Chapter 151: Leave It to Me
The second floor of Impel Down, Beast Hell – the restroom.
"Director, Director, it's bad—something major has happened!" After receiving the alarm from Level 6, Domino, the Chief Guard of Impel Down, immediately rushed to Magellan, who was still suffering in the restroom, and reported: "'Fire Fist' Portgas D. Ace has infiltrated Level 6 and released Crocodile and Jinbe. They're currently making their way upward."
"What!?" Magellan, still dealing with his chronic diarrhea, jumped up, hastily cleaned up, pulled up his pants, and ran out, face twisted with frustration. "How did Ace manage to sneak in!?"
"Surveillance shows he was disguised as prisoner Bon Clay, escorted in by the Deputy Warden," Domino replied.
"..." Magellan was speechless, then asked: "Bon Clay should be confined on Level 3. Why was he taken to Level 6?"
"It was Deputy Warden Hannyabal who brought them down," Domino explained.
"That idiot Hannyabal!" Magellan smacked his forehead. "Never mind. There's no use assigning blame now. What's important is that they must not escape Impel Down!"
"Where are they now?" Magellan asked while heading to the elevator.
"They're currently on Level 5. Their numbers have suddenly grown into the hundreds. Many of them are former escapees from the 'Ghost Dragging' incident a few years ago, including Revolutionary Army commanders Emporio Ivankov and Inazuma."
"I see... the number of executions will increase significantly," Magellan said grimly, stepping into the elevator.
"Director, I'll accompany you," Domino offered, stepping forward.
"No. Head to the main control room. Seal the main gate of Impel Down and have Sadi-chan lead the guards to secure the entrance. No one is allowed to escape. Leave the rest to me."
"Understood, Director!" Domino nodded and left.
Inside the elevator, Magellan pulled out a Den Den Mushi, hesitated for a second, then made a call.
"Director Magellan, this is the Level 6 special cell. What are your orders?"
"Put Shiliew on the line," Magellan said.
Shiliew of the Rain picked up the receiver and casually replied, "So I hear there's a riot. Seems even you can't handle things without me, huh, Magellan?"
"No time for games. I'm giving you two choices. One: assist me in suppressing the riot. Two: I deal with it myself and execute you afterward. Choose."
"Hahahaha, you're as intense as ever, Magellan," Shiliew chuckled. "Fine, I choose the first."
"Good."
Magellan instructed the guards to release Shiliew and ended the call.
---
Level 5 – Freezing Hell
Ace's prison alliance had rampaged their way up from Level 6 to Level 5, their momentum unstoppable. Quickly, they burst through to Level 4 – Blazing Hell.
There, standing at the entrance, awaited the Warden.
"You filthy criminals are making quite the mess," Magellan said as he stepped forward, radiating menace. "You dare turn Impel Down into chaos. This is unforgivable!"
His sharp eyes fell on Jinbe. "Jinbe, you were imprisoned because the World Government hoped you'd reflect on your actions. Are you now openly rebelling against the Government?"
"The moment they declared war on Father (Whitebeard), my ties with the Government were severed," Jinbe answered without hesitation.
Jinbe had ended up in Impel Down for trying to rescue Sabo when the Blackbeard Pirates handed him over to the Navy. The attempt failed, of course. At the time, the Marineford harbor was protected by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Tsuru, Admirals Akainu and Aokiji, five Warlords of the Sea, and dozens of Vice Admirals. Any sane person would've backed down. But Jinbe, with his unshakable loyalty, charged ahead.
They say Jack is reckless, but even he looked timid compared to the bravery of this blue-skinned warrior.
"Then I'll execute you here and now!"
"Hydra!"
Magellan activated his Devil Fruit ability. His body swelled with venom as three massive poison dragons burst from his back, roaring toward the rebels.
"Fire Fist!"
"Karate: Vagabond Drill!"
"Ground Death!"
Ace, Jinbe, and Crocodile attacked in unison, intercepting the poisonous beasts.
Crocodile, already in his sand form, was ready to charge at Magellan. But Ace held out an arm to stop him.
"You guys go on ahead."
"Ivankov-senpai, once you reach the upper floors, break open the main gate and the Gate of Justice."
"Jinbe, once the gate is open, you and Crocodile will seize a battleship. That's how we'll get to Marineford."
"As for Magellan..." Ace stared down the Warden. "Leave him to me."
"Ace-boy, Magellan and Shiliew are the reason Impel Down is called 'impregnable'. Are you sure you can handle him alone?" Ivankov asked, visibly concerned.
Crocodile, who normally dismissed others, turned back and gave Ace a glance—not of arrogance, but of recognition.
"Be careful, Brother Ace!" Jinbe called out, then followed Crocodile.
"No problem!" Ace ignited in flames, giving Ivankov a thumbs-up. "Don't underestimate me, Ivankov-senpai!"
Ivankov blinked, momentarily surprised by the boy's sheer confidence. Then a wide smile appeared on his face.
"All right! We'll leave it to you, Ace-boy!"
Ivankov, Jinbe, and Crocodile led the others up into Level 3.
Meanwhile, Magellan's eyes narrowed.
"Did you think I'd let you walk away that easily?"