Behind Ron, Mikita's figure shifted and hid behind Nami. If Crocodile found her in this captive demeanor, it would be very embarrassing!
If you want to say the captives are miserable, that would be a lie, she and Marianne here with Ron have good food and drinks, well-fed and plump, not abused at all. If Crocodile were to find out, wouldn't he immediately suspect foul play?
Marianne is a child, while she is an adult, albeit a cute one, well, that's her own opinion. But did Crocodile share that view, it's uncertain!
Mikita hid from Crocodile who was confronting Ron not far away. The impression Crocodile left in her mind is truly decisive and cruel, but she shouldn't expose herself!
On the side, Marianne glanced disdainfully at Mikita. "What kind of look is that?" Mikita was angered and stared at Marianne. "Do you realize you're also a prisoner? Quit acting so superior!"
Marianne ignored Mikita and remained standing outside with Apis, looking towards the confrontation between Ron and Crocodile.
"Despicable!" Mikita's teeth clenched, but there was nothing she could do. With Marianne now strengthened by Ron's support, if Mikita were to engage her in a fight, she might not come out on top!
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ron faced off against Crocodile. Seeing Ron attack and kill one of his men, Crocodile must retaliate. With all the eyes on him, if he doesn't retaliate, it would be embarrassing!
"Ron, since you're seeking death, I'll oblige!"
Crocodile snorts coldly and extends his left hand, a golden hook lunged directly at Ron's head. Crocodile's eyes were filled with intent to kill.
"It seems it has come to this; if you don't kill me, I'll kill you!" Ron's lips crack into a smile, still with his hands behind his back, he taunts Crocodile, "Go ahead, attack. Don't blame me if you miss your chance. Hurry and unleash your full strength, or you won't stand a chance!"
"Arrogant! You're truly arrogant!" Crocodile used to think himself arrogant, but now, seeing Ron, he realizes he wasn't half as confident as this guy. He's gone mad!
"Sables!" Crocodile raises his right hand and lashes out at Ron. "Meet your demise! Scorpion Poison hook!"
With a charge forward, Crocodile closes in on Ron. There's a glint of triumph in his eyes. So close, it's a sure kill. One stab from his poisonous hook and Ron's fate is sealed!
The swirling dust obscures Ron's vision. Within the haze, a golden poison hook strikes towards Ron, its deadly sharp edge aimed at his neck.
Ron gazes at Crocodile wordlessly. Did he really think such a petty trick would work against him?
Underestimating him, isn't he?
Ron sighs and shakes his head. Like a willow in the wind, he effortlessly dodges Crocodile's attack, sidestepping the fatal blow.
For Crocodile, it might have been fatal, but for Ron, dodging such an attack is like child's play, thanks to his Observation Haki!
All of Crocodile's moves are transparent to Ron. It's as if he's reading an open book. How could Crocodile hope to defeat Ron?
Impossible!
Even if Ron were to be hit by the poison hook, with his physique exceeding two hundred points and his near-invulnerability akin to that of Kaido and Big Mom, Crocodile's toxins wouldn't stand a chance!
"How's that possible?" The senior agents of the Baroque Works, watching the battle, were taken aback. Their leader's attack was effortlessly dodged?
And look at that guy, he's so relaxed! This isn't good!
"Don't worry, keep watching," Mr. 1 says, shaking his head. "The leader's strength surpasses this. His real power lies in his Devil Fruit ability, which he hasn't even used fully. There'll be quite a show later!"
"Mr. 1 is right!" Mr. 2 adds with a smile. "You all know the leader's Devil Fruit ability— the power to control sand. That guy doesn't stand a chance!"
The others relaxed upon hearing this, they felt reassured so they continued watching the battle.
Ron, on his part, still hasn't retaliated. He gazed at Crocodile across from him and sighed. "Can you show me something worthwhile? This is child's play; I'm getting bored!"
"Your strength is impressive indeed!" Seeing his attack fail, Crocodile became cautious. "If that's the case, you leave me no choice but to use my full strength. Prepare to meet your end!"
"Sure, that's what I'm waiting for!" Ron nods eagerly. "Hurry up and show me what you've got. Otherwise, I'll lose interest!"
"Meet your demise! Dune Cage!" A glint of determination shines in Crocodile's eyes as he summons a sandblade, absorbing the surrounding moisture to entangle Ron. Sand wrapped around Ron's feet, while the swirling particles in the air formed into a rope, binding his arms. (T/N: I made the name of the move myself)
"Face your fate!" Crocodile's eyes gleam with excitement. "Turn to dust!"
The Sand-Sand Fruit's power is unleashed, aiming to dehydrate Ron and turn him into a desiccated corpse.
"This ability is indeed formidable!" Ron acknowledges, but then he shakes his head. "Unfortunately, it's useless against me. Because I possess Armament Haki!"
A purple-red aura surrounds Ron as he activates his Armament Haki. The sand that entwines him is instantly repelled, leaving Ron unscathed.
"This is... Armament Haki!" Crocodile's eyes widen with envy. Such power is reserved for the strongest individuals. The young man before him has already mastered it—something Crocodile hasn't. He can't help but feel envious!
"Ha! Feeling envious, Crocodile?" Ron looks at him innocently. "Well, that's embarrassing! If that's what it takes to intimidate you, then I won't even need my Haki next time!"
"Damn you! Bastard!" Crocodile glares at Ron with hatred burning in his eyes. If looks could kill, Ron would've been obliterated on the spot!