Chapter 34: The Changes in Moria and Shiryu!
Impel Down, Underground Level 4, Blazing Hell.
The environment here remained the same as the abyss-like depths of the earth: scorching hot, dry, and filled with a nauseating smell of blood.
Prisoners wearing Zebra-striped Prison Uniforms, under the harsh scolding and whipping of fierce-looking Jailers, endured the burning pain in their feet. They carried bundles of Firewood towards the boiling Blood Pool, then lined up to throw them into the Sea of Fire beneath the Large Pot.
At this moment, Gecko Moria, who had just become a low-ranking Jailer, was moving in and out of the Prison Cells, holding a two-meter-long Large Scissors.
Just like now, he had just walked out of one Prison Cell and opened the next Cell Door. Under the terrified gaze of the Prisoner inside, he grabbed the upper body of the person like catching a Chicken with his left hand, snipped off the Shadow beneath them with a 'snip', and then casually flung it onto the wall. Immediately after, he threw the struggling Shadow in his hand into the Shadow Box he carried with him, like garbage.
This Shadow Box was actually shaped and created from his own Shadow, his 'Shadow Doppelganger'. Because to preserve Shadows, besides a physical body, only a box that is also a Shadow can do it.
Compared to the former, the latter can store a nearly infinite number of Shadows. After all, Shadows don't have much substance; they can be kneaded and stuffed into the Shadow Box.
He had prepared four such Shadow Boxes, specifically for storing the Shadows of Prisoners from 'Blazing Hell', 'Starvation Hell', 'Beast Hell', and 'Crimson Hell'.
Warden Columbus stipulated that he could only move between these four levels.
This was because the Prisoners held in Underground Level 5, 'Freezing Hell', were all Great Pirates with Bounty over 100 million, and the Prisoners in Underground Level 6, 'Infinite Hell', were even more extraordinary. Every single one was a Monster-level Pirate who had been erased from History due to their extreme wickedness.
Moria didn't care. The Prisoners on these four levels were enough for him to snip for several years. It was quite good to have two fewer levels; at least on the surface, he appeared very obedient.
Moreover, he found that the Environment in Impel Down was very suitable for his life. This place, where the Sun was never seen, was very comfortable for Ogre Tribe people. The only downside was that he could no longer perform the 'Light Burial' ritual.
Just as Moria walked out of a Prison Cell with a cold face, preparing to head to the next one, two colleagues wearing Jailer Uniforms and holding Muskets were patrolling and chatting.
Although their voices were lowered, they were still quite noticeable in this Environment.
"Chief Guard Shiryu is actually being transferred out!"
"That's great! With that killing star gone, we low-level Jailers won't have to worry about dying by our own people's Blades someday."
"You can say that again. But the happiest ones should be the Prisoners, right? In these past years, those who died by Chief Guard Shiryu's hand number at least a hundred, no, several hundred, if not a thousand?"
Hearing this, Moria paid no attention, as he truly didn't know anyone named Shiryu. On the other hand, Vice-Warden Magellan left a deep impression on him; the way he emitted poison gas all over was quite terrifying.
Warden Columbus's Aura was even more unfathomable; definitely not someone he could deal with in his current state!
However, there was a problem: how could he get promoted in this place?
By earning merit? But where would the merit come from?
Thinking of this, Moria stopped in his tracks, completely stunned. He thought to himself, "This is bad. It looks like, as long as the World Government is willing, I'll never get promoted in my entire life. So, I might really have to stay here for twenty years?"
For some reason, his thoughts began to wander. He inexplicably linked it to the future. If he was still a Jailer ten years from now...
What would he be considered? The Strongest Jailer in Impel Down's History?
In the Warden's Office in the distance, Shiryu had completed his resignation procedures with the Warden and was walking out with a paper bag containing various Documents.
But upon coming out, he saw a Man in Black standing there, nearly five meters tall, dressed in a devil-like Style with long, curved horns on his head and demonic bat wings on his back.
