"Help… help!"
"Save us, our guns are jammed!"
The jailers frantically called for help to the Straw Hat, running straight towards them.
Just as they were about to get close, one of them suddenly tripped over something and fell with a plop, face-planting.
Then, uncontrollably, he slid forward along the snow, coincidentally knocking over the other jailers running in front of him, and still showed no signs of stopping his slide.
Thump!
A muffled thud.
The man finally crashed directly into a nearby snow-covered fir tree.
Whoosh!
Piles and piles of snow fell from the tree.
What suddenly made Luffy's eyes light up was that he saw something like a fruit fall from that fir tree.
As the fruit fell, it bounced off the slanted surface of the fir tree and, as if attracted, flew straight towards them.
It was also at this moment that a prompt sounded in Luffy's mind.
[Your comprehension is heaven-defying. Through sensory transmission, your transmitter talent is extraordinary, and the Combine-Combine Fruit has been attracted!]
Seeing this prompt, Luffy couldn't help but be delighted.
He hadn't expected it to succeed even in this enclosed prison.
He reached out and caught the Fruit, then handed it to Franky, who had just opened his eyes from meditation.
"Here, Franky!"
"This is the Combine-Combine Fruit!"
Looking at the Fruit with its uneven surface and various triangular, square, and other shaped protrusions, Franky unhesitatingly took it and bit into it.
This process, however, left Ivankov and Jinbe, among others, dumbfounded.
"No… no way?! It actually succeeded!"
"It's as if this Fruit came looking for them itself; it's truly amazing!"
"This old man has lived this long, and it's the first time I've seen something like this. It's truly an eye-opener!"
Although the process didn't seem to involve any earth-shattering changes, "357" being able to witness a Devil Fruit detach from its original owner and then, through various coincidences, appear before their eyes, truly left them deeply shocked.
After all, this was something unheard of in this world.
Howl!
Wolf howls echoed at this moment.
Seeing the pack of snow wolves about to charge, the Straw Hat were about to make a move, but Franky stepped forward and said,
"Leave it to me!"
As soon as his voice fell, he suddenly ran towards the jailers who had just fallen.
He quickly picked up the guns, swords, and other weapons that had fallen from the jailers.
Then, with a large grip, he activated his ability.
His hand seemed to turn into a flowing dark purple substance.
The dark purple spread continuously, quickly enveloping all those weapons.
In an instant, those weapons seemed to melt, also turning into that dark purple substance, rapidly deforming and surging within it.
After just a few seconds, the dark purple on Franky's hand slowly faded.
And when everyone could clearly see what was in Franky's hand again, they found that the original swords and guns were gone, replaced by a strange-shaped firearm that looked like it had several firing holes.
In Luffy's opinion, it looked like a small Gatling gun.
The wolf pack had already charged close.
Franky immediately raised the gun and aimed.
Da da da da!
What was once a useless piece of junk that couldn't fire in the jailer's hands instantly became a machine gun firing wildly.
The wolf pack howled continuously under the overwhelming firepower, completely daring not to approach.
Soon, they tucked their tails and scattered, fleeing in disarray.
The entire process didn't look very flashy, but quickly utilizing waste to create more powerful weapons still opened the eyes of the others.
Just a few guns and swords could have such power; if there were more, Franky could probably create even more powerful weapons.
After dealing with the wolf pack, Franky walked back, carrying his new weapon.
His eyes held a look of surprise and delight, and he said to Luffy, very excitedly,
"This ability is really good!"
"I just tried it casually, and I already synthesized a new weapon."
Saying that, Franky became serious again and said,
"However, I just discovered that this ability seems to convert matter into its most basic elements, and then rearrange and reorganize them for manufacturing."
"In that case, I think I should be able to synthesize stronger alloys to modify my body."
"And even if I master the relevant knowledge, I can create various unprecedented super weapons and high-tech products."
Franky became incredibly excited as he spoke.
"This ability is truly amazing!"
"I can't wait to try out all sorts of new ideas."
Saying that, Franky looked at Luffy excitedly and said,
"Let's go save your brother quickly!"
"Once he's rescued, I can properly conduct my research."
Seeing Franky so excited, Luffy was happy for him.
Nodding at him, Luffy then continued to speak to the others.
"Then let's go!"
...
Because a temporary peaceful relationship had been established with the jailers, Luffy and his group traveled unimpeded and smoothly reached the uppermost level of Impel Down.
As they were preparing to leave through the exit, Hannyabal suddenly came over with his men.
He looked at the dozens of criminals following Luffy and couldn't help but exclaim loudly.
