"Even if she's the former King's granddaughter, it had nothing to do with her," Run says. "You shouldn't be judged for what your relatives do." The men in the change all exchange looks before nodding in agreement and turning to fully face the two.
"True," agrees one of them. "I wouldn't expect that to come from you. Even if her father is the former King who the whole country despises, Rebecca is our hope!"
"Your hope?" questions Luffy.
"Yes, Rebecca and all of us have been fighting to desperately claw our way up from this dark abyss with no way out. We're not strong enough, so we ended up like this but Rebecca isn't hurt." In truth, most of the men aren't just bandaged but seem to be missing a hand an eye or a leg. Fighting in this arena has taken it's toll on their bodies. "I mean, hurt or not, only Rebecca can keep our hope alive. If she can win this thing and get the Flare-Flare Fruit, things may get a little better here."
On the screen behind the men, the booing of Rebecca in the arena comes to a sudden and abrupt halt when a voice they recognize as Cavendish calls for silence. The man give a speech about hating gutless people, and daring the crowd to come fight her themselves if they want her dead that badly. After he's finished, silence is his response for several long moments before thunderous cheers erupt from the stands, cheering the man on.
"He said something good! But I still don't like him." The battle plays out on the screen in front of them. Rebecca is quick on her feet...and with how quick and accurately she dodges attacks Run is nearly convinced she must be using Kenbunshoku Haki. She also seems reluctant to actually attack anyone that comes after her. She resorts to dodging and knocking them out of the ring or baiting the person attacking into striking someone else or being struck by someone else.
Run scratches the stubble on his jaw as he watches. She gives up every opportunity to counter-attack, even choosing to pass on some obvious chances to strike down an opponent. She seems almost...hesitant to swing her sword at someone, no matter how they come at her. It's nothing like any style of swordsmanship he's ever seen. But no matter how she fights, it's hard to deny the results when she sends opponent after opponent tumbling over the edge into the water. However, even with her taking down gladiator after gladiator, the crowd still boos her performance.
"It's so annoying!" complains Luffy. "What's wrong with them?"
"It's just how much they hate the former king," one of the prisoners tells him.
"But she's a good person!"
"We all know that. When I was seriously injured and my life was hanging by a thread, Rebecca sat with me and kept encouraging me. Not just me, everyone here likes her. But the people sitting in the stands, the people outside will never forget what happened that night."
"That night?"
"Yes. It's a long story but-"
"Never mind, then."
"Luffy," Run begins. "Rude."
"Huh? How? All I want to do is watch Rebecca fight!" After a few moments, Luffy stands up. "I can't see that well from here! Run! Let's go get a better view of the arena!" Luffy starts jogging in place, as if to warm himself up. "I thought that this place was filled with just happy people...but after meeting you guys I guess that isn't true."
"Of course not. What you saw was the bright side where 'winners' are living happily. Doflamingo labels the people who obey him 'winners' and those that don't 'losers'. Rogue 'losers' are just like trash, and once you hide that trash somewhere dark the country looks good...but only on the surface."
"It's similar to the country I grew up in."
"Once you notice something strange, you start to see that some things don't add up. We believe there's an even darker part. The two of you should be careful, too." With that, Luffy goes jogging off with Run left to follow behind his captain. They reach the end of the hall and Luffy shoves the door open with ease, only for the two of them to find themselves standing across from none other than Bartolomeo. Why the man is still wandering around the Colosseum after being eliminated is beyond them.
"L-L-L-Luffy!" gasps Bartolomeo.
"Oh, you must be-" begins Luffy, only for Run to quickly cover his mouth with a sheepish grin.
"L-Luffy? Who's that?" Run asks, uncovering Luffy's mouth once more. "His name is Lucy, right?"
"A-Aaah, right! Lucy! My name is Lucy!"
"That's not important right now!" Oh, I can't!" Bartolomeo tells them, as he sinks to his knees. "I'm so nervous I can't even speak."
"I-If that's all, I'm gonna go! I wanna go support Rebecca!" The two of them turn away from the man and he quickly sits up.
"W-Wait! Don't go! I was asked by Z-Z-Zoro!"
"Huh?! Zoro?!"
"Yes! He asked me to bring Luffy to him!" The man actually covers his eyes when the two turn their attention to them. "H-He's outside the Colosseum! I'll show you! This way!" He creeps by them with his eyes still covered, and then breaks out into a sprint once his back is to them.
