The moment Kaede's voice fell, a strange and overwhelming power erupted into the air.
The mocking smirk froze on the Minotaurus's face, as if someone had hit the pause button.
A heartbeat later, pain replaced mockery, twisting his features into something grotesque.
He staggered back step by step. From his right arm, blood sprayed in sharp bursts. Wounds—too many to count—tore open across his body as though invisible blades had struck him all at once.
Confusion and disbelief filled his eyes… before they rolled back and he collapsed, consciousness slipping away.
Kaede looked down at the unconscious Minotaurus, satisfied. That strike hadn't just carried all her strength—it had unleashed her Rend ability at full force.
Power struggles were just the surface. Her real trump card had always been Rend, hidden until the killing blow. And the result hadn't disappointed—she'd instantly felled an opponent with equal physical strength.
Still, staring at the fallen Minotaurus brought unsettling thoughts.
If a so-called comic-relief like Buggy could be this strong… just what were the masterminds lurking in the shadows capable of?
The more she thought about it, the more she realized—what she'd seen of the Pirate World so far was just the shallow surface. The truth was buried, layer upon layer, behind fog as thick as what lay in front of her eyes now.
Forget it. Knowing everything means nothing if I can't protect myself.
Her gaze followed the air shaft downward. A wave of unease swept over her.
She hadn't awakened Observation Haki yet, but judging by the timing, Luffy should already be facing Magellan head-on.
The fourth underground level was deadly enough for her. One careless step and she'd be finished.
"Don't disappoint me, Straw Hat…"
Without hesitation, Kaede leapt into the ventilation shaft, Moonwalking down toward Level 4. Danger was certain—but so was opportunity.
If she could reach Level 6, the system's rewards would skyrocket her strength to Vice-Admiral levels. Then… she'd have the power to change the war.
She didn't even know what the final mission reward was, but she knew it would be worth it. Just reaching Level 6 came with seven skill points and fifty thousand exchange points.
That alone could boost her strength to the point where she could truly stand tall on the seas.
"No reason to turn back now."
"Since you want these hands… then take them!"
"JET PISTOL!"
Smoke burst from Luffy's body as his right fist shot forward at a speed too fast to follow.
"It's useless! Don't you get it by now? No one dares touch my body! Not even you!" Magellan's voice dripped with certainty.
But then… his mind went blank.
Pain—real pain—exploded in his chest.
He actually hit me?
When Magellan saw the smear of purple venom on Luffy's fist, he fell silent. It had been years since anyone dared to do that.
Through Straw Hat's eyes, Magellan saw only an unshakable will burning from deep within his soul.
"I'll admit… your resolve is beyond what I imagined."
"But do you really think you'll live, now that you've touched my poison? Everything you've done is pointless. You can't save Ace—and you won't be leaving here either."
The venom invaded Luffy's body instantly. His hands felt like they were being pierced by a thousand steel needles, the pain shooting straight to his heart. He dropped to his knees, shaking.
"D-Damn it…! Give Ace back!"
Even as agony consumed him, all he thought about was Ace's safety, ignoring Magellan's words entirely.
"In that case… stay here forever!"
"VENOM DEMON!"
A massive, viscous purple dragon roared toward Luffy.
Magellan was impressed by Luffy's recklessness, but duty came first—he wouldn't hold back.
Luffy tried to dodge, but his poisoned hands had already spread venom through his whole body. He couldn't move.
The venom engulfed him completely. The pain was beyond description—a million biting ants ripping into his flesh, clawing into his very soul.
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Magellan glanced at him and knew—it was over.
"Stay here with your brother."
He turned to leave.
But then, a trembling voice stopped him.
"G… give Ace… back…"
Magellan turned—and froze.
Somehow, Luffy was standing again, his body still shaking violently, but his eyes locked on Magellan without wavering.
Magellan's brow furrowed. He had to admit—he'd underestimated this one.
The boy's body had absorbed enough poison to kill hundreds… yet he was still standing.
"You really have a death wish!"
"VENOM DEMON!"
This time, five venomous dragons surged forward at once.
"GEAR THIRD—GIANT'S PISTOL!"
Even near collapse, Luffy didn't back down. His right hand ballooned to the size of a giant's fist, slamming forward with all his strength.
Their attacks crossed paths. A moment later, Luffy crashed to the ground—motionless.
Magellan stared in silence for two seconds.
"Take him to Level 5. Hold him there for judgment."
"Yes, Warden!"
The tension in Level 4 eased. The ringleader was down—the rest would be easy.
"R-Report! Warden! Bad news!"
Magellan's shoulders stiffened. "What now? Calm yourself!"
"Sir! The prisoner Kaede from Level 1 has broken through Sadi-chan and the Demon Guards—she's already on Level 5!"
"What? That's impossible!"
Magellan knew they wouldn't lie about this… but how? The last report said Kaede was still on Level 2. There was no way she could've reached Level 5 this fast—let alone smashed through the defenses to get there.