Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Domino's worries were completely unnecessary.
At this moment, Sadi was perfectly clear-headed and understood that someone like the Red Count absolutely could not be released.
Using a prisoner for a demonstration was one thing. Releasing a monster like Patrick Redfield was another entirely. Even if she ultimately managed to defeat him, explaining such a decision to Magellan afterward would be troublesome.
More importantly, Sadi was currently working hard to advance her career for Ikki's sake. How could she possibly do something that might damage her future prospects?
"There are plenty of ways to test strength," Sadi said coldly. "That doesn't mean I have to release you, Red Count."
Redfield frowned slightly. He hadn't expected to be rejected so directly.
After all, Ikki had once challenged him.
"I thought that after studying under Ikki, you'd be a little bolder. It seems I overestimated you."
He shook his head.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of using this opportunity to escape. I'm simply interested in Ikki's swordsmanship."
"When we fought, he didn't show me everything. The Love Breathing style you mentioned earlier is something I've never seen before. I merely wanted to witness it for myself."
His tone remained calm.
Sadi stared at him without changing her expression.
She still had no intention of agreeing.
Her purpose here was simply to demonstrate the power of her Noble Phantasm to Domino and, while she was at it, indulge her favorite pastime of disciplining prisoners. As for demonstrating Love Breathing, that could wait until another day.
Just as she was about to refuse him outright, someone else spoke first.
"The strongest swordsman?"
Shiryu sneered.
"Heh. I'll admit you're strong, Red Count. But calling yourself the strongest swordsman in this prison? Isn't that a little arrogant?"
Redfield's eyes shifted toward him.
Shiryu met his gaze without the slightest hesitation.
The exchange immediately ignited the surrounding prisoners.
"The Red Count?" one pirate laughed loudly. "Isn't he just the old man who got beaten by that kid named Ikki? What's so special about him?"
"Exactly!" another prisoner shouted. "Do you still think you're some legendary pirate from the old era? Every one of us ruled a stretch of the sea before ending up here!"
A different pirate pointed toward Sadi.
"It's just a sword. I can use a sword too. Hey, woman! Let me be your opponent. If I win, you release me from Impel Down."
The surrounding prisoners burst into laughter.
"That's right! If you can't release us, then just spend some time entertaining us instead!"
"Hahaha! It's been ages since I've had a proper woman!"
One female prisoner rolled her eyes.
"Huh? What am I then?"
Someone laughed.
"You're an old hag. Don't tell me you still think you're attractive."
The entire level erupted into crude laughter.
Redfield frowned. The vulgar noise clearly irritated him.
But Sadi's reaction was even stronger.
Her hands tightened around the hilt of Vulcano Caligorante. Her body trembled slightly.
Even while maintaining the Transparent World, the prisoners' words had successfully enraged her.
To Sadi, only Ikki had the right to tease her in that manner.
The laughter continued.
Then—
"Hehehe..."
A smile slowly spread across Sadi's face.
"Hahahaha..."
The smile became increasingly dangerous.
"Very good."
Her voice sent chills through the surrounding prisoners.
"It seems none of you learned your lesson while I was away."
"You wanted to see my strength? Then I'll let you see it properly."
The moment she finished speaking, brilliant white light erupted from Vulcano Caligorante. A powerful aura exploded outward.
"Noble Phantasm—release."
"This is the net that can capture even the most wicked criminals."
"Vulcano Caligorante!"
The blade instantly transformed.
The sword elongated at astonishing speed.
In the blink of an eye, the one-meter blade expanded into a massive whip-sword more than ten meters long. The flexible blade twisted through the air like a living serpent.
The prisoners stared in disbelief.
"What is that?!"
The enormous whip-sword spiraled around Sadi, forming a deadly net.
Redfield's eyes narrowed.
What terrifying energy.
His Observation Haki allowed him to sense danger far better than most. At this moment, the threat emanating from Sadi felt very real.
Nearby, Shiryu, Jinbe, and Douglas Bullet all focused intently on her.
Their interest immediately deepened.
"Now..." Sadi's eyes narrowed. "Repent for what you just said."
Crack!
The whip-sword shot forward.
Like a living snake, it surged through the prison corridors.
One cell.
Two cells.
Five cells.
Ten cells.
The massive blade connected numerous prison cells in an instant.
Screams immediately followed.
Several prisoners were struck before they could react.
Blood sprayed.
Bodies slammed into walls.
Others collapsed to the floor clutching fresh wounds.
Many of these pirates had once ruled sections of the sea. But years of imprisonment had left them weakened. Combined with Sea Prism Stone restraints and limited nutrition, they were shadows of their former selves.
Against Sadi's attack, many couldn't even defend themselves.
The prisoners who hadn't been hit immediately lost their mocking expressions.
For the first time, genuine caution appeared in their eyes.
"Wow..." Domino clasped her hands together excitedly. "That's amazing. It's just like Chief Warden Magellan."
Although she had expected Sadi to become stronger, witnessing her casually suppress dangerous Level 6 prisoners still left Domino astonished.
"Hmph."
Sadi smirked.
"Now you understand the difference between us."
She looked down at the prisoners she had struck, especially those who had spoken the most offensively earlier. The sight greatly improved her mood.
With a flick of her wrist, she began retracting the Noble Phantasm.
The whip-sword rapidly coiled back toward her.
She had originally planned to discipline only one prisoner. Instead, she had ended up teaching an entire group a lesson.
That was more than enough.
After all, Domino had already seen everything she needed to see.
However, just as the whip-sword was about to fully retract—
A massive black-coated arm suddenly shot out from a nearby cell.
Clang!
The arm grabbed the blade directly.
Sparks erupted instantly.
The rapidly retracting whip-sword ground violently against hardened Armament Haki.
Sadi's eyes widened.
"Hm?"
She immediately turned toward the source.
"Douglas Bullet."
Her expression showed genuine surprise.
"The Demon Heir."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Do you want to be disciplined too?"
Among all the prisoners in Impel Down, Bullet was one of the quietest. Ever since being imprisoned, he had rarely spoken. He never caused trouble, never argued, and never sought attention.
Yet now he had suddenly acted.
And despite his restraints, he had managed to stop her Noble Phantasm with raw strength.
Even if she wasn't using its full power, the feat was impressive.
"Interesting."
Bullet stared at the blade in his hand.
The edges were sharp enough that even with Armament Haki protecting him, he could feel the danger.
"If I didn't have Haki, my hand would've been sliced open."
His eyes gleamed.
Then he smiled.
"What would happen if I fused this weapon with my Devil Fruit ability?"
"Hmm..."
The Demon Heir's interest had clearly been awakened.