"Damn ninja brat, I'll kill you!" Jesus Burgess charged from a distance, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at Meiser.
"Stop, Burgess!" Blackbeard shouted.
"Captain?"
The halted Burgess froze momentarily before turning to Blackbeard in confusion. "Why are you stopping me?"
"Now's not the time to fight them," Blackbeard explained.
Burgess fell silent for a moment before nodding and abandoning his attack.
Fine. He'd just have to settle the score with this ninja punk another time.
Blackbeard nodded approvingly before addressing Meiser. "Listen, ninja kid. If you want to save Ace, you'd better hurry. Otherwise, you'll miss that execution."
Meiser frowned. Was this guy really backing down now?
"He's right," Jimbei said, stepping forward to stand beside Meiser and Luffy. "We can't afford to waste time here."
"Our priority is rescuing Ace!"
If they lingered any longer, Magellan might catch up to them—and that would spell serious trouble. After all... that man's poison was downright vile.
Just then, an explosion erupted from the rear sector, followed by a chorus of agonized screams.
"Ahhh!!"
"It's Magellan!"
"Damn you, Magellan! Why won't you let me go?!"
"Kill me!"
"Just kill me!"
"I don't want to die—"
"AHHH!!"
The bloodcurdling shrieks sent chills down everyone's spines.
"Magellan's here!" Jimbei's expression darkened. "Quick, we need to leave now!"
"But wasn't he on Level Two?" Meiser muttered, brow furrowed. "How'd he get here so fast?"
Suddenly, it clicked. There was one special feature in Impel Down he'd forgotten about—the elevator system.
"Of course... He took the elevator."
As he spoke, Meiser glanced toward the distant corridor, where tendrils of purple poison gas were already visible. Clearly, Magellan was dealing with escaping prisoners.
"Thank goodness, it's the Warden!"
"The Warden's here!"
The fallen guards' eyes lit up with hope. Their formidable warden would surely eliminate these intruders!
Hearing their cries, Ivankov peered toward the commotion before turning to Luffy. "Straw Hat Boy, if Magellan poisons you again, you're done for."
"So get moving!"
Though the boy had developed some antibodies, there was no telling whether Magellan might deploy an even deadlier toxin next time. If that happened, not even Healing Hormones could save him!
"You still have time to look at others?!" Sadie lashed out with her whip while shouting, "Stay right where you are!"
Crack!
Boom!!
The whip, imbued with Armament Haki, struck the ground, carving out a massive crater.
Whoosh~
Clack~
Ivankov leaped to evade the attack, landing steadily before glaring at Sadie in annoyance. "What a troublesome woman."
It seemed she'd have to deal with this one before leaving.
"Ivankov is right. Let's get out of here first," Jimbei urged again.
Luffy remained silent, his gaze fixed on Blackbeard.
"What's wrong, Straw Hat Boy? Still want to fight me?" Blackbeard taunted. "If you waste any more time, your brother will be killed."
"I will save Ace!"
With that, Luffy ignored Blackbeard and sprinted wordlessly toward the gate.
"Zehahahaha!"
"I won't say it's a waste of effort," Blackbeard laughed. "Because nothing in this world is absolutely impossible!"
After his laughter subsided, Blackbeard glanced at Luffy, who had moved past him. "Sky Island really exists, doesn't it, Straw Hat Boy?"
At those words, Luffy halted, memories flashing of their first encounter—when Blackbeard had declared:
(A man's dreams never end!)
"Straw Hat Boy!" Blackbeard locked eyes with Luffy, grinning wildly. "One Piece must exist too!"
"Zehahahaha!"
"Just wait and see! In just a few hours, we'll put on a show that'll shock the entire world!"
"Zehahahaha!"
Luffy frowned as Blackbeard strode away, still laughing.
"Don't mind him, Luffy," Jimbei said. "We need to hurry."
"Yeah."
Luffy nodded, then called up to Meiser, who stood atop a high ledge. "Meiser, let's go."
"You go ahead," Meiser replied, his eyes fixed on the distant bridge. "I'll wait until Ivankov's fight is over."
