<h4>Chapter 128: Chapter 128 A Certain Scientific Devil Fruit</h4>


    In the vast expanse of basta''s desert, udius and Crocodile were locked in a fierce sh.


    There was no denying it, Crocodile''s power in the desert was formidable, amplified by the surrounding sands that yed directly into his abilities. It made him a fearsome opponent.


    On a small sand dune at a safe distance Nia and the others watched the battle unfold. Tesoro and Ste had stayed behind on the ship, with Tesoro deep in his studies and Ste choosing to keep himpany. Likewise, Ko and Ace had remained on the vessel, engrossed in their own games.


    Mero and Lenny, the two mermaid sisters, had insisted on seeing the desert despite knowing the sweltering heat would be a challenge for them. They imed that they might never have another chance to witness a desert again. Now, having fulfilled that curiosity, they regretted it. Both sisters were sprawled out in arge ss tank filled with water on the sand boat, looking as though they were on the verge of being boiled alive under the scorching sun.


    Hancock looked over at the mermaids, shaking her head with a touch of exasperation. "I told you it would be unbearably hot. Now, the water tank is practically steaming," she said, a trace of concern in her voice.


    "Please, Hancock, I have one final wish: send me back to the ship," Mero whimpered, extending a hand out of the water feebly.


    Nia chuckled at the sight and reassured them, "Hold on just a little longer. Once His Highness finishes up, we''ll head to town. The oases in basta''s towns are quite refreshing."


    Enel, who had been standing by holding his golden staff, nced at the struggling mermaids and sighed. A small current of electricity crackled at his fingertips, and in moments, his golden staff morphed into a thin parasol. He ced it over the water tank to shield them from the sun.


    Mero perked up slightly. "Enel, you really are a good guy. I''ve decided to forgive you for electrocuting me in the water the other day," she said with a yful smirk.


    A look of embarrassment crossed Enel''s face. "That was an ident," he muttered.


    He paused, then added, "We''re leaving basta after this, and it will be some time before we return to Mariejois. His Highness might visit Fish-Man Ind soon. If so, you''ll finally be free. This could be thest time we see each other."


    "What do you mean ''thest time''?" Lenny chimed in.


    "Exactly! When you enter the New World, be sure to stop by Fish-Man Ind. We''ll wee you properly," Mero added, her voice more lively now.


    Enel smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting in rare cheer. "I''ll hold you to that," he said, genuinely touched.


    On the other side, Marigold pointed toward the battle in awe. "Sister, look! His Highness udius is so powerful!"


    Hancock followed her gaze, watching udius face off against Crocodile. She nodded in agreement. "Yes, he''s even stronger than the Empress."


    In the distance, udius wielded his demon de, Shindō, with expert precision. "One-Sword Style—Frost Flower Burial!" he called out as a frosty sh cut through the air toward Crocodile.


    With a swift movement of his arm, Crocodilemanded the desert to rise. A wall of sand appeared in an instant, blocking the icy attack. The wall froze on contact, its surface glistening with frost, but Crocodile shattered it effortlessly, sending the now-loose sand surging toward udius.


    "Desert Spada!" Crocodile shouted, his arm slicing through the air as a deadly sand de hurtled toward udius.


    "Your power is truly troublesome in this environment," udius said as he dissolved into an invisible gust of wind, letting the attack pass harmlessly through him.


    Crocodile''s eyes narrowed. "Your power is bizarre as ever. Just what kind of Devil Fruit is this so-called ''Nitrogen Fruit''?"


    It wasn''t the first time udius''s abilities left someone baffled. His power was strange and unpredictable, even to those who fought him.


    "It''s just science; nothing tooplicated," udius replied nonchntly, unwilling to go into detail.


    Before Crocodile could question him further, udius posed his own question. "Onest thing—my frost technique hasn''t been affecting you much, has it?"


    Crocodile''s eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity. "It has an effect, but not enough to be a concern. Why do you ask?"


    udius''s lips curled into a smile. "Just making sure. I''ve been wanting to try out a new move, a bit of a trump card, if you will."


    Crocodile raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead and show me."


    "Are you sure? I might actually defeat you with this one," udius said, smirking.


    Crocodile scoffed, his patience waning. "In the desert, I won''t lose. And even if I do, I''ll ept it."


    "Well then, as you wish," udius whispered, his voice taking on a more serious tone.


    His heartbeat quickened, a signal Crocodile recognized as udius activating his unique power. The shift was subtle at first, but soon Crocodile felt an inexplicable tension. udius''s skin began to flush red, as though he were holding his breath or straining under intense pressure. From his seven orifices, wisps of white vapor began to seep out, covering him in a shroud of smoke.


    Crocodile noticed the sand beneath udius''s feet crystallizing with frost. The air felt different, almost thinner, as if it had be lighter. Crocodile''s brows furrowed in confusion.


    In the next moment, udius pressed his hands together at his chest and spoke, "Uranus—Death of Winter."


    A transparent liquid spread rapidly from under udius''s feet, rippling out like a small tide that consumed the desert around him. Crocodile''s instincts kicked in, and he turned to sand, lifting himself into the air. From above, he could see the liquid envelop the ground below.


    He felt relieved for a moment, believing he had escaped the attack. But then, the liquid began to evaporate rapidly, turning into thick white mist that rose around him. The sand below was now covered in ayer of frost, an impossible sight in the heart of the desert.


    "Was that it? Impressive, but too slow. Easy to dodge," Crocodile thought, a hint of smugness seeping into his mind. He was ready to counter when an odd sensation washed over him. His head felt light, and his vision wavered as if he were intoxicated.


    "What''s going on?" Crocodile''s thoughts turned sluggish as udius''s voice reached his ears.


    "The true power of this move lies in its most subtle effect. Ever heard of ''nitrogen narcosis''?" udius said, stepping forward with a grin.


    Crocodile''s eyes widened in sudden realization, but it was toote. His consciousness slipped away, and he fell from the sky,nding unceremoniously in the frost-covered sand below.


    ***


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