There was a legend in Impel Down, known as the "Ghost Sleeve."
Every so often, a prisoner would vanish silently from their cell, completely immobilized. This eerie disappearance was the essence of the "Ghost Sleeve" tale.
Behind this legend, however, lay a paradise beyond what any Impel Down administrator could imagine.
LV5.5, the New Okama Paradise, was overseen by its manager, Emporio Ivankov—the very mastermind behind this legend.
"Huff… huff…"
Mizuchi panted heavily as he slowly entered the underground tunnel. What he needed now was a warm and safe place to rest. The tunnels beneath LV5.5 were precisely that.
As the howling wind and snow faded into silence, Mizuchi's eyelids slowly grew heavy.
"Did you hear? Lord Ivankov rescued two people. One of them is… called Straw Hat… yes! Straw Hat Luffy!"
"That guy named Luffy got hit with Magellan's combined poisons in LV5. He's close to death!"
The faint murmurs startled Mizuchi, who had been trying to regain his strength.
"Luffy? Didn't he already go to LV5? How was he stopped by Magellan?"
Mizuchi drew a deep breath and suddenly sprang to his feet. After a brief rest, his strength had fully returned.
"Eh… are you a guard or a prisoner? How did you get in here?"
The two who had been discussing Luffy's situation turned alert as Mizuchi emerged from the side passage.
"Take me to Luffy!"
Mizuchi wasted no words. His eyes narrowed sharply, and the two, intimidated, quickly stepped aside to lead the way.
"Newkama Land, yee-haw!"
From the noisy stage, a woman's clear singing rang out. As Mizuchi followed the two "women" into the room, all eyes instantly turned to him.
"So, you're the mysterious person? You look… scary… just kidding!"
Emporio Ivankov, twisting his massive hips, turned to face him the moment the music stopped.
"Queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom, Revolutionary Army officer Ivankov… how is Luffy? What's his condition?"
Mizuchi had no interest in Ivankov's powers; his sole concern was Luffy's state.
"Luffy is receiving treatment. What's your relationship with him?"
Ivankov held the microphone, performing on stage. Her piercing voice drew cheers from the crowd below.
"Lord Ivankov!"
The applause and shouting filled the room.
"Shu!"
A flash of yellow light streaked across. Mizuchi appeared on the stage in an instant, his fingers forming pale yellow sparks aimed at Ivankov, who was singing her heart out.
"Look! My patience and time are limited. I know you may have saved Luffy, but this doesn't give you the right to disgust me in front of me!"
Though grateful for Ivankov saving Luffy, Mizuchi could not tolerate her over-the-top performance, which was why he had so boldly interrupted.
"Luffy is being treated. If you want to see him, I'll take you there."
Ivankov finished speaking and jumped off the stage, heading toward the exit.
Following the complex tunnels, Mizuchi was finally brought by Ivankov to a room secured with thick iron chains.
"Go, Straw Hat! You can do it!"
As Mizuchi neared the room, he was immediately drawn to the sight of Bon Clay, arms and legs outstretched, cheering tirelessly for Luffy outside the door.
"Uh… you keep going!"
Mizuchi walked past Bon Clay and reached the doorway.
From inside, Luffy's agonized shouts intermittently pierced the air.
"He's undergoing…"
"I know!" Mizuchi cut off Ivankov and turned to face the room, shouting with all his heart: "Luffy! Keep going!"
That single cheer carried the weight of Mizuchi's entire spirit. He knew the real battle was only beginning—Impel Down LV6, where Ace was truly imprisoned, and where the most dangerous criminals were held.
"Sorry, Luffy! I have to go ahead!"
Mizuchi knew staying here wouldn't help Luffy. All he could do now was carry Luffy's will with him as he advanced toward LV6.
"Mizuchi! Let's go! Together, as comrades!"
A loud crash echoed from behind the door, accompanied by weak yet determined voices. Mizuchi's step slowed.
"Straw Hat!"
Hearing Luffy's voice, Bon Clay fainted in excitement.
"Luffy!"
Mizuchi watched as Luffy slowly emerged from the room. His eyes stung with emotion, nearly bringing him to tears, but the man's indomitable will forced him to suppress them.
"Let's go. Together, to LV6!"
Mizuchi stepped forward, draping an arm over Luffy's shoulder, ready to leave with him.
"Wait, Mizuchi. Auntie, do you have any food?"
Rubbing his scrawny belly, Luffy smiled sheepishly.
"Ugh… alive again!"
A thunderous cheer erupted as Luffy emerged from the dining hall, fully satisfied. Behind him, piles of bones and leftover food almost exceeded his own height.
"Auntie… please look after Bon Clay. Mizuchi and I are heading to LV6 to rescue Ace!"
Luffy, having eaten and regained his strength, entrusted the fainted Bon Clay to Ivankov's care.
"Mizuchi… let's go…"
Barely a few steps outside, Luffy collapsed again from exhaustion.
"Emporio Exciting Hormone!"
With Ivankov's help, Luffy finally regained consciousness. Mizuchi frowned slightly at her unconventional method.
"Forget it. In the current situation, this might be the best option."
Mizuchi, with the reinvigorated Luffy and Ivankov's group, departed from LV5.5 and eventually arrived at Impel Down LV6.
At the same time, Magellan, having completed his treatment duties, boarded the elevator with all high-level forces of Impel Down, heading toward the LV6 block.
In the center of the rapidly descending elevator, a man completely encased in ice, wearing a cold expression, silently stared ahead. The temperature in the elevator seemed to drop several degrees because of him. This was none other than Admiral Aokiji—the very man Mizuchi had been seeking for so long.