clearly pissed off. He tugged at his jitte but k was useless in this cage. “Damn it!” he growled, eyes flig between Coby and the cage door.

  Vivi looked at Coby, her voice barely above a whisper, "This is bad."

  Coby just chuckled, leaning against the bars. "Don’t worry, all acc to pn."

  Luffy blinked, still catg his breath. "n, Coby?"

  Coby smirked, keeping his tone light. "You’ll see soon enough, Captain."

  While Smoker and Luffy started to quarrel, a deep voice cut through the tension. "I suggest you all stop. As fellow prisoners, you're all heading toward the same fate."

  The trio turoward the voice. Crocodile sat in his chair, his dark coat draped over his shoulders, the flicker of amusement pying on his lips. His sharp gaze moved to Smoker, who looked visibly annoyed.

  "Crocodile," Smoker spat, gripping his jitte tighter.

  Crocodile's grin widened. "You’re quite the wild dog, aren’t you, Smoker? rusting anyone. Wise, but it’s led yht into this trap." He chuckled darkly, leaning back. "Don't worry, I’ll make sure the Wover knows you died heroically... fighting a small-time pirate crew like the Strairates."

  He ughed, the sound eg in the chamber. "Of course, no one will question it. After all, you came here without orders. That was your mistake. The Woverrusts me. No one will e looking for you."

  Luffy, who had been quietly fuming, finally erupted. "So you’re Crocodile? Fight me, bastard!"

  Before Crocodile could respond, the door to the chamber creaked open, and Nico Robiered. "Rebels are on the move, Mr. 0," she reported.

  Crocodile g his watch, irritation fshing in his eyes. "They’re early," he muttered, as if the entire kingdom's destru should bend to his whims. He waved his hand dismissively. "No matter. Start the Utopia pn."

  Robin nodded ahe room without another word. Crocodile then turned his attention to Vivi, who had been gring daggers at him since he appeared.

  "Baroque Works' grand pn, in which even you pyed a part, has now reached its finale," Crocodile said, his tone almost mog. "If you listen carefully, you almost hear Abasta’s death throes." His grin widened as he tinued, "And the masterstroke? Those tearing Abasta apart truly believe they're proteg it."

  Vivi’s face twisted in pain, his words hitting hard. Crocodile watched her rea with cold satisfa. "Doesn't that bring a tear to your eye? Their love for their try is what's going to destroy it."

  He began listing off his crimes, eae heavier tha. "Sabotaging irrigation als, teag men to act like royal guards, eroding the citizens' trust in your father by having those fake guards it crimes in his name... even transp Rain Powder tht-stri towns just to fuel the people’s anger."

  Vivi’s eyes filled with tears, each revetion cutting deeper tha. Crocodile reveled in her anguish, his voice dripping with cruelty.

  Once he was done listing his crimes, Coby, who had been quietly listening, turo Smoker. "Heard enough?"

  Smoker’s face twisted with fury, teeth grinding as he gred at Crocodile. "Even if I hear all that, what I do while trapped in here?"

  Coby snorted. "You think I’d trap myself here without a backup pn?" His eyes flicked toward Crocodile, who was now watg him with i.

  "Coby the Copy Ninja," Crocodile drawled. "I’ve heard of you, but holy, I don’t believe the rumors."

  Coby chuckled, raising a finger. "Believe whatever you want." At the tip of his finger, a wax key formed. Crocodile’s eyes widened in shock.

  "Impossible!" Crocodile hissed. "That cage is made of Kairoseki!"

  Coby remained unfazed, casually walking to the door and iing the key. As he tur, the lock clicked, and the door swung opeepped out, giving Crocodile a zy grin.

  While Mr. 3 had been a prisoner on their ship, Coby had sed his Devil Fruit abilities. The full power of the Doru Doru no Mi had been too costly to acquire, but Coby had settled for something practical.

  [Skill S initiated on 'Doru Doru no Mi'. Analysis in progress… The Doru Doru no Mi grants the user the ability to gee and manipute wax, which be hardeo steel-like strength. This includes a wide variety of uses, such as creating ons, shields, and structures. Due to the versatile and utility-based nature of this ability, the estimated cost for acquisition is 170,000 SP. Please firm if you wish to proceed with the Skill S and acquisition.]

  Coby had found the cost too high and instead focused on a specific aspect.

  [Skill S initiated on 'Wax Key Creation'. Analysis in progress… This ability allows the user to create funal wax keys capable of unlog various locks. As a specific utility-focused application of the Doru Doru no Mi, the estimated cost for acquisition is 18,000 SP. Please firm if you wish to proceed with the Skill S and acquisition.]

  "And?" Coby shrugged, casually opening the door.

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