Just as the four below were fully maintaining their Conqueror's Haki clash, trying to suppress Barrett, something unexpected happened.
A flicker of madness flashed in Barrett's eyes. The black flames of his Haki, which had been pushing back against the four, suddenly contracted inward. It wasn't a collapse. It was like a spring compressed to its limit. Using the combined pressure of the four Hakis and the instant modification and explosion of his Combine-Combine Fruit on the ground beneath his feet—
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
He continuously stomped his feet in the air! With each stomp, a thruster plate appeared on his feet, then immediately decomposed, providing explosive recoil. This wasn't Moonwalk. It was a more violent, more direct, fruit-based acceleration in mid-air.
Rhett: Not bad. So cool??? A transformation device. A light transformation device. What boy could resist that?
Sonic booms exploded behind him. His figure left a series of clear afterimages in the air. His speed was extreme. Shanks and the others had just barely caught his intention with their Observation Haki when it was too late to change their moves.
Barrett, like a black cannonball, had already torn through the sky, clutching the five-billion-berry treasure chest. He broke free from the entanglement of the four Hakis and shot toward the main plaza of the Golden City — toward Rhett.
"Bastard!"
"Stop him!"
Shanks' slash. Buggy's split Haki-wrapped limbs. Marco's blue flame blast. Katakuri's mochi net. Several attacks chased Barrett's trajectory.
But they were too slow! Barrett's burst of speed, which he had been planning, was too fast! All the attacks narrowly missed his afterimages, hitting empty air and exploding in bursts of energy.
Barrett: Eat my dust, everyone.
Short-range flight was possible for any top fighter. But Barrett's explosive, linear, unreasonable speed in such a short distance was unmatched.
In almost a single breath, the black meteor had crossed the distance.
Barrett hovered in the air. He held the treasure chest that had caused so much chaos high above his head. His dark, form-fitting armor glinted coldly in the sunlight.
Rhett: Damn it!! The more I look at it, the more I want it!!!
He ignored the commotion and fear below. His eyes, burning with fighting spirit, were locked on the figure on the high platform who had just sat up straight.
"RHE—TT—!"
Barrett's roar echoed.
"Do you see?! This five billion! And this power of mine!"
"All of it — is to drag you off that damn throne!"
"FIGHT ME!!!"
His goal had never been the five billion or the Pirate King's treasure. From the moment he escaped, his only goal was to defeat the man who had once defeated him and had become his lifelong obsession.
The "Mist Lord" Rhett!
The entire Golden City fell into a dead silence. Everyone's eyes were on Barrett in the air and Rhett on the throne.
Rhett slowly looked up at Barrett's arrogant provocation. The last trace of laziness on his face finally disappeared.
"Heh..." Rhett said with a grin. "Using my money to buy my life? Barrett, after all these years, your math is still as bad as your brain."
Rhett finished with a grin, as if he were actually evaluating whether five billion was enough to buy his own life.
This flippant attitude was like the last spark that lit the fuse. It completely ignited Barrett's fury.
Rhett: I know you way too well, Barrett!
"BASTARD!! How dare you look down on me?!"
Barrett roared. He could hold back no longer. He threw the treasure chest down onto the plaza below.
Member nation kings and pirates: If I quietly take it, will Rhett acknowledge it?
The armor on his back instantly transformed. Several larger thrusters popped out. Blue flames erupted violently.
"Combine · Super Acceleration · Hell Dive!"
BOOM—!!!
A sonic boom exploded! Barrett's figure turned into a blurry black afterimage, his speed more than double what it had been before. The air was torn apart, leaving a visible conical shockwave. His target: Rhett on the throne.
Member nation kings and pirates: Forget it, forget it! We're still in the plaza! We're going to die! We're going to die! Mom, Dad, son, daughter, wife, I love you all!
---
At this critical moment, when everyone's attention was on the demon-like Barrett in the air and Rhett slowly rising from his throne, a silent chase was playing out in a relatively secluded corner of the plaza.
"Oh, no! Little Moore! Let me go! This is huge news! Earth-shattering news! The 'Devil's Heir' challenges the 'Mist Lord'! First-hand footage! Bro! We're going to be rich!" Editor-in-Chief Real Man's eyes were shining. He struggled to break free from Moore's wing, which was holding him by the collar. His other hand was still clutching the super-enhanced surveillance Den Den Mushi and the notebook he had already filled with writing.
Moore looked horrified.
"Rich, my ass! Real Man! My dear brother! Look at the situation!" Moore hissed, his voice almost cracking. "We almost got knocked out by the Conqueror's Haki from that far away! Now this psycho is right in Lord Rhett's face! This place could turn into anything in the next second! And you want to get closer?! If you die, I'll have to pay a fortune! And who's going to write our hidden edition stories without you?!"
"It's fine! Bro! Fortune favors the bold! A journalist must have spirit of sacrifice!" Real Man was still struggling excitedly. "Look at my position! Great angle! Clear picture! Lord Rhett raises his hand, Barrett dives down... Bro! The composition! Perfect!"
"Perfect my ass!" Moore had had enough. He shouted at the Moto on his head, "Moto! Help!"
The Moto Den Den Mushi understood. It suddenly leaped off Moore's head and pulled out a Supreme Grade Wooden Club.
"THWACK!"
A crisp sound. A strike to two heads. Well, one head.
Real Man's bravado was cut short. His body went limp. He passed out. The Den Den Mushi and the notebook fell from his hands.
Moore quickly caught the "tools of the trade." He breathed a long sigh of relief. He hoisted the unconscious Real Man onto his shoulder and, crouching low, hurried toward a safer viewing area behind the stands.