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Southeast of Marineford, colossal gates loomed over the sea as if they were creations of the gods themselves. These were the Gates of Justice, which connected the World Government's three major strongholds.
An island situated within the Calm Belt lay behind those massive gates. However, the term "island" hardly sufficed; what rose above the waves was merely the spire of an enormous tower.
A distinctive emblem adorned the enormous steel gates: a yellow trident flanked by wings against a black background and crowned with a golden crown.
This was the place feared and dreaded by every criminal in the world: Impel Down.
Built deep beneath the ocean floor of the Calm Belt, the world's largest prison was surrounded by a protective fleet and guarded by countless jailers and formidable warriors.
Deep within Impel Down's fourth level, Blazing Hell, an inferno raged unabated.
[Devil Fruits Analyzed: Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Cow, LV1; and the Flaming Devil Fruit, Model: Koala, LV1; the Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Rhinoceros, LV1; and the Horse-Horse Fruit, Model: Zebra, LV1]
The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia's incessant notifications nearly made Roy burst out laughing.
At that moment, he and Vice Admiral Biros were standing outside an office.
Several massive, beast-like monsters stood before them, the very creatures from which Roy had analyzed the Devil Fruits.
Roy knew immediately that these were Impel Down's "Jailer Beasts."
They were Zoan Devil Fruit users whose awakenings had spiraled out of control, resulting in their monstrous forms.
Three figures stood before the Jailer Beasts.
"Vice Admiral Biros, Vice Admiral Roy, welcome to my Impel Down. Oh, wait, not 'my' Impel Down."
The leader was a bizarre, shirtless man dressed like a pharaoh and brandishing a trident. He abruptly clamped a hand over his mouth mid-sentence, looking utterly ridiculous.
"Oh, you didn't bring any new prisoners? Sadi's so lonely."
Sadi, as she called herself, was a woman with golden hair clad in pink leather pants. Her voice was strikingly unique.
"My apologies, gentlemen. Warden Magellan is currently handling a personal matter and will be with you shortly."
"In the meantime, please put these on."
The final figure was a woman in a military uniform with red glasses. She seemed to be the only "normal" person present. She pulled out two gas masks and offered them to Roy and Vice Admiral Biros.
Vice Admiral Biros seemed quite accustomed to this scene. As she handed Roy a gas mask and gestured for him to put it on, she briefly introduced the three individuals present.
Roy listened with only half an ear, already recognizing them: Impel Down's Deputy Warden Hannyabal, Jailer Sadi, and Deputy Chief Warden Domino.
However, it was clear that Roy's primary concern was not with them but with the person he and Vice Admiral Biros were waiting for.
Click!
The office door swung open.
Huff!
A satisfying sigh escaped as a massive figure strode out.
Wearing Impel Down's jet-black uniform and gloves, with horns sprouting from his head, and with the prison's distinctive batwing cloak billowing behind him, he resembled a legendary demon.
Dark, purple, toxic mist swirled in his wake, forcing those nearby to cover their mouths.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting," he rumbled.
"My stomach was feeling a bit uneasy just now," he murmured.
[Devil Fruit user detected: Magellan.]
[Devil Fruit confirmed as Paramecia-type Venom-Venom Fruit. Analyzing and storing in Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.]
[Devil Fruit ability: Can release devastating toxins from the entire body.]
[Effect by level:]
[LV3: Gains all Devil Fruit effects. Breath, bodily fluids, and all body-related aspects become highly poisonous. Can manipulate venom into various forms. Breathing causes food to become toxic, leading to chronic diarrhea. However, he becomes immune to nearly all toxins, except his own.]
LV4: The Devil Fruit has undergone deep development. It can create highly contagious and potent crimson venom. Use this venom to create "Poisonous Giant Soldiers." An Eternal Unlock costing 3,000,000,000 Beli is required.]
[LV5: Devil Fruit Awakening — Domain of Deathly Poison]: The surrounding environment is assimilated into a poisonous domain, imbuing all nearby objects with toxicity. It creates extremely small amounts of pitch-black "Deathly Poison," which bypasses conventional mechanisms like neurotoxins or cytotoxins and directly attacks the victim's vitality. There is no antidote. An Eternal unlock costs 11 billion Beli.]
