With Inazuma leading the way, they moved deeper into the concealed passage. The route twisted through the walls of Impel Down, completely different from the official corridors they had used before. Eventually, the cold of Level 5 began to fade.
A warmer current of air flowed through the passage.
Then they emerged into a vast hidden chamber.
Sabo stopped.
The sight before him was completely unexpected.
Colorful decorations covered the walls, music echoed through the enormous space, and several prisoners dressed in flamboyant clothing moved about freely. Despite being hidden beneath the world's most infamous prison, the place felt more like a strange underground kingdom than a prison at all.
"Welcome," Ivankov announced dramatically, spreading his arms, "to Newkama Land!"
Sabo stared around in disbelief. "This is inside Impel Down?"
"Level 5.5," Inazuma explained calmly. "A secret level between the fifth and sixth floors. The World Government doesn't officially acknowledge its existence."
Baby-5 looked around curiously.
"So the prisoners here live freely?"
"Freely is a generous word," Ivankov replied with a grin. "But compared to the rest of this place, we have a little more room to breathe."
Before Sabo could ask anything else, Ivankov pointed toward a nearby door.
"Bring the boy."
They carried Luffy into a small isolated room.
It was simple, but clean and quiet, with enough space for him to lie down comfortably.
Ivankov examined Luffy once more.
"You said his wounds were already treated?"
Baby-5 nodded.
"Yes. I used my Fairy Dust to heal his injuries as much as I could before we reached this level."
Ivankov raised an eyebrow.
"That explains why his condition isn't worse." He looked over Luffy's body. "The poison is still there, but at least his injuries won't complicate the treatment."
Sabo glanced at Baby-5. "You really saved him."
"I only did what I could." Baby-5 gave a small smile.
Ivankov nodded.
"Then this should be a little easier on his body." He prepared the injection. "Still, don't misunderstand. My hormones will force his immune system to work far beyond its normal limits. He'll need to fight the poison from the inside."
"Will he feel it?" Sabo nodded.
Ivankov gave him a serious look. "He'll feel plenty."
Luffy stirred weakly.
"Ace…"
Sabo stepped closer.
"We'll find him. You just focus on surviving."
Luffy's eyes barely opened.
"Okay…"
Ivankov injected the hormone into his body.
Luffy's muscles immediately tensed.
A faint tremor ran through him, but unlike before, his reaction remained relatively controlled. His breathing became heavier, yet the process did not immediately send his body into violent convulsions.
Ivankov watched carefully. "Interesting."
"What?" Sabo looked at him.
"His body is responding more calmly than I expected."
"Because his wounds were already healed?" Baby-5 lowered her gaze.
"Exactly." Ivankov nodded. "His body doesn't have to divide its strength between repairing severe injuries and fighting the poison. That gives his immune system a better chance to focus on the real problem."
He looked toward the others.
"Even so, we can't take any chances." Ivankov stepped outside and closed the door. "I'm locking him in."
Sabo's eyes widened. "You're locking him in?"
"Yes. No one enters until the treatment is complete."
Ivankov secured the door.
"If he wakes up and decides to run after Ace before his body is ready, he'll undo everything we're doing for him."
Sabo sighed. "That does sound like something Luffy would do."
Baby-5 nodded. "Definitely."
Ivankov smiled.
"Then we'll make sure he doesn't get the opportunity."
With Luffy safely isolated, Ivankov turned toward the larger chamber.
"Come. We have a lot to discuss."
Sabo and Baby-5 followed him. Inazuma walked alongside them, while Bon Clay, who had been waiting nearby, hurried to join the group.
Mr. 2 clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
"Come on, Straw-chan…"
Baby-5 stood beside him. "He's going to survive."
"You sound very confident." Mr. 2 looked at her.
"I have to be." She looked toward Luffy. "We still have to save Ace."
"That's right." Mr. 2 nodded.
The treatment continued for what felt like hours.
Luffy's body fought desperately against the poison.