"Alright! I'm counting on you, Crest Head! Run! I'm gonna go ahead! I'll find you after I'm done! Make sure to cheer Rebecca on! " The red head nods in understanding, and watches them disappear down the hall. The red head turns away from them after a few moments and begins following a hall. The whole colosseum seems like a maze but if he just follows the sounds of cheering and jeering then he should find his way easy enough. Several minutes pass as the red head walks towards the sound of the crowd. The Colosseum seems so empty now with only the winners of each round remaining.
Over the cheering echoing through the halls, Run begins to hear foot-steps calmly approaching from the hall in front of him. A blond man wearing a black coat complete with top hat calmly walks in his direction and Run briefly wonders if maybe the battle of Block 'D' has been decided but with the crowd still wildly cheering he decides the person must just be someone who works here...or one of Doflamingo's underlings. He passes the man calmly, and after a few steps the person's footsteps stop.
"Oi," calls the man. "Aren't you 'Red' Run? From the Straw-Hats?"
"Aah, boy," Run says. "Yeah, that's me."
"Hmmm. You know...I thought you'd be bigger." The red head glances over his shoulder at the man. "You're here for the Flare-Flare Fruit, right? I won't let you have it." Run turns to face the man fully now, and flashes him a grin as he raises a hand to scratch the stubble on his jaw.
"Well, you're not the first one to tell me that. Unfortunately for you, telling me that just makes me want it all the more! Then again...a certain Navigator would probably beat me down if I didn't tell you that my going rate for throwing the match is ten billion Beli. Of course, now that we're in the finals and everyone knows who I am the price will have to go up accordingly. I'd say...forty billion is a good starting place."
"Hah...hasn't that Navigator heard that the road to gold will lead to ruin."
"Dahaha~! Yeah, I...huh?"
"Oi! Run!" shouts Luffy, his voice echoing from behind the blond man. "Something's happening! I need to find a way out of here! Have you seen an exit anywhere around here?" While he's running in their direction, Bartolomeo and Bellamy actually make an appearance. Bellamy looks like he's been through the wringer very recently. "Oh! Crest Head! Bellamy! Funny bumping into you two! I don't suppose that either of you know a way out of the Colosseum, do you?"
"A way out?" echos Bellamy. "Once a gladiator steps into the Colosseum, he can never get out!"
"What do you mean 'never'? Aren't you one of Doflamingo's subordinates? Don't you know a way out?" Bellamy looks away from him in response. "Please! My friend is in danger!"
"What's happened?" Run asks. Luffy quickly explains the whole situation to Run sighs heavily in response. While he wants to quickly leave the Colosseum with Luffy...he also needs to win the Flare-Flare Fruit for the crew. If they let Burgess take it, there's no telling what Blackbeard will do with it! But at the end of the day...they also can't leave Law to Doflamingo. So much for just a simple hand off.
"You might be able to find a way out if you follow me," Bellamy tells him. "But don't expect me to betray Doflamingo! You've only got a chance by following me!"
"But, Luffy, what about the Flare-Flare Fruit?" Bartolomeo questions him. "Since I was eliminated, I can't win it for you! Ohh! I said it! I was going to win it and present it to you as a precious keepsake!" Luffy turns to look at Run quickly.
"Run," begins Luffy. "I want you to stay here! Once you win the Flare-Flare Fruit, you can meet up with us and we'll take down Doflamingo!"
"I already said," begins the blond man. "I won't let him have the Flare-Flare Fruit, Straw Hat Luffy." Both Luffy and Bartolomeo turn to face the man. Bartolomeo stomps over to him quickly, and shoves his face near the blond man's own.
"What was that?" Bartolomeo growls. "You can't talk to Luffy so casually! He's the brother of legendary 'Fire Fist' and he'll one day become King of the Pirates, idiot!"
"I've known that from way back." The man reaches out, and easily shoves Bartolomeo aside, sending him crashing into a number of near-by crates. He approaches Luffy calmly, and stops in front of him. There's a soft noise and he glances over his shoulder, finding Run standing only a few feet away. "Oi, oi...there's no need for that." He reaches up to remove his top hat. "Has it really been so long, Luffy, Run? Have you two forgotten your other brother...?"
The plan has changed to say the least. Luffy has managed to escape the Colosseum...although, it was difficult separating him from Sabo. Speaking of, Sabo is going to be taking his place in the ring to compete for Ace's Devil Fruit, the same as Run. It's a...strange feeling for Run to see someone he thought had died years ago, someone he'd mourned. He was always closer to Sabo than he was to Ace. But another surprise comes from the fact that Sabo seems to be working with the Revolutionary Army. He never thought that Sabo would fall in with them but maybe things really have changed since they were children.
