Impel Down.
"Buzzz—"
The massive steel fleet gradually slowed.
At the bow of the flagship, Hawke stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
Behind him, Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Nami, Hibari, Kujaku, and the others all wore solemn expressions as they silently observed the world's most legendary prison.
"Creak—"
The fleet glided smoothly into the dock. A heavy metal gangplank slammed onto the ground with a loud clang, sending up a cloud of dust.
Hawke was the first to walk down the gangplank. His military boots struck the solid ground with a muffled echo.
Behind him, the Marines filed out in neat order.
"..."
On the dock, a welcoming party was already waiting.
At its head was a rather comical-looking man.
His upper body was bare, his belly slightly bulging, with two short horns jutting outward from his brow.
He wore a yellow-and-green pharaoh's headdress and carried a long iron trident in hand.
The Vice Warden of Impel Down—Hannyabal.
The moment this man saw Hawke, his eyes lit up instantly. He jogged forward with a face full of enthusiasm.
"Rear Admiral Hawke!"
"Welcome to Impel Down!"
He thrust out his hand, his booming voice almost ear-piercing.
"I am the deputy… cough! I mean, I am the Warden of Impel Down, Hannyabal!"
The Vice Warden of Impel Down—Hannyabal.
Looking at the tall, steady young Rear Admiral before him, his heart roared like a storm.
He's here!
He really came!
The man who, as just a branch Commander, purged the entire East Blue!
The man who, in fury, erased the pirate haven of "Mock Town" from the seas with naval cannons!
The Blood Hawk of Marine Headquarters!
Rayne Hawke!
He had read every report concerning Rear Admiral Hawke.
When facing evil, he never compromised, his methods iron-blooded, like a Shura from Hell.
When facing common folk, he returned their treasures, rebuilt their homes, like a savior god.
This—this was true Justice!
This was what the Marines were meant to be!
An idol!
An idol worthy of lifelong devotion!
And moreover…
In person, he was even more handsome than in photos!
"..."
Hawke studied the grotesque, comical man before him.
Hannyabal!
Great ambition, mediocre ability. In daily work he often cut corners, always scheming to replace the Warden of Impel Down—Magellan—and become the top man.
Yet deep within, he harbored a genuine, simple care for the people.
It was precisely this care that made him loathe pirates from the heart.
Not because they challenged the authority of the World Government, but because—
The existence of pirates left countless weak civilians destitute, families broken, sleepless in terror.
"As long as you pirates still sail the seas, ordinary people will lie awake at night, terrified of losing those they love..."
This was Hannyabal's famous saying!
As long as you pirates remain at sea, the people will spend sleepless nights, fearful of loss...
For the bright future of the weak and innocent—
He was a man truly devoted to the people.
Hawke extended his hand.
"Warden Hannyabal, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hahaha—"
The moment his idol addressed him as "Warden," Hannyabal's brain short-circuited before being swept away by sheer ecstasy.
Warden!
He called me Warden!
My idol called me Warden!
That must mean he sees my outstanding leadership!
That must mean he acknowledges me, Hannyabal, as the rightful future of Impel Down!
Flushed with excitement, Hannyabal beamed.
"Rear Admiral Hawke, please! Please, come inside!"
"I will personally guide you through my—ah no! Our Impel Down!"
He puffed out his chest, slamming his trident against the ground with a heavy thud.
"Rest assured!"
"From this day forth, every corner of Impel Down shall be fully open to you and your men!"
"Hahaha—"
Hawke chuckled lightly and stepped forward.
But he had barely gone a few paces when a massive, mountain-like figure emerged from the shadows to the side.
Clutching his gurgling stomach, his face was dark as iron.
This man was enormous. Black bat-like wings sprouted from his back, two devilish horns jutted from his head, and faint streams of purple venom flickered around him, even his breath exuding ominous hues.
The current Chief Warden of Impel Down.
The Paramecia-type Poison-Poison Fruit user. The strongest man in the prison—Magellan.
Magellan.
A man who would choose death to atone should even a single prisoner escape.
"Ah! Magellan!"
Hannyabal rushed ahead of everyone, darting to Magellan's side and loudly introducing:
"Rear Admiral Hawke!
"This is the Chief Warden of Impel Down—Magellan!"
Then, turning his back to Hawke, he furiously winked at Magellan, his lips moving in silent shapes.
[You! Play along!]
[Understand?!]
[Don't make me lose respect in front of my idol!]
"..."
Magellan blinked at Hannyabal's absurd, mugging face.
What nonsense is he up to this time?
Forget it...
Magellan gave a slight nod, then looked at Hawke.
"Rear Admiral Hawke, is it?"
"Please, come inside."
"I've heard Hannyabal speak of you constantly. Now, at last, we meet in person."
"As for Impel Down's matters..."
Magellan fixed Hawke with a deep look.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has already called."
"You've all come from afar. Let's eat while we talk."
With that, Magellan stepped aside and gestured for them to follow.
"Mm."
Hawke nodded without refusing.
This trip to Impel Down wasn't just his personal hunting ground.
It was the rebirth of the entire G-3 Branch.
Two months of hellish training lay ahead. Logistics and supplies were paramount!
He had to ensure his soldiers stayed at their peak, brimming with energy to face the harshest battles.
His gaze subtly flicked toward the silent, immovable figure behind him—Kuma.
"..."
Kuma felt Hawke's eyes and gave a slight nod.
On the journey here, Rear Admiral Hawke had already given him special instructions.
During this mission in Impel Down...
He would continue to use the powers of the Paw-Paw Fruit, expelling all pain and fatigue his soldiers accumulated in battle.
But as for who would bear it...
Kuma's eyes passed over Hawke's shoulder, gazing into the iron prison's depths.
Dark, profound, suffused with despair and madness.
All the suffering and exhaustion stripped away...
It would be transferred into this prison, onto the bodies of those unforgivable pirates.
Let them, in endless despair, give their final worth to the Marines' strength.
Forge his soldiers' might with the enemy's screams.
Waging war through war itself!