Inside the Warden's Office.
"If that woman wasn't lying, then in a few days, she really will be leaving this prison."
Magellan, who had been cold-faced moments ago, now let out a long sigh, his expression filled with guilt as he almost couldn't bear to meet the eyes of Vice Admiral Vulture across from him:
"As the warden, the most I can do is make sure she suffers as much as possible while she's still here. But once the Celestial Dragons' official documents arrive, I'll have no choice but to release her according to protocol. When you return, you should move your daughter to a safer place as soon as possible..."
"I understand... I understand..."
Vulture leaned weakly against the wall, murmuring with a bitter smile.
Justice...
Justice.
Justice, huh?
How laughable.
He had enlisted as a young man, fighting bloody battles for twenty years, all to protect the people and uphold the path of justice in his heart. Yet in the end, he couldn't even seek justice for his murdered wife and child.
The cruelest irony was that when he had arrested Beverny on Sabaody Archipelago, he'd had the chance to execute her on the spot.
But at the last moment, reason had overcome rage, and he had chosen to follow protocol—escorting Beverny back to base for a proper judicial trial.
That way, he could also ensure the Door-Door Fruit was sealed away in Impel Down, contributing once more to the stability and order of the world.
Yet who could have predicted this outcome...
Vice Admiral Vulture crouched on the floor, burying his face in his hands as silent tears streamed down.
"..."
Magellan crossed his arms, remaining silent. He had to uphold the prison's order, even if that order sometimes seemed utterly absurd.
He wanted to say something, but he was never the type skilled at offering comfort. The words died on his lips.
The office fell into stillness, broken only by the ticking of the wall clock.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The entire office shook violently, dust raining from the ceiling as both Magellan and Vulture paled.
"What was that?!" Magellan shot to his feet.
This wasn't a disturbance from above—it felt as though every wall around them had been struck at once! There was no mistaking it—the entire Great Prison Impel Down was trembling!
"R-Report, Warden!"
A frantic jailer burst in. "The surveillance Den Den Mushi captured footage of massive cracks splitting open the ceiling of Level 1, Crimson Hell! It... it seems someone is invading Impel Down from above!"
"What?!"
Magellan's pupils constricted sharply. "Who?!"
...
The waters surrounding Impel Down.
A lone figure strode through the air, crossing the Calm Belt at terrifying speed.
Snap!
The figure suddenly halted.
"Finally here."
Xiano kept his hands in his pockets, his black cloak billowing behind him as he gazed down at the mirror-like sea below. His eyes locked onto the massive ring of towering walls.
Docked outside the perimeter were several Marine Headquarters warships, likely having just completed a prisoner transfer.
And at the very center of the walls stood three towering stone structures resembling spires.
"Even the part above the surface is this imposing, huh?"
This was Xiano's first time seeing the legendary Impel Down, and he couldn't help but study it with interest.
Speaking of which...
Ever since he set foot on the Grand Line, the Marine Headquarters and the World Government had spared no effort to capture him, always seeking to send him here.
Yet, they never succeeded.
Now, with the passage of time, he had come knocking on their door of his own accord. One could only wonder how those high-and-mighty old fools would react when the news got out.
"Well then..."
Xiano grinned, slowly pulling his right hand from his pocket. His fingers stretched and then clenched, enveloped in an overwhelming surge of Haki as he aimed downward.
"Let's start with a little greeting."
Boom!
A terrifying fist force descended like a raging dragon, crashing violently into the center of Impel Down's ground floor.
Crack!
Black and red lightning spread wildly, illuminating the entire sea as if doomsday had arrived.
The ferocious Conqueror's Haki stirred monstrous waves, sending nearby warships rocking violently from the shockwaves.
As for the ground...
The ceiling of Level 1, despite being dozens of meters thick, shattered like fragile tofu, instantly pierced through by a massive hole.
Sunlight—blazing sunlight—poured into the Crimson Hell for the very first time.
"Enemy attack! We're under attack!!"
"Damn it, all the Den Den Mushi on Level 1 seem to have fainted! The surveillance screens are nothing but static!"
"Hurry! Rally reinforcements immediately! And send someone to Level 4 to inform the Warden!"
Shrill alarms echoed through the underwater prison, accompanied by the frantic footsteps of guards rushing past.
Many prisoners, jolted awake, suddenly became alert, scrambling to the iron bars and straining to look upward.
But the midday sun was too blinding, and they had been trapped in darkness for too long. All they could vaguely make out was a figure clad in black, descending leisurely amidst the cascading rubble.
"Who the hell is that?!"
"Can't see a damn thing! Tch, how audacious—attacking this place alone like this!"
"Hey! Whoever you are, you're definitely a Pirate, right?! So are we! Get us out of here too, quick!"