Eventually, the violent trembling began to subside.
His breathing became steadier.
They entered the enormous central hall of Newkama Land.
The strange underground kingdom was even more impressive from inside. Prisoners gathered around tables, talked among themselves, and moved freely through the chamber. For people who had supposedly been condemned to one of the world's most brutal prisons, the atmosphere was surprisingly lively.
Sabo looked around.
"So this is where you all have been hiding."
Ivankov nodded.
"This place was created by prisoners who discovered the hidden space and refused to let the prison decide how they would live."
Inazuma added, "Those who found their way here chose to remain hidden rather than return to the upper levels."
"It's not exactly freedom," Ivankov said, "but it's a place where people can live according to their own rules."
Sabo glanced toward the locked room where Luffy was being treated.
"And you've been protecting this place all this time?"
Ivankov grinned.
"Someone has to."
Then his expression became serious.
"But right now, our priority is Straw Hat Boy."
He turned toward Sabo, Baby-5, and Bon Clay.
"Once his treatment is complete, you're going to need a way out of this prison."
Sabo's eyes sharpened.
"Then let's talk about how we're getting to Ace."
The group moved deeper into Newkama Land and entered its enormous central hall.
The atmosphere was completely different from the cold corridors of Level 5. Music, laughter, colorful decorations, and the lively voices of the Newkama filled the hidden chamber.
Bon Clay stood among them, still visibly relieved that Luffy had been found alive.
But when Sabo and Baby-5 entered with Ivankov, his expression became serious.
"Now then," Ivankov said, taking a seat. "Tell me exactly why a member of an Emperor's crew and a Supernova broke into the world's greatest prison."
Sabo sat across from him.
"We came for Ace."
Ivankov's expression immediately changed.
"Ace? Captain of Whitebeard's Second Division?"
"Portgas D. Ace," Sabo confirmed. "He's being held here. The Marines are planning to execute him at Marineford."
Sabo spread a rough map across the table.
"We entered Impel Down before Ace could be transferred. The plan was simple. Find him, get him out, and escape before the Marines realize what's happening."
Bon Clay leaned closer.
"But you got separated."
"Luffy fell into a trap." Baby-5 continued the explanation. "We found him after he fought Magellan. By then, the poison had already spread through his body."
Ivankov sighed.
"That explains why he was in such terrible condition."
Sabo pointed toward the map.
"Once Luffy wakes up, we'll continue toward Level 6. If Ace is still there, we'll take him and escape."
"And if he isn't?" Ivankov asked.
Sabo's expression hardened.
"Then we'll follow him to Marineford."
The room became quieter.
Ivankov studied the young man across from him.
"You're willing to go that far?"
"Of course." Sabo's voice carried absolute certainty. "Ace is my brother."
Ivankov's eyes widened slightly.
"Your brother?"
Sabo nodded.
"Luffy is my brother too."
Bon Clay looked between them.
"Wait a minute…"
Ivankov suddenly leaned forward.
"You said Luffy is your brother?"
"Yes."
Ivankov's expression changed.
His eyes widened.
"Sabo…" He stared at the young man for several seconds. "Monkey D. Luffy's brother."
Sabo nodded.
"We don't share the same parents, but we're brothers." His voice became quieter. "Luffy is the son of Monkey D. Dragon."
The reaction was immediate.
"DRAGON?!" Ivankov nearly jumped from his chair.
The Newkama around the hall turned toward them.
"World's Worst Criminal" Bon Clay's jaw dropped.
Ivankov stared at Sabo in disbelief. "Straw Hat Boy is Dragon's son?!"
"Yes."
Ivankov placed both hands against his head.
"I knew that name sounded familiar, but I never imagined…" He suddenly looked toward the corridor leading to Luffy's isolation room. "That boy…"
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
"So the son of the Revolutionary Army's leader has broken into Impel Down."
Sabo gave him a tired look.
"That's not exactly how we planned it."
Bon Clay laughed nervously.
