"Teacher Zephyr, if I remember correctly, it shouldn't be Catarina Devon's turn to appear so soon, right?"
When Rosen heard the name "Catarina Devon," he couldn't help but turn to Zephyr in surprise.
Although he had only skimmed the list once, he clearly remembered that Catarina Devon's name was ranked quite far down.
Indeed.
Even after the growth he achieved from "checking in" at Infinite Hell fell below double digits, he had still chosen to remain at Impel Down. Part of the reason, of course, was the food—far too good to leave behind.
Perhaps it was because the inmates were forced to endure the dark, suffocating, and chaotic environment of Impel Down for long periods, easily leading to both physical and mental distortion, that the prison provided exceptional treatment in other aspects.
Especially when it came to food and lodging—the meals alone were several times better than what the Naval Academy cafeteria offered.
Forget the small Sea Kings served at the academy. Here, they were medium-sized Sea Kings.
This meant that even if Rosen didn't "check in" at Infinite Hell, just by consuming these meals alone, his Refining of Three Forms of Haki and physical strength would progress far faster than during his days at the academy.
Another reason, naturally, was the presence of familiar monsters like Catarina Devon and Douglas Bullet in Infinite Hell.
The prisoners he faced earlier could no longer grant him double-digit improvements to his Haki, but the ones near the end of the list? They absolutely could.
With this in mind, Rosen had chosen to stay at Impel Down until now.
…
"It's my fault. I overestimated again and again, but still underestimated your monstrous comprehension."
"Although the strength of the prisoners on this list gradually increases toward the end, no matter how much stronger they get, they can't keep up with your progress."
"According to the original plan, you should have faced fourteen more prisoners before it was Catarina Devon's turn. But if we continued like that, for the next fourteen days, you'd gain almost no meaningful improvement from fighting these Infinite Hell inmates."
Zephyr gazed at Rosen, his eyes filled with a complex mixture of pride, helplessness, and deep contemplation.
He had known Rosen's growth was fast—but he hadn't imagined it would be to this degree.
He had actually forced Zephyr to rewrite the plan overnight, to ruthlessly cut off fourteen names in one fell swoop, directly pulling Catarina Devon, one of the top-tier prisoners, to the stage early.
"No need to blame yourself."
"I only want one thing: to keep improving."
Rosen smiled lightly, indifferent.
Anyway, slashing off fourteen names at once was a blessing to him.
At the very least, he wouldn't be forced to keep slicing empty air.
Yes.
To him, killing those prisoners in Infinite Hell was no different from hacking at the void.
"Since you've shown me such a splendid show these past few days, let me give you this reminder."
"Catarina Devon is nothing like the prisoners you've faced before."
"She is a user of the Zoan-type, Mythical Beast model—far rarer than even Logia. And while her mythical beast form is more support-oriented rather than purely offensive, her overall power surpasses any Ancient Zoan user."
At this moment.
Shiryu, lighting a cigar as though he were preparing to enjoy a fine opera, finally opened his mouth for the first time today, breaking his usual silence to offer this rare reminder.
"I'll see for myself."
Rosen's expression was calm and unwavering, utterly unmoved by Shiryu's words.
Seeing this, Shiryu said no more. He turned and strode into the depths of Infinite Hell, opening one of the cells near the very back.
"Mmm~"
"Is it my turn already?"
Catarina Devon emerged in her prison uniform, her figure both bewitching and demonic, her every movement exuding a sinister charm.
At this moment.
Her lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes shimmering with excitement and bloodlust.
She looked as though she couldn't wait to face Rosen, as if she had already foreseen herself crushing his skull beneath her claws.
"Hmm?"
Shiryu narrowed his eyes as he caught the glint in Catarina Devon's gaze.
Something was wrong.
Since Rosen's first day "checking in" at Infinite Hell, a prisoner had been taken away daily, each time without fail.
After ten straight days, not a single one had survived.
Normally, Catarina Devon should not have shown this kind of reaction.
"Is it… confidence in her own abilities?"
Shiryu's gaze grew thoughtful.
As the head warden, he knew the true strength of every prisoner in Infinite Hell.
Indeed, compared to the ten prisoners whom Rosen had dispatched in previous days, Catarina Devon was much stronger.
But Rosen's monstrous growth was something all of them had witnessed clearly, Catarina Devon included.
Yet her current demeanor was not that of someone facing a death duel, but rather like a hunter savoring her prey.
Clink—
As Shiryu pondered, Catarina Devon had already unlocked her Seastone shackles.
Unlike the former CP0 chief who tried to flee the moment his bindings were undone, she did not choose to run.
Instead, she swaggered forward step by step, her every movement radiating a sinister excitement, as though she could hardly wait to shred Rosen to pieces.
"You seem… quite elated."
Rosen noticed her excitement as well.
"No, no… I am overjoyed."
"I've been imprisoned by your Navy for so long, and I never imagined that one day, not only would I get to breathe fresh air, but I'd also get to personally crush the so-called future hope of Marine Headquarters under my feet."
"Tell me—how could I not be happy? Mmm~"
Catarina Devon licked her lips, her voice dripping with ecstasy and killing intent, as if she could already taste the sweetness of Rosen's blood.
"Oh?"
Rosen remained expressionless.
Had this been the first day he stepped into Infinite Hell, if his opponent had been Catarina Devon instead of World Destroyer World, it would indeed have been a fierce, desperate battle.
But—sorry.
This was the tenth day.
Whether it was Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, Observation Haki, his physical skills, or his fruit abilities, every path had been updated again and again, refined to perfection after ten consecutive versions.
Now, even Catarina Devon could only provide him with double-digit growth in Haki, at most.
And that was all.
In other words, the Catarina Devon standing before him did not even bring him the sense of pressure he had felt from World on the first day.
It wasn't that Catarina Devon was weaker than World—it was simply that Rosen had become too strong.
Compared to himself from ten days ago, he was now an entirely different existence, several times stronger.
"Of course."
Catarina Devon turned her head to glance at Zephyr, her eyes sparkling with twisted anticipation.
"Shall we begin?"
"Zephyr…"
"I can't wait to see the expression on your face when I twist off your student's head and toss it at your feet!"
Her smile grew more savage, dripping with malice and murderous glee.
"Whenever you like."
Zephyr's face remained unmoved. He didn't even bother retorting, merely casting her a calm, indifferent glance before replying simply.
Whoosh—
As soon as Zephyr's words fell, Catarina Devon could no longer suppress the murderous intent that had been pent up for ten long days.
"Mmm~!!"
She opened her arms wide, and amidst an eerie, bone-chilling laugh, her already imposing figure expanded yet again, her muscles surging and rippling, looking as if they might burst.
Rip—
The prison uniform, forged of fine materials and worn for years without tearing, could not withstand the explosive expansion of her body. In an instant, it was ripped to shreds, revealing the grotesque, monstrous form beneath.
And yet, no one present averted their gaze.
Even the male prisoners, who had been locked away for over twenty years, stared with wide eyes.
There was no other reason.
Catarina Devon's transformation was truly shocking. In human form, she possessed a long nose, sharp fangs, a hideous visage, and a figure more muscular than most men. After transforming into her nine-tailed fox form, she became a hybrid monster—half-human, half-fox—radiating savagery and cruelty, with nine eerie tails waving behind her.
Only those with extremely twisted tastes could even think of approaching.
"Are you ready?"
"Rosen…"
"Hell is already smiling upon you!"
Transformed into a nine-tailed fox, Catarina Devon's expression turned utterly cold and ruthless, her eyes gleaming with ferocity and the ecstasy of the hunt.
...
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