The sixth level of the Impel Down was also known as the Eternal Hell.
Very few people on the sea even knew this place existed.
According to common knowledge among Marines, the Impel Down only had five levels.
But this extra sixth level was specially reserved to imprison the most dangerous sea pirates — those whose names should be erased from the seas altogether.
Unlike the upper levels of the prison, which were filled with beast-filled yards, blades, fires, and icy fields, the sixth level was eerily quiet.
The prisoners locked here were so dangerous that the prison's keepers didn't dare release them to suffer the tortures endured by inmates on the other floors.
Silence. Darkness.
That was the main theme of this sixth level.
But it was precisely this silence and darkness that sent chills down one's spine.
It felt as if in the next moment, some terrifying beast would burst out from the shadows and swallow anyone whole.
However, such an atmosphere had no effect on Crocodile.
His smile had already become impossible to suppress.
Because after his last words, the entire silent sixth level erupted into chaos.
"Get me out of here!"
"If you save me, I'll do anything!"
"Save me! I can recognize you as my boss!"
The prisoners locked here writhed and raged like madmen.
They had been imprisoned here too long — they were on the verge of insanity.
"So, what do you say?"
Crocodile sneered coldly. "My terms."
"Hehehehehe!"
Moria's eyes gleamed as he looked around. "You're right, Crocodile. There really are a lot of powerful shadows here!"
Not just shadows. If some reckless fools want to die, there could be even more zombies.
"Quiet down."
Crocodile leisurely pulled out a cigar and lit it, then barked coldly, "Listen up. I'm not here to save you for free."
The restless monsters on the sixth level immediately fell silent.
A few seconds later, a voice echoed from the darkness, "Aren't you Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords? Are you planning to betray the World Government now?"
Crocodile just snorted and didn't bother to answer.
Since leaving Alabasta, the title of Warlord no longer meant anything to him.
That identity wouldn't bring him anything he wanted.
"Warlords? What's that?"
"Crocodile? Who's that?"
Voices like these occasionally sounded from the prison.
Many here had been locked up so long they didn't even know what the Seven Warlords were, let alone who Crocodile was.
"You only need to know this: I will only save those willing to follow me."
Crocodile said with passionate conviction, "The world is too quiet now. It's time to shake things up! I only want those who are willing to turn this world upside down with me!"
Moria eagerly chimed in, "Hehehehe! Exactly! Those ready to make a ruckus with us—are you prepared to embrace freedom?"
"I-I-I—I want to follow you, Lord Crocodile!"
"What about Moria? An alliance of two Warlords, hahaha! Then let me join in too!"
"No matter who you are, if you save me, I'll follow you!"
Without hesitation, many prisoners immediately responded to their invitation.
Honestly, even in this sixth level, few could match the strength of two Warlords.
Following them wasn't shameful at all.
Of course, there were also some people who, regardless of whether they would obey or not, first replied with "Freedom"!
"Excellent."
Crocodile felt relaxed and pleased.
As long as half of those who responded were sincere, the gains this time could already be called huge.
"Moria, release them."
Crocodile was not worried about these guys causing trouble.
He was no longer the person from a year ago in Alabasta, who had been shaken by Ian's Haki to the point he couldn't maintain his elemental form.
After a year of hard rebuilding, he was not yet back at his peak, but he had mostly recovered.
Even when facing the top fighters under the Emperors, he might not lose out—let alone these lost dogs.
In this prison, only two people had the ability to threaten him.
While ordering Moria to release the prisoners, Crocodile looked toward the dark depths of the jail.
Though the area was pitch black, two terrifying presences guided Crocodile's gaze like bright lights in the night.
"Hehehe! Scatter, bats!"
Moria laughed loudly.
At some point, the shadows beneath his feet had transformed into countless bats that flew out and clung to the locks of the prison doors.
Then, the bats changed shape and slipped inside the locks.
With a click, almost simultaneously, every lock popped open.
"Oh!!"
The prisoners gasped in surprise as the bats flew onto their shackles.
Clink, clank.
With a series of clear sounds, all the prisoners' restraints were removed, and they were free again.
Crocodile couldn't help but glance back at Moria.
This guy's ability really was incredibly convenient.
"Hahaha! Finally free!"
"Lord Crocodile! Lord Moria! We all respect you!"
The prisoners laughed wildly, crazily, and madly as they walked out of the prison.
But after all, pirates are still pirates.
"Heh heh heh! I do want to thank you! But don't expect me to submit just like that!"
"That's right! Hahaha! Do you really expect pirates to keep promises?"
"Hahahaha! I'm going to be the Pirate King! How could I just give up like that?"
Many pirates laughed proudly.
Surrender was just a lie!
They had no intention of following these two guys.
In the pirate world, lies are as common as eating and drinking!
However.
"Is that so?"
Crocodile sneered coldly.
In the next moment, he transformed into yellow sand and instantly closed the distance.
"Just a Logia-type Devil Fruit user! Still dare to act arrogant in front of me!"
A pirate who had been laughing sneered, jumped up, and his arms turned pitch black, his fists raining down like a storm.
But.
Every black punch missed, hitting empty air. The yellow sand formed hollow spaces.
"Do you think I'm some rookie who hasn't seen Armament Haki before?"
Crocodile solidified his body and grabbed the pirate's neck with his right hand. "Betray my kindness, and your only end is death."
Do you even realize how impressive it is to survive a direct clash with Whitebeard and only lose one hand?
In just the blink of an eye, the pirate's body turned into a dried corpse.
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