"Didn't you say you were only taking one criminal?"
"Why are there so many people now?"
When Hannyabal saw so many criminals, he was extremely flustered.
He could pretend not to see one or two criminals, but with so many, it would be difficult for him to account for them!
Especially when he saw that Jinbe had also been taken out, he became even more panicked.
Level 6 criminals were all world-renowned figures, and if such people were released, he felt he couldn't bear the responsibility.
Luffy was in a hurry now and couldn't be bothered to explain to Hannyabal, so he just said indifferently.
"If you don't agree, then come and stop us!"
As soon as these words came out, Hannyabal instantly froze in place.
His original shouting momentum was completely gone.
Suddenly, Hannyabal grinned, revealing a smile, and said with a chuckle.
"Heh... hehe! How could I disagree?!"
"It's just a few dozen criminals, isn't it?"
"Take them away!"
"I didn't see anything!"
With that, Hannyabal suddenly turned and walked away, truly acting as if he knew nothing.
He could only cry in his heart now, waiting to be held accountable.
No way, he just couldn't win!
Looking at Hannyabal's desolate and dejected back, Ivankov and the others were stunned.
They never expected the jailers to compromise with pirates.
"What exactly is going on?"
Ivankov couldn't help but ask Kuma curiously.
As Luffy and the others rushed towards the exit, Kuma explained to Ivankov on the way about Ace's impending execution and the Whitebeard Pirates' war with the Marine.
When Ivankov heard about this, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"What did you say?!"
"Such a thing is happening?!"
Kuma nodded and said.
"Now Luffy and his group are planning to rescue Ace!"
At this point, Kuma suddenly looked at Luffy and said to him.
"Luffy! We'll help you too!"
"The more people, the more strength."
"This way, the chances of rescuing Ace will be greater."
Luffy nodded upon hearing this and thanked him.
"Alright! Thank you!"
However, Ivankov became confused at this moment and couldn't help but ask Kuma.
"Kuma! Who exactly is this brat?"
"Why do I see both you and Jinbe respecting him so much?"
"Now you're even going to follow him to a battlefield where the strong gather."
"Whether this brat can survive there is a question, let alone saving someone."
"They don't know how terrifying that battlefield will be, don't you know either?"
Ivankov had long wanted to ask Kuma about Luffy's identity.
However, he had been busy rushing before and didn't have much opportunity.
Now that they had finally arrived outside the prison and learned of such a major event, he couldn't help but be curious.
Luffy was currently directing Karu to start taking the Merry out of the different space.
And Kuma looked at Luffy's figure and said to Ivankov.
"He is... Dragon's son!"
Boom!
As soon as these words came out, Ivankov was instantly struck by lightning, his heart shaking violently.
He had heard before that Dragon had family, but every time his family was mentioned, Dragon would keep silent to prevent danger to them.
But he never expected that Luffy, who was in front of him now, was actually Dragon's son.
Suddenly remembering Franky's earlier mention of Luffy going to save some older brother, connecting these, Ivankov couldn't help but be startled and hastily asked.
"So... is Ace also Dragon's son?"
"Will Dragon also come to participate in this war?"
This time, it was Luffy who answered his question.
"Ace and I met when we lived together as children."
"He's not my biological brother!"
Ivankov nodded upon hearing this, indicating understanding.
But he still said with a worried expression.
"But that kind of battlefield is too dangerous!"
"If so many of you newcomers go to that kind of battlefield, even with me and Kuma there, we can't protect so many of you."
After learning that Luffy was Dragon's son, Ivankov no longer hesitated to follow Luffy.
But he started to worry about the safety of Luffy and his group.
He had not heard of Luffy and the Straw Hat before.
In other words, these people were just a group of newcomers.
A group of newcomers going to that kind of battlefield was truly no different from seeking death.
However, this time it was Kuma who answered his question.
"You underestimate them!"
Upon hearing Kuma's words, Ivankov became even more confused.
No matter how much they were underestimated, they were still newcomers after all.
How strong could a group of newcomers be, no matter how strong they were?
Could they really contend with top-tier powers like an Admiral?
Kuma saw through Ivankov's thoughts and simply said.
"Magellan was defeated by Luffy!"
"And..."
"He only used one move!"
As soon as these words came out, Ivankov, along with a group of Okama, were collectively stunned.
"What did you say?!"
"That's impossible?! Magellan is as strong as a monster!"
"Defeated in just one move, is this really not a joke?"
Regarding this news, the others couldn't believe it for a moment...
