The prisoners, who were once arrogant and domineering, now all stared wide-eyed, fixedly at the tall figure in the center of the passageway.
He has killed the Four Emperors!
Slaughtered the Heavenly Celestial Dragon!!
A bounty of five billion!!!
Any single one of these descriptions is shocking enough, yet this man embodies them all?!
As Shiryu sneeringly remarked, they've been imprisoned here for far too long, some since before the battle of Divine Valley, obsessing daily over the world's most beautiful woman, Shakky.
Unbeknownst to them, the outside world has undergone earth-shattering changes in just a year!
"So, if you live long enough, anything is possible."
An old pirate, with a head full of white hair and a haggard look, snapped back from his shock, chuckling softly:
"At my age, with one foot already in the grave, to witness the birth of a new legend of the sea twenty years after Roger's death?"
And so young!
After a brief silence.
Breaths throughout the 6th Floor grew suddenly heavy.
Such a figure would not undertake pointless actions; having broken into Impel Down, could it be...
"Hey! Lord Shano!"
A bald pirate suddenly lunged at the iron bars, yelling: "You must be here to recruit followers, right? Then take me with you!"
"Twelve years ago, I was a Great Pirate with a bounty of six billion. With just one sword, I slaughtered over thirty towns, even the Navy Hero Garp shuddered at my name!"
"Are you even worthy?"
From the adjacent cell, a blue-haired man sneered, "Lord Shano, choose me instead, I am Avaro Pizarro, known as the 'Evil King,' the one truly able to be your right-hand man, meow!"
"Meow? Disgusting!"
From across, a long-nosed woman with heavy makeup chastised sharply, then turned to Shano with a coquettish wink, laughing softly:
"Mulu hoho~ Lord Shano, why not choose me, Katarina? Not only do I have formidable strength, but I'm also a Nine-tailed Fox Fruit Ability User, capable of countless transformations, and given your youth, you must have great demands, right? Whatever type you desire, I can fulfill it!"
"Choose me, Lord Shano!"
"Master, please let me pledge my loyalty to you!"
The entire 6th Floor was in an uproar, prisoners vying to shout, frantically shaking the iron bars, with shackles clashing relentlessly, only hoping to catch Shano's attention.
Shano's brows finally furrowed, his gaze turned cold.
Shiryu, observing the situation all along, quickly stepped forward, shouting:
"Silence!"
The Famous Sword Thunderstorm was unsheathed half an inch, and the chilling murderous aura spread instantly, rendering the entire 6th Floor silent as the grave.
"A bunch of clueless garbage."
Shiryu coldly surveyed the surroundings, blowing a heavy cloud of smoke from the cigar clamped between his lips, derisively:
"You useless lot pledging loyalty to Lord Shano?"
He took a deep breath, turned, knelt on one knee, placing his blade horizontally before him, speaking with unprecedented respect:
"Lord Shano, for so many years, I've been waiting for someone worthy to follow. Unfortunately, whether inside this prison or outside, nobody has possessed such qualities."
"But now it's different!"
Shiryu raised his head, eyes gleaming with fervor:
"From the moment you dared to wield your blade against the Heavenly Celestial Dragon, I knew, you are the true sovereign of this age!"
"The world's direction, history's direction, is decided by people like you! Please allow me to join your ranks, granting me a chance to partake in such world-altering events! As long as you nod, my sword, my life, from now on will be yours!"
"Despicable!"
"Scoundrel!"
"Told us to shut up, but just wanted to join himself!"
Complaints of dissatisfaction rose from the surrounding prisoners, yet Shano did not respond, quietly observing the kneeling prison chief of Impel Down.
Rain of Shiryu... huh.
Such proactive enthusiasm, indeed unlike when Blackbeard recruited.
He didn't respond immediately, merely said ambiguously:
"I didn't come here today to recruit subordinates, only to settle scores with a woman named Bevony."
"Bevony?"
Though Shiryu didn't get the answer he wanted, upon hearing this, he immediately stood up with understanding: "She's in the far northwest corner of the North Ward, let me guide you, Master."
Shano nodded slightly, following Shiryu deeper into the passageway.
"Don't go, Master, don't go!"
The prisoners in cells on both sides still reluctantly shouted, but their voices gradually faded from earshot.
Through dark corridors, after several turns, Shiryu paused before a cell in the northernmost corner.
"It's here, Master." Shiryu respectfully stepped aside.
Shano looked up.
Inside, a blonde woman was curled in the corner, scratching something on the wall with resentment—
Even with Saint Charlos' crest, they dare treat me like this.
Magellan, Hannibal, Vulture!
Hmph, wait and see! Once someone gets me out, I'll make sure...
"Bevony."
A deep voice echoed.
Upon hearing her name, her eyes lit up, surprise showing as she raised her head.