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"By the way, Sakazuki—now that you're back at headquarters for a break, I'd like to recommend a recruit to you."
Sengoku suddenly remembered that Kanos Atlas was nearing the end of his graduation trial. This was the perfect chance to place him on Akainu's ship.
"Kanos Atlas?"
"You know him?" Sengoku asked in surprise. Akainu had only just returned—how could he already know the kid? Was Atlas making that much noise in the Marines?
"Yeah. Jonathan mentioned him," Akainu replied bluntly.
He had already asked Vice Admiral Jonathan to check where Atlas wanted to be stationed after graduation. Through those talks, Akainu had learned more about the rising Marine—and truth be told, Atlas's no-nonsense methods matched his philosophy.
When it came to pirates, mercy was not an option.
"Perfect. I was hoping you could take him aboard after graduation."
"No problem."
"Since you'll be at HQ for a while, just bring him along when you head back to the New World."
The setting sun bled red across the horizon as a Marine warship cut steadily through the open sea.
The low sunlight stretched its shadow far behind, darkening the waters below.
"Achoo!"
Atlas sneezed mid-conversation with Rear Admiral Tokikake, looking around in mild confusion.
Someone talking about me behind my back?
Tokikake had a talent for small talk. In just a few short exchanges, they were already calling each other "brother" and were one blood oath away from becoming sworn allies.
"Oi, oi, Atlas, my man, you sure you're in top form?" Tokikake teased with a grin that was anything but wholesome. "I was thinking we could check out a pleasure ship together."
Atlas rolled his eyes. Not only does he look sleazy—he acts the part too.
"Aren't you still chasing Rear Admiral Gion? And you're still visiting brothels? With that attitude, you won't win her over in a hundred years."
"Eh? And how does that interfere with my deep, passionate love for Gion?" Tokikake replied without a hint of irony.
"Ugh… whatever. Do what you want, Tokikake-nii."
"By the way, Tokikake-nii, are we heading straight to Marineford?"
"Nah. First stop is Impel Down to drop off Crocodile. Then it's back to HQ."
Impel Down rose from the Calm Belt like a colossal tower plunging deep into the ocean floor. Massive Sea Kings patrolled the waters, drawn by their presence.
The prison walls were reinforced with sea prism stone powder, both to repel Sea Kings and suppress Devil Fruit powers.
Its Chief Warden held a rank equal to a Marine Admiral, as Impel Down stood alongside Marineford and Enies Lobby as one of the three central institutions of the World Government.
If Marineford inspired fear in pirates, Impel Down was a nightmare beyond death—a place where "freedom" died forever. Many pirates would rather perish at sea than be locked within its walls.
At this time, the warden was not yet Magellan—the fearsome poison user who would one day nearly end Blackbeard's ambitions. He was still the Deputy Warden, serving under the current chief.
Tokikake and Atlas led a shackled Crocodile off the ship toward the massive gates, heavily guarded on all sides.
"Don't underestimate Impel Down," Tokikake said with a proud grin. "Once a pirate gets in here, they don't get out."
"Heh… funny," Crocodile sneered. "I heard a certain big-name pirate escaped a few years ago. That legendary record's already broken."
"You think you're Gold Lion Shiki?" Tokikake shot back. "Even he had to cut off both legs to get out—and he was on Roger's level."
They reached the main entrance.
"WELCOME! TO MY IMPEL DOWN—THE GRAND PRISON!"
A rotund man wearing a pharaoh-style headdress and wielding a Marine trident bellowed theatrically before suddenly clutching his head.
"Ah! Oops! I almost revealed my ambitions again!"
The man beside him—a horned figure with dark wings—covered his face with a sigh.
"I'm Deputy Warden Magellan," he said. "And this is Chief Guard Hannyabal. Welcome to Impel Down."
"Pleasure," Tokikake nodded. "This is our rising star—Kanos Atlas."
"Right this way. We'll secure Crocodile in Eternal Hell. The warden is occupied, so we'll host you for now."
Atlas frowned slightly. Eternal Hell?
Magellan nodded. "Level 6 of Impel Down. Only the most dangerous and vile pirates are imprisoned there. Crocodile should feel honoured."
As they descended, Atlas studied the prison. Dimly lit corridors stretched endlessly, every corner monitored by Den Den Mushi. From each level came the constant wailing of inmates.
"Let me out! I'll give you all my treasure! I was framed, I swear!"
"Don't be fooled," Magellan warned, frowning. "Every one of them is a vicious criminal."
"Don't worry. I'm not the soft-hearted type," Atlas replied with a grin. "Few pirates survive crossing me."
A sudden scream echoed from a shadowed corner.
From the darkness emerged a tall man with a cigar clenched between his teeth, a broad jaw, and a bloodstained blade.
"Hmph… Shiryu! Killing prisoners again?" Magellan's voice sharpened.
This wasn't the first time Shiryu had slaughtered inmates, and Magellan loathed the man's cruelty.
"What? Just trash," Shiryu said flatly. "No need to make a fuss."