The clamor of shouts rose in waves, but Xiano remained expressionless, deaf to the prisoners' pleas.
Were there innocent people wrongly imprisoned in Impel Down?
Of course.
But their numbers were pitifully small—so negligible amidst the overwhelming majority of criminals.
What good would it do to release these scum into the world? To wreak havoc on the seas?
Just because they stood against the World Government?
Don't be ridiculous.
He landed steadily, his powerful Observation Haki instantly expanding, mapping out the rough structure of the next level in his mind.
"Perfect landing spot. The space below is hollow—no cells?"
Then there was no need to waste time searching for stairs. He'd go straight down.
Xiano lifted his right foot slightly before stomping down with immense force.
Thud!
The entire Crimson Hell trembled once more. Amidst the deafening roar, Xiano raised his foot, revealing the vast, dark abyss below.
"Hey! Where the hell are you going?!"
"At least free us before you leave! Please!"
The prisoners' cries grew even more desperate, but Xiano ignored them completely. In a flash, he vanished through the hole, descending directly into Level 2: the Beast Hell.
Here, the light was even dimmer.
The air reeked of blood and the stench of wild beasts.
Hmm?
At the stairwell and along the corridors, ferocious beasts lurked—basilisks, manticores, venomous scorpions, and more.
Now awakened, they fixed their gazes on the uninvited intruder, baring their fangs as they crept closer.
The ruler of this level was an exceptionally massive Sphinx.
"Noodles! Ramen! Dandan noodles!"
The Sphinx let out a bizarre roar, its maw gaping wide as it lunged at Xiano.
The other beasts followed their boss's lead, launching their attacks. In an instant, the entire second level of hell echoed with terrifying snarls.
Xiano had no intention of fighting back. He didn't even move, merely lifting his head slightly to cast a cold glance at the grotesque creatures.
"Scram."
Just two simple words, yet they carried an overwhelming pressure.
Hum!
An invisible, terrifying aura erupted from him, spreading outward in all directions!
Every beast mid-lurch froze in midair before crashing to the ground like broken puppets, foaming at the mouth as they lost consciousness.
The Sphinx bore the brunt of it, its massive body slamming heavily onto the floor, kicking up a cloud of dust. Though it didn't faint, when it lifted its head again to look at Xiano, only sheer terror remained in its eyes. It curled up in a corner, trembling uncontrollably, not daring to approach again.
Xiano paid it no further mind and continued downward.
Level 3—Starvation Hell!
Down again!
Level 4—Scorching Heat Hell!
Upon reaching this level, Xiano paused amidst the blistering heat, scanning his surroundings.
His memory of Impel Down was hazy, but he faintly recalled that Magellan's office was supposed to be on this floor.
"Completely silent."
Expanding his Observation Haki, Xiano raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "I don't sense Magellan's presence here either."
Was he mistaken?
Or had Magellan done it again…
"Why hasn't the warden arrived yet? Did he get diarrhea again?!"
With a creak, a door across from him swung open, and Hannyabal stormed in, his face twisted in irritation.
"The intruder seems to have reached the second level already! Warden! Warden! Huh? Where is he… Though, if this keeps up, the warden will be dismissed for negligence, and then I'll be the new warden! Hehahaha—Huh?!"
At that moment, his eyes met Xiano's.
"Hello."
Taking in the man's ridiculous Egyptian-pharaoh-like attire, Xiano's eyes gleamed as he greeted him politely.
"If I remember correctly, you're the deputy warden of this prison, right? Since I can't find Magellan, asking you should work just as well. Hey, can you tell me where a woman named Beverny is being held?"
No response.
"…"
Breath—froze in his throat.
The moment Hannyabal clearly saw Xiano's face, his eyes bulged, his jaw dropped, and the twin-bladed spear in his hand clattered to the ground.
"Y-You're…"
He stumbled back two steps, lips trembling, his face draining of all color in an instant.
"The intruder… is you?! One of the Four Emperors of the New World… the World's Greatest Swordsman, Xiano!!!"
This had to be a joke!
This man… was a true titan standing at the pinnacle of the seas!
Even if it were a Marine Admiral, they would have to tread carefully, but now, I was standing alone in front of him?!
Me, taking on Xiano alone?
There's no chance of winning, right…?
My hands, legs, feet… they're all trembling!
Beads of sweat rolled down Hannyabal's forehead as he instinctively tried to retreat. But not far behind him was the staircase leading to Level 5, the Freezing Hell of Impel Down—and below that, the sixth level.
Those imprisoned there were all heinous criminals who should have been erased from history. If this monster before him broke through and released them…
The mere thought of it was unimaginable.
The civilians of this vast sea would be thrown into panic, facing an unprecedented catastrophe!
"No… I can't!"
