So here it is guys, the Impel Down arc.
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The news of the capture of the Blue Eyed Pirates spread like wildfire across the world. Many rookies were relieved by their apprehension, as they had no desire to encounter these fanatics on the open sea.
As I mentioned, the influential figures within the Grand Line could scarcely be bothered to pay attention to the news, lacking either the spare time or, more likely, any interest in such insignificant pirates. Furthermore, pirates originating from the East Blue were almost entirely disregarded by these powerful entities.
However, the aspect of the report that proved most shocking to them was the revelation that Gojo, the captain of the Blue Eyed Pirates—a man with a bounty of thirty-five million berries—had engaged in direct combat with a Vice-Admiral.
This is not an action any other pirate in the East Blue would dare to attempt, even those boasting bounties exceeding one hundred million.
"He's got guts."
Some of the big shots offered begrudging compliments regarding his effort, but fate, as always, operates with its own inscrutable design.
Meanwhile, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, seated within his office, glanced at the report that had been delivered to his desk. Beside him, Garp was lounging on a couch, consuming his favorite rice crackers and idly cleaning his ear with his pinky finger.
"Hey, Garp! What is the meaning of this? Can you not allow me to focus?!" Sengoku raged, simultaneously soothing his pet goat, which had a bell strapped around its neck.
"What is so wrong about eating my rice crackers?" Garp honestly showed no sign of guilt whatsoever.
"Then have it your way!" Sengoku launched from his chair and immediately confiscated his best friend's snack, gulping it down in one go.
"My rice crackers!" Garp exclaimed, outstretching his hand in protest, only for Sengoku to return the empty sachet.
"Now I can concentrate."
Marineford, to be precise, was the island that served as the base of operations for Marine Headquarters. It was the primary residence of the Admirals, along with numerous Vice-Admirals and lower-ranking officers when they were not assigned to another base.
It is situated near the Sabaody Archipelago and directly adjacent to Mary Geoise on the Red Line, where the Celestial Dragons, the five elders known as the Gorosei, and Imu reside.
Imu, or Saint Imu, remains a figure whose appearance is unknown to the world; he is the secret supreme ruler of the World Government, an entity regarded as a threat and feared by the Gorosei himself. He is said to have been alive for over eight hundred years, since the era of Joy Boy.
Marineford is a crescent moon-shaped island that is constructed entirely of brick and steel, with formidable cannons positioned along its edges.
Sengoku massaged his beard as he read the reports concerning the capture of Gojo and his crew. "We will dispatch two ships to transport the prisoners to Impel Down."
Garp, upon hearing these words, burst into laughter, refusing to take the situation seriously. "Isn't this just a rookie? What is the big deal?"
"Garp! Just how reckless do you intend to be?"
"Eh? Until I see my grandson fulfill his dream, boahahaha!"
Sengoku gritted his teeth in frustration. "Garp! Were you not the Marine hero, I would have imprisoned you for your grandson's actions out there causing trouble."
"What is this old man supposed to do about it? Boahahaha!"
Sengoku knew he could do nothing about Garp, who sat with his leg draped over the couch. He sighed with profound exasperation before placing a call to requisition two ships immediately for East Blue to retrieve the pirates.
…
Gojo awoke shortly thereafter in the prison where he was being held captive, his hands and legs securely bound in sea prism cuffs. 'I could break out of this whenever I wanted,' he mused. "Hey, Ryu! Jake! Are you awake?" He yelled.
"Yeah, we are."
"You'd better get us out of this mess as soon as possible."
"Yes, yes," Gojo replied dismissively. He glared at the other prisoners, whose bodies were riddled with scars—likely souvenirs from the relentless torture they had endured throughout their imprisonment.
A loud growl emanated from his stomach. "Hey, officer! Can you get me some food and water?" Gojo called out to the marine patrolling the area.
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to, huh? Just after wreaking havoc and causing massive destruction earlier, you have the nerve to ask for food?" The marine soldier hissed. "You pirates are going to rot in prison."
"Heh…is that so?" Gojo laid back on the cold floor. "Just how long are you guys going to keep us here before transporting us?"
"Don't worry about it, you lowlifes. You'll be transported once the ship arrives."
A sly smile crept across his face. 'The plan is in motion—hehe.' Well, all he had to do was stay obedient, like a good dog, until he was picked up!
Meanwhile, Murdock had officially put his men to work, doing the best they could to repair the damage caused by the pirates. In the eyes of the World Government, all the blame was bound to fall on the pirates' shoulders, since every action taken by the marines was inherently righteous.
The townsfolk joined the marines in repairing the destruction, grateful to have presumably been saved from the evil pirates. They believed that without the intervention of the Vice Admiral, the pirates would have robbed everyone in town and fled, since all they were capable of was kidnapping, robbery, and assault.
