The first cell door swung open to reveal nothing but empty space. However, the scattered straw and lingering scent of human desperation told Gustave that someone had been imprisoned here recently.
The second, third, and fourth cells were equally vacant. A cold dread began to settle in Gustave's stomach - had his infiltration been detected? Was this some kind of trap?
But when the fifth door opened, his fears were dispelled in the worst possible way. Several emaciated men lay chained hand and foot, their unconscious forms barely recognizable as human beings. The sight of their condition made Gustave's blood boil, but he forced himself to remain calm.
As much as every instinct screamed at him to free these poor souls immediately, he couldn't risk it yet. He still didn't understand the full scope of this underground nightmare, and a premature rescue attempt might endanger everyone - including the victims he was trying to save.
Gustave quietly closed the door and continued deeper into the complex.
Starting from the tenth cell, observation windows allowed him to peer inside without opening the doors. What he saw made his earlier anger seem like a gentle breeze compared to the hurricane of rage building within him.
The first ten cells, while horrific, at least housed people who were relatively intact - poor souls destined for the slave markets, but alive and whole. From the tenth cell onward, however, the prisoners showed signs of systematic mutilation. Missing limbs, surgical scars, and clear evidence of ongoing medical experimentation.
These aren't slaves, Gustave realized with growing horror. They're test subjects.
The deeper he ventured, the more grotesque the experiments became. Bodies violated by countless tubes and wires, surgical modifications that served no purpose except to satisfy some twisted curiosity. The clinical precision of the torment suggested this wasn't random cruelty but organized, methodical evil.
At the final cell, however, the pattern changed completely. Three young mermaids, all appearing to be in their early twenties, were kept in pristine condition. Unlike the experimental victims, these three were being maintained for a very specific purpose - the human auction houses that operated in the archipelago's shadows.
Gustave's hands trembled with barely contained lightning. Every fiber of his being demanded immediate action, but his strategic mind held him back. He needed to understand the full scope of the Slave King's operation before making his move. A half-planned assault would only result in more suffering.
Meanwhile, in the throne room deep within the complex, Tommy knelt before a figure whose white mask concealed his identity completely. The Slave King's voice carried the cold indifference of someone who viewed human life as nothing more than inventory.
"Are you certain the child is a mermaid?"
"Y-yes, Lord Slave King! I'm absolutely certain there's a mermaid child with them!" Tommy's entire body shook as he spoke, whether from fear or excitement, it was impossible to tell.
"Describe the composition of their group," the Slave King commanded, his tone suggesting that any deception would be met with immediate and permanent consequences.
"Six people total, my lord! One adult man, three children, a cat that walks on two legs, and... and a black and white mink tribe member that looks like a cross between a bear and a cat!"
The Slave King's posture shifted with sudden interest. "A black and white mink tribe, you say? You're certain of this?"
Tommy's description of the mermaid had barely registered, but this detail about Po had captured the masked figure's complete attention. After all, he already possessed three mermaids, but a specimen like Po would be incredibly rare and valuable.
"I'm absolutely certain, my lord!"
Tommy wasn't lying - Po's distinctive appearance was impossible to mistake or forget.
"Excellent. Once we capture this mink tribe member you've described, I'll grant you full membership in our organization."
Tommy's eyes lit up with greedy anticipation. He'd originally planned to flee the archipelago as soon as possible, but now the Slave King's personal interest in Po presented an opportunity for advancement he'd never dreamed of. His mind was already racing with fantasies of the wealth and power that awaited him.
Neither the Slave King nor Tommy noticed the electrical current observing their conversation from the shadows above.
The Slave King's own strength is unclear, Gustave assessed silently, but those two guards are formidable. Based on their aura, I'd estimate their combat ability approaches that of a standard Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
During his time at Marineford, Gustave had developed a mental classification system for Marine strength levels:
Standard Vice Admirals (the unnamed background figures)
Veteran Vice Admirals (like Momonga and Onigumo)
Elite Vice Admirals (Admiral candidates like Momousagi and Chaton)
And then there was the anomaly that was Garp
Through Zephyr's intensive training in Marinford, Gustave had elevated his physical capabilities to Rear Admiral level, while his Rumble-Rumble Fruit development had reached the very threshold of awakening. Combined, his overall combat strength now approached that of an Admiral candidate.
I can handle those two guards, he concluded, but the Slave King himself remains an unknown power. And with all those prisoners to evacuate... I can't do this alone. I need Po's help.
With his reconnaissance complete, Gustave transformed into pure electrical energy and began his ascent to the surface.
When Gustave materialized on his ship deck in a crackling display of lightning, he immediately noticed an unexpected addition to their crew.
"Brother Gustave! You're back!" Camie called out excitedly, her relief evident in every syllable.
"Yes, Camie, I'm back," Gustave replied warmly, ruffling her green hair before turning his attention to their guest.
The massive figure bowed respectfully, his deep voice carrying both gratitude and formality. "My name is Jinbe. I must thank you, Mr. Gustave, for rescuing little Camie."
Jinbe? Gustave's mind raced. Meeting one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea here was unexpected but not entirely surprising given the circumstances.
"I didn't expect to encounter the famous Jinbe, Knight of the Sea, in these waters," Gustave replied diplomatically.
The story, as it unfolded, was both touching and terrifying. When Camie's absence was discovered on Fish-Man Island, the initial assumption was kidnapping. However, since the island lay 10,000 meters beneath the sea and was notoriously difficult for outsiders to access, that theory was quickly abandoned. Given Camie's known fascination with the surface world, her guardians concluded she had ventured up on her own.
But Jinbe understood the surface world's dangers far better than most. As captain of the Sun Pirates and protector of Fish-Man Island, he knew exactly what fate awaited lone mermaids in human waters. Without hesitation, he had launched his own rescue mission.
His search had initially proven fruitless. Even with his observation haki pushed to its limits, he couldn't locate any trace of the missing child. There was only one explanation that made sense - human traffickers had already captured her.
This realization had driven Jinbe straight to Sabaody Archipelago's Island 1, the known hub of the slave trade.
When his haki detected a powerful presence near the shoreline - with Camie's familiar aura right beside it - Jinbe had burst from the sea without a second thought, prepared for battle.
His sudden emergence had nearly triggered a fight with Po, but Camie's joyful recognition had defused the situation before it could escalate. After hearing the full story of Gustave's crew rescuing her, Jinbe had offered his sincere apologies and gratitude.
And now, with perfect timing, Gustave had returned with intelligence about the very organization that would have claimed Camie as their victim.