The prison guards immediately opened fire and gave chase as soon as they saw the prisoners attempting to escape. But when they reached the corridor ahead and saw Mizuchi, they instinctively stepped back a few paces.
"D-Don't… don't panic! Attack! Attack!"
The guards cast a glance at Blackbeard, who was writhing on the floor at Mizuchi's feet, and suppressed their fear. Raising their guns, they aimed at Mizuchi.
"Darkness Path!"
A thick black mist erupted from Mizuchi's body, spreading rapidly toward the approaching guards.
"Boss!"
From a distance, the Blackbeard Pirates watched anxiously as their captain's body was gradually swallowed by darkness. Yet the thick black mist kept them from advancing to help.
Even worse off than Blackbeard were the prison guards. Unlike him, they had no Dark-Dark Fruit powers. Facing the consuming darkness, all they could do was struggle helplessly, unable to mount any real defense.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!…"
Screams echoed relentlessly through Level 4, as countless guards were nearly engulfed entirely by the shadows.
"Poison Dragon!"
Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a massive purple poison dragon streaked from afar, charging straight toward Mizuchi.
"Ice-Ice Fruit loaded (boosted with Venom-Venom Fruit and Glint-Glint Fruit). Duration: ten minutes. Cooldown: thirty seconds."
Mizuchi decisively switched his Devil Fruit card in response to the dragon's attack.
"Pfft! Pfft!"
Venomous liquid erupted across Mizuchi's body, soaking even Blackbeard at his feet in a toxic bath.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Still reeling from the dark mist's assault, Blackbeard barely had time to recover before the poison struck. The intense, virulent liquid sent him rolling wildly across the floor in agony.
"Phew! Phew! Phew! Saved! I thought I was done for!"
Meanwhile, many guards who had been nearly consumed by the darkness survived thanks to Mizuchi's Devil Fruit card switch. Their labored breaths brought a sudden flicker of life back to Level 4 of Impel Down.
Across the corridor, Mizuchi and Magellan locked eyes, the air between them thick with gunpowder and tension.
"Magellan!"
"D!"
Their voices rang out in unison. Between them, the surviving guards tentatively stepped forward. Once they realized Mizuchi had no intention of attacking, they bolted madly toward the Level 3 passage, as if driven by sheer relief.
"You're not a prisoner of Impel Down. Step aside, and I'll let you pass!"
Magellan's cold glare fell on Mizuchi. He was eager to chase the fleeing prisoners, and avoiding conflict with Mizuchi was the best option.
"Who gets spared isn't up to you!"
A chilling frost emanated from Mizuchi's feet, instantly freezing the corridor beneath him.
Blackbeard, the guards, and even the Blackbeard Pirates watching from afar were all encased in ice in an instant.
"D!"
Magellan roared and launched an attack. Venomous liquid coalesced above him into a colossal purple-red giant, swinging violently toward Mizuchi.
This was their second confrontation. Mizuchi had defeated him soundly the first time—and in that moment, it seemed the outcome was already decided.
From that day on, Level 4 of Impel Down could no longer be called the Burning Hell Floor. The freezing ice enveloped the entire level, leaving Magellan, the prison's highest-ranking enforcer and decision-maker, encased like a statue inside a massive sphere of ice.
Sliding along the icy path, Mizuchi appeared at the rear of the main force on Level 2. Not far ahead, after reuniting with Buggy and Luffy, the group charged toward the final Level 1 passage.
"Move aside! Gum-Gum! Gum-Gum Rocket!"
Luffy knocked back a wave of Marines with his fists and led everyone through the Level 1 passage toward the massive outer gate.
At the main gate of Impel Down, the prisoners' eyes glistened with tears as they collectively pushed the massive doors open.
Rays of sunlight streamed in through the open gates, illuminating their faces. The light was something unknown inside Impel Down—it felt like a beacon of hope, stirring in every heart.
Beyond the gate lay the open sea… freedom itself.
Yet when the prisoners looked out, they saw only the vast emptiness of the ocean. Not a single Marine ship remained in the surrounding waters.
"This is… freedom in despair?"
Breathing in the fresh sea air, they should have felt renewed joy. But instead, their hearts sank. Without ships, they could not escape Impel Down. Their daring breakout had failed.
The only thing waiting for them now was recapture by the Marines.
"There's no hope left!"
The prisoners slammed their fists against their chests in despair.
"It's just the sea! Step out, and you'll see. Didn't you notice the sails hidden in the mist? The Marines haven't gone far!"
Mizuchi's calm voice reached the prisoners from behind, sparking a flicker of excitement.
But when they rose and saw the endless ocean before them, their spirits sank again.
"We can't do it! Sea Kings everywhere! There's no way we can catch up with the Marines!"
Despair spread among the prisoners. Many began retreating quietly.
"Don't worry! I'll handle this—leave it to me!"
"Leave it to us!"
Jinbe and Mizuchi spoke simultaneously. Their words reignited hope in the prisoners' hearts.
Jinbe immediately dismantled a section of the gate and carried it to the water's edge. Seeing this, Mizuchi quietly withdrew the freezing aura he had just released.
"We can't carry many at once, but we'll use this to seize a ship. Anyone ready, step forward."
Without hesitation, Jinbe plunged into the sea with the gate panel.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Following Jinbe, Mizuchi, Crocodile, and Mr. 1 jumped onto the gate panel atop the water.
Seizing a Marine ship was dangerous for all involved. Though many waited on shore, only a few were bold enough to act instantly: Mizuchi and his group.
"Mizuchi! I'm going too!"
Seeing Mizuchi leap, Luffy followed.
Buggy, taking a Den Den Mushi from a fellow prisoner, followed suit.
Just before departure, Gal Dino and Bon Clay emerged from the crowd and joined the others on the panel.
"This is it. Everyone, hold tight! Let's go!"
Confirming that no one else was joining, Jinbe roared, accelerating the gate panel toward the Marine ship ahead.
(End of Chapter)