[Analysis Progress: 0%]
The voice from the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia in his ear filled Roy with even greater satisfaction.
Yes, the figure before him was none other than Impel Down's Warden-class Officer and Chief Warden, Magellan.
He was a Poison Human who had consumed the Venom-Venom Fruit.
Roy knew that, in terms of lethality against living beings, this Devil Fruit was one of the top-tier Devil Fruits in the pirate world.
Within the unique terrain of Impel Down, this Devil Fruit was virtually invincible.
In the original story, Magellan almost single-handedly wiped out the future Yonko, the Blackbeard Pirates.
Outside Impel Down, the Devil Fruit's effectiveness and intimidating presence would naturally be diminished, but it would still be a top-tier Paramecia Devil Fruit.
"This must be 'Black Kirin' Vice Admiral Roy?"
Just as Roy was lost in thought, Magellan turned his gaze toward him.
"It's me," Roy replied, quickly gathering his thoughts and nodding.
Having confirmed his identity, Magellan cut straight to the point. "I've received word that I'll be personally guiding you this time. Please follow me. I'll give you a tour of Impel Down."
Vice Admiral Biros's handover process was, of course, not a complex affair.
As a Warden-class officer in the Marine Detention Unit, Roy would need frequent access to Impel Down. The purpose of this initial tour was to familiarize him with the prison's layout and introduce him to the other Warden-class Officers.
"Then I'll trouble you, Warden Magellan," Roy said, having no intention of antagonizing his counterpart.
Vice Admiral Biros glanced at Magellan, a hint of puzzlement in his eyes. "Where's Shiryu? Is he in solitary confinement again?"
"Mm-hmm," Magellan replied, rubbing his face as if he had a headache.
Shiryu of the Rain was Impel Down's Chief Warden.
A notorious sadist, he was frequently confined to solitary for torturing prisoners.
This time was no different. A few days prior, he had used the excuse of "investigating the recent, unusually rapid depletion of food supplies" to slaughter over thirty inmates, earning himself another stint in solitary.
As they spoke, the trio quickly boarded Impel Down's unique elevator.
"Which level do you plan to start your inspection from?" Magellan asked in a deep voice.
"Naturally, Level Six," Roy replied without hesitation. "Since it's an inspection, naturally we'll start with the most dangerous criminals!"
Hearing this, Magellan didn't refuse.
The elevator descended, and the surroundings grew increasingly silent.
Ding!
A crisp chime signaled their arrival, and the elevator doors slid open.
Before Roy was a deep, pitch-black prison.
"This is Impel Down's sixth level, 'Eternal Hell,'" Magellan explained in a deep voice as he walked. "It houses the world's most dangerous criminals."
But at that very moment...
"Oh? Someone's here. Hey, look! It's a Marine!"
"Hahahaha! Magellan, are you playing tour guide now? You're practically a lapdog!"
"A Marine Vice-Admiral? Such a young brat! The Marines have really gone downhill! Back when I sailed the seas, I had never heard of such ridiculousness!"
"Wait a minute, isn't that the old geezer Biros over there? Hey, old man, is that kid your son?"
Laughter erupted from the prisoners in the sixth-floor cell.
"..."
Magellan's expression instantly darkened at the taunts of the prisoners. Purple venom seeped from his body, ready to punish the loudest instigators.
"Magellan Warden," Roy said softly, raising a hand to stop him. "May I handle this personally?"
Magellan paused, surprised. After a moment, he nodded. "You may, but do not kill them."
He was a man of principle; only the Warden of Impel Down had the authority to pass judgment on its prisoners.
"Naturally," Roy replied with a nod.
Then, he took a single, deliberate step forward.
Thud!
In the pitch-black Eternal Hell, his footsteps echoed profound despondency.
...
Instantly, all the prisoners in their cells fell silent, their eyes turning to Roy.