Hannyabal roared, bending down to snatch up his fallen double-headed spear, gritting his teeth as he tightened his grip.
"No way! I… I'm the man who will become the Warden of Impel Down! How can I let you pirates run wild here?!"
This prison would one day be his!
The position of Warden was within reach—he couldn't afford to lose it now. No one, no matter who they were, could take it from him! Even someone as formidable as the man before him!
"Blood Drain!"
Hannyabal swung his double-headed spear with a furious roar, spinning it at high speed. With a whoosh, a torrent of Flames erupted, forming a fiery whirlwind that surged toward Xiano.
However—
Xiano merely raised his right hand slightly, fingers spread, and the raging whirlwind of Flames froze midair as if an invisible hand had seized it by the throat.
Haki Emission—or what could also be called Flowing Sakura—had long been mastered by him, refined to its absolute peak.
"Really… anyone can conjure up Flames these days."
He sighed, glancing at Hannyabal. "Even though you recognized me and were trembling in fear, you still dared to stand in my way?"
The vague impression he had of the man suddenly sharpened in his mind.
Even someone as unreliable as this had admirable qualities.
"Your courage is commendable."
With a casual flick of his hand, he extinguished the Flames, then fired a Finger Pistol with a snap of his fingers, effortlessly piercing Hannyabal's thigh.
Watching the latter collapse with a scream, Xiano said calmly:
"But don't be foolish. From the moment I entered, I haven't killed a single guard, nor do I intend to release any pirates. You've already fulfilled your duty. There's no need for pointless resistance—just tell me exactly where Beverny is being held."
"Really?"
Hannyabal froze for a moment but quickly shook his head firmly.
"From the looks of it, some of the rumors about you might be true… but don't spout such nonsense! I'm the one who guards this prison—how could I ever cooperate with someone like you?!"
"Well said. You've surprised me, Hannyabal."
At that moment, a cold, stern voice came from behind.
Hannyabal turned in pleasant surprise to see the towering figure of Magellan slowly approaching from the end of the corridor.
With twin horns on his head and demonic black wings sprouting from his back, purple venom swirled around him like a fiend emerging from the gates of hell, exuding suffocating pressure.
"Warden!"
Hannyabal was on the verge of tears, shouting excitedly, "Thank you for the praise! Where on earth have you been... Wuwu, no matter what, you've finally arrived!"
Magellan didn't immediately respond to Hannyabal. Instead, his gaze locked onto Xiano, a trace of gravity flashing in his eyes:
"I set out the moment I heard, but by the time I reached the first level, I was told the intruders had already broken through the first three levels. That kind of invasion speed is already deeply unsettling."
"Even so, I still underestimated the situation. Never could I have imagined that the one who came would be you—the most legendary figure of our era... 'Four Emperors' Xiano."
"To save time, some destruction was inevitable."
Xiano smiled faintly. "Long have I heard of you, Warden Magellan."
"My meager reputation is nothing before yours."
Magellan narrowed his eyes. "Since you didn't linger in the first three levels and came straight to LV4, you must be here for me. Speak—what exactly do you want?"
"Warden."
Hannyabal clutched his thigh and cautiously interjected, "H-he doesn't seem to be here for you. He's looking for Beverny—the one who just completed the handover today, locked up in LV6's northern sector... Oh no, I almost spilled it!"
You already did spill it!
Magellan's face darkened.
Wait...
Beverny?!
Magellan suddenly remembered. Just a few hours ago, that woman had smugly declared that she had fled the New World after offending a Sea Emperor, seeking the Celestial Dragons' protection to hide in Mariejois...
So that's it. The one she offended was this man?!
Then couldn't this be an opportunity to turn a blind eye and eliminate her before the Celestial Dragons send someone...
No! Absolutely not! What are you thinking, Magellan?!
That would be a betrayal of your duty as Warden!
"Out of the question."
Magellan closed his eyes and reopened them, regaining his composure in an instant. He spoke coldly:
"This is Impel Down, Xiano. Even if you're one of the Four Emperors, this isn't a place you can come and go as you please! And I certainly won't hand over a prisoner to a Pirate like you!"
"I figured as much."
Xiano shook his head regretfully and sighed lightly. "Well, judging by your stance, I won't be able to go any further unless I knock you down, right?"
"What do you think? Don't underestimate me. Let me remind you—the reason Impel Down is known as an impenetrable fortress is precisely because of me!"
Expressionless, Magellan suddenly spread his arms. The poisonous mist swirling behind him instantly condensed into three massive purple dragons!
"Venom Dragon!"
So what if the other party was a Sea Emperor who ruled the seas?
In a prison environment like this, as the user of the Venom-Venom Fruit, his strength was close to that of a Navy Admiral!
Four Emperors?
Even they would struggle in his hands!
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