"System, can you tell me what abilities this Zanpakutō has?"
Kaede couldn't help her curiosity. She had no idea what kind of help this Pokū—a blade that never appeared in the original storyline—might bring her.
Spatial abilities, the System replied. This sword's power is related to space. The exact effects… you'll need to discover and master yourself.
The explanation was vague, but Kaede's eyes widened in shock.
The very foundation of the world rested on two things—space and time.
Space determined the shape of matter; time decided how it changed. Never in her wildest dreams had Kaede thought she'd get this lucky. She was certain—this Zanpakutō was top-tier.
Her consciousness entered the System's storage space. The Pokū gleamed silver-white from hilt to tip. The longer she stared, the more she liked it. If not for the current circumstances, she would have taken it out and played with it right then and there.
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained Beginner Taijutsu LV3 from Pirate A!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained Beginner Gunmanship LV2 from Pirate B!
While she was still admiring the sword, a barrage of notifications rang in her head without warning, lasting a full thirty seconds.
When it was finally over, Kaede checked her personal status page—and blinked. Ten new skills had appeared out of nowhere. One in particular caught her attention: a sword skill called Crescent Slash, apparently stolen from none other than Hook.
But the one that truly made her speechless… was Flirting. Level 5.
"System, these are the abilities you're giving me? What does 'Beginner LV3' mean? And why is there a plus sign after every skill?"
Skills vary in strength. Beginner is the weakest rank—above it are Proficient, Master, Grandmaster, and so on. Each rank has ten sub-levels.
As for the plus sign—it's for upgrading skills. That requires Skill Points. The higher the skill level, the more points needed. You can only earn Skill Points by completing missions the System assigns you… though constant practice can also raise skill levels.
Kaede nodded slowly. So that's how it worked. If she wanted to grow stronger, she'd have to complete whatever missions the System gave her.
Detecting Host's intent. Assigning tasks now.
[Mission 1]: As a pirate—the freest soul on the seas—you must never endure humiliation. Not for even one second. Eliminate Pirate Hook with your own hands.Reward: 2 Skill Points, 1000 Exchange Points.
[Mission 2]: Sometimes, patience is a strategy. Ignore Hook's insults and outlast him in prison. See who breaks first.Reward: 1 Skill Point, 500 Exchange Points.
One look at the options, and Kaede understood—the System was clearly encouraging chaos. Compared to the second task, the first was way simpler.
With Pokū in hand, killing a man was no problem. The real challenge would be surviving afterward—evading the Impel Down guards… or worse, Magellan himself. Right now, if she ran into him, it would be instant death.
But the second mission? Betting her life against his in Impel Down, where fate was controlled entirely by others, and danger could strike anytime? Far harder—and with half the reward.
No contest.
"System, I'll take the first mission."
Mission confirmed. Please complete it as soon as possible.
Kaede eyed Hook's unguarded back. Her fingers itched to strike. But reason held her back. Not yet. The moment had to be perfect—when Luffy arrived.
What she didn't know was that the opportunity was already racing toward her. Out on the sea, just one day's voyage from Impel Down, a Marine warship was cutting through the waves. Onboard was the only female member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—ruler of Amazon Lily, the Pirate Empress herself: Boa Hancock.
"Lady Hancock, we've reached Impel Down. Time to disembark," called Vice Admiral Momonga through the door.
Hancock and Luffy exchanged a glance. Without a word, Luffy dove into the folds of her robe. Only after making sure everything was hidden did Hancock step out.
"Lead the way."
Even to a Marine Vice Admiral, Hancock's voice was cold as ice. Only Luffy ever saw her smile.
Momonga lingered, watching the door long after she left. Something about her behavior during the voyage had been… off. Impossible to ignore. Yet he couldn't pinpoint the problem.
"…Is something wrong?" Hancock asked flatly.
"N-no. We'll be entering Impel Down soon. I thought I'd let you know to prepare."
"Oh."
No matter what he said, her responses were always a single, indifferent syllable. Maybe he was overthinking it—after all, she had no reason to harm the Marines.
The towering iron gates creaked open, releasing a wave of musty air. From inside came faint, pained screams. This was a place that reeked of the abyss.
"Quick! Bucky's escaped—get him back!"
In an instant, Impel Down erupted into chaos. No one escaped from here—ever. The last was Golden Lion Shiki, and his breakout had been a humiliation the prison still hadn't lived down. They would not allow a repeat.
But the guards weren't the only ones stirred up. The pirates imprisoned on Level 1 had been trapped in darkness far too long. Even the faintest hope was enough to ignite a riot.
"Where's Bucky? Open my cell—I'll do anything you want!"
"Bucky! Bucky!"
His name echoed across Level 1. Every prisoner hoped he'd come.
So far, none had even caught a glimpse of him, let alone escaped.
Kaede watched Hook pacing anxiously in his cell. Her own blood—and Pokū—were both itching for action.
Bucky's breakout meant Luffy's jailbreak was about to begin. Thirty-some hours until the war at Marineford. This was the prelude to chaos—and her best chance to escape Impel Down alive.
But first… she had a mission to complete. Hook's head had to roll.