Chapter 119: Dragon's Claw

Chapter 119: Dragon's Claw

Sabo's dragon claw retracted abruptly, and with a swift motion, he shattered Badgers' Armament Haki. The device on Badgers' arm broke apart, leaving his right arm bloodied.

Sabo prepared for another strike, but Badgers wisely leapt out of the battlefield, conceding the fourth round of the tournament to Sabo. However, the arena was damaged and required repairs.

As Sabo exited the arena, he was approached by two familiar figures.

Ace grinned widely, calling out, "Sabo, you brat! I can't believe you're alive!"

Sabo paused, looking at Ace and Chiba with surprise. "Ace and Chiba? You two?"

Ace extended his arms for a hug, but Sabo stepped back, eyeing them warily. "What do you two want?"

Ace was taken aback. "Sabo, what's with the attitude? I'm Ace, your brother."

"I know you're Ace, but do we know each other that well?" Sabo replied, suspicion in his eyes.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? I'm Ace, your brother," Ace insisted, baffled by Sabo's lack of recognition.

"I'm sorry, I don't recognize you. Please move aside," Sabo said, gripping his water pipe, ready to defend himself.

Chiba interjected, "Sabo, I heard you lost your memory. Can't recall much, can you?"

Sabo frowned, scrutinizing Chiba. "Seems you've done your homework on me. What do you want?"

Chiba smiled gently. "Perhaps I can help you regain your memory."

Sabo raised an eyebrow, then suddenly leapt out of their sight.

"Trying to escape? Let's see how far you can get," Chiba remarked, vanishing in pursuit.

"Damn those two," Ace muttered, following closely.

Sabo reached the beach, only to find Chiba standing before him, blocking his path.

"What do you want?" Sabo asked, wary. He knew Chiba's strength far exceeded his own.

"Come with me. I'll cure your amnesia, and you'll remember everything. Come along," Chiba offered with a smile.

Sabo's eyes narrowed. "I heard you like conducting human experiments. Planning to use me as a test subject? Don't even think about it."

With that, Sabo lunged at Chiba, hoping to seize the initiative and escape.

Sabo's right hand, enveloped in Armament Haki, gleamed with black light. He had honed it to a formidable level, channeling all his strength into his dragon claw.

Sabo aimed for Chiba.

"Good," Chiba grinned, clenching his right fist and meeting Sabo's dragon claw.

Their Armament Haki collided, echoing like thunder, crackling in the air.

"Not bad, but still lacking," Chiba remarked, applying more force. His punch dispelled Sabo's Haki, yet halted before reaching Sabo's chest, dissipating completely.

Sabo stared at Chiba, shocked. He knew he couldn't match Chiba, but hadn't expected to be so easily overpowered.

"You win, but I won't let you experiment on me. I'd rather die fighting," Sabo declared, ready to resist to the end. Just then, Ace arrived.

"Sabo, you b*****d!" Ace yelled, reaching Sabo and landing a solid punch, sending him flying.

Sabo was stunned by Ace's strength, caught off guard by the sudden attack.

Ace turned to Chiba, "Chiba, why act like that when you're trying to help?"

Chiba shrugged, "Fine, fine. I won't help him. Let him stay amnesiac. It's like a dog biting the hand that feeds it."

Chiba strode away.

Seeing Chiba's irritation, Ace hesitated, glancing at Sabo before shaking his head. "Since you don't trust us, do as you please. Remember, you, me, Chiba, and Luffy are brothers, the best of brothers."

"I'm leaving too," Ace said, turning away. Sabo pondered. If they meant harm, he'd be defenseless. Yet, they hadn't acted against him. Could they be truthful?

Could the renowned Marine and the successor to Whitebeard's pirate ship be his brothers?

If Chiba could truly help him remember, it might be worth it.

"Wait," Sabo called out.

Chiba, still walking, felt a surge of frustration despite understanding Sabo's memory loss. His anger simmered.

"Wait!" Sabo ran after Chiba, blocking his path. "Please, help me regain my memory."

Chiba glanced at Sabo, snorting. "Why should I? Move aside."

Ace interjected, "Chiba, he has amnesia. He fought you without knowing. Don't hold it against him. He's not himself, and you know better."

Sabo remained silent, grateful for Ace's support and trusting them a bit more.

Chiba sighed, "Fine, come with me."

With that, Chiba headed to his boat. Ace nudged Sabo, "What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.