G-5 Branch, Central Live Broadcast Plaza.
On the massive holographic screen, highlights of the finalists battling across different zones were playing in full swing.
The visuals were intense and thrilling, but something felt… off.
Because the ever-enthusiastic commentator, who could hype up even a bathroom break, Rehn… had suddenly disappeared.
"Ahem… uh, dear audience, I'm your temporary commentator, Wang from Logistics."
A scruffy man in a safety helmet was awkwardly pushed to the microphone, still holding a wrench.
"Chief Steward Rehn said… uh… there was a 'tiny' fluctuation in the underground electrical system, so to ensure smooth viewing, he personally went to conduct… physical repairs. Yes. Physical repairs."
The crowd blinked.
"Since when do electrical repairs require seastone handcuffs and a stun gun?"
.....
Meanwhile, Underground, B3 Level
An "abandoned" transfer corridor.
Dim lights flickered across damp walls. The air smelled of oil and seawater.
"Ha… ha…"
Sabo leaned against the cold wall, clutching his chest and breathing heavily.
His cap was gone, revealing messy blond hair.
His disguise uniform was shredded, exposing his muscular frame.
"That damn bird-man… hits hard…"
But the real problem wasn't his injuries, it was the sleepiness creeping into his mind.
"Ha…"
He yawned uncontrollably.
His eyelids felt like they had weights attached.
"So this is… Renzo's ability…"
Even from hundreds of meters below, through layers of reinforced steel, the forced lethargy still locked onto him.
If he stopped stimulating his brain with Haki, he'd collapse instantly.
"Have to… get out…"
He focused on the glowing green EXIT sign ahead.
Beyond it was the sewage system.
Dirty, but freedom.
He prepared to sprint, ZZZT
A sharp electric sound exploded in his ears.
Then, blinding golden light flooded the corridor.
BOOOOM!!!
A massive lightning pillar blasted down from the ceiling, directly onto the exit door.
The half-meter-thick alloy blast door, melted instantly into molten metal.
"Who's there?!"
Sabo halted, taking a defensive stance.
Beside the smoking molten metal, golden arcs of electricity gathered.
Then, a round figure stepped out.
Dressed in a flashy red diamond-studded tailcoat, casually tossing an apple, adjusting his monocle.
It was Rehn.
"Well now, Mr. Maintenance Worker… where are you rushing off to?"
Rehn smiled like a strict school dean catching a truant student.
"The match isn't over. The banquet hasn't started."
"And you haven't even paid for Rear Admiral Bots' medical bills."
"And you're already leaving?"
"That's not how guests behave."
Sabo's heart sank.
He knew this man.
Lightning Logia user. G-5's Chief Steward.
Stronger, and more shameless, than Bots.
"Steward Rehn…"
Sabo stood straight, dropping all disguise.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
Rehn bit into his apple.
"Breaking into an S-class restricted zone?"
"Beating up our rear admiral?"
"Trying to steal Lord Renzo's private property?"
His smile vanished.
"Kid, do you know how much property damage you caused?"
"Do you know Bots is crying for compensation leave right now?!"
"So tell me…"
"How are you paying this back?"
Sabo sighed.
'This place… everything came down to money.'
"If we can't negotiate…"
His eyes sharpened.
"Then I'll fight my way out!"
"Dragon Claw: Dragon Breath!!"
Sabo smashed the ground, tore up a massive slab, hurled it.
Then followed behind, striking straight for Rehn's throat.
Rehn didn't dodge.
He smirked.
"Too slow. Too inefficient."
"Let me show you real speed."
"Lightning Step Kick!!"
BOOM!!
The massive slab, exploded from a single kick.
In the debris, Sabo emerged, nut Rehn was already there.
"Shingan: Thunder Pierce!!"
A lightning-charged finger stabbed toward Sabo's head.
"Too fast!"
Sabo barely dodged, a burn mark scorched his cheek.
Rehn didn't stop.
He became a golden blur, attacking from all directions.
"Lightning Punch! Lightning Elbow! Lightning Hip Smash!!"
The corridor became a thunderstorm.
Sabo was forced into defense.
And worse, the sleepiness returned.
A 0.1-second delay, "Got you!!"
"20 Million Volts: Loving Hug!!"
Rehn lunged, and hugged him.
"WHAT?!"
Sabo was crushed, by electrified, Haki-coated fat.
ZZZZZZZZZZT!!!
High-voltage current surged. Bones screamed. Haki wavered.
"AAAARGH!!"
Rehn whispered in his ear: "Now… ready to discuss compensation?"
"Dream on…"
Sabo bit his tongue.
"Dragon Claw: Destruction!!"
His fingers pierced Rehn's back, attacking internal structure.
"AAAAAGH!!!"
Rehn shrieked, jumping back in pain.
"YOU… YOU WENT FOR MY KIDNEYS?!"
Sabo knelt, exhausted, but smirked.
"All warfare is deception."
Rehn's expression darkened.
"Fine…"
"No more playing nice."
Electricity surged violently.
Metal vibrated.
"Now I'll show you…"
"TRUE DESPAIR."
"Advanced Technique: Faraday Cage."
All metal, beams, pipes, molten steel, liquefied.
Moved and formed.
CLANG!!!
A massive metal cage slammed down, trapping Sabo inside.
"Electrify."
ZZZZZZZZZZT!!!
200 million volts surged.
A perfect electric prison.
Sabo stood still.
He knew, he lost.
Rehn sighed in relief.
"Well?"
"Comfortable, Mr. Sabo?"
Sabo sat down.
"I lost."
"But what now?"
"Turn me in? Kill me?"
Rehn waved dismissively.
"Kill you? Too inefficient."
"Turn you in? Just a bounty."
He grinned.
"But if I keep you…"
He started counting profits: Revolutionary Army leverage. Dragon connections. Intelligence deals. Training partner. Farming helper
"You're a GOLD MINE!"
"…"
'This…was worse than torture.'
The cage floated up.
"Come on, my walking treasure, uh, Chief of Staff Sabo."
"Let's meet Lord Renzo."
Rehn hummed happily, dragging Sabo deeper into G-5.
Sabo stared blankly.
"…This place is insane."