Due to the intricate structure of the Underwater Great Prison, which resembled a vast maze, they had no choice but to retrace their steps along the path they had taken earlier, starting from the lowest level, the sixth floor, and making their arduous way upward.
From the sixth floor, they ascended through the fifth, fourth, and all the way to the first floor.
The passages on each level were so dark that one couldn't see their own hand in front of their face, so narrow that it seemed only one person could pass through at a time.
The walls were covered in mottled rust and deep cracks, telling the tale of the prison's age and hardships.
The air was thick with the smell of decay and oppression—a mixture of blood, mold, and despair that made one nauseous, every breath carrying the scent of death.
Ron walked at the front, his eyes vigilantly scanning every corner of their surroundings, not missing the slightest movement.
Nami and Robin followed closely behind him, their faces etched with tension and unease, their eyes revealing fear and anxiety.
Their footsteps were hurried but as quiet as possible, afraid of alerting any hidden dangers.
Nami's hands trembled slightly as she tightly gripped the hem of her clothes, while Robin occasionally glanced back, wary of any movement from behind.
Bullett and Crocodile walked on either side of the group, their bodies slightly leaning forward, maintaining a posture ready for battle at any moment.
Though their expressions seemed relaxed, even carrying a hint of a scornful smile at the corners of their mouths, their eyes remained constantly vigilant.
Zoro and Sanji walked at the rear of the group, both silent and terrifyingly quiet.
Their faces showed no expression, as if covered by a layer of frost, but their clenched fists and slightly trembling arms betrayed the turmoil within.
Zoro's brow was tightly furrowed, his gaze fixed intently ahead, revealing a mix of determination and anger as he suppressed intense emotions.
His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the sword at his waist, the familiar touch bringing him a sliver of comfort.
In his mind, he replayed the scenes from the prison cell—
The wounds, the chains, the helplessness, striking his heart like heavy blows again and again.
It felt as if a fire was burning inside him, his desire to grow stronger magnified infinitely in that moment.
"Only by becoming stronger can I control my own destiny..." Zoro silently repeated to himself, his eyes as firm as steel, carving these words deep into his soul.
If it weren't for Ron's appearance, he and Sanji would likely have already perished in the prison.
This sense of powerlessness filled him with immense rage, fueling his thirst for strength and his desire to one day stand at the pinnacle of the world, becoming the world's greatest swordsman and looking down upon all rivals.
Sanji remained equally silent, but his gaze was far more complex than Zoro's, brimming with pain and self-reproach.
Images of Nami and Robin kept flashing through his mind—how they had risked their lives to venture deep into this perilous prison to save him, the sacrifices they had made.
His heart swelled with guilt and remorse.
He gritted his teeth so hard that deep tooth marks appeared on his lips, muttering under his breath.
"I'm such a worthless piece of trash... I can't even protect my comrades, so what's the point of finding all blue?" His voice was laden with despair and frustration, sharp as a blade piercing his own heart.
Just as these thoughts consumed him, a series of shrill, desperate screams suddenly erupted from behind—piercing and hopeless, like the wails of vengeful spirits in the night sky, echoing through the narrow corridor and sending chills down their spines.
Zoro and Sanji halted their steps briefly, their faces instantly turning as pale as paper.
Their already clenched fists tightened even further.
"Is this some kind of slaughter game...?" Sanji whispered hoarsely.
Ron didn't look back, his tone icy as he replied, "Don't worry about it. Keep moving. Now isn't the time to stop."
Zoro and Sanji exchanged a glance, a flicker of reluctance in their eyes, but ultimately they quickened their pace.
They knew they had no right to concern themselves with others' fates in their current state.
Only by growing stronger could they truly control their own destinies and protect those they cared about.
Along the way, screams intermittently echoed from behind, each one like a sharp blade viciously stabbing at Zoro and Sanji's hearts.
Their breathing grew ragged, chests heaving violently, and fine beads of sweat dotted their foreheads.
Yet they didn't stop or speak, merely sprinting forward with all their might, their footsteps accelerating as if racing against death itself.
Only one thought consumed them: Get stronger! No matter what, they had to become stronger!
Ron seemed to sense the shift in their emotions, but he said nothing more, merely tilting his head slightly to glance at them from the corner of his eye.
This prison break was more than just an escape—it was a baptism of the soul.
For Zoro and Sanji, it might be a crucial step on their path to becoming true powerhouses.
However, both the plot and the timeline had been altered by Ron's actions.
Whether they would rise to greatness or fade into obscurity remained unknown.
Yet, this wasn't something Ron needed to concern himself with.
"What is not my affair, I leave to fate."
...
At Marine Headquarters, the atmosphere in the Fleet Admiral's office was suffocating.
Outside the window, the sky was choked with dark clouds, and howling winds slammed against the panes with violent thuds.
Sengoku sat behind his massive desk, his face so grim it seemed on the verge of erupting like a volcano.
He clutched an emergency report tightly in his hand, his fingertips turning white and his knuckles purplish from the excessive force.
One of the Yonko, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, had the audacity to launch a surprise attack on Impel Down, the underwater prison!
This was a blatant challenge to the Marines' authority!
"Notify Kizaru immediately! Have him lead ten vice admirals and rush to Impel Down for reinforcements!" Sengoku slammed his desk with a thunderous crash that reverberated through the spacious office, causing the documents on his desk to tremble slightly.
"Additionally, equip every Vice Admiral with the latest Super Green Blood Potion! You must stop Big Mom at all costs—do not let her run rampant in Impel Down!"
The adjutant trembled slightly under Sengoku's fury, quickly accepting the order before hurrying away, afraid of any delay.
Yet Sengoku's brow remained tightly furrowed.
A flicker of worry passed through his eyes before he picked up the Den Den Mushi on his desk and dialed Garp's number.
As soon as the call connected, Garp's familiar voice boomed from the other end:
"Sengoku! You bastard! You captured my grandson without even telling me! What the hell are you trying to do?!"
Garp's roaring voice made the Den Den Mushi vibrate.
Before Sengoku could explain, a tremendous crash suddenly erupted from the Den Den Mushi, as if something massive had slammed into something else, followed by Garp's pained grunt, clearly having been struck hard by something.
"You old hag has no honor!"