"Sabo...even though I've missed you, I still won't just let you have Ace's Devil Fruit," Run tells Sabo, watching him don Luffy's costume.
"Haha~! I knew you wouldn't," Sabo tells him, finally placing Luffy's helmet on himself. "You always liked our competitions. So, let's compete for it fair and square. May the best man win!" The two of them walk down the hall towards the arena slowly. "How have you and Robin been doing?" Run aches a brow as he glances in Sabo's direction. "What? I can't take an interest in my own brother's personal life?"
"Aah...where did you and Ace get these ideas that I'm some kind of womanizer from? I've only had eyes for one woman, thank you very much. Besides, I figured the first person you'd ask after would be Uta, I remember you chasing after her like a lost puppy." Sabo's face flushes a color fit to match Run's hair.
"W-Wait a second, that's not at all what happened! Besides, I'm only asking because you know how you are! Always leaving a trail of broken hearts behind!"
"A trail of broken- where were you at during our childhood? The only women I ever spent time with were Robin, Uta, Makino and Dadan. What are you even- no, no! You almost suckered me into an argument again, Sabo! You haven't even been back for an hour and I almost fell for it, so don't go changing the subject. If you want to know how Uta is, all you have to do is ask. You don't have to beat around the bush."
"That's not what I'm doing! I'm just genuinely curious how the two of you are doing! She was invaluable to us during the last two years and I just want to make sure my dear brother is treating her right! I'm not changing the subject, and I'm not-"
"Yes, you are. Look at you sweatin' and blushing!"
"I'm not!"
"You are!"
"No, I'm not!"
"You are! You are! You so friggen' are!"
"I told you I'm not and I'm not! I just saw her performance yesterday and...aah." A grin spreads from ear to ear across Run's face as Sabo realizes his mistake. Several tense moments follow before both men break out into a round of laughter. "I guess you've gotten better at fast talking people than you were before, huh?"
"What can I say? It's a talent. But...to answer your question, we're doing well, Sabo. I have a gift I've been meaning to give her but I just can't seem to find the right moment." The two arrive at a balcony to watch the remainder of the fight taking place in the arena.
"About Ace...I know you two had your differences."
"Did we? Aah, I guess it probably seemed that way."
"Well...yeah? I mean, one of you was always picking at the other."
"That was just our thing. Ace and I weren't...I don't know, I couldn't imagine us being any other way. Neither of us meant it."
"Yeah." Sabo sighs and leans against the railing. "Listen...not to change the subject but you should know that rumors about you and Shanks are beginning to circulate. Someone is trying to spill the beans on the whole thing. I've been doing what I can to silence them...but I don't think it'll be long before word gets out."
"Well, it's not like I could keep it a secret forever! I mean, the whole crew already knows and I wasn't exactly lying low when the Kid Pirates attacked the old man's crew, either. I figured people would start to talk when that little bit of information got out." The arena is suddenly shrouded by a cloud of dust, and both Sabo and Run furrow their brow. Through the dust, moving faster than most people could track, Cavendish cuts down all the remaining competitors with Rebecca barely dodging at the last second. After several long moments, Rebecca finally stands to a booing crowd. While they're calling for the announcer to eliminate her for 'cheating' the man in question none the less announces her as the winner of Block 'D'.
"She won without attacking a single person. Impressive but...I still won't give up the Flare-Flare Fruit to anyone."
"What a coincidence. I feel the exact same way." Sabo breaks into a wide grin and turns away from the balcony with Run following. Bartolomeo trails behind the two of them by several steps and after a moment Run motions for him to catch up. "You don't have the follow from all the way back there. You CAN walk with us, Bartolomeo."
"O-O-Ok!" shouts Bartolomeo, hurrying his steps to walk beside the two of them. "R-R-Run! Can-Can I have your a-autograph?!" The man holds up Run's bounty poster and a pen. "Ohh! I said it! I actually asked for his autograph!"
"Dahaha~! Sure! Fair warning though, my signature looks more like chicken scratch so I don't know how good it'll actually be." It's certainly a first for Run to autograph anything...and he never imagined that it would be his own wanted poster. But regardless, he signs his name and hands it over to Bartolomeo who delicately takes the paper and bursts out into tears.
"I-I can't believe I got his autograph!"
