Chapter 283: On What Grounds? Akainu's Fury!
He's finally accepted me?
"From this day forward, I, and the sword in my hand, are yours," Shiryu said, gripping the offered hand as if afraid it would be withdrawn. He let Shane pull him to his feet.
"You've been in this place for twenty years. I doubt you'll want to be the 'Warden of the Curtain Call' or anything like that after you get out," Shane said conversationally as he turned and walked leisurely towards the stairs.
"Warden?" Shiryu hurried to keep up, shaking his head. "Leave that boring job to someone else. Like Magellan. If that guy ever decides to join you, you can give it to him, my lord."
"I knew it," Shane chuckled. "In that case, I'll assign you to the Combat Corps. The position of First Division Captain is now yours."
The First Division Captain was the face of the Combat Corps, a position of great importance that had to be filled by an officer of sufficient strength. Neither Law nor Bartolomeo were quite at that level yet, so the position had remained vacant. Now that Shiryu had joined, his strength was unquestionable. And his personality… he wouldn't fit in with the younger members of the main crew. All things considered, the position of First Division Captain was a perfect fit.
The Combat Corps? Isn't that the most important of the Four Corps, the one that leads the charge? And the First Division Captain? To be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility right from the start? Shiryu was momentarily stunned, and then a wide grin spread across his face. He exhaled a thick puff of smoke. "I will not fail you, my lord."
In a flash, they had passed through most of the corridor. The stairs were now in sight. Suddenly, Shane stopped and looked over at a cell to the side. He hadn't noticed it when he first entered, but now he saw how special it was. The cells on either side of it were empty, and its bars were several times thicker than the others, even infused with Sea-Prism Stone.
The prisoner inside was a tall man with long, disheveled hair, sitting cross-legged with his back to them. He was not only bound in chains but also attached to a massive iron block that took up half the cell. Imprisoning a Devil Fruit user was usually a simple matter of slapping on some Sea-Prism Stone cuffs. The fact that this man had so many additional restraints could only mean one thing… not only was he a Devil Fruit user, but he was also one of the world's top physical combatants, able to unleash terrifying power even while bound.
"Still ignoring everything, acting so nonchalant?" Shiryu sneered. "Still as arrogant as ever. My lord, Byrrndi World may have the highest bounty on this level, but this one… is undoubtedly the most dangerous. His name is…"
"Douglas Bullet," Shane said calmly, much to Shiryu's surprise. "No need for introductions. I know who he is." One of the most intimidating final bosses from the movies. Of course, he remembered.
"Let's go." After a single glance, Shane looked away and continued towards the stairs.
Shiryu followed, a little surprised. "My lord, you're not… considering recruiting him? With his strength, he would be a massive asset to the crew."
"We're not on the same path," Shane said flatly. "There's no need."
Was Bullet strong? Of course. Back when he was on the Roger Pirates, he was already a world-famous prodigy. Only Roger could consistently beat him; even Rayleigh and Gaban in their prime could only fight him to a draw. But after Roger's death, like Byrrndi World, he had set out on his own, unwilling to serve under anyone.
The man had seen everything that had just happened, yet he had deliberately put on an air of cold indifference, refusing to engage. So be it. At any rate, the most vicious and evil pirates on this level were already dead at his hands. As for the rest… there was no need to waste time sorting the good from the bad. Without Blackbeard to break them out, the best fate for them was to be left to rot in this sunless place until they grew old and died in regret.
Tap, tap, tap… The two of them left the sixth level. As their footsteps faded, the heavy steel door swung shut.
The disheveled, muscular figure's eyes snapped open.
"Has the outside world finally gotten interesting again?" Bullet turned his head, his eyes narrowed as he stared at the closed steel door. "Barely a teenager, and his bounty is already over five billion?" When did such a stunning genius appear?! When I was his age, I couldn't even beat Captain Roger!
"Interesting… BWAHAHAHA, this is interesting!" A grin spread across Bullet's face. He clenched his fists, and the veins on his muscular arms bulged. The chains binding him creaked, and the massive iron block and the very floor of the sixth level began to tremble.
