"Ace!"
Tears blurred Jiang Lin's vision. Ever since he had been reborn into the world of pirates, his greatest wish had been to save Ace. Now, Ace was right in front of him, and the warmth of Ace's palm still lingered on his hand—but he could not choose to take Ace away.
The grief and despair were suffocating.
"Jiang Lin, if this is my fate, I accept it! You're so strong, and with you by Luffy's side, I… I can feel at ease. You go ahead!"
Ace spoke to Jiang Lin and then, without looking back, walked toward the exit. His back radiated determination, and his steps were firm and resolute.
"Jiang Lin, please respect Ace's choice!"
As Ace began to move, Admiral Aokiji stepped past Jiang Lin, whose face was full of reluctance, and approached Magellan.
"Shhh…"
The dense white mist dispersed, freeing both the gate that had been frozen by Jiang Lin and Magellan himself.
"Let's go!"
Once freed, Magellan retracted his poison gas. He glanced at Jiang Lin's back, then lifted the sea-prism handcuffs from Ace's wrists and escorted him toward the exit.
"Wait!"
Just as Ace was about to step out, Jiang Lin's deep voice rang from behind.
"D! Don't you want to save Ace?"
Magellan's voice, filled with both anger and a hint of fear, came from beside Ace.
"D! I hope you don't gamble with Ace's life!"
Aokiji, with thick white mist emanating from his hands, stood beside Ace and Magellan. Any sudden move from Jiang Lin would endanger Ace immediately.
"I just want to say one thing…"
Jiang Lin's icy path gleamed like light beneath his feet as he appeared before Ace in an instant.
"Ace! I won't deliver that message to Luffy for you. I'll take everyone and rescue you myself… starting at… Marineford!"
Jiang Lin turned Ace around and pressed his forehead against Ace's stubbornly, speaking firmly.
"Jiang Lin! Luffy…"
By now, Ace's cheeks were wet with tears. His stubbornness and strength were only a façade for Jiang Lin. Inside, he both longed to see those he wished to meet and feared seeing them. He had buried all these feelings silently in his heart. Jiang Lin's words pierced through Ace's final disguise.
"Don't worry! I know what you're concerned about. I will ensure his safety. I won't let today's events repeat themselves. You know Luffy's personality; even if you said that, he still wouldn't hesitate to go to Marineford."
As Jiang Lin spoke, he turned his gaze toward Magellan. The pure anger in his eyes made Magellan tremble uncontrollably.
"Thank you!"
Ace said nothing more. He silently turned around, faced the sunlight, and walked out of the gates of Impel Down.
"Attention! Prepare to fire!"
Outside Impel Down, Vice Admiral Onigumo stood alone at the bow of the ship, coldly observing the exit. Behind him, all Marine soldiers held their weapons at the ready, awaiting his command.
"Prepare the antidote immediately. Also, don't provoke that person until Ace is handed over."
Magellan followed Ace, still wary. He ordered the guards to fetch the antidote and kept a vigilant eye on Jiang Lin.
Shortly after Ace and his group exited Impel Down, Jiang Lin also stepped out. His presence immediately sent shivers through everyone aboard the surrounding warships.
"Bounty: 601,000,000 Beli. How is he here? Is he here to save Ace? But why hasn't he acted yet?"
Vice Admiral Onigumo furrowed his brow, watching the entrance. After confirming Jiang Lin had no intention of attacking, he led his subordinates down the ladder toward Ace.
"If D makes any sudden move, open fire immediately!"
Rat… rat… rat…
Ace walked slowly along the wooden walkway, his steps light but rhythmic. When he reached Vice Admiral Onigumo, he looked up at the sky above.
A pure white seagull flew freely over Impel Down, letting out a faint cry.
"A bit later than the promised time, huh?"
Onigumo checked his pocket watch, then his gaze drifted back. In his line of sight, Jiang Lin silently watched everything unfold.
"Time delayed a bit. Now, we hand over the notorious criminal Portgas D. Ace to the Marines."
Magellan spoke to Onigumo and then stepped aside, making way for Ace.
Rat… rat… rat…
Ace trudged to the Marine soldiers. He couldn't help but glance back at Jiang Lin, who leaned against the gate at the same time, sharing a silent exchange of promise.
"Hurry… get the antidote ready…"
A guard carrying the antidote ran toward the top level of Impel Down. Just as he was about to exit the gate, Jiang Lin appeared, face stern, stepping quickly from the side.
"P…Pirate… D!"
The guard trembled, clutching the antidote, eyes full of fear and unease.
"D! Are you really going to watch Ace die?"
Aokiji, seeing the guard stopped, formed four ice spears and aimed at Ace's back.
"I want to save you… You won't stop me!"
Jiang Lin snatched the antidote from the guard and, moving at near-light speed, reached Ace.
"Attack!"
As Jiang Lin approached, the ship crew on Onigumo's vessel immediately fired. Dozens of dark cannonballs shot from the ship toward the walkway.
"What reckless behavior!"
Magellan glanced at the incoming cannonballs and hurried toward Impel Down. Being a Devil Fruit user, falling into the water could have disastrous consequences.
Other guards, facing the barrage, made the same choice.
Amid the intense cannon fire, only Jiang Lin, Ace, Aokiji, and Onigumo remