The orange-gold sparks spun slower and slower as the rift in space began to close.
Yet in that fleeting instant, the Space Gate suddenly expanded outward.
Heavy metallic footsteps followed.
A suit of gleaming red-and-gold armor strode out.
The Arc Reactor in its chest radiated a pale blue glow, its low-frequency hum clearly audible.
Immediately afterward, another figure followed at an unhurried pace.
Holding a pitch-black alloy pipe, Sabo landed lightly on the cold deck.
He adjusted his top hat, then stepped sideways to plant himself firmly in front of the slumped Vegapunk.
Standing three meters away, Kizaru's eyelids twitched behind his amber-tinted sunglasses.
The corners of his mouth stretched higher across his already drooping face.
"Well, well..."
Kizaru slowly drew his right hand from his trouser pocket.
"Since when did the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command moonlight as an errand boy for Eclipse?"
"If Fleet Admiral Sengoku hears about this, he'll probably have to double his blood pressure medication tonight."
Sabo spun his pipe deftly, the alloy whistling through the air.
"I wouldn't call it running errands, Admiral Borsalino."
Sabo smiled calmly.
"I'm simply here at someone's request to retrieve intellectual wealth that doesn't belong to the World Government."
"After all, the Navy's treatment of scientists is far too brutal to stomach."
Tony's faceplate flipped up, revealing his bearded face and mocking expression.
He raised a finger and lightly tapped his chest plate.
"You're being too polite, Sabo."
Tony scoffed.
"This is nothing but a barbarian trying to smash a precision timepiece."
"If this big guy takes another half step forward, I wouldn't mind wrapping his whole body in radiation-proof lead."
At those words, Kizaru let out a long sigh.
"Honestly, youngsters these days just keep getting more boastful."
"A rusty pipe and a tin suit, and you think you're invincible?"