Eighteen years! It's been eighteen years since the Marines launched a Buster Call and Garp and Sengoku teamed up to imprison me here!
Unlike the other old-timers who were slowly wasting away, he, Bullet, had never stopped training, not even in prison. His strength hadn't diminished in the slightest! But one thing had always troubled him… He had always strived to become stronger to defeat and surpass Roger. But Roger was dead. He had lost his goal, become lost, paranoid, and indifferent to the outside world.
But now, things were different… different! The terrifying power that kid, Shane, had just displayed had reignited the fighting spirit that had long been dormant within him!
"Shane…" Bullet murmured the name, his eyes burning with a fierce fighting spirit. This man was definitely worth fighting! But not now. He needed to get stronger. And he had to escape this prison on his own! If an old cripple like Golden Lion Shiki could do it, why couldn't he?!
"When that time comes, we'll see who is truly the strongest in the world!" Bullet squeezed his fist and let out a wild laugh that echoed through the empty sixth level. Hey! Roger, do you see this? Today, I have finally found a new path, a new goal! Starting with this Shane kid… I will kill all the Yonko, all the Admirals, and the Fleet Admiral! I will become the one who surpasses you in every way, the true, strongest Pirate King in history!!!
Meanwhile, Level 4, Blazing Hell.
In the Vice-Warden's office, Chief Jailer Sadi and Deputy Chief Guard Domino were huddled together in a corner, trembling. A young man in a black coat was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, casually flipping through an internal prison newspaper. He was handsome, with a gentle, approachable air, like a friendly older brother. But the thought of who he was and what he had just done to Impel Down made the two women so scared they were on the verge of tears, hardly daring to breathe.
"Nothing interesting," Shane said, tossing the newspaper aside. He turned to the bedroom door. "Are you done, Shiryu?"
"All set, my lord," the door opened, and Shiryu strode out, a cigar in his mouth. He had changed out of his Vice-Warden's uniform and was now carrying a large black bag over his shoulder. It contained all of his worldly possessions.
"That was fast," Shane said, looking at the size of the bag. "But isn't that a bit much to bring?" Shiryu was over three meters tall, even taller than the Admirals, and the bag was a head taller than him.
"Just my personal collection from over the years," Shiryu grinned, patting the bulging bag. "When pirates are brought in, they have no use for their weapons. I've kept all the decent ones."
"Over a hundred different kinds of weapons, including several of the Great Grade blades. When we get to your territory, my lord, I can give them out to the crew as a welcoming gift."
Tsk, a middle-aged man who's lost his job is already thinking about how to fit in. Shane smiled, not minding. "Alright then, let's go. This cage can no longer hold you."
"Yes, my lord." Shiryu followed Shane to the door. He took one last look at the place he had spent half his life, a complex emotion in his eyes that was quickly replaced by resolve.
As the two of them disappeared down the corridor, Domino and Sadi looked at each other and burst into tears, clinging to each other. The disaster is finally over! By the way… we contacted Marine Headquarters the moment the prison was invaded! Why haven't reinforcements arrived yet?!
Level 1, the Crimson Hell.
This was the highest of the underwater levels. Above this was the exit. The two of them stood in the center. The midday sun was high in the sky, and a brilliant pillar of light shone down through the hole Shane had created.
Shiryu squinted, shielding his eyes. He looked up at the hole, which was dozens of meters in diameter, and couldn't help but marvel, "What a crude way to enter." In the entire world, there were probably only two or three people who would dare to attack Impel Down so openly, all by themselves.
Up ahead, Shane flashed out of the hole. Shiryu quickly followed. Using Moonwalk, he landed on the roof of the central tower. The sea breeze washed over him, and he spread his arms, taking a deep breath of the long-forgotten air of freedom.
Hmm? Shiryu's eyes narrowed as he noticed something in the distance. The massive Gates of Justice outside the prison's circular wall were open, and in front of them were seven large Marine warships. That wasn't surprising. The three great institutions of the World Government—Marine Headquarters, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down—were connected by a triangular ocean current, allowing for rapid reinforcement. The strange thing was that despite having sent such a large fleet, they weren't moving. They were just sitting there, not a single ship daring to approach.