But where, truly, was the justice in this?
Days turned into weeks, and the repairs progressed smoothly. The houses that had been destroyed were now rebuilt from scratch, and peace once again reigned over the town.
Gojo and his crew remained captives on the island, awaiting the ship that had been sent from Marineford to retrieve them.
"Man, I think I'll die of boredom," Gojo uttered in a low tone, still waiting for the marines to bring him his breakfast.
"Don't complain. This is exactly what you should have expected," Ryuken whistled from his cell.
The other jailers minded their own business, but something felt odd about these new prisoners. How could they be so relaxed? Why did they so deliberately want to be transported to Impel Down?
The thought lingered in their minds, though they did not dare speak a word of it aloud. They resigned themselves to leaving the pirates to their fate. After all, they themselves had been tortured so severely that they found it hard to survive; who in their right mind would willingly go to Impel Down to have their death wish granted?
These pirates were truly weirdos. Nothing awaited them but death.
…
[Calm Belt]
The ships had departed from Marineford a week prior before entering the Calm Belt—a vast, eerie stretch of ocean known to serve as a formidable barrier for those attempting to enter or exit the Grand Line. These areas are perpetually and completely calm, devoid of any ocean current or wind, making navigation impossible for vessels without some form of self-propulsion.
These very waters also serve as the nesting grounds for the world's largest Sea Kings, creatures that instinctively attack any vessel attempting to traverse the region. Consequently, the safest method for any ship from the East, North, West, or South Blue to enter the Grand Line, and vice-versa, is by undertaking the perilous journey over Reverse Mountain—a route that is notoriously risky in its own right.
Yet, the Marines possess the capability to cross the Calm Belts with relative safety by employing Seastone lining on the undersides of their specialized ships; this technology typically masks their presence from the Sea Kings lurking below, though the method is not entirely infallible.
The Calm Belt stretched endlessly, its waters a glassy and unnervingly still plain, disturbed only by the prows of two colossal Marine warships cutting through the silence in perfect unison. Monstrous shadows of Sea Kings loomed beneath the surface, brushing perilously close to the hulls, but the vessels pressed forward undaunted—each layered with Sea-Stone plating, a silent and potent deterrent to the leviathans.
On the deck of the lead warship, Rear Admiral Tsuru stood with her arms folded, her sharp, analytical eyes fixed on the empty horizon. The salt-laden air tugged insistently at her cloak, yet her resolute expression never wavered. Around her, Marines executed their duties with precision, maintaining strict discipline under the weight of their critical mission.
"To deploy two full warships through the Calm Belt… and all for one man and his fledgling crew…" muttered a Vice Admiral standing at her side, his tone laced with both resentment and palpable wariness.
Tsuru's gaze hardened imperceptibly. "Not just any man. If the intelligence reports from East Blue are accurate, Satoru Gojo is far more dangerous than his profile suggests. We cannot afford to underestimate him."
Cannons gleamed ominously in the sunlight, while rows of disciplined soldiers lined the railings, their rifles held at the ready. The ocean was eerily quiet, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Together, the ships moved like twin predators through the silent expanse, bearing the unequivocal weight of Marine Justice toward the unsuspecting waters of East Blue—where a confrontation with Gojo and his newly assembled crew awaited.
After several days of uneventful sailing through the Calm Belt, the Marine warships finally arrived in the territory of the East Blue.
"Just three worthless pirate shitheads forced us to come all the way from Marineford to this backwater… what a profound nuisance," one of the Rear Admirals grumbled, stroking his chin in irritation.
"Brace yourself," Tsuru corrected, her unwavering gaze fixed on the approaching port. "We are to deliver them to Impel Down, and then our job is done!" She stated, her voice deceptively calm.
"Understood, Rear Admiral Tsuru!" The Marines chorused, checking their rifles and swords as they prepared to anchor the ship at the dock to retrieve the high-value prisoners.
One of the junior officers quickly rushed to Vice Admiral Murdock's office, knocking twice sharply on the door.
"Enter!"
"Vice Admiral Murdock," the marine announced, snapping a crisp salute, "Rear Admiral Tsuru's contingent has arrived to collect the prisoners!"
"Hoh? It is about time, huh?" Murdock hopped energetically from his chair and strode out to greet his fellow Marines. "Follow me, Rear Admiral Tsuru. I will escort you to the prisoners."
"Proceed."
Now, standing within the dim confines of the prison cell, Gojo lay casually on the floor, a defiant glare etched on his face as he assessed the assemblage of Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals who had come to transport him.
"I've been waiting for you, shitheads!" Gojo smirked…
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