"Yo, Vice-Warden Magellan, I didn't expect you to come see me off. Looks like you don't hate me that much after all," Shiryu teased.
"No, I hate you very much."
Magellan didn't give his soon-to-depart former colleague any face, saying with a cold expression, "I just came to personally watch you get out of Impel Down, to make sure I really won't see you again in the future."
"Oh my, how Heartless."
Shiryu didn't get angry; he grinned and took out an expensive Cigar from his Coat pocket, put it in his mouth, lit it with a lighter, and took a deep drag of smoke.
He glanced at the harsh Environment of 'Blazing Hell', exhaling thick smoke as he sighed, "Actually, I quite like this place. I wonder if 'Raiu' will still be well-fed once I get to the Marines."
With that, he brushed past Magellan and walked towards the Elevator leading to Sea Level.
The latter watched the former's figure walk further and further away, shaking his head and sighing.
"I don't know what kind of Wind blew through the Marines that they wanted this scoundrel. I hope someone over there can keep him in check, otherwise, there's bound to be a river of blood."
But conversely, for their Impel Down, it was indeed a great thing.
Shiryu arrived at Sea Level via the Elevator, carrying a Heart full of regret and nostalgia.
This place was as lively as ever. Newly captured Prisoners were lined up, waiting for their stripping and Baptism.
Yes, a full-body Baptism in 100-degree boiling water, absolutely stimulating.
Then they would change into brand new black and white striped Prison Uniforms and undergo a second disinfection using the high temperature in Underground Level 4's 'Blazing Hell'.
Finally, after being left half-dead, they would be thrown into different 'Hells' according to their Bounty.
The Jailers and other staff supervising the Prisoners were stunned when they saw Shiryu's figure, and not a single person dared to come up and greet him or anything.
At most, they watched him leave with gazes full of Fear or relief.
Shiryu didn't care about this.
In his eyes, these were all weaklings.
And weaklings weren't worthy of his concern at all.
They were only suitable for passing the Time and letting 'Raiu' drink blood.
After passing through the Iron bars, he saw the Great Gate leading to the outside World.
This was a Gate embedded in a high wall, made entirely of solid Steel.
The rest was simple.
He smoothly boarded the Warship that had come to pick him up and slowly sailed away from this Great Undersea Prison where he had stayed for many years.
Strangely, just moments ago, he had seemed nostalgic.
Now, Shiryu didn't even turn back to look.
His eyes were instead filled with anticipation for the future.
Regardless, coming out from inside was equivalent to being free!
If things weren't going well in the Marines, he could leave whenever he wanted, right?
Therefore, Shiryu was in a very pleasant mood right now.
So pleasant that his Gaze towards the surrounding Marine Soldiers turned slightly red, and he suddenly felt a bit itchy...
However, when the Warship sailed out of the first Gates of Justice, he sensed something was wrong.
Because the Ship did not follow the Triangle Current towards the next Gates of Justice.
"Aren't we going to Marineford to Report?"
Shiryu asked the Major commanding at the front, while a sense of vigilance arose in his Heart.
"That was the original plan, but because you have been transferred to serve as Vice Admiral Akainu's Adjutant, and Vice Admiral Akainu has just received a Mission, he notified us to take you directly to him. We will return to Marineford together after completing this Mission."
Because Shiryu had been appointed to the Military Rank of Headquarters Colonel, the Major naturally used respectful language in his reply.
"Vice Admiral Akainu?"
Shiryu's expression froze. Although he had been working in Impel Down, he wasn't completely ignorant of the outside World.
The World Economic Journal was delivered on Time every issue, and coupled with the harsh Environment inside, reading the Newspaper had become the primary leisure activity.
Therefore, he knew about the three newly promoted Admiral Candidates in the Marines.
"Sakazuki, the Logia System Mag-Mag Fruit Ability User who rose to power?!"
"Yes."
Current Data: Collection 233, Recommendation 341, Monthly Pass 1, Contracted Author New Book Ranking Light Novel Category #47, around 20 readers following, and very few comments.
(End of Chapter)