They all stepped fully through the strange mechanical "wall," and the moment their feet hit solid ground, Usopp let out an exhausted groan.
Ussop: Geez why are you trying to confuse me!
He punched the wall in frustration—only for his fist to thud against solid metal. His eyes bulged. He slapped both palms against it rapidly.
Ussop: it's totally solid when you go through! Why! How does this even work!
Ryo didn't bother responding. He simply walked ahead, single eye wandering over the bizarre metallic hallway and its glowing lines.
Sanji looked around, suddenly tense.
Sanji: wait, where did Lilith go? Hello!
Before anyone could react, a small device shot through the air and clipped itself neatly onto Ryo's ear. At the same moment he noticed the others all had strange metallic headphones with antennas attached.
Then a crisp voice rang out in everyone's ears.
?: walk straight ahead
Sanji: Uh whose there?
?: oh I'm Vegapunk Edison
Nami blinked.
Nami: so there's another vegapunk
Edison: at your service! Welcome to the lab, I'll guide you from here
They started down the hall.
Edison: keep going
They reached a split in the corridor.
Edison: take a right
They turned.
Edison: Now a left
They turned again.
Sanji (annoyed): see they just screwing with us
Ussop: I don't think I'm ever going to figure out this weird place
Nami's eyes sparkled suddenly, mischief swirling.
Nami: I'm going to hunt for some future treasure
Usopp's eyebrow twitched.
Ussop (annoyed): Now what would that be exactly
Nami: like pretty pretty flowers... made of money
Ussop threw his hands up.
Ussop (exasperated): are you a little princess or a greedy old bag?!
Nami scowled, sparked up her heel, and kicked him straight in the gut.
Nami: future kick!
Ussop: future pain!!
They continued down the corridor until they reached a massive room lined with seven metallic doors, each marked with a bold number.
Usopp stepped forward cautiously.
Ussop: what's this room for..
Robin looked around.
Robin: it looks like a dead end...
Nami shook her head.
Nami: No, I think those are doors
Edison chimed in cheerfully.
Edison: Ooh it seems Kitsune D Ryo is with you
Ryo: Yup that's me, what do you want?
Edison: Oh nothing, just we've got something you might wanna see
Without warning, a panel beneath Ryo clicked— —and dropped open.
Mechanical arms erupted upward, snatching him by the jacket and yanking him down.
Sanji: Ryo!!
Nami gasped, Franky tensed, Usopp flinched forward—but Ryo simply smirked at them even as he was being dragged.
Ryo: don't worry guys, I've got this
He vanished through the floor, crashing onto a metal platform below. He rolled to his feet immediately, unharmed.
The room was empty. Dead silent. And ahead of him, a single door—labeled 8.
Ryo: alright Edison, what's going on here
Edison: oh you'll see. Opening door now
Steam hissed from the seams, rolling across the floor as the door cracked open. Ryo tensed instantly. His instincts—so sharp they'd warned him even flared bright red.
Electricity crackled across his fingertips as he set his stance.
A scraping sound echoed in the darkness.
Blades. Dragging across metal.
Then the figure stepped into view—
A pale, wild-eyed boy, no older than ten. Long white hair swirling like smoke. Crimson eyes glowing like stars soaked in blood. Black angel wings unfurled behind him. A sleeveless white tunic, black pants. Fire flickering across his back like a demonic aura. Twin blood-red blades clutched in his small hands. Fangs bared. Grinning like a feral beast.
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Ryo's breath caught. His heart stopped.
He stepped back—actual fear flashing across his face, something he hadn't experienced in a long time..even against Kaido.
Ryo (thinking): No way... it can't be...
Edison's voice vibrated with manic pride as if reading his mind.
Edison: Oh but it is! A warrior created from the DNA of one of the most powerful pirates to ever exist! Meet S-Wolf! A clone taken from DNA of someone you know very well!
Ryo's hand drifted to his eyepatch, fingers trembling.
Ryo: Uncle...
Edison: Exactly! The Bloody Wolf! A commander in the Blackbeard Pirates—Portgas D Hiroto! But this one is at the pinnacle of humanity! He's a Seraphim!
Before Edison could speak further, the child—S-Wolf—lunged. One of his blades sliced toward Ryo's throat with terrifying speed for someone so small.
Ryo dodged, flipping backward as the blade whistled past his neck by a hair.
Ryo (thinking): They probably want me to give them a good show... in that case...
Electricity burst across his body. His hair whipped backward. His fox ear flattened. His eye narrowed into a razor-slit, lightning sparking in the iris.
Ryo: Thunder cloak!
S-Wolf cackled wildly—unable to speak, but overflowing with bloodlust.
Ryo licked his lips, fear melting into pure, savage excitement.
Ryo: This could be great! A chance for me to get even stronger! You'll be a great practice fight for when I kill that bastard!
