Creed was stunned for a moment—then elated.
Impel Down!!
If there was any place where the strongest were gathered, it was without a doubt Impel Down. Countless terrifying pirates were imprisoned there, including monsters dating back to Roger's era.
To be locked inside Impel Down meant one was infamous throughout the seas.
Especially those confined in the lowest level—their very names enough to give the Navy endless headaches.
In that place, how could he possibly lack abilities to extract?
Sengoku's adjutant, however, looked rather troubled. Sengoku had explained that the reason for transferring Creed to Impel Down was simple—he stirred up too much trouble.
The Fleet Admiral truly feared that if he left for a while, he would return to find Creed had torn the prison down. That would be enough to give him a heart attack.
So, transferring him to Impel Down would keep him quiet for a while. With Magellan away, the prison lacked a powerful overseer—Creed would fill that role.
Upon hearing the order, Creed could barely contain his excitement. The timing was perfect.
That night, he stayed at Marineford.
The next morning, Creed and Ain boarded an escort ship bound for Impel Down.
Impel Down lay within the fearsome Calm Belt, an ironclad fortress hailed as an unbreakable deep-sea prison.
Normal ships couldn't sail there—the Calm Belt teemed with colossal Sea Kings, some of them terrifying creatures reaching up to a thousand meters in length. Their very presence was despair-inducing, their strength unmatched. The seas were their domain; they could summon monstrous waves and sink a ship with ease.
Ordinary vessels stood no chance of passage. Only Navy ships, fitted with special hulls lined with massive seastone crystals, could pass.
With the seastone, Sea Kings perceived them as mere seawater and paid no attention. This allowed Marines to travel freely through the Calm Belt.
Of course, such ships were extremely costly.
At this moment, Creed was aboard one of these special warships.
On deck, the sailors looked at him with respect and admiration. He had already become an idol to all of them.
This was the change that came with power. To earn respect, awe, and fear—all of it boiled down to one thing: strength. In this world, strength was the only truth.
The warship sailed steadily across the sea.
On deck, the Marines chatted cheerfully as they trained. The atmosphere was lively.
Creed leaned against the railing, watching their drills with interest, the sea breeze brushing past his face.
Beside him, Ain and Falkor were fishing. The wind lifted Ain's hair, strands brushing against Creed's cheek, carrying a faint fragrance.
"What is it?" Ain asked, blushing slightly when she noticed his gaze.
"Nothing." Creed smiled faintly and turned his eyes toward the distant horizon.
Suddenly—
"Report!! Something ahead!"
Dense fog spread across the sea, vague silhouettes moving within it.
"Stay alert!"
The escorting rear admiral's expression hardened. A bad feeling stirred in his chest.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Without warning, countless cannonballs whistled out of the fog, pouring toward the warship in a deadly barrage.
The sheer number shocked the Marines. If they struck, the ship would be shattered to pieces!
The rear admiral's pupils shrank. "Enemy attack!!"
Just as he was about to act—
A slash of sword aura cleaved forward.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Every cannonball exploded midair, fire lighting up the sky. The shockwaves raised massive waves, rocking the warship violently.
The blast's force and winds tore through the fog, scattering it.
Creed's expression darkened as the sight became clear.
Rows upon rows of pirate ships.
His eyes narrowed at the sight of their flags. "Navy Hunters."
"Navy Hunters?" Creed repeated.
The rear admiral's face turned grave. "They're a notorious pirate band. Their leader is Bellory, a pirate worth 500 million, once of Roger's era. He once escaped from Vice Admiral Garp himself—though Garp shattered his right arm beyond repair."
"Afterward, he formed this group—the Navy Hunters—dedicated to slaughtering Marines."
"They strike from nowhere, vanish into the vast seas without a trace. Bellory commands ten lieutenants, each with a bounty over 100 million. His vice captain alone is worth 380 million."
Creed rubbed his chin, eyes glinting with intrigue.
Across the sea, from the pirate fleet, a roar thundered forth.
"Monkey D. Creed!! Come out and die! The pain Garp gave me, I'll repay a hundredfold through you!!"
A wave of murderous aura surged, shaking the waters themselves.
"Oh?"
Creed tilted his head slightly, lips curling. So this was personal… coming for me as Garp's grandson?
Interesting.
"I'll go greet them." Creed stepped forward.
"I'll join you," the rear admiral offered.
"No need. Stay here and protect the warship."
After all, this special vessel was the only one capable of reaching Impel Down. If a Sea King destroyed it, they would be stranded.
Creed turned his gaze upon the pirate fleet radiating killing intent.
Perfect timing. He would test out his new powers.
"Let's go, Ain, Falkor!"
Falkor's eyes lit up at the sight of the distant ships. Excitedly, it leapt to Creed's shoulder, practically buzzing with eagerness. Another fight—another chance to bully enemies.
With that, Creed and Ain launched themselves skyward, stepping across the air with Geppo, racing toward the mass of pirate ships.
(End of Chapter)
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