"Did they recognize you, my lord?" Shiryu sneered, a cigar in his mouth. "Looks like they're just going to wait for us to leave and then clean up the mess." This is the power, the intimidation of a Yonko!
"How boring. Let's go," Shane said, standing at the edge of the tower, his black coat flapping in the wind. He retracted his Observation Haki from the fleet and shook his head. "I don't sense any of the usual suspects. They didn't even send an Admiral. Looks like someone has decided to cut their losses." He had no interest in bothering with low-ranking Marines. His work was done. There was no need to waste any more time here.
On the central warship of the Marine fleet.
"Vice Admiral! They're leaving! Are we just going to stand here and watch them go?!" a young Commodore asked, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"Don't be a fool, kid," Vice Admiral Momonga said, taking a drag from his cigar. "My orders were just to help with the aftermath, not to stop him. In fact, I'm not qualified to stop that man. You'd need an Admiral for that."
"Then why didn't the Admirals come?!" the young Commodore asked, even more confused. "If I remember correctly, Mr. Akainu is at Headquarters, isn't he? Why didn't he come?"
"Who knows," Momonga said, looking up at the two figures disappearing into the distance. "Knowing Sakazuki's personality, he would have definitely wanted to come. The fact that he isn't here probably means someone higher up stopped him…"
"Someone higher up?"
"That's right. Not Marineford. Even higher." Momonga exhaled a puff of smoke. "And we can't begin to guess what those people are thinking…"
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
In the Chamber of Authority, the Five Elders were gathered.
"I don't understand!" Akainu said, his face dark, his fists clenched. "Please explain! Impel Down is a vital institution of the World Government! Why are we just sitting by while it's being invaded by a pirate?!" He had been on his way to the docks, ready to set out, when Sengoku had personally called him back. And the ones who had made that decision were the five men sitting before him.
The Five Elders looked up, their gazes cold.
"Watch your tone, Sakazuki. A mere Admiral is not in a position to question us," the blond Elder said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "What would have happened if we had sent you? With that man's current strength, do you really think you could have stopped him if he wanted to leave?"
"The situation in Impel Down is under our control. It seems the intruder came and left quickly, without doing anything too out of line," the white-bearded Elder said calmly, taking a sip of his tea. "This small loss is completely acceptable. We'll just add it to his tab and settle it all at once later. If we had let you fight him in Impel Down, the damage would have been far greater. The entire prison might have been destroyed. You should understand that."
I should… understand? I don't understand! What kind of damn logic is that?!
Akainu was so angry he laughed. If any other pirate had broken into Impel Down, killed a bunch of prisoners, and made off with the Vice-Warden, these five old men would have been roaring for blood, launching a full-scale manhunt! But because it was "Shane"… they were suddenly calm, calling it an "acceptable small loss"? Picking on the weak and fearing the strong? That was the one thing he, Sakazuki, despised most in this world!
Akainu's fists cracked, and the veins on his forehead bulged. He took a deep breath, forcing down his anger. "If the highest authority of the World Government is so fond of being a coward, of compromising with pirates, then where is justice?! Where is reason?! What is the point of the Marines fighting and dying on the front lines?!"
His words were too harsh. The air in the chamber grew heavy.
"If you say something like that again, you can take a trip to Impel Down yourself," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn sneered. "You've crossed a line, Sakazuki. You think we don't want to eliminate Shane?"
"But the time is not right," the kimono-clad Elder said with his eyes closed. "At least, not right now. That matter was officially approved yesterday. Sakazuki, since Sengoku recommended you as the one in charge, you shouldn't be wasting your energy on other things. You should be focusing on how to clear the field and provide security."
"The Amusement Park Project was approved?" Akainu was stunned for a moment, and then he sneered. "You all are really asking for trouble, aren't you, Five Elders? Your young compatriots in the Holy Land… they couldn't hold it in any longer, could they?"
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