If Magellan arrived before Ivankov finished, Meiser would intercept him—ensuring Ivankov could escape alive.
"Oh, got it."
Trusting Meiser's strength, Luffy turned without hesitation and followed Jimbei's group. Before leaving, Bon Clay touched Hannyabal's face, then trailed after the others.
"What a sweet Candy Boy~"
Ivankov chuckled, spotting Meiser watching from the rubble. Then, she turned back to Sadie. "Alright, let's wrap this up."
"Hmm~"
"Don't underestimate me, you—"
"Okama Kenpo·Romantic Dance!"
With a battle cry, Ivankov lunged at Sadie.
Meiser glanced briefly at the fierce duel before shifting his gaze to Blackbeard's retreating figure.
Should I strike him?
A Lightning Release attack might stall them here for a while.
Then someone would help them hold off Magellan!
With that thought, Meiser didn't hesitate to launch his attack.
"Lightning Release: Earth Run!!"
"Zzzzt~"
Terrifying lightning surged along the water on the ground, swiftly rushing toward Blackbeard and his crew in the distance.
"Dark Hole!!"
Having already been watching Meiser with Observation Haki, Blackbeard immediately activated his ability without hesitation.
In just an instant, the darkness lurking beneath his feet erupted, instantly sucking the water on the ground into the abyss—along with the lightning power surging toward him.
Feeling the surging Thunder Power within the darkness, a trace of relief flashed in Blackbeard's eyes.
Thankfully, he had been prepared—otherwise, he would've been hit!
"No effect?"
Meiser, however, stared in surprise at the swirling black smoke beneath Blackbeard's feet, his mind filled with confusion.
He remembered that when Blackbeard had used his ability before, it hadn't been able to block his Ninjutsu.
But this time... Had he changed the way he used his power?
Could it be that he used that layer of darkness to cut off the water beneath? Meiser wondered silently.
And since that darkness didn't conduct electricity, that's why it didn't work?
It wasn't impossible.
Just then, a man's agonized scream rang out from the side—a sound filled with sheer misery.
"Agh!!"
"Jesus Burgess!"
Turning his head to see Burgess collapsed in the water, Blackbeard's expression darkened instantly.
Then, he glared viciously at Meiser and growled, "Damn brat of a Ninja, are you really trying to start a fight with us?!"
He had already decided not to keep fighting this guy, yet this kid still wouldn't back off. Did he really think Blackbeard was some pushover?
The other members of Blackbeard's crew also raised their weapons at that moment, staring intently at Meiser.
If their captain gave the order, they wouldn't hesitate to kill this brat on the spot.
"Wouldn't be a problem," Meiser grinned. "After all, I'm not afraid of Magellan."
After studying Meiser's face for a moment, Blackbeard sneered. "You're a real madman."
He could tell—the other man was serious.
If Blackbeard really tried to fight, this guy would absolutely battle him right here.
But that wasn't what he wanted.
Engaging in a death match with a Ninja in this place held no benefit for him.
After all... Magellan was about to arrive!
Just then, Ivankov walked over from the side and said to Meiser, "Ninja Boy, let's go."
That woman called Sadie had already been dealt with, so there was no reason to stay any longer.
After all... Magellan was about to arrive!
Meiser didn't respond, instead staring at Blackbeard for a few more seconds before letting out a cold laugh. Then, he turned and left with Ivankov.
"Hah..."
Blackbeard exhaled in relief. He really hadn't wanted to fight a Ninja to the death here.
"Captain, should I—"
"Don't do anything unnecessary, Van Augur," Blackbeard said. "Our priority is to focus on what we came here to do."
Van Augur fell silent for a moment before nodding and sheathing his weapon.
Lafitte silently walked over to Jesus Burgess and pulled him out of the water.
"How are you?" Blackbeard asked.
"My... body... is... paralyzed," Burgess struggled to say.
Hearing this, a trace of gravity flashed in Blackbeard's eyes.
Then, he glanced at Meiser's retreating figure and remarked, "What a terrifying Lightning Release Technique."
Burgess's physical prowess was no joke, yet he had been taken down in a single move.
Truly a legendary Ninja!