"Lucy! Run!" shouts a voice from ahead. Rebecca stands several feet ahead of them. "I'm moving on to..." Her words trail off as she stares intently at Sabo. "You're not Lucy." Bartolomeo stomps forward, and towers over Rebecca.
"Oi, lady! Don't talk to them like they're your friends!" Sabo reaches out and grasps Bartolomeo's shoulder. "H-Huh?"
"You're Rebecca, right?" Sabo asks. "I know your background. It's gonna get a little messy..." He glances over his shoulder at Run. "...maybe more than a little but I won't do you wrong. They're putting up a good front but this country is like my own in many ways." The announcers voice echos through the arena announcing that the finals are going to be beginning with some changes made. It's not going to be a fight against the Doflamingo Executives but another battle-royal against a single man with all of the winners participating. So, they head for the arena entrance and walk out to the cheering of the crowd.
"The first to enter is Lucy!" bellows the announcer. "It's his first time fighting here but his likable character has capture the crowds heart!" Run follows several steps behind him. "Oh! The next competitor is the infamous 'Red' Run of the Straw Hats! His overwhelming display during the Block 'B' battle has really fired up the crowd!" The red head ignores the crowd in favor of the appearance of Burgess, struting out into the now sectioned up arena. "Now entering, the Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates - Jesus Burgess!" The man struts over to the two of them.
"The Flare-Flare Fruit will be ours!" declares Burgess, voice sounding more than a little hoarse. "But good luck to you!" The cheering of the crowd very suddenly turns into booing and jeering and all heads turn. Rebecca walks out to the arena, looking a little better but still beaten down from her fight.
"Now entering to the sound of the crowd's boos and jeers is the 'Phantom Princess' of the heinous King Riku Family! Rebecca! She is...what should we say? The devil incarnate? How did she survive the Block 'D' battle against such tough contenders?! It's a mystery!" The crowd continues it's jeering and booing as she takes her place across from all of them. "Now, these contenders who won each block by beating powerful contenders are going to fight another battle in the final battle to be the Champion of Corrida Colosseum! Now, let me introduce the man they're going to fight..." The arena begins to fill with smoke.
"Whoa, hold on!" complains Run. "We didn't get a chance to make a grand entrance! I want a do over!"
"...This man saved our country along with our King, Donquixote Doflamingo, and is one of top executives of the Family! He is the promoter of the Corrida Colosseum Battle Tournament and our Hero! Mr. Diamante!" Through the smoke a man appears, and very theatrically makes his way to the center of the ring. "N-Now, they're all here! It's the final here in Corrida Colosseum! The four winners from the first round and Mr. Diamante! The winner of this round will get a Logia Devil Fruit, the most powerful type! The Flare-Flare Fruit!"
Unfortunately for them, when their blood drips into the water, it attracts the special Fighting Fish that they've released for the finale...which promptly snaps up the men. Diamante returns to center-stage, and takes the microphone stand he's been carrying. He explains the rules of the final round to them and the crowd. The Flare-Flare Fruit is chained to one of the new Fighting Fish that are apparently riled up by the scent of blood, and the person who retrieves it and remains standing is the winner. Run stands in silence for several moments before breaking out into a grin. Who would have thought this final round would be right up his alley?
"Alright!" screams the announcer. "It's going to be a battle royal of the five including Diamante the Hero! A scramble for the Devil Fruit! A death match involving Fighting Fish! Which one of them will win the Flare-Flare Fruit?! Here we go!" The bell is struck and Run moves instantly. "Here we go!" Run draws his cutlass as he leaps backwards across the separated platforms and comes to a stop on the edge. He grasps the blade and slices his palm before flinging his own blood into the water. "Ohhh! What a bold move! It seems Run is trying to draw the Fighting Fish intentionally!"
"Aah, Robin is gonna be upset when she finds out I'm hacking myself up like this," complains Run. "But I guess I don't really have much choice."
"Planning to lure it out, Run?" Sabo says, leaping backwards and landing on another of the separated platforms. "Not a bad idea! I really only need the Flare-Flare Fruit, after all!" Two of the Fighting Fish takes the bait, leaping out of the water and coming straight down towards Run. The red head disappears in an instant, reappearing above them as they come crashing down. Neither has the prize attached to it...but that doesn't matter for the time being.
"Dahaha~! Listen up, fellas!" The Fighting Fish immediately cease their wiggling and snapping as he lands in front of them. "I need a favor! Find the one with the prize on it, and bring it to me. Understand?" Both do their best to nod under the circumstances. "Alright! Now, get going, boys! Time's a wastin'!" Both immediately turn away to dive back into the water, quickly disappearing below the surface as Run shoves his cutlass back into it's sheath.
