The demonic figures that had once been the Five Elders advanced.
Their movements were no longer human—no hesitation, no restraint—each step cracking the stone beneath them as their distorted forms pushed through the smoke and rubble. The air felt heavier with every second, like the room itself was being crushed under their presence.
Kaito bared his teeth and stepped forward, placing himself squarely between them and Sabo.
Kaito: Don't come any closer! You better stay away!
He slammed his fist into the ground.
The impact detonated outward, a violent shockwave ripping through the marble floor and tearing toward the Elders. Stone shattered, pillars cracked, and the force exploded on impact, filling the chamber with flying debris and a dense cloud of dust.
For a heartbeat—silence.
Then a wet, rattling cough cut through it.
Cobra was still alive.
Barely.
Blood spilled freely from his mouth as he struggled to draw breath, his body trembling as he rolled weakly onto his back. Every movement looked like agony, but his eyes were still sharp as they turned toward Sabo.
Cobra: young man... you're him, aren't you... Luffy's brother
The revolutionaries didn't look away from the threat closing in on them, but Cobra kept speaking, forcing the words out.
Cobra: you're revolutionaries... why would you protect a king?
The answer came without hesitation.
Sabo: our true enemies are the ones who stand above the kings... these monsters
His eyes burned as he stared at the advancing silhouettes of the Elders and the towering form of Imu.
Beside him, Kaito's body trembled—not with fear, but with barely contained fury.
Kaito (thinking): monsters doesn't even begin to cover it... am I actually going to die here... just because of what I saw
Sabo turned back toward Cobra then, his expression softening just a little.
Sabo: wait... how do you know Luffy?
Cobra's breathing was shallow now, each inhale a struggle.
Cobra: he... saved my life
Sabo let out a short laugh, almost fond despite the situation.
Sabo: sounds like him
Without another word, Kaito bent down and lifted Cobra with surprising care, slinging the wounded king over his shoulder, Cobra's chin resting weakly against him.
Kaito: hold on tight. Let's get out of here, Sabo. You're up
Sabo's demeanor snapped back to razor focus as his fist ignited.
Sabo: we're leaving!
A massive blast of flame erupted from his strike, surging toward the Elders and forming a towering wall of fire that swallowed the chamber in blazing orange and red.
The two revolutionaries turned and ran.
Kaito: I know it hurts, but please hold on... I'm gonna do my best to get you ou—
The flames vanished.
Not dispersed.
Erased.
The fire simply ceased to exist as the demonic shapes tore through it, rushing forward with terrifying speed, clawing at the ground as though trying to drag all three of them down into hell itself.
