Inside the prison cell, the Golden Lion had eaten his fill and even let out a burp.
Those eyes of his were far too calm—unlike the infamous Golden Lion at all.
You couldn't tell that this was a man who had once launched a suicidal assault on Marine Headquarters.
Nor could you see that he'd just been defeated and captured.
"Hey, kid."
"Tell me, are you really a clone created by that mad scientist Vegapunk?"
"Wings... and some weird flame ability?"
"There's never been a Devil Fruit that gives someone two completely different powers."
Michael continued tearing into the mantis shrimp meat in his hand. Sweet and juicy, it dripped with flavor.
"Have you ever seen a clone with my level of intelligence? Or one with my level of good looks?"
"As for the abilities... all I can say is, the world is full of wonders."
"It's all about exchanging sincerity for sincerity."
After speaking, Michael curled his lips slightly.
Clearly bullshitting on the spot.
"...Huh? You mean something like that just works with sincerity?"
Golden Lion was confused.
This guy… was a bit shameless.
To this extent?
But then he let it go, even secretly admiring it.
This intelligence, ability, mentality...
It was clear at a glance—he was a genius destined to reach the peak safely.
But even so...
Humans were not to be trusted. Who knew if this man would turn on the Marines or even the World Government one day?
By now, deep in Golden Lion's heart, he had completely lost faith in the human race.
Because he saw Roger's surrender as the greatest betrayal humanity had ever dealt him.
In his eyes, if even the only man worthy of being his equal couldn't be trusted...
Then there was no second trustworthy person on the entire sea.
"Hey, kid, what's your name?"
"Why do you care what my name is? I'm just an obscure Marine Commander." Michael glanced at the burning gaze of the Golden Lion and sighed. "Alright... my name is Michael."
"If one day, you manage to escape from Impel Down by some miracle, I'll be the one to personally see you off."
"So, remember my name well. Remember who it was that made your assault on Marine Headquarters fail. And then..."
"In the sixth level of—"
"Michael..." Golden Lion nodded and never said another word.
At that moment, a Marine Lieutenant came running out from the engine room.
"Reporting to Vice Admiral Garp!"
"We're about to arrive at Impel Down!"
"Looks like this short trip is about to end, Golden Lion." Garp raised his head, standing before the cage as he looked down at Golden Lion.
"Take one last look. One last glance at that blue sky that belongs to the Float-Float Fruit. One last glance at the sky-sea that belonged solely to the Golden Lion."
"And then, just like Michael said, in the sixth—"
Golden Lion, upon hearing those words, actually made the effort to lift his head and gaze long and hard at the domain that once belonged only to him.
That azure sky that painted the sea with color.
"Garp, Roger should be in Eternal Hell now, right?"
"I want to see him."
Normally foul-mouthed and unruly, Garp was surprisingly agreeable this time.
"Alright."
Michael curled his lips again.
From his angle, he could see it clearly.
There was... a trace of sorrow in Garp's eyes.
The kind of sorrow when things change but people remain.
...
"Hey! Move faster, all of you!"
"This time, it's the 'Marine Hero' Vice Admiral Garp personally delivering the Golden Lion!"
"No slacking off!"
Impel Down's entire staff was already mobilized.
Anyone who looked remotely decent was at the entrance of the prison to welcome Garp's arrival.
The title "Marine Hero" was not just for show.
It was earned after breaking up the entire Rocks Pirates.
Though half the credit went to the Roger Pirates.
That didn't make Garp any less legit. On the contrary, he had unmatched military merits in the history of the Marines.
Think about it—how many could earn Roger's recognition as a true rival? How many could even cooperate with him?
Only Whitebeard and Garp.
Even Golden Lion was merely labeled as a "worthy opponent."
As for what kind of monsters made up the Rocks Pirates? That didn't even need to be said.
Besides Rocks—the number one figure of the old era—there were countless top-tier fighters.
Like Captain John, Ochoku, and Silver Axe. These legendary pirates only appeared in background lore and never even showed up in the story.
They didn't even rank high in the Rocks Pirates.
Even Gloriosa, the Empress of the Kuja two generations before Hancock, was once a Rocks member.
And the brightest stars?
Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, and Golden Lion.
Three out of the future Four Emperors were in that crew. And Golden Lion, at his peak, was undoubtedly of Emperor level too.
Talk about a successful graduating class!
That was absolutely wild.
And Garp, together with Roger, defeated that group. What else could you say except "legendary"?
Though Garp always refused promotion to Admiral and spent his days gallivanting across the sea as a Vice Admiral, rarely staying at the G-3 base...
Any organization dealing with the Marines—who the hell would really treat Garp as just a Vice Admiral?
Those words—"Marine Hero"—weren't just honorary. They represented true power and status.
Garp was directly involved in the Marines' highest decision-making processes.
From the original story, it was clear—his authority was above the three Admirals and equal to that of Chief of Staff Tsuru.
He just had zero interest in power and fully trusted Sengoku.
That was the only reason Sengoku could consolidate power during turbulent times in the Navy—because Garp backed him with no opposition.
That was true shared glory. Shared loss.
Soon, Garp's Vice Admiral flagship—its bow shaped like a dog's head—arrived at the gates of Impel Down.
Garp walked at the front, personally escorting the Golden Lion in Seastone cuffs, not showing the slightest hint of laziness.
Michael followed just behind and to the side, watching the scene before him...
So legit.
The sense of déjà vu was strong.
Wasn't this basically the pirate-world version of "Welcome, esteemed leaders, to inspect and guide our work"?
"Vice Admiral Garp! Thank you for your hard work!"
Vice Warden Hannyabal shouted sharply, followed by all the Impel Down guards yelling in unison:
"Thank you for your hard work!"
"Hahaha, no need to thank me! You're all the ones working hard." Garp beamed, grinning. He didn't like being a leader, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to act like one.
"No need for formalities. Just lead the way. We're heading straight to Level 6—Eternal Hell!"
"Yes, sir! This way, please!" Hannyabal scurried to the front to lead. "Hurry! Prepare the express elevator to Level 6!"
Upon hearing Garp's order, the guards dared not slack off and immediately returned to their duties.
Are you kidding?
Who could afford to be careless? They were about to imprison the Golden Lion!
The Golden Lion who once ruled the skies!
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