After days at sea, the Marine fleet passed through the Gate of Justice. Ahead, looming ever larger, rose the massive form of Impel Down.
"Vice Admiral Aizen, two hours to arrival," Uta reported stiffly on deck. Her scowl betrayed fresh irritation.
Aizen chuckled. "You went to see Buggy again, didn't you?"
"Yeah! That bastard kept pretending he didn't know Shanks, then ran his mouth with nothing but insults. I beat him down—he's still laid out."
For days, Buggy had endured Uta's interrogations. At first he denied any connection to Shanks. After a beating, he broke, but still twisted the truth—claiming they'd only been kids from the same village. He wasn't fool enough to admit they'd been Roger's apprentices together; that secret could damn him.
And so he embellished, half-truths shaded with his bitterness toward Shanks. Each time he slandered the red-haired Yonko, Uta thrashed him again.
"Cowardly, pathetic. I can't believe he was ever Shanks' comrade," she spat.
But Aizen's gaze lingered on the prison looming in the distance. His voice was thoughtful. "Don't underestimate him. He's special—one of the few I truly expect great things from."
Uta blinked, startled. Senpai never speaks idly…
In truth, Aizen saw what others could not. Impel Down was a death pit for most pirates—but for Buggy, it would be the beginning. From Marine capture, to the chaos of Luffy's breakout, to Warlord, to Emperor… Buggy's meteoric rise would be absurd, yet undeniable.
"Is luck also a kind of strength?" Aizen wondered silently.
He had weighed his choices—recruit Buggy? Kill him? In the end, he chose to let him run free. Wild cards made the game more entertaining.
…
Soon the ships docked. Aizen himself escorted Crocodile ashore, Baroque Works cadres chained behind him.
Waiting were Chief Warden Magellan, Deputy Warden Hannyabal, and a host of guards. Domino, assistant jailer, checked Aizen's clearance before stepping aside.
"Long time, Aizen," Magellan called warmly—from a safe distance, lest his venomous aura poison those around him.
"Indeed, Warden." Aizen inclined his head, then glanced at Crocodile. "Let's get him inside quickly."
"Of course." Magellan gestured to the massive gates. "This way."
…
While prisoners were processed, Smoker turned away in disgust, heading back to his ship. Tina hesitated, then followed him.
"You won't join them inside?" Uta asked.
"I've no wish to set foot in that cursed hole. We'll wait here. Senpai won't take long."
…
The transfer went smoothly. Each criminal was dispatched to the floor matching their bounty level. Only Crocodile required special handling—down to Level Six, the Infinite Hell.
As they entered the elevator, a low grrrgle broke the silence. Magellan's face contorted.
"Not now…"
Hannyabal smirked. "Pathetic Warden. Always failing at the critical moment. Perhaps I should take your place."
"Shut your mouth!" Magellan barked, then turned to Aizen. "I'm sorry, Vice Admiral. You'll have to escort him the rest of the way. I… must excuse myself."
He bolted from the lift as the doors closed.
Aizen's lips curved faintly. His words slid like silk: "Then let us continue."
Hannyabal and the guards stiffened, their faces blank with obedience.
"Yes, Lord Aizen!"