Night fell deep, yet the entire steel fortress blazed with light, like a sleepless Renzo crouching over the New World's sea.
A ghost-like figure clung to the inner wall of a ventilation duct, moving swiftly and silently.
"Damn… how is this ventilation system designed? Why does every single duct pump out this… sleep-inducing lavender scent?"
Sabo covered his nose, resisting the waves of drowsiness, complaining inwardly.
His original plan had been flawless:
Sneak in as a participant, scout G-5's defenses under cover of night, and if possible, locate the rumored Dark-Dark Fruit, or gather evidence of Renzo colluding with the underworld to subvert the world.
After all, a Marine branch with this level of wealth and independence screamed conspiracy.
But reality had just slapped him in the face.
"Damn it… what is this map even supposed to be?"
Hiding in a blind spot, Sabo glanced at the "latest G-5 internal map" he'd bought for 5,000 Beli.
Left: armory.
Right: confidential archives.
So he turned left, and found… A "Fully Automated Luxury Massage Chair Experience Center."
Night-duty soldiers were lying there, groaning in comfort.
He turned right and opened the door to…
An "Anime Culture Exchange Room."
Figures, manga, collectibles everywhere. Perona floated inside, directing ghosts to dust her limited-edition figures.
"What the hell kind of Marine base is this?!"
Sabo felt his spy training was being insulted.
"What has that steward Rehn turned this place into…?"
What he didn't know: G-5's layout changed constantly based on Rehn's whims and Renzo's needs.
Today's armory could be tomorrow's sauna.
Maps couldn't keep up.
After two hours of wandering like a headless chicken and nearly walking into the women's bath, saved only by Observation Haki, Sabo realized: Normal logic doesn't apply here.
"Hoogh, calm down. You're a professional."
He closed his eyes and expanded his Observation Haki.
Forget buildings.
Follow auras.
Strongest presence above: Temple of Sloth → Renzo & Rehn (no go)
East: Eden → that monster Mihawk (no go)
"That leaves…"
He extended downward.
Through steel and concrete, until he found it.
A faint, suppressed fluctuation deep underground.
Silent and heavily guarded.
"Found it."
His eyes sharpened.
"Hidden this deep… guarded this tightly… this must be their core secret."
Maybe Vegapunk's lab.
Maybe a prison.
Maybe… the Dark-Dark Fruit.
He slipped into an elevator shaft and descended.
Basement Level 10, S-Class Restricted Zone
The air was colder.
Walls replaced with special alloy steel.
Lighting turned harsh and white.
Footsteps echoed.
Sabo hung upside down from a beam, gripping tightly.
Below, a patrol passed.
Not ordinary soldiers.
Black tactical suits. Gas masks. Unknown energy weapons.
Each one an elite.
"…Even Mary Geoise isn't always guarded this tightly."
He waited, then dropped silently and advanced.
At the end, a massive circular metal door.
Ten meters tall. No keyhole. Only complex electronic systems.
Sabo peeked out and froze.
Two modified Pacifistas stood guard, black and gold, clearly upgraded.
In front: a laser grid.
"Fingerprint… retina… voiceprint… maybe even haki detection…"
Top-tier security.
"What the hell is behind this door?"
His heart pounded.
'Ancient weapon blueprints?'
'Celestial Dragon secrets?'
"Forcing it is suicide."
He calculated.
"Need another way…"
Just as he considered retreat.
Ding.
An elevator opened.
He vanished into the shadows.
Heels clicked.
A group approached.
"Move faster. Rehn said construction starts tomorrow. Cash flow must be replenished immediately."
It was Ain, G-5's third-in-command.
Behind her: four porters.
"Only five people…"
Sabo narrowed his eyes.
An opportunity.
"Whatever's inside, she's here to move something important."
Then, one porter clutched his stomach.
"Ah… I think I ate bad seafood…"
"I need the restroom!"
He ran off.
Ain frowned.
"Of all times… Fine. We'll go in first."
Sabo smiled faintly.
"Perfect."
Two minutes later, a muffled thud came from the restroom.
Silence.
Half a minute later, a "porter" rushed out, adjusting his clothes.
"Sorry! I'm back!"
It was Sabo.
Disguised.
He joined the group.
"Too slow," Ain said coldly. "Next time, I dock your pay."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Sabo lowered his voice.
Heart racing.
At the door, "Retina verified."
"Fingerprint verified."
"Enter dynamic code."
Ain typed rapidly.
Sabo was stunned.
"Even Impel Down isn't this extreme…"
His suspicion deepened.
This had to be something world-shaking.
Click… rumble…
The massive door slowly opened.
A metallic wind blew out.
"It's opening…"
Sabo's breathing quickened.
"Inside. Move quickly," Ain said. "Handle everything carefully."
"Yes!"
The others entered.
Sabo followed, crossing the threshold.
"Let me see…"
"What secret lies beneath G-5…"
He stepped in and looked up.
And, his expression froze.
First: shock.
Then: confusion.
Then: complete mental breakdown.
"…What the hell is this?"
...
30 Chapters in [email protected]/DaoistJinzu