Pere pere pere...
The Den Den Mushi beside Alucard was picked up, and Urdaha's voice came through. "Alucard-sama, this is Water 7. We have just discovered traces of the Blackbeard crew."
Urdaha was responsible for guarding Water 7. According to Dr. Vegapunk's geographical deductions, if one were to fall directly from the Island of God, the point almost exactly below it on the surface would be Water 7. To avoid any mishaps, a defensive line had been set up on this island, which sat directly beneath the Island of God and remained the closest major landmark to Enies Lobby.
"Blackbeard?" Alucard repeated the name.
"Yes. According to my subordinates' reports, they have entered the triangular current sea zone that circulates between Marineford, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down," Urdaha reported. "Although the Marines have summoned the Seven Warlords to gather at Marineford, based on their movements, it doesn't look like they intend to head there."
Alucard tapped his finger on the wooden tabletop. He suddenly remembered that the future crew members of the Blackbeard Pirates were mostly recruited from the prisoners of Impel Down Level 6. Currently, that floor still held two great pirates who once stood on equal footing with the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger: Golden Lion Shiki and "Redfield" Patrick Redfield.
"I almost forgot about that."
Alucard hung up the Den Den Mushi and stood up to head outside. Hancock followed closely behind. "Master, is something the matter?"
"Waiting around is getting a bit dull. I'm going to take a look."
Alucard summoned the True Ancestor's Familiar, Jormungandr.
The massive body pierced through the clouds, its head nearly lifting half of Hidden Cloud Village, showing its titanic scale to everyone present. Seeing this, Hancock caught a glimpse of his intentions and frowned. "Master, leaving at a time like this..."
There were only two and a half days left until Ace's execution. The Whitebeard Pirates would certainly arrive several hours early. By rough estimate, there were only about two days left until they themselves would clash with the Government. For Alucard to leave now was, to say the least, a worrying move.
"It won't take long."
Alucard said no more and plunged beneath the clouds along with Jormungandr.
The area beneath the Island of God was not the New World, but rather Water 7, which was extremely close to Impel Down. With Jormungandr's flight speed, a round trip wouldn't even take half a day. It was more than enough time.
Several hours later, at the entrance of the Great Underwater Prison, Impel Down, in the early morning, the Vice Warden stood at the gates, barking orders at the jailers.
"Listen up! There are less than 24 hours left until the execution of the star of this war, Portgas D. Ace! In less than half a day, an escort from Marine Headquarters will arrive to collect him!"
"Yes, Vice Warden!" Everyone saluted in response.
"However, even if something goes wrong, it's fine. I'll just push all the responsibility onto the Warden, then I can be promoted from Vice Warden to the real Warden..."
Hannyabal began his usual muttering as the jailers' eyes twitched.
Suddenly, a thick white mist began to roll in. Confusion spread. Where did this fog come from so suddenly? Just as Hannyabal was standing there bewildered, the mist began to dissipate, revealing a sight that froze them all.
In the waters just outside the prison gates stood countless Sea Kings, looming over the surface and staring them down with predatory eyes.
"Wha-what's going on?!" a jailer screamed in terror.
While Impel Down was situated underwater from Level 2 downwards and surrounded by countless roaming Sea Kings, the first level above the surface was supposed to be protected by Seastone and a fleet of warships. How could so many Sea Kings appear without a single alarm being triggered?
Hannyabal was equally shocked, his voice trembling and teeth chattering. "W-w-why are there so many Sea Kings? Is... is this my responsibility?"
A jailer squad leader quickly shouted, "Vice Warden! Please order us to board the warships immediately to counterattack!"
With their individual strength, they were no match for monster-class Sea Kings; they had to rely on the power of the warships. Hannyabal nodded frantically. "Yes, yes! To the ships! To the ships!"
Hannyabal and his men scrambled onto the warships docked at the pier to engage the Sea Kings. Only a small group of fewer than a hundred men remained to guard the entrance.
Whoosh!
At that moment, over a dozen Fish-Men burst out of the sea and onto the pier. Among them were Sabo, Zoro, and Franky, the three non-Ability Users.
"Dragon Smasher!"
"108-Pound Phoenix!"
"Strong Right!"
The three struck in unison, sweeping away the hundred jailers before they even had a chance to resist.
"Excellent. Successful infiltration. Harley's Mirage-Mirage Fruit has truly reached the level of Awakening," Sabo chuckled.
A second later, the submarine surfaced behind them, and the Ability Users, Luffy, Harley, and the others, ran out.
"Let's get him out quickly and get back to Nami and the others," Zoro said.
"Yeah." Luffy ran toward the entrance of Impel Down with the group. "Wait for me, Ace!"
A few minutes after Luffy's group left, a giant serpent descended from the sky.
Standing atop Jormungandr's head, Alucard looked down and saw a group of jailers manning warships, firing cannons at empty air while screaming, "Why won't they die?!"
"The Mirage-Mirage Fruit? Quite useful," Alucard noted with amusement. He leaped from the serpent's head to the wide-open prison entrance. Ignoring everything else, he strolled into the prison as if taking a leisurely walk.
Several minutes later, Hannyabal and his men realized the Sea Kings in front of them were fading into nothingness. They looked at each other in bewilderment. What on earth was happening?
They retreated to the gate, only to find the soldiers left behind had all been wiped out.
"Alarm! Sound the alarm!" Hannyabal shrieked nervously. "Enemies have just invaded the prison! Hurry! Move out!"
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