"This is getting crazier by the minute!"
Ivankov's expression remained fascinated for only a moment before becoming serious again.
"And Ace?"
Sabo's gaze hardened.
"Ace is also my brother."
Ivankov nodded.
"Yes, you've already said that. Is Ace-Boy also Dragon's child?"
Sabo took a breath.
"No, Ace is the son of Gol D. Roger."
Silence.
Ivankov froze.
Bon Clay stopped smiling.
Even the Newkama around them gradually fell quiet.
"...What did you say?"
Sabo repeated it. "Ace is Roger's son."
Ivankov stared at him.
"The Pirate King…" His expression became unusually solemn. "Gol D. Roger had a son?"
Sabo nodded.
"The World Government kept his identity hidden. Ace was raised under his mother's name."
Ivankov slowly leaned back.
"So the World Government is preparing to publicly execute the son of the Pirate King…"
"And the son of a man they consider one of their greatest enemies," Sabo added.
Ivankov's eyes narrowed.
"Dragon's son is breaking into Impel Down to rescue Roger's son."
Bon Clay looked at Sabo.
"And you…"
Sabo gave him a faint smile.
"I'm just trying to save my brothers."
Ivankov remained silent for several moments.
Then he stood.
"That's enough."
Sabo looked up.
Ivankov turned toward the Newkama gathered throughout the hall. "Listen up, Ladies!"
The room immediately quieted.
"We have three choices. We can sit here and wait for the World Government to execute the son of the Pirate King…" His eyes hardened. "…or we can help these idiots rescue him."
The hall erupted.
"WE'RE IN!"
"LET'S HELP STRAW HAT!"
"NEWKAMA LAND NEVER ABANDONS A FRIEND!"
"I'll help too!" Bon Clay's eyes filled with determination.
Ivankov smiled.
"Then it's decided." He turned toward Sabo. "Your brother won't be escaping this prison alone."
Sabo stared at him. "You'll really help us?"
Ivankov laughed.
"Of course!" He pointed dramatically toward the ceiling. "Anyone who comes into my kingdom seeking freedom is under my protection!"
"Thank you." Sabo smiled.
"Don't thank me yet." Ivankov's grin widened. "We still have to get you out of here."
...
The hours passed.
One hour.
Then five.
Then ten.
Newkama Land remained active throughout the entire day as Ivankov, Bon Clay, Sabo, and Baby-5 prepared everything they could for the escape.
Routes were discussed.
Supplies were gathered.
Possible exits were examined.
The Newkama prepared themselves for the possibility that they would have to fight their way through the prison.
But behind the locked door, Luffy remained completely unconscious.
His body continued fighting the poison.
Time passed slowly.
By the time a full day had gone by, the atmosphere in Newkama Land had become noticeably quieter.
Sabo stood outside the isolation room.
He had barely moved from the area for hours.
Baby-5 stood beside him.
"You should rest."
"I'll rest when he wakes up."
"You've said that six times."
"Then I'll say it a seventh time." Sabo smiled faintly.
Before Baby-5 could answer, a sound came from inside the room.
A cough.
Sabo immediately turned.
"Luffy?"
"Sabo…"
Sabo immediately leaned closer. "I'm here."
"Where am I…?" Luffy blinked slowly.
"Somewhere safe."
Luffy's eyes slowly moved across the room.
Then he saw a familiar face.
"Bon-Chan…"
Mr. 2's eyes widened.
"Straw-chan!" He rushed toward him. "You're awake!"
Luffy managed a weak smile.
"You found me…"
"Of course I found you!" Mr. 2 grabbed Luffy's hands. "I promised I wouldn't leave you behind!"
"Thanks…" Luffy's smile became slightly wider.
Mr. 2's eyes filled with tears. "Don't make me cry again!"
Sabo shook his head with a faint smile.
Even in this situation, Luffy somehow managed to bring people together.
"Welcome back."
"How long was I out?" Luffy blinked slowly.
