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Auguro immediately understood. So, he had finally learned the news of Ace's execution!
Although Auguro hadn't captured Hancock's heart like Luffy did in the original story, the source of the information remained the same.
Hancock replied coldly, "Where else? Impel Down, of course! All major criminals are locked up there!"
"Impel Down, huh? I understand! Thank you very much!"
Luffy bowed deeply to Hancock and turned to leave.
Auguro rolled his eyes and called out, "Luffy, are you planning to just walk over there?"
Luffy turned back, stating with extreme conviction, "Ace is my sworn big brother! No matter where he is, I have to go save him!"
Hearing his words, a look of disdain appeared on Hancock's face.
"Don't make me laugh! With your level of strength, you probably can't even get past the front gate of Impel Down!"
"The warden there, Magellan, is a powerhouse comparable to a Marine Admiral!"
"A rookie who doesn't even know Haki, you'll be nothing but a statistic, helping them pad their arrests!"
However, Luffy remained absolutely resolute.
"Even so, I'm going!"
Luffy is Luffy, indeed!
He had his smart moments, but he was obstinate far more often. If he weren't the Protagonist, he would have likely died halfway through his journey.
Auguro sighed and pointed at Hancock.
"If you want to safely enter Impel Down, you might want to beg this woman in front of you!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Luffy was confused.
Auguro spread his hands.
"This is one of the Warlords of the Sea, the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock!"
"The Marines are summoning her to Marineford to ensure the execution goes smoothly. Her route will pass by Impel Down, and with her help, you'll have a chance to infiltrate the prison!"
"Really? Then I beg you!"
Luffy immediately knelt before Hancock.
Hancock slightly furrowed her beautiful brows and asked Auguro, "Lord Auguro, do you wish for me to go to Marineford?"
Honestly, Hancock was an incredibly self-centered person. She didn't want to entertain the Marine summons at all.
Auguro replied helplessly, "You are the Empress of Amazon Lily! You have to consider your subjects, right?"
"Until you possess the strength to openly defy the Marines, I wouldn't advise you to fall out with them!"
Hancock instantly nodded upon hearing this.
"Lord Auguro is correct!"
It was unclear if she truly took the advice to heart or simply agreed so readily because the words came from Auguro.
Hancock looked down her nose at Luffy with an arrogant expression.
"Since Lord Auguro is pleading for you, I suppose I will reluctantly help you!"
"Thank you so much!"
Luffy was overjoyed and immediately bowed his head to the floor.
"Sister! You are being too reckless!"
Sandersonia shrieked.
"Hiding on the ship is one thing, but getting into Impel Down is impossible! Such a large person simply can't be hidden!"
As expected, Luffy immediately suggested hiding inside Hancock's long skirt! After all, Hancock was taller than Luffy. Also, as a rubber man, Luffy could compress and fold his body further, taking up even less space.
However, unlike the original timeline, Hancock immediately refused without hesitation.
"Absolutely not! This one's skirt cannot hide another man!"
Hancock had agreed in the original timeline because she had fallen for Luffy. She wouldn't have minded even if Luffy hugged her. But now, her heart was taken by someone else, and she certainly couldn't tolerate Luffy getting so close to her!
Seeing the fiery gaze in Hancock's eyes, and no longer being an ignorant young man, Auguro was fully aware of her feelings.
Given the situation, he certainly couldn't let Luffy get too close to his 'future woman.'
He thought for a moment and suggested, "Luffy is a rubber man, isn't he? Find a slightly larger bag and stuff him in!"
"If Marigold carries it, he can enter Impel Down!"
Among the three sisters, Marigold had the most robust physique, and carrying a large bag wouldn't look out of place.
"In an emergency, Hancock can also use the Mero Mero no Mi to cause chaos and buy Luffy some time!"
Hancock agreed, "In that case, it is feasible!"
The group discussed the specific details. Auguro even helpfully disclosed some intelligence about Impel Down to Luffy.
"There's a person named Emporio Ivankov, the Queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom, on the fifth level of Impel Down. If you run into him, you can ask for his help!"
"He is very familiar with your father; as long as you tell him who your father is, he won't refuse you!"
"Really? I'll remember that!"
Although he didn't know who this Ivankov was, Luffy firmly etched the name into his memory.
The Straw Hat Pirates soon learned about Ace's situation. Zoro and the others also wanted to go to Impel Down to save him, but getting Luffy in was the limit of what Hancock and her crew could manage. Zoro and the rest, no matter how unwilling, could only stay in Water Seven and await news.
For the next few days, Auguro didn't pay any special attention to Luffy and instead contacted Aizen Sousuke.
As a promising newcomer personally recommended by Garp, Aizen Sousuke had also been summoned to Marineford to seize this opportunity to accumulate military merit.
Aizen Sousuke took advantage of the time before the war began to thoroughly network with the Marines' middle and new generations. Figures like Smoker and Hina now had a very favorable impression of him.
Furthermore, using Garp's influence, he even managed to become familiar with Admiral Aokiji.
"If I perform outstandingly in this Summit War, getting promoted to Captain shouldn't be a problem!" Aizen Sousuke said confidently.
Auguro chuckled heartily, "You are being too conservative! In my estimation, it will be at least a Rear Admiral!"
Aizen Sousuke was startled. A Flag Officer was the backbone of the Marines; how could the rank be granted so easily?
But seeing his Spirit King's absolute certainty, Aizen Sousuke wisely decided not to voice any dissent.
Auguro noticed Aizen Sousuke's skepticism but smiled without explaining. In the original timeline, due to the Summit War, the Marine high command underwent significant changes, losing key combatants and being forced to hold a worldwide draft.
Unqualified individuals like Fujitora and Ryokugyu were promoted directly to Admiral. Wasn't it only logical that Aizen Sousuke, a deserving officer, would be granted the rank of Rear Admiral? If they were stingy even with that, the long-serving Vice Admirals would certainly not agree.
It was just that Aizen Sousuke's seniority was still too low. Otherwise, Auguro would truly have wanted him to push harder and directly claim one of the Admiral spots!
"One more thing! Be careful around Fleet Admiral Sengoku! His Devil Fruit has the spiritual augmentation of the Buddha, which will likely counter your Kyōka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower Water Moon) ability."
"Don't attempt to hypnotize him easily until you are fully prepared!" Auguro warned Aizen Sousuke very seriously.