"You—!" Magellan clenched his fists but held back with Tokikake and Atlas present. Swallowing his anger, he said:
"This is Shiryu of the Rain, Deputy Chief Guard."
He turned to Shiryu. "This is Rear Admiral Tokikake, and our promising newcomer, Kanos Atlas."
"Swordsman?"
Before Magellan could speak further, Shiryu's cold gaze fixed on the Sandai Kitetsu at Atlas's waist. His expression shifted slightly, brows twitching.
"Spar with me?"
"Hm?" Atlas narrowed his eyes, sensing the waves of bloodlust radiating from Shiryu. Life in Impel Down had warped the man's mind.
"Shiryu, ENOUGH!" Magellan bellowed.
"Tch—just a joke. No need to shout," Shiryu muttered, stepping back.
Before melting into the shadows, he cast one last sneer at Hannyabal. "Useless."
"Oi! I'm your superior, damn it!" Hannyabal shrieked, but Shiryu was already gone.
Magellan, flustered and red-faced, turned to the others. "Apologies… that was embarrassing."
"Hahaha! It's fine, it's fine," Tokikake said smoothly. "In a place like this, it's no wonder people develop… unique personalities."
"This is our specialised lift system," Magellan explained, gesturing toward a massive elevator. "It's how we reach the different levels. We're heading to Level 6: Eternal Hell."
Moments later, they descended to the prison's lowest floor.
Unlike the chaos above, Level 6 was eerily silent. The prisoners here didn't scream or beg—they sat in cold, still silence, eyes dull yet fixed sharply on the newcomers.
Their very presence would make most men tremble.
But not Atlas.
He was a man striving to become the strongest in the world, and even without awakened Conqueror's Haki, his willpower radiated dominance.
Magellan stood with the composure of a man destined to reach Admiral-level strength. Tokikake was a future Admiral candidate.
As for Hannyabal…
"I'm… I'm the Chief Warden of Impel Down!" he stammered, legs shaking. "Oops! My ambitions slipped out again!"
The others ignored him—they'd long grown immune to his antics.
Once Crocodile was secured, Tokikake and Atlas declined Magellan's dinner invitation and departed swiftly, setting sail back toward Marineford.
Marineford, Impel Down, and Enies Lobby formed a triangle of strategic defence.
…..
The distances between them were not great, so the Marine warship soon returned to Marine Headquarters.
Knock knock knock—
"Come in!"
As Tokikake and Atlas entered, they stopped in their tracks.
Behind the desk sat the familiar figure of Admiral Sengoku—frog-shaped glasses perched on his nose, his braided beard resting neatly on his chest—but today, another man was present.
In the guest chair sat a tall, imposing figure chewing on a cigar, a Marine cap casting a shadow over his eyes.
"Admiral Sengoku! Vice Admiral Akainu!" Both Tokikake and Atlas saluted sharply.
"Crocodile has been successfully imprisoned in Impel Down?" Sengoku paused his conversation with Akainu to ask, turning toward them.
"Reporting in, Admiral Sengoku! The prisoner, Crocodile, is securely locked away in Impel Down!"
"Excellent. But do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me, brat?"
After casting an approving glance at Tokikake, Sengoku turned and fixed Atlas with a stern glare.
The World Government had only just established the Shichibukai system, and the Marines had already arrested one, without sufficient evidence. It was a blatant slap in the Government's face, and Sengoku had borne the full fury of the Five Elders.
"Still… well done, Atlas!"
Just as quickly as he had turned cold, Sengoku's expression warmed with a grin. He gave Atlas a firm nod of approval, the sudden shift leaving Atlas momentarily stunned.
"You flatter me, sir. I was only doing my duty," Atlas replied humbly.
"That's right," Akainu said, his voice low and iron-hard. "Striking down pirates is the Marines' justice."
But then his tone darkened, and a wave of killing intent swept through the room.
"Your biggest mistake… was not killing Crocodile when you had the chance."
Atlas only smiled, not arguing. If he had killed Crocodile, Sengoku's 'trouble' would have been far worse.
"Enough. Atlas, your performance in this graduation assessment was outstanding. Marine Headquarters has decided to award you a medal of commendation. The ceremony will be held in the coming days—be prepared."
"Yes, sir!"
"Now, regarding your post-graduation assignment—where would you prefer to be stationed?"
"Reporting in, Admiral Sengoku! I'll go wherever you need me most."
"Very good," Sengoku nodded. "Once the medal ceremony is over, you'll join Akainu on his mission to the New World."
"You sure about that?" Akainu asked in a grim tone. "The New World is full of monsters. This won't be anything like the petty scraps you've fought in Paradise. If you slip up even once, you won't be coming back."
"Heh… the pirates in Paradise are too weak," Atlas said with a confident grin.
"I'm going to become the strongest man in the world. First, I'll let Whitebeard live a little longer… until I'm ready to tear him off that throne!"
He laughed boldly, without a hint of fear. Akainu's eyes narrowed, a flicker of approval glinting in them.
"Not bad… strong conviction and the right mindset. I've heard your skills aren't bad either. Let's see if you're truly worthy to serve on my ship."
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