Ryo was sprinting through the labyrinthine corridors of the lab, explosions echoing from every direction. The air smelled of ozone, burning metal, and scorched earth. Alarms screamed overhead, lights flickering as the structure groaned under repeated impacts.
Then—
The ceiling above him detonated.
Metal screamed as it was torn apart, debris raining down in a violent storm. Ryo skidded to a halt just as a massive silhouette dropped through the smoke and rubble.
Standing there, framed by drifting dust and falling sparks, was S-Wolf.
The Seraphim's feral grin hadn't changed. The fire on his back burned hot and steady, casting flickering shadows across the ruined corridor. A sword forged from blood rested casually over his shoulder, as if this were nothing more than a stroll.
Ryo's aura crackled instantly.
Sanji: Wait isn't that-!
Ryo didn't take his eyes off the Seraphim.
Ryo: Yeah, this thing was created from my dear old uncle, it seems much like the real deal, this one also loves to try and kill me
Sanji and Franky stepped up beside him without hesitation, stances tight, ready.
Ryo lifted one hand, stopping them both.
Sanji: Huh?
Ryo's voice was calm, but absolute.
Ryo: remember, you guys have a job to do, to go and help zoro and brook protect our ship, This wants me so he's gonna get me
Franky clenched his fists.
Franky: we can fight with you bro! Don't leave us out!
Sanji looked between Ryo and the Seraphim, jaw tight. Then he exhaled and nodded.
Sanji: No franky he's right, we've got our orders, so let's do it
He turned to run—then flicked something small through the air without even looking.
Ryo caught it effortlessly.
Franky hesitated, then grinned wide.
Franky: fine! Just don't die bro!
Ryo smirked.
Ryo: you underestimating me or something? There's no way I'm dying to a knockoff
Franky laughed and took off after Sanji.
The instant they were gone, Ryo's lightning exploded outward.
He vanished.
A thunderclap echoed as Ryo reappeared directly in front of S-Wolf, fist coated in Armament Haki and crackling electro.
Ryo: Voltic!
His punch drove forward like a cannon.
Ryo: Impact!
The blow slammed into S-Wolf's stomach and detonated, sending the Seraphim hurtling through the wall and straight into the lush artificial forest beyond the lab. Trees snapped like twigs as his body tore a violent path through them.
Ryo dove after him without slowing.
Ryo (thinking): this happens all the time, I find someone to fight and I end up alone, such is the fate of the one who will become the strongest
Blood axes formed midair as S-Wolf twisted and hurled them back. They screamed through the forest, cleaving trees clean in half.
Ryo dodged casually, lightning flickering beneath his feet.
Ryo: Oh, so you can use Haki, you must've had an upgrade since we last fought, either that or you held back
The Seraphim didn't answer.
The fire on his back flared brighter as he condensed a katana from blood, gripping it with deliberate intent. His feral grin faded—replaced by something colder.
A hunter's focus.
Ryo's single red eye sharpened to match it. He drew his sword handle, igniting it as lightning formed a perfect katana in his grasp.
The forest went still.
Leaves rustled.
A massive tree collapsed between them.
The moment it hit the ground—
They vanished.
The collision of their blades shook the forest as Haki slammed into Haki, shockwaves ripping outward. They reappeared, clashed, vanished again—steel ringing again and again in blinding succession.
Neither smiled.
Neither spoke.
But it was obvious—Ryo was holding back.
Ryo (thinking): I want to see if this knockoff can really show me what the real Hiroto can do, because I plan to bury him in the ground one day
S-Wolf brought his blade down with brutal force. Ryo planted his feet and caught it bare-handed, fingers closing around the blood blade.
With a squeeze, it shattered.
In the same motion, Ryo swung his own sword—clean, perfect, flawless form.
The strike carved across the Seraphim's stomach and launched him backward, smashing through multiple trees before skidding to a halt.
Against almost anyone else, that would've been the end.
But Seraphim weren't normal.
Ryo watched closely.
Ryo: this wasn't an order you were given was it, something in your mind is driving you to try and kill me isn't it
Blood spears erupted from the undergrowth.
Ryo reacted instantly, slicing them apart in a blur of steel and lightning.
Then—
S-Wolf was in his face.
A Haki-coated kick slammed into Ryo's ribs and sent him skidding back through the dirt.
Ryo wiped his mouth.
Blood.
Ryo (thinking): you gotta be shitting me, This thing figured out exactly how far I could see into the future and then attacked me the second after
S-Wolf landed smoothly.
Not a single drop of blood leaked from him.
The fire on his back still burned fiercely.
Ryo's attacks had done almost nothing.
Ryo (thinking): something else is going on here, that attack I landed before what was special about it
Then the Seraphim spoke.
The voice was calm.
Predatory.
Too familiar.
S-Wolf: you're going to lose
Ryo froze for half a second.
Then he laughed.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the cigarette Sanji had thrown earlier.
Ryo: you know, this is getting exciting
He lit it with a spark of electro, took one slow drag, then crushed it in his hand. His grin spread wide, sharp and feral.
Ryo: bring it on, Knockoff
And that's a wrap
I know you guys probably saw this coming again, but it's gonna be fun
