The black-robed figure stared into Gin's eyes, feeling somewhat strange why this boy suddenly became so brave and stubborn.
'Has he already realized my true identity?'
'But... so what?'
The black-robed figure grinned silently. Though he wasn't First Place of the Gold List, he was still one of the experts occupying top rankings on the Strongest List. Otherwise, how could he use First Place's identity and successfully escape from so many experts before? Even Saitama, the Third Place, could only watch him flee at that time.
Of course, that was partly because Saitama didn't expect it. If Saitama had truly seriously attacked, this black-robed figure might have been destroyed in an instant even before having time to flee. The power of the top three on the Gold List had already surpassed the limits of human understanding.
"It seems you've already realized something..." the black-robed figure said calmly.
Gin nodded slightly: "You're not First Place at all. Who exactly are you?"
The black-robed figure didn't answer that question. He instead turned toward Enel and asked: "What about you? Do you want to defect with him?"
"Defect?" Enel was stunned.
That term made him uncomfortable.
'Initially I followed you only because you were First Place. If you're not, on what basis do you make me a subordinate?'
Enel was a Rumble Rumble Fruit Devil Fruit power user; he was arrogant and had a bad personality. Otherwise, how could he become Sky Island's ruler?
"Defect? No. I only follow the strong. Since you're not First Place, of course I'll also leave. No one else has the right to order me to do anything!"
Gin sneered: "The term 'defector' seems more often used in the ninja world. We both come from the Pirate world, but now following you to the ninja world territory. Now I understand a bit; before following you attacking Konoha Village and blocking Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama. When I think about it, you have guts too. If at that time Hashirama truly seriously acted, could you match him?"
The black-robed figure answered coldly: "That's not important for you all. You only need to know that to hold you here, I don't need to exert much effort. Now I give you two choices: submit, or die!"
Instantly, invisible energy waves began billowing from Gin's body. His clothes fluttered, his hair stood upright and changed to golden color.
Super Saiyan form!
"Only this much?"
The black-robed figure didn't stop him. He knew precisely Gin's power level; Gin was no match for him.
Beside him, Enel realized battle was unavoidable. Lightning began crawling all over his body, crackling like a Thunder God descending to earth. His eyes shone with electrical flashes as his body slowly floated.
Gin knew this power wasn't enough yet, but he indeed didn't intend to fight that black-robed figure directly. He grabbed the battle-ready Enel, his body muscles swelling tremendously until his upper clothing began tearing.
"Kaio-ken—!"
*WHOOSH!*
Both their figures suddenly vanished from their original place with extraordinary speed. Even with the black-robed figure's power, he could only see a very faint shadow.
"Hmm?"
The eyes behind that black robe suddenly flashed red. His pupils spun forming a large windmill pattern (Mangekyou Sharingan). His robe fluttered as he also vanished from his place to chase.
In the underground corridor, a chase occurred between one hunter and two prey. They dashed at high speed, but the distance between them gradually narrowed.
"The speed is extraordinary!" Gin, who had already activated Super Saiyan mode and was using Kaio-ken, was secretly shocked.
Indeed true, someone who dared falsify First Place of the Gold List's identity must have real abilities.
"If it continues like this we'll definitely be caught. Better to just fight!" Enel who was dragged by Gin felt annoyed. He really liked fighting, especially against strong people, though he knew he was no match for that black-robed figure.
Gin shook his head, his eyes staring at one particular direction, then whispered: "As long as we get 'that' thing, we can escape!"
"What thing?" Enel was confused.
Since being brought here, they had almost never left their respective rooms and weren't familiar with the surrounding environment. He felt strange seeing Gin as if knowing what was stored in this place.
The black-robed figure behind them furrowed his brow. He didn't understand what these two people's plan was; why did they keep running when they knew they couldn't escape? However, as time passed, his face changed: "Could it be... they intend to..."
His eyes suddenly narrowed sharply. He accelerated his speed and his hands began forming seals very quickly.
"Katon: Bakufu Ranbu (Fire Element: Explosive Storm Wild Dance)!"
The space before him suddenly distorted. A space-tearing storm vortex appeared, birthing small fire sparks that quickly enlarged. Under the storm's push, that fire transformed into fierce giant fire serpents, charging toward the backs of the two people ahead.
That terrifying power tore the space behind them. Both felt burning hot temperatures until their clothes began curling and charring.
"Two Hundred Million Volts—!"
Enel rotated his body half a turn, raising his golden staff. Thousands of lightning serpents struck from the air, hitting the raging fire tongues to neutralize that attack.
However, what shocked him—when his lightning touched the storm area, that attack was instead twisted and deflected by invisible spatial force, striking the corridor floor and walls.
Instantly, earth and stone scattered accompanied by continuous trembling sounds. Blazing fire tongues made corridor walls begin melting; this extreme temperature was capable of transforming rocks into slowly flowing lava like water.
That corridor became brightly lit by dazzling red and white light.
On the throne, Madara who was meditating suddenly opened his eyes. He turned to one direction. He sensed abnormal movement. That tremor gradually approached his direction.
Suddenly...
*BOOM!*
One side of the wall shattered completely. Two figures dashed out chaotically, followed by giant fire waves spurting out together with red lava from wall cracks, radiating terrifying heat.
"These two bastards!"
The black-robed figure also dashed out from there. As soon as he saw Madara sitting on the throne, his face turned very ugly. He didn't expect these two people could truly find this place. He didn't know if they were indeed targeting this place or just coincidentally broke in.
However, in the next second, he realized these two people clearly knew something. Because Gin's body had already jumped high, dashing toward the Gedo Mazo behind Madara!
"Hmm?"
Madara was also startled. He didn't know what these two strange boys were planning, but clearly, for him this wasn't a good sign!