Although Ivankov also found it hard to believe, he trusted that Kuma would definitely not lie to him.
At this moment, his gaze towards Luffy and the Straw Hat changed.
He murmured in extreme shock.
"Defeating Magellan in one move, even that guy Dragon couldn't do something like that?!"
"Dragon! You truly have an extraordinary son!"
While Ivankov was feeling emotional, Luffy had already boarded the Merry with the Straw Hat.
He said to Ivankov and the others who were still staring blankly on the shore.
"If you're willing to come with us, hurry up and get on board!"
Pulled back to his senses by Luffy's call, Ivankov repeatedly said.
"Of course I'm going!"
"If I don't protect you well, I'll have no face to go back and see Dragon!"
With that, Ivankov leaped onto the Merry's deck.
The others followed suit.
Soon, the Merry, carrying a full ship of people, sailed at full speed towards Marineford along the exclusive ocean current.
Not long after leaving the prison, they saw the Gate of Justice ahead, which almost reached the sky.
"Oh no! Without Marine's permission, we can't pass through the Gate of Justice!"
"Stop quickly, if we keep going like this, we'll be smashed to pieces!"
Looking at the Gate of Justice blocking their way like a mountain, a collective gasp of alarm instantly rose from the ship.
However, Luffy was not flustered at all and called out to Karu.
"Karu!"
Karu immediately understood upon hearing this and came to the very front of the ship.
While Ivankov and the others were expressing various worries and exclamations, they were incredibly shocked to see a passage suddenly open in the gate ahead, allowing the Merry to pass through smoothly.
...
Inside Impel Down!
Immediately after Luffy and the others left, Magellan woke up.
And the first thing he did upon waking was to ask Hannyabal for the latest situation.
"Where is the Straw Hat?"
"Has the prison been breached?"
"What exactly is the situation now?"
Facing Magellan's series of questions, Hannyabal nervously told him everything that had happened afterward.
Upon hearing that the Straw Hat had actually escaped with dozens of criminals from here, Magellan immediately became furious.
"What did you say?"
"They actually released so many criminals?"
"LV6 holds extremely dangerous criminals."
"Have you thoroughly investigated?"
"Besides Jinbe, who else was released?"
Feeling Magellan's rage up close, Hannyabal was a bit nervous and said with extreme tension,
"All the den den mushi surveillance in LV6 were destroyed by Shiliew. He also attacked the jailers before, so we didn't dare to go to LV6 rashly."
"So, we still don't know the situation in LV6 right now."
"The only criminals we currently know who escaped from LV6 are Shiliew, Jinbe, and Douglas Bullet, who was killed by Straw Hat and left in LV5!"
Hearing Hannyabal's words, Magellan immediately stood up and said,
"We need to check quickly. It's a minor issue how many criminals were released from other levels."
"If LV6 has problems, it will be a big disaster!"
4.1 As soon as he finished speaking, Hannyabal immediately planned to go to LV6 to check the situation.
But at this moment, a guard rushed in, reporting in a panic,
"It's bad! Warden Magellan, Vice Warden Hannyabal!"
"A Marine ship, without any permission and ignoring our warnings, forcibly sailed to the prison entrance!"
"It's probably another group of invaders."
Hearing this, both of them were startled at the same time.
Hannyabal immediately remembered something and said to Magellan in a panic,
"It must be Blackbeard and his crew!"
Magellan immediately became serious upon hearing this and commanded,
"Gather all guards, prepare for battle!"
...
Marineford!
At this moment, Marineford had entered a state of full battle readiness.
Surrounding the entire island were hundreds of Marine ships.
There were over 100,000 elite Marine soldiers who had rushed from all over the country!
In addition, high-ranking military personnel such as Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral from various parts of the world were almost all summoned.
There were more than 20 Vice Admiral alone.
Even the two Admiral candidates, Tokikake and Vice Admiral Momousagi, who usually didn't make many appearances, were summoned here.
And above these people were the Marine high-ranking officials such as Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and the Three Admirals.
In this war, the Marine had almost mobilized all its power.
And besides the Marine's own power, there were the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who were originally one of the three great powers.
However, the current Shichibukai looked rather awkward.
There were only Doflamingo and Hawkeye.
Doflamingo glanced at the indifferent Hawkeye beside him and couldn't help but laugh,
"Fufufufu..."
"I didn't expect only two of us to be left in the end!"
"Can the Marine still win this war?"
Hawkeye didn't care about this and just said indifferently,
"It doesn't matter to me who wins."
"I just want to witness the peak of the world!"