"You're right," Roy murmured softly. "I am still young. But that is precisely what you should be grateful for."
"Because it means you weren't born in the same era as me."
As soon as these words left his lips, the entire sixth level fell into an eerie silence.
But only for a moment.
"Hahahaha! You're just a little brat talking nonsense!"
"Who do you think you are, Garp? Zephyr?"
"Do you know how high my bounty is? If you dare release me, one strike from this old man will put an end to your shameless boasting!"
"State your name, you arrogant whelp!"
Their roars grew even louder.
But just then...
Buzz!
Roy raised his hand and gently clenched his fist.
Bang!
Pitch-black Ryuo (Flowing Sakura) and golden ripples erupted from his body, instantly enveloping the surrounding area.
The next moment...
Ugh... Ah...
Pfft!
Agonizing screams pierced the air as blood spurted from the mouths of the prisoners who had hurled the vilest insults.
The shockwave instantly blasted their bodies backward, slamming them violently into the walls before they crashed to the ground, unconscious and utterly silent.
In an instant, Eternal Hell fell silent once more.
"What kind of technique was that? Is he a Devil Fruit User?"
"Such powerful Haki!"
"No, it's not just Haki. It looks like Ryuo (Flowing Sakura)."
"To have mastered such powerful Ryuo at his age? This guy..."
After a long pause, the prisoners' incredulous murmurs gradually rose again.
As previously mentioned, the prisoners of Impel Down's 6th Level were not ordinary. In their prime, they had all been notorious figures who dominated the Sea.
Naturally, they had keen eyes.
From Roy's earlier strike, they could sense his formidable Ryuo (Flowing Sakura) and the unique oppressive aura that only the truly powerful possess.
Moreover, although their Seastone handcuffs prevented movement, their physical prowess and vitality remained undiminished.
Yet, Roy's casual grip which was clearly not exerted at full strength, had instantly felled many of them.
"This guy..." A prisoner muttered, his voice finally devoid of disdain.
They were certain: this wasn't an arrogant young fool unaware of his limits.
This was a genuine powerhouse.
Meanwhile, Roy slowly walked to the center of the sixth level, his gaze sweeping across the chamber. His attention lingered on the few "single cells" scattered among the rows of cages.
These cells housed the most dangerous prisoners on this level, legendary figures who had once shaken the Sea to its core.
But...
"I am 'Black Kirin,' Roy Amos, Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters and future Commander of the Marine Detention Unit."
"Today, I've come specifically to introduce myself."
He calmly stated his identity, causing the prisoners' expressions to shift uniformly.
They naturally understood the significance of the name "Black Kirin." This absurdly young man was not only a Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters but also an "Admiral Candidate!"
"All of you imprisoned here are proof that you are the 'losers' of the previous era," he continued softly yet firmly, ignoring the prisoners' gazes, which ranged from fear to hostility.
"Since you're losers, shut your mouths."
As his words fell, Eternal Hell finally fell silent.
Even Magellan, standing behind Roy, was momentarily taken aback before a flicker of approval crossed his face.
That's more like it! What legends? What dangerous pirate? If they're locked up here, they're failures.
"This kid..."
Vice Admiral Biros turned to Roy in even greater surprise. "After the Martial Exercise, he's really grown."
The old Roy would never have spoken so arrogantly and domineeringly.
"Ah, youth..."
The veteran Vice Admiral sighed, a touch of nostalgia for his own younger days creeping into his voice.
However, as Vice Admiral Biros and Magellan each indulged in their respective reflections, they remained unaware of the notifications silently flashing in Roy's mind:
[Devil Fruit user detected: Douglas Bullet. Devil Fruit type: Paramecia—Clank-Clank Devil Fruit."]
[Devil Fruit user detected: Byrnndi World. Devil Fruit Type: Paramecia — More-More Devil Fruit.]
At that moment, Roy stood in the center of Eternal Hell, listening to the constant stream of notifications in his mind. He suppressed his inner embarrassment and felt a bittersweet mix of pain and pleasure.
(End of Chapter)