As Ryu strolled towards the spaceship, he noticed Yoruichi heaving a deep sigh of disappointment.
"What's the matter?" Ryu asked, pretending to be oblivious.
"She was a complete disaster! Who in their right mind brings only a couple of flintlock pistols to a battle? Do you have any idea how long it takes to reload them? I played along for two shots, and then she was just helpless... How on earth did she even get this far?" Yoruichi grumbled.
"I warned you, didn't I?" Ryu shrugged, trying hard to stifle a chuckle.
Suddenly, a cloud of sand rose to the air as if a gust of wind kicked it up, drawing Ryu's attention. The sandy cloud turned into a whirlwind that began to swirl and dance, growing in size and intensity with each passing second. The golden grains twisted and twined together, conjuring a magnificent sandstorm that was large enough to be impressive, yet small enough to not cause damage.
The fierce whirlwind roared with power as if it were alive, and at its very center, a shadow began to take form. A tall, imposing figure emerged from the heart of the sandstorm, the gusts of wind and sand seemingly bowing to his will.
The man had a tall and imposing figure with a well-built, muscular physique. Standing at around 2.5 meters (8 feet 3 inches), he had a distinctive appearance that left a lasting impression.
His face was characterized by sharp, angular features, with pronounced cheekbones and a strong jawline. He had deep-set eyes, accentuated by dark circles beneath them, giving him a sinister and intimidating look. His light green eyes were narrowed, and a long, thin scar ran horizontally across his face, just below his eye. The man's short, raven black hair was slicked back, further emphasizing the sharp angles of his face. Finally, the man had a large, lit, cigar in his mouth.
The man sported a large, gold hook in place of his left hand, which he could use as a formidable weapon. On his right hand, a large, ornate ring with a purple gemstone adorns his middle finger, showcasing his taste for opulence.
His attire was as striking as his physical features. The man wore a large, black trench coat with fur lining the collar and cuffs, which billowed dramatically as he moved. Underneath, he wore a black, double-breasted suit with a matching vest and a pair of polished shoes. A crimson, silk, shirt added a touch of color to his ensemble.
"A coat in a desert? Is looking cool that important to him?" Yoruichi raised a questioning eyebrow. "Yeah, I don't get this either. Hey, watch this," Ryu said mischievously as he examined Crocodile with Rikai.
The man smiled confidently, scanning the scene before him. "Well, it seems the situation has been taken care of before I could lend my assistance. A shame, really. I do enjoy saving the day," he said as the small sandstorm around him subsided, a hint of regret in his voice.
Ryu smirked and replied, "Yeah, that isn't hard to notice. But don't worry, there'll be plenty more opportunities for you to swoop in and save the day, I'm sure."
Irked by Ryu's attitude, the man turned his attention to him, letting out a puff of smoke from his cigar in the process. "And who might you be? I don't recall seeing you around here before."
Grinning, Ryu casually introduced himself. "Name's Ryu. Just passing through, you know? Saw some trouble and thought I'd lend a hand. It's not every day you get to be the hero, right?"
The man's expression arrogant shifted as he adopted a more serious demeanor. "Indeed. I assume you are the one who took care of the situation? It seems you have some skills, but it's best to leave matters like these to the professionals."
Ryu's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, of course. I mean, who wouldn't want a big shot like you to come and save the day? You've got quite the reputation, Crocodile."
A vein popped on Crocodile's forehead as he bearly managed to stop himself from attacking Ryu, his current act the only thing holding it back. "I appreciate the recognition. But, I must ask, what brings you to Alabasta?" Crocodile asked, trying to figure Ryu out.
Ryu shrugged nonchalantly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just lucky, I guess. And as for being here, well, a little bird told me this place was getting interesting. Figured I'd come to see for myself."
Crocodile narrowed his eyes as plies of sand started moving ominously behind him. "Interesting, you say? And what, exactly, did this 'little bird' tell you?"
Smiling innocently, Ryu played coy. "Oh, you know. Just that there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a visitor."
As the bystanders sensed the growing tension between Crocodile and Ryu, murmurs spread through the crowd.
Observing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, Crocodile regained his composure, allowing the piles of sand around him to settle back onto the ground. "Is that so?" he said, his voice smooth and inviting. "If you're a visitor, perhaps you've heard of Rain Dinners? It's a casino of mine. Come find me there, and I'll treat you to the full V.I.P. experience." His grin widened as he extended the invitation.
Ryu responded with a smile of his own. "I'll take you up on that," he said, just as Crocodile disappeared in a whirl of sand.
Yoruichi furrowed her brow, puzzled by the exchange. "What was that about?"
Ryu chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I just had a little chat with a mob boss and scored us V.I.P. access to the best casino in the kingdom. Let's go enjoy ourselves," he said, winking playfully at Yoruichi, whose face lit up with excitement.
"Don't get too excited, we need to let that sandy swamp lizard set up our fun," Ryu chuckled at Yoruichi's disappointment as the two of them returned to their room to sleep.
---
The first Ryu noticed in Crocodile's casino was its immense scale, the pyramid-shaped structure standing tall and proud amidst the bustling cityscape. The exterior of the building was adorned with intricate patterns that alternated between horizontal layers of shimmering gold and a deep, regal blue. The gold layers glistened and sparkled in the sunlight, providing a stark contrast to the more subdued, yet still eye-catching, blue layers that surrounded them from above and below beneath.
