Underground Passage.
The air felt ignited, burnt scorch and gunpowder mixed, stinging every breath.
BOOM!!!
A dull explosion roared through the narrow corridor. Shockwaves blasted outward from the clash point, forcing even the heavily armored Hellhound operatives to stagger back.
Several newly installed flash stage lights shattered outright under the sheer force of the Haki collision, sparks spraying everywhere.
As the dust cleared, two figures hung locked in midair, half a meter above the ground.
Sabo still had his clawed hand aimed at the safe, but his wrist was firmly caught in a black-feathered, steel-like talon.
That was Potts' griffin claw.
Under the brim of his cap, Sabo's eyes showed no panic, only disbelief… and confusion.
"Potts…"
Sabo silently repeated the name, recalling Revolutionary Army intelligence files.
The report said: Marine HQ Lieutenant Commander. Timid and indecisive with a mediocre combat ability. Personal attendant to Renzo. Duties: tea, newspapers, errands. Evaluation: No threat.
That was all.
To Sabo, this situation should've been simple.
Even after being exposed, he held subconscious contempt.
'I'm the Chief of Staff… successor to Dragon's martial arts…'
'My Dragon Claw can crush steel like butter.'
'This guy? A mere attendant.'
"Break!!"
Sabo's muscles tensed, Armament Haki surging like a black tide into his fingertips.
He intended to overpower Potts instantly, grab the fruit, and end it.
But, reality struck like a slap.
"Hmm," Potts' golden slit pupils flashed with mockery.
"Strong grip, Mr. Worker."
His voice rumbled like a beast.
"But…"
"Are you underestimating the arm strength I built hauling gold mountains for Lord Renzo every day?!"
ROAR!!
His arm swelled, not fat, but raw muscle fiber exploding outward.
Black feathers sharpened like blades.
His Haki thickened, equal to Sabo's.
"WHAT?!"
Sabo felt like his wrist was caught by a prehistoric monster.
No matter how he pushed, it didn't move.
Worse, a terrifying counter-force began crushing his bones.
"This strength… impossible!"
Potts grinned wide, baring fangs.
"Your intel…"
"Is outdated."
"For ordinary people, two years is nothing."
"But in G-5…"
His wings snapped open, a storm burst forth.
"That's enough time for hellish evolution."
"Griffin Technique: Spiral Strangle!"
Potts spun violently in midair, using Sabo's wrist as the pivot.
Not just strength, but technique dominance.
If Sabo resisted, his arm would twist apart.
"Damn it!"
Sabo reacted instantly, abandoning the struggle and rotating with the force.
Mid-spin, he launched a brutal counterattack.
"Dragon Breath: Axe Kick!!"
A strike capable of splitting earth.
"Good!!"
Potts didn't dodge, he punched straight into it.
"Griffin Claw!!"
BOOOOOOM!!!
The corridor shook violently.
Even alloy ceiling plates tore loose.
Alarms screamed.
Both fighters were blasted apart.
Sabo skidded across the floor, carving deep scorch marks.
He shook his leg, the earlier contempt was gone.
Replaced by serious caution.
Across from him, Potts hovered, wings spread, guarding the transport vehicle.
Breathing heavy, but eyes blazing with battle intent.
Sabo's realization
"Strong…"
He reassessed instantly.
"This is G-5's power?"
"A former errand boy… now this strong?"
"Mythical Zoan… plus elite Haki and combat skill…"
A chill ran through him.
People saw G-5 as:
Greedy. Luxurious. Lazy
But beneath that, was a brutal survival arena.
Anyone guarding "a god's gate", couldn't be weak.
"Hey, Revolutionary."
He cracked his neck.
"Warm-up's over."
"I respect your guts…"
"But you picked the worst time."
He pointed behind him.
"Do you know how big the bonus is for delivering these fruits safely?"
"Do you know how many mortgages depend on this?!"
His eyes turned bloodshot.
"For my villa!"
"For my retirement fund!!"
"For Lord Renzo."
"YOU'RE NOT LEAVING HERE ALIVE!!!"
"ALL UNITS, SUPPRESSIVE FIRE!!"
RATATATATATA!!
A storm of bullets erupted.
Not ordinary rounds, seastone-infused armor-piercing ammo.
"Annoying…"
Sabo dashed through the barrage.
Deflecting bullets with Dragon Claw. Sparks flying everywhere.
"I can't get stuck here…"
His plan was ruined.
Potts alone could stall him.
In as little as 30 seconds, they would bring reinforcements:
Rehn, Dracule Mihawk, and worst of all… Renzo
Sabo's Observation Haki felt it, a presence above.
Like a sleeping dragon watching.
"I need to finish this, or retreat."
He made a decision.
"If I can't take it…"
"Then I'll leave you a gift."
He stomped, the ground shattered.
A massive slab rose as cover.
Then, both hands slammed into the floor.
The shockwave surged beneath the transport vehicle.
He aimed to collapse the ground, and create chaos.
"NO YOU DON'T!!"
Potts instantly reacted.
Instead of attacking, he rushed the vehicle.
"Guardian Wings!!"
He spread his wings, shielding the transport with his own body.
Debris smashed into him.
Steel rods tore flesh.
Blood sprayed.
But he didn't move.
"FOR THE BONUS!!! I WON'T FALL!!!"
Sabo froze for a moment.
"This is… G-5's belief?"
Even if it was for money, that resolve… was admirable.
"…You people are insane."
The alarms blared.
Reinforcements were coming, fast.
"Potts… you win this round."
Sabo stepped back.
"We'll meet again."
He vanished into a ventilation shaft.
"Don't chase him!!"
Potts shouted.
"Protect the fruit!"
He collapsed, exhausted.
"…Almost lost my bonus…"
....
Sabo moved like a lizard through the ducts.
Torn clothes. Dust-covered face.
But smiling.
"G-5…"
"Renzo…"
"Potts…"
"This sea is getting more interesting."
"I failed today, but confirmed something."
"This force…"
"Can shake the world."
"I'll be back for that fruit."
He disappeared into the darkness.
At the top of the base… Renzo shifted slightly.
A faint smile appeared.
"Fast runner."
"But…"
"You think you can leave empty-handed?"
"That's not G-5 hospitality."
His finger twitched.
In the ducts, Sabo suddenly stumbled.
Out of nowhere a heavy wave of sleepiness hit him.
"…What?!"
He bit his tongue to stay awake.
"…That man…"
"…He's watching me."