Ivankov crossed his arms. "Exactly one day."
Luffy's eyes widened.
"One day?!" He immediately tried to stand. "Sabo, where's Ace…"
The room became quiet.
Sabo answered carefully. "We haven't found him yet."
"Then let's go." Luffy clenched his fists.
Sabo immediately pushed him back down.
"You're still too weak."
"But Ace is—"
"We'll find him."
Mr. 2 stepped forward. "And when we do, we'll bring him back, together."
Luffy looked at him.
Then at Sabo.
Then Baby-5.
"Hee-haw!" Ivankov stared at him. "You just woke up after surviving Magellan's poison, and the first thing you want to do is run deeper into the prison?"
Luffy looked at him.
"Yeah."
Ivankov stared for a moment.
Then he burst into laughter.
"HA! HA! HA! You're definitely Dragon's son!"
Ivankov grinned.
"All right, Straw Hat Boy." He turned toward the gathered Newkama. "Eat a lot, then we'll go rescue your brother."
Luffy's eyes sharpened.
"Ace…" He clenched his fists. "We're coming."
And with Newkama Land now standing behind them, the prisoners of Impel Down were no longer their only obstacle.
They had an entire prison to escape.
Ivankov eventually revealed the hidden passage leading toward Level 6.
The group moved through it carefully.
Luffy remained extremely weak, forcing Sabo to support most of his weight. Mr. 2 stayed on the other side, ready to help whenever Luffy stumbled.
Baby-5 followed behind them, keeping watch.
"This place is incredible," Mr. 2 muttered.
"Don't get distracted," Sabo warned.
"I'm not!" Mr. 2 immediately straightened. "I'm simply appreciating the architecture."
Sabo stared at him.
"It's a prison."
"Exactly! Terrible architecture!"
Baby-5 sighed.
Despite everything, the exchange briefly lightened the tension.
Then the passage opened.
A massive door stood before them.
Level 6.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The moment they entered, silence surrounded them.
Rows of enormous cells stretched into the darkness.
Sabo's eyes moved from one cell to another.
"Ace!"
No response.
Luffy's expression tightened.
"Ace!"
His voice echoed through the level.
Still nothing.
Mr. 2 moved ahead, searching the cells.
"Straw Hat Boy, he isn't here."
Sabo stopped.
Something felt wrong.
"They must have moved Ace ahead of schedule."
"Exactly." Ivankov nodded.
Luffy froze. "No…"
"Transferred?" Mr. 2's expression fell.
Ivankov looked toward the distant passage. "The Marines must have moved him while you were recovering."
"Where?" Luffy's fists began to tremble.
"Marineford." Sabo already knew the answer.
Luffy stared into the darkness.
For everything they had endured.
For every corridor they had crossed.
For every second they had spent trying to reach him before the transfer—
They were too late.
Luffy suddenly raised his head.
"Ace…" His voice was weak.
But the determination behind it was unmistakable.
"Then we chase him." Mr. 2 stepped beside him.
"There's no other choice." Sabo nodded.
Luffy looked toward the exit. "Ace is waiting."
"Then let's go, Straw-chan." Mr. 2 placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder.
Luffy looked at him.
Mr. 2 smiled.
"We didn't come all this way just to stop here."
Luffy nodded.
"Yeah." His eyes hardened. "We're going to Marineford."
Far beyond the walls of Impel Down, the sea stretched beneath the fading evening sky.
A white-sailed ship cut steadily through the waves.
The Athena was approaching Marineford.
Arthur stood at the bow.
Rayleigh stood beside him.
Neither man spoke.
They could already feel the weight of the coming battle.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the sea, Luffy, Sabo, Baby-5, Mr. 2, and Ivankov prepared to escape the prison.
They had failed to reach Ace before his transfer.
But the journey was not over.
It had only changed destinations.
Luffy looked toward the passage ahead.
"Ace!" His voice echoed through Impel Down. "Wait for me!"