At the very pinnacle of the pyramid, a large, golden crocodile head stood sentinel, surveying the city below with an air of superiority. The crocodile's mouth was closed in an arrogant smile as if judging the people blow him.
The entrance to the casino was equally grand, with a pair of enormous, ornately carved wooden doors set into the pyramid's base. Flanking the entrance were two imposing statues of crocodile warriors, brandishing weapons and exuding an aura of fierce determination.
"Say what you want about the man, but he sure knows how to make a stylish building," Yoruichi observed with an impressed grin.
Ryu raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Yoruichi's attire. "Speaking of style, did you really need me to make you that dress? You do realize we'll probably need to take out everyone here, right?"
Yoruichi rolled her eyes playfully. "I didn't have the chance to wear something like this in the Soul Society; everyone was so uptight there. Let me enjoy it for a bit. Or could it be that you're just uncomfortable with all the attention I'm getting?" She chuckled teasingly, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The luxurious, stretchy fabric of the dress contained a harmonious blend of silk and satin, making it shimmer like a night full of stars. As the fabric draped across Yoruichi's form, it seemed to transform into a fluid extension of her body, celebrating every curve and contour with gorgeous artistry.
A deep V-neckline plunged daringly towards her waist in a show of confidence, while subtle, strategically placed embellishments along the neckline served to further accentuate her feminine allure. The dress had a single long sleeve, crafted from the same radiant fabric, enveloped her arm in a whisper of arcane charm, its texture a delicate contrast to her powerful, battle-hardened muscles beneath.
A thigh-high slit in the ankle-long dress revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her toned and muscular leg, its graceful yet powerful lines a reflection of her agility and strength as a warrior. The fluid motion of the fabric, as it parted to accommodate her every stride, was like a visual symphony, the perfect harmony of elegance and power.
As the sunlight danced upon her, the intricate embroidery and beading woven throughout the dress seemed to come alive, as if imbued with magic all their own. Feline motifs intertwined seamlessly in the fabric, aiding in the Zanpakuto that rested beside her hip in giving off an air of intimidation.
The open back of the dress was crisscrossed with delicate straps, each one adorned with glistening gems that sparkled like distant stars against the backdrop of the night sky. As they wrapped tightly around her form, they seemed to embrace her in a breathtaking hug.
Yoruichi's celestial presence was further enhanced by A pair of bold earrings and a matching choker necklace that adorned her. These statement pieces, crafted from precious metals and adorned with shimmering jewels, seemed to amplify her innate power and grace. As she moved, the jewels caught the light, casting an otherworldly glow that seemed to blend seamlessly with her own aura of power and grace, illuminating her visage like a beacon of divine beauty.
"I think I went overboard with that outfit..." Ryu muttered as he observed the street come to a standstill, every pair of eyes captivated by Yoruichi's astonishing presence.
"What, you want some attention for yourself? Go get it then~" Yoruichi teased. She had tried to persuade Ryu to don an outfit that would complement her dress, but he had refused. However, seeing all the attention the two of them were attracting, specifically Yoruichi, Ryu had a change of heart.
"Ugh... I hate those uncomfortable clothes," Ryu grumbled as he snapped his fingers.
In a flash, Ryu suddenly donned a deep navy blue suit jacket with intricate stitching that accentuated his broad shoulders and tapered waist, emphasizing his V-shaped torso. The fabric, a luxurious blend of silk and wool, was soft to the touch, and as Ryu moved, the jacket flowed effortlessly, creating a striking visual impression.
A pair of slim-fitted pants, crafted from the same sumptuous fabric, hugged his waist, showcasing his toned legs. The pants were tailored to perfection, providing a comfortable yet elegant fit, with every contour of his muscular thighs and calves subtly visible.
A bold red shirt served as a vibrant counterpoint to the ensemble, with its rich texture and subtle pattern adding depth and sophistication to the outfit. The shirt, tailored to Ryu's form, accentuated his muscular arms and chest. Neatly tucked into the pants, the shirt drew attention to his defined abdominal muscles and powerful waistline.
A pair of sleek black leather dress shoes, polished to a high shine, lent an air of sophistication and elegance to the ensemble. The shoes were well-fitted, providing comfort and support, and their minimalist yet striking design complemented the outfit flawlessly.
As a final touch, a silver lapel pin in the shape of a blacksmith's hammer glinted in the light. Nestled on the lapel of the suit jacket, this subtle yet eye-catching detail added an extra layer of charm to Ryu's already captivating appearance, making him a worthy counterpart to the resplendent Yoruichi.
"It's a shame you're a blacksmith and not a tailor," Yoruichi teased playfully as she admired Ryu's new outfit.
"I do have a sense of style, don't I?" Ryu responded with a flirtatious wink.
"That much is obvious. You look incredible," Yoruichi complimented Ryu once again, punctuating her praise with a tender kiss. The sight of their kiss was a mesmerizing sight, drawing the gaze of the surrounding people, who couldn't help but be captivated.
"Maybe this stylish getup isn't so bad after all... Alright, let's go bankrupt Crocodile," Ryu declared, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.