The moment Yamato and her crew stepped through the massive steel doors, they were assaulted by a world of ice and snow. A brutal, biting wind howled through the frozen forest, carrying with it a cold so profound it felt like it could freeze the very soul.
"S-so cold!" Perona chattered, hugging herself tightly. Even with the warm clothes she had prepared, the sub-zero temperature pierced through every layer, making her shiver uncontrollably.
A quick scan of their surroundings confirmed what Blueno had told them: there were no Den Den Mushi cameras in sight, nor were there any guards patrolling the icy paths. Taking the opportunity, the group removed their masks, their warm breaths instantly turning into clouds of white vapor in the frigid air.
Bonney's expression was serious as she looked between Yamato, Red, and Diaz, who all shared her solemn look. "We were recognized back there, weren't we?" she asked, her voice low.
Red and Diaz's faces tightened. "But why didn't he do anything?" Diaz wondered aloud.
It was Yamato who answered the question that hung in the air. "Ace once told me about his grandfather," she said, her gaze steady. "His name is Garp, and he's a Marine."
A collective gasp went through the group. Eyes widened in shock, followed by a simultaneous sigh of relief.
"I can't believe it," Diaz murmured, shaking his head. "The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates is the grandson of the Marine Hero, Garp."
Bonney was just as stunned, but she quickly processed the information. Whatever the reason for Garp's inaction, it had worked in their favor. "So, what's our next move?" she asked, getting back to the mission.
"We stick to the plan Blueno gave us," Yamato replied.
Blueno's plan had been straightforward, but the execution was another matter entirely. They had successfully infiltrated Impel Down, but the hardest parts of their mission were still ahead. First, they had to figure out how to get from Level 5 down to Level 6, where Ace was being held. Second, and far more difficult, was figuring out how to get back out after they rescued him. From this point on, they were completely on their own.
Reaching Level 6 seemed achievable, as it was directly below them. The real problem was the escape. The second they broke Ace out, the entire prison would be on high alert. This meant they would have to fight their way from the very bottom of the prison all the way to the surface. But even that wasn't the final hurdle. Impel Down was situated in the Calm Belt, a stretch of sea with no winds or currents. Their only way out would be to hijack a Marine warship, which had special technology to navigate these waters.
Time was their greatest enemy. A standard warship took about five hours to travel from Marineford to Impel Down. If an Admiral like Kizaru was dispatched, he could cover that distance in less than two hours using his Devil Fruit powers. This gave them an incredibly tight window. They had to break into Level 6, rescue Ace, fight their way through six levels of hell, and secure a ship before the Marines' full might could descend upon them. The mission seemed impossible.
Fortunately, their chance encounter with Garp had given them a crucial piece of information. He had told Hannyabal that the transport would arrive in two days, giving them a precious window to prepare.
Bonney nodded, understanding the stakes. "So what do we do now?"
"First, we find that hidden Level 5.5 that Blueno mentioned," Yamato announced. "Then, we find a way to let Ace know we're here." She turned to Perona, her expression softening into a plea. "Perona, we're counting on you."
"I know, I know... Wuwuwu..." Perona whimpered, knowing she had no choice. She had boarded this crazy pirate ship, and now there was no getting off. Reluctantly, she activated her Hollow-Hollow Fruit ability.
As the designated scout, her role was critical. She had to use her Negative Hollows to map out the prison, locate Ace, and find the entrance to the hidden level, all while avoiding detection. Dozens of ghostly apparitions phased out of her body, sinking through the icy floor to explore the levels below.
Just as her ghosts disappeared, low murmurs drifted toward them from the surrounding forest.
"Hey, who are they?"
"They don't look like guards..."
"Those suits... Are they from the World Government?"
"Quiet. Save your strength."
The group turned to see that the frozen landscape was dotted with prison cells. Inside each one were prisoners, their bodies covered in a thick layer of ice and snow. Many were already dead, frozen solid into grotesque sculptures.
"S-so scary!" Perona shrieked, floating into the air in terror.
"These must be the pirates imprisoned here," Bonney said, her voice grim. "According to Blueno, they all have bounties over $100,000,000$ Berries."
Diaz stared at the horrific scene, a dark look on his face. He had almost become one of them. "Captain Yamato, we should go," he urged.
But Yamato didn't move. Her gaze swept across the frozen hellscape, taking in the deathly silence and the faint moans of those still clinging to life. Her mind raced, thinking back to their time liberating the Sorbet Kingdom. For the first time, she felt a purpose that went beyond her dream of becoming Kozuki Oden. She wanted to free the people oppressed by the World Government. But she knew she couldn't do it alone. Bonney was just a child, and Perona was no fighter. The only true warriors she had were Red and Diaz. It wasn't enough.
"Pirates with bounties over $100,000,000$ Berries, you said?" she murmured, looking at her crew. She took a deep breath and spoke her mind. "I want to save them."
Everyone stared at her, startled. "Why?" Bonney asked, confused. "We're already in over our heads! One wrong move and we'll all die here!"
"I know our plan might not go smoothly," Yamato admitted. "But one thing is certain: there's no way the five of us can fight our way out of here alone. We need help."
The others fell silent, looking at the frozen prisoners, unsure what to think.
It was Red, the giant, who broke the silence. His voice boomed with conviction. "Captain Yamato, you are the captain. Your command is the will of this crew!"
His words were like a spark. The rest of the crew looked at each other, their uncertainty replaced by resolve. He was right. They had chosen to follow Yamato into the depths of hell; they had already placed their lives in her hands. Now was not the time for doubt.
"I understand, Big Brother Yamato," Bonney said with a determined nod. "Let's do it your way."
"That's right, Captain!" Diaz added, a grin spreading across his face. "These guys are all powerful pirates. If we can get them on our side, the Yamato Pirates could be stronger than one of the Seven Warlords!"
Perona simply trembled, knowing she had been outvoted.
"Thank you, everyone," Yamato said, her voice filled with gratitude. Seeing their unwavering trust, her own resolve hardened into steel. "I won't let you down!"
She stepped forward, a crimson light flashing in her eyes as she unleashed a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki.
Boom!
The entire level trembled. The ferocious wolf beasts that roamed the frozen forest collapsed, knocked unconscious instantly. In the cells, the prisoners who had been on the verge of freezing to death were jolted by the immense pressure. Their eyes, once dull and lifeless, snapped open, filled with disbelief.
"Hey, hey..."
"That feeling just now..."
"There's no mistake... That was Conqueror's Haki!"
"Who in the world are these people?"
Yamato ignored their questions. She looked out at the sea of desperate faces and asked a question of her own, her voice echoing through the frozen hell. "Do you want to leave this place?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, a wave of raw emotion erupted from the cells as the joy of renewed hope surged through them.
"Of course we do!"
"Get me out of here! Please!"
"I'll give you anything you want, just let me out!"
Yamato remained unmoved by their pleas. She had a plan. "I can free you," she declared, her voice ringing with authority. "But on one condition: from this day forward, all of you will become my subordinates!"
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