Takumi and his crew had been comfortably staying on Baltigo for over five months.
Meanwhile, the revolutionaries stationed on Baltigo were living in what could only be described as a nightmare compared to the relaxed, almost divine life Takumi and his crew enjoyed.
When word arrived that Dragon's group was returning, the revolutionaries on Baltigo were moved to tears.
As the ship carrying Dragon and his officers approached the shores of Baltigo, nearly everyone stationed there gathered at the coastline to welcome them. Relief was evident on each of their faces, as though they were finally free from an endless nightmare.
"Everyone's here, huh? You all look quite enthusiastic today," Sabo commented with a smile.
Terry Gilteo was visibly emotional. "Thank goodness you're back… Please, hurry to headquarters. We really can't handle Takumi's crew any longer."
Sabo burst into laughter. "Are they really that much trouble? You and Haku can't even handle them?"
"Don't get me started," Gilteo groaned, looking defeated. "Every fighter on the island has been repeatedly beaten into doubting their life choices by Takumi's crew—even Haku and I can't match them."
Right as Gilteo finished, one of his subordinates came running towards them from the direction of headquarters, his face full of distress. "Gilteo! Chief! It's Enel and Kaku… they're at it again—fighting again!"
Gilteo's face twitched slightly. "Again…"
Sabo spun the metal pipe in his hand—he had found a new one after the incident in Sabaody—and said with an eager grin, "Perfect. Let me see just how strong Takumi's crew really is."
Without waiting for Dragon's approval, Sabo dashed off towards headquarters in full view of everyone present.
"Hey, Sabo, wait…" Koala tried to stop him, but before she could finish, Sabo was already out of sight. She sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, that guy… He always does this."
"Ha ha, it's fine, let him go," Dragon said with a lighthearted smile, still in high spirits from their recent victory. "Let's head back and see just what those three troublemakers have done to our base."
A few minutes later.
Sabo arrived at headquarters to see Enel and Kaku in the middle of one of their usual sparring matches in front of a thoroughly battered and recently patched-up building.
Without any hesitation, Sabo gripped his pipe and launched an attack at the two.
Enel and Kaku stepped back just as the pipe struck the spot they had been standing, cracking the stone floor beneath them.
"Heh, quite the guts you've got, kid, daring to attack the Thunder God himself," Enel said, already aware of what had transpired on Baltigo's coastline. It was clear Sabo had come looking for them. Good. Enel had fought most of the capable people on this island already, and he was eager to take on someone new.
Sabo missed with his first strike, but his smile only grew. He swung the pipe at Enel again without hesitation.
Enel prepared to use his lightning abilities.
Kaku, watching from the sidelines, called out with a carefree tone, "This kid's got decent reflexes. His hand-to-hand skills seem solid too. Big guy, don't rely too much on your Devil Fruit abilities. You've improved a lot in your physical skills and Armament Haki these past few months. Now's the time to test it out."
"Long-nose, you shut up! How I fight isn't up to you!" Enel snapped, but heeding Kaku's advice, he withdrew the lightning crackling across his body. Waving the gold staff in his hand casually, Enel grinned. "Fine. Let's see what you've got, you insolent brat."
Sabo didn't take Enel's words to heart. He kept up his attacks, asking as he swung, "Where's Takumi? Is he in the base?"
Enel blocked the attack with his golden staff.
A loud clang echoed out as Sabo, despite being shorter, used the force of his blow to propel himself off the ground, smashing his pipe heavily onto Enel's staff.
The impact was so powerful that Enel's feet sank into the ground, leaving him visibly shaken.
Enel's confident smirk vanished, replaced by a more serious expression.
This kid looked smaller than Kaku, but he packed an even greater punch...
"Heh. Looks like I underestimated you," Enel muttered darkly.
"You still haven't answered my question," Sabo said, pressing forward.
"You wanna know? Go find him yourself," Enel said, pushing back against Sabo's pipe with a forceful shove.
Sabo flipped back, landing gracefully ten meters away.
"Don't hold back against me," Sabo taunted. "You can use your Devil Fruit abilities if you want."
"Damn it!" Enel growled, his expression darkening. "You dare look down on me? I'll show you the gap between us!"
With that, Enel's body began crackling with electricity once again.
Initially, Enel had planned to fight with just his physical abilities, as Kaku suggested. But now, Sabo's seemingly taunting words had pushed him past his breaking point.
Kaku sighed. "This guy… so quick to lose his cool."
Lightning surged from Enel's body as he launched an attack on Sabo.
But Sabo, holding his pipe, rushed forward again, dodging Enel's lightning strikes. To Enel's surprise, Sabo evaded every single bolt and, in a flash, appeared right in front of him, swinging his pipe down again.
Enel immediately turned into lightning, letting the pipe pass through his elemental form.
Just as his body was dissipating, Enel reappeared behind Sabo, his hand crackling with electricity as he aimed for Sabo's back.
Almost as if he predicted Enel's actions, Sabo spun around right before Enel's hand could touch him. Coating his left fist with Armament Haki, Sabo landed a punch directly on Enel, sending him flying.
Kaku watched, impressed by Sabo's fluid movements. He wondered who this young fighter was.
Sabo turned his attention to Kaku, smiling politely. "Hey, long-nose. Wanna have a go?"
Kaku smirked, stretching his arms and legs. "Sure, let's see what you've got."
Before they could begin, Enel's furious voice echoed from a distance, "Damn you! I'll unleash divine retribution on you!"
The moment Enel finished speaking, a massive lightning bolt erupted from where he was standing, shooting horizontally towards both Kaku and Sabo at incredible speed.
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