"Captain, what now?" Lafitte asked.
Their comrade had been incapacitated—should they still proceed?
"Is that even a question? Of course, we continue with the plan," Blackbeard said. "Lafitte, carry Burgess."
These were the men who had chosen to follow him from the very beginning. So... even if one of them lost the ability to move, he wouldn't abandon them.
"No need... I feel... recovering... soon."
At Burgess's words, Lafitte paused and silently studied his face.
As time passed, Burgess gradually regained mobility.
Then, with a furious expression, he growled, "Damn that Ninja brat—I'll kill him!"
To ambush him with lightning—what a despicable Ninja!
"If he had struck me then, I might already be dead."
The thought only fueled Burgess's rage.
"There'll be another chance," Blackbeard said. "Let's move. Next, we'll likely face Magellan."
"I wonder how strong this guy really is."
If he was also a Devil Fruit Ability User, then taking him down would be a breeze!
The thought made Blackbeard grin.
"Yes, Captain," Burgess nodded.
Since their captain had spoken, he couldn't argue. He'd just have to settle the score another time.
"Such foolish creatures," Magellan muttered, staring down the prisoners he had just defeated. "Daring to attempt a prison break?!"
"Damn you, Magellan!"
"It hurts—"
"Kill me, just kill me!!"
"Ahhh!!"
"Hmph."
Listening to their agonized screams, Magellan scoffed. "Suffer here until death claims you."
Give them a quick end?
Hah—he wasn't that merciful!
If they chose to escape, they should be ready to face the consequences!
"Warden, we've found Sadie!" a Guard rushed over to report.
"Where?"
"Over there."
Following the Guard's finger, Magellan's expression darkened.
From his vantage, Sadie was half-buried in the rubble, clearly unconscious.
Approaching her, Magellan asked, "How is she?"
"Still breathing, but unconscious."
"Good."
Magellan exhaled in relief before his gaze turned icy. "Take her away for treatment. I'm going after those bastards."
"Yes, sir!"
Just then, a weak voice emerged from the debris.
"Warden... sir..."
"You're awake?"
"Don't worry—I won't let them escape," Magellan vowed.
After saying this, the man ran off into the distance without looking back.
"Hmm?"
Upon spotting Blackbeard and his crew ahead, Magellan's expression darkened. "Blackbeard's crew..."
"Zehahahaha! So you're Magellan!" Blackbeard laughed loudly.
"Yeah."
"I don't know why you're here, but... I don't have the patience to deal with you right now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, an enormous Poison Dragon manifested around Magellan, roaring as it surged toward Blackbeard.
Blackbeard: !!!
"Wha—?!"
Stunned by Magellan's sudden attack, Blackbeard barely had time to react.
Without hesitation, he raised his arm and activated his Devil Fruit Ability.
"Dark Water!"
The powerful Devil Fruit Ability instantly nullified the poison that reached his hand.
However, the sheer scale of Magellan's attack covered the entire bridge, leaving Blackbeard and his crew no room to evade.
"Damn it, this hurts!" Jesus Burgess screamed in agony.
"Poison?"
Blackbeard's face twisted in disgust as he stared at the purple liquid on his hand.
He hadn't expected his opponent's Devil Fruit Ability to be poison—what a miscalculation.
Glancing coldly at Blackbeard's crew writhing on the ground from the poison, Magellan said, "You can lie here and wait for death to take you."
With that, he ignored them and strode toward the gate.
Upon reaching it, he noticed a man lying unconscious on the ground.
"Hannyabal..." Magellan crouched beside him. "You fought hard to hold on this long. Leave the rest to me."
He then turned to the approaching guards and ordered, "Take Hannyabal for treatment immediately. Make sure he survives—understood?"
"Yes, Warden!"
"Deputy Warden, hang in there!"
"Quick, get a stretcher! Take the Deputy Warden to the infirmary!"
"Right!"
Watching his subordinates carry Hannyabal away, Magellan muttered, "You're the one I chose to be the next Warden. Don't you dare die on me."
His gaze then shifted to the gate as he spoke in a voice dripping with killing intent.
"As for you bastards... I'll be the one to execute you."