"What's this?!" screams the announcer. "It seems that Run has...tamed two of the Fighting Fish!" Burgess rushes instantly, covering the distance as fast as he can. "Burgess has made his move! He's targeting Run!" The red head glances over his shoulder at the rapidly approaching man.
"Hado..." begins Burgess, closing in on the red head who turns and reaches out. "...Elbow!" A loud 'boom!' echos through the stadium as the two men collide. The harsh groaning of metal under heavy weight immediately chases the boom, and begins to shake as he pushes against the red head. "Damn you!" He raises his free arm quickly. "Galleon-" The words die in Burgess' throat as Run suddenly drives his free hand into his stomach. It lifts the large man from his feet immediately, his eyes widening in shock and pain as he spits out a mouthful of blood. There's a brief low rumble and the sectioned platform behind Burgess immediately explodes into a shower of dust and concrete as if struck by an invisible hammer.
"I struck yer liver there," Run tells him plainly. "Learned that these last two years...targetin' someone's internals with Haki specifically, I mean." Run yanks hard now, tearing the metal from Burgess' arm as if it weren't there before drawing back. "Sea King's Bite." His fist lands on the large man's chin, and sends him sailing away across the arena. He smashes down, bouncing across the concrete several times before he can twist in the air and get his feet under him, one more spitting out a mouthful of blood as pain radiates through his entire body. Burgess raises his hands quickly as Run closes in.
"Hado...Elbow!" Once again, a loud 'boom!' drowns out the roaring of the crowd as the two men clash, neither of them moving for a brief moment before Run suddenly yanks Burgess in his direction with ease. The large man staggers forward as the red head drives his fist into his stomach, lifting him off his feet and sending him skyward. Run follows after him immediately, and the two collide in air. They tumble several times before Run finally rights himself with his back to the sky, and one hand grasping the larger man by his throat.
"Once more...Sea King's Bite." His fist lands square on Burgess' chin, and sends him plummeting back to the arena, pulverizing the stone and creating a small crater with cracks racing out across the entire arena. The crowd's cheers are almost deafening as Run lands several feet away. "Aah, this all yer worth? How the hell'd ya ever beat Ace?"
"Ohhhh! The tables have turned for Jesus Burgess!" screams the announcer. "Run is showing us what it means to be a member of the Worse Generation! What it means to be a member of the infamous Straw Hats!" Around the arena numerous fins begin to break the surface...and on the back of one of them, the red head immediately spots a chest secured firmly with a chain. "There! The prize all our competitors are after on the '01' Fighting Fish!" They rapidly circle the ring before breaking off and targeting each one of the competitors. One of them launches itself out of the water at Run, and he quickly grasps the hilt of his cutlass. He turns and with two quick flashes of his blade, cuts the giant Fighting Fish into bloody quarters which splash down into the water seconds later.
"Excuse me, Run!" Sabo says, dashing by him. Run whirls around quickly with a grin, and grasps Sabo by the back of his collar. With a hard yank, he pulls his friend off his feet and then moves in the direction of the '01' Fighting Fish. "Aah, you cheater!"
"Dahaha~! Better luck next- oof!" Sabo launches a foot out, and trips Run before he can take two steps. He stumbles forward and falls flat on his face with a grunt. "Ow! Didn't hurt!" Sabo scrambles to his feet and sprints past Run.
"Gotta be quicker than-" A hand closes around Sabo's ankle and pulls hard. "Ohh, crap!" Sabo falls face first to the ground and Run yanks him back towards him. "Playing dirty won't help you win!"
"Right back at'cha!" The two men rapidly scramble to their feet, shoving one another while grinning from ear to ear. Run roughly shoves his saber back into it's sheath as they take off at a sprint across the arena towards the '01' Fighting Fish which launches itself out of the water directly at Rebecca. It's barely left the water, however, before it's broad-sided by two other Fighting Fish, which knock it away from Rebecca and onto one of the separated platforms. The crowd erupts into wild cheers as Sabo and Run sprint neck and neck with one another. Both men reach the beached Fighting Fish, landing atop it's back by the chest.
"You won't have the prize so easily," Diamante says, drawing his sword and approaching the two.
"What is happening here?!" screams the announcer. "The toys are...the toys are turning into humans! Not just humans, either!" Whatever is happening, Run is sure that it's Luffy and the crew's doing without a doubt. Rebecca breaks down into tears...it seems that this is affecting her as well.
"Father...I have a father!" screams Rebecca. "I remember it now!"
"I guess that's the plot that's been undermining the country," Sabo says, jumping down from the Fighting Fish's back. "Things always have a core. If you can strike it, you can turn any situation around." He crouches down to rap his knuckles against the surface of the ring. "You did a real number on the ring, Run. You were always strong...but I had no idea you were THIS strong. Even your father would be impressed. But I think it's time we end this fight." Sabo hands are coated in Haki instantly, and he slams them against the surface of the arena, sending a myriad of cracks racing outward. "Dragon Claw Fist!" A hand suddenly closes around Run's ankle and he glances down at Burgess, a scowl appearing on his face.
"Guess ya don't need that hand," grunts Run, grasping the hilt of his cutlass as Burgess' free hand reaches up towards him.
"Dragon Breath!" The whole ring shatters as Run's blade flashes and an agonized yell leaves Burgess as they drop towards the water, splashing down and disappearing beneath the surface.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Need a hand here, fellas!" From the rapidly swirling water, the two Fighting Fish he'd dealt with earlier surface and Run lands on one's back. "Dahahaha~! Good job, boys! Now, YOU! Go help Rebecca!" The second disappears and reappears next to the woman as she rides on top of a piece of the now shattered ring. The crowd instantly begins to filter out of the Colosseum in a panic, urged on by the announcer. "Alright! Now, where is that..." The '01' Fighting Fish breaks the surface of the water, launching itself skyward. "There!" Sabo moves in an instant, leaping towards it and Run grins. "Yer not gettin' it that easy! Haki...Burst!" The Fighting Fish's whole body arches violently as it's struck by his Busoshoku Haki, and it smashes into the stands of the arena.
Sabo blinks in surprise and looks down at Run as he leaps from the back of the Fighting Fish to the stands. The red head takes the stairs two at a time as Sabo adjusts his angle and lands several feet behind him, giving chase immediately. It's been so long since they've done this! The last foot-race they had it had been all of them and it had turned out the same way. Everyone was doing everything they could to get a leg up and win! There wasn't even a Devil Fruit on the line, either, only bragging rights. Seeing Run pulling away from him slowly, Sabo smiles as well and whirls the pipe he's been carrying around quickly before throwing it at the chest on the Fighting Fish's back. The wooden chest shatters instantly, spilling the Flare-Flare Fruit out which bounces down the steps and right between Run's legs before he can react. Sabo bends quickly, arm stretched out to capture the Devil Fruit as it comes towards him.
"Heads up!" Sabo looks up just as a pair of hands land on his shoulders and Run springs over him with a grin on his face.
"Hold it!" Sabo whirls around, giving chase as the Flare-Flare Fruit bounces down the stairs towards the ring. It bounces off the final step, and flies above the railing while Run reaches out, tipping the Flare-Flare Fruit a few times with finger-tips before finally catching it with an arm outstretched skyward. Seeing Run come to such an abrupt halt, Sabo's eyes widen and he tries to slow himself...but it doesn't seem like he's gonna be able to! "Ohh! Heads up, Run!"
Sabo slams square into Run's back knocking him forward into the railing with a grunt and the Flare-Flare Fruit skyward. Sabo reaches out as the Devil Fruit falls behind the two but before his finger's can even graze it, the red head's foot flies up and kicks it skyward again. Both watch with wide eyes as the Flare-Flare Fruit flies towards the center of the ring...and comes to a stop on the last remaining bit of the arena.
"Wow. What are the odds?" Both exchange looks before grinning again and nodding. One final foot-race to decide the winner of the match! First person to lay a hand on it gets to eat it! Both men clear the railing of the stands, and drop down onto several pieces of the swirling ring. They leap from piece to piece, moving as quickly as possible towards the standing pillar in the center. They coat their hands in Haki as they make their final jump, and bite deep into the stone with fingers before beginning their climb. Sabo surprises Run by grasping his ankle, pulling him down and then climbing over him. "Cheater!"
"Ain't no such thing in here, Run!" The red head climbs quickly, trailing after Sabo for several moments until he's caught up.
"You always were bad at rock-climbing! Some things never change!" Both men race towards the top, hands biting deep into the concrete as they draw closer and closer, hearts racing with excitement! Both men grasp the crest and pull themselves up, a hand reaching out quickly for the Flare-Flare Fruit! It's gonna be close...!