As Redfield's half-smiling words fell, the expressions of the surrounding criminals turned strange, their eyes glinting with amusement as they watched Daren.
To prevent any chance of escape, every Seastone shackle used in Impel Down was crafted from ultra-high-purity Seastone. Even these world-class criminals—terrifying figures whose names alone struck fear across the seas—would lose all fighting ability once bound by them, reduced to little more than ordinary men barely able to move.
If this brat was really dumb enough to put on those shackles himself, they'd make sure he regretted it. Even if they didn't kill him, they'd at least pay him back for the beating he'd just given them!
Thinking that, the prisoners' eyes blazed with excitement.
So the key question was… would he actually dare?
Wearing those high-purity Seastone shackles would not only seal his Devil Fruit powers but also leave him weak and helpless, completely stripped of combat strength. It was no different from stepping onto the chopping block—turning himself into a lamb ready for slaughter.
"Absolutely not!"
Before Daren could say a word, Magellan, who stood guarding the gate, shouted in alarm.
He hurried to Daren's side, sweating profusely as he pleaded,
"This is definitely his trap, Daren-san! He's just trying to trick you, then strike while you're weakened to kill you and escape from this underwater prison!"
"You can't act on impulse!"
Daren shot Magellan an irritated glare and waved his hand dismissively.
"You think I didn't already realize that?"
The glimmer of excitement in the criminals' eyes instantly went out.
Damn it!
He's not taking the bait!
Hearing Daren's reply, Magellan froze, then quickly understood. Of course—if even he could see through Redfield's devious plan, how could the sharp and insightful Daren-san not notice?
He'd been overthinking it.
Realizing this, Magellan finally relaxed, letting out a long sigh of relief. What was he even worried about? There was no way Instructor Daren would ever fall for something like—
"I'm fine with it."
Daren suddenly grinned.
Thud!
Magellan fell backward to the floor, staring wide-eyed at Daren in disbelief.
Wait—didn't you just say you knew what he was up to?!
The light that had vanished from the criminals' eyes flared back to life.
This kid… is he really going through with it?
They all turned eagerly toward Redfield, eyes burning, knuckles cracking in anticipation.
"Oh?"
Redfield raised an eyebrow, a slow smile curling across his lips.
"Are you sure?"
"You really believe I won't take the chance to kill you once you're shackled with the Seastone?"
"You should know very well that once I'm rid of you, no one in Impel Down can stop me from leaving."
"And don't forget, we're enemies. I certainly have no obligation to teach you anything."
Daren shrugged and said,
"Generally speaking, those who ask such questions are the ones who won't actually strike."
"It's the ones who feign calm or push relentlessly who truly intend to seize the moment."
Redfield: "..."
Faced with Daren's words, he momentarily found himself at a loss for a rebuttal. After all, upon careful reflection, this seemingly illogical judgment actually made perfect sense.
He chuckled wryly.
"Who would've thought my thoughts were so transparent to you."
Redfield shook his head and casually tossed the Seastone shackles in his hand toward Daren.
Clatter...
The cold, hard shackles landed on the floor with a sharp clatter.
"I truly have no interest in killing you, but the same can't be said for them..."
Redfield gestured toward the other restless criminals, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips.
The criminals' eyes twitched in unison.
But just as their hearts began to race with dread—
Click.
A dull snap echoed unexpectedly.
Magellan's eyes widened, his face instantly draining of color. He couldn't help but mutter,
"It's over..."
The criminals followed the sound, and the sight that met their eyes left every one of them stunned, jaws dropping to the floor.
"This..."
"Impossible..."
"He's mad..."
"Is he really trying to get himself killed?"
"...He actually put them on."
"..."
Amidst their frozen, stunned expressions, Daren slowly rose from the floor. Locked black shackles hung from his wrists, clinking together as they moved.
"They're welcome to try killing me..."
Facing the stunned expressions of hundreds of criminals, Daren's lips curled into a savage grin that sent chills down their spines.
"...if they can manage it."
With that, he strode purposefully toward the depths of the Eternal Hell.
"Come this way. There's more space over here."
Clank... clank...
Watching that steady, powerful stride—showing not a hint of weakness—the criminals who had been itching for a fight suddenly fell silent. They exchanged glances, their eyes flickering uncertainly.
"He... seems completely unaffected?"
"Impossible! He must be weakened!"
"He's a Devil Fruit user!"
"Then... why don't you go first?"
"Bullshit! Why don't you go first?"
"Didn't you just say you'd go first and take him down? Don't you want to escape?"
"...I think I can wait a little longer."
"..."
Suddenly—
"Tsk! What a bunch of useless losers!"
A mocking voice rang out, followed by a burly criminal leaping abruptly from the crowd.
"Since none of you have the guts to act, I'll take this brat's head myself! HAHAHAHA!!"
The man moved with surprising speed, dashing behind Daren in a single bound. His foot, wrapped in Armament Haki, came down like a blade, aiming for Daren's back of the head!
"War Axe·Break!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
The next second—
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing echoed, sparks flying.
The criminal froze in place, his expression blank.
Staring at the unharmed, dark-haired youth slowly turning to face him, fear instantly filled his eyes.
"Th-that..."
Clank...
The clank of Seastone shackles echoed.
A large, shackled hand rapidly loomed before his eyes...
Then—
BOOM!!
The burly criminal's head slammed violently into the ground. It exploded like a watermelon with a loud crack, sending splatters of red and white flying everywhere.
Crackle, crackle...
Within a ten-meter radius centered on Daren, the ground shattered instantly.
Silence.
Deadly silence.
Clank, clank...
Until, at some point, the sound of Seastone shackles clanging together echoed once more.
The dark-haired youth brushed the blood from his hands, his gaze calmly sweeping over the other criminals present.
Then Magellan watched in stunned silence as these arrogant, treacherous criminals abruptly turned and slunk back into their cells, each one closing their cell door without a word.
Clang... Clang... Clang... The sound of cell doors closing echoed endlessly throughout the Eternal Hell.
Magellan: "..."
Witnessing this scene, even a seasoned veteran like Redfield couldn't help but twitch a corner of his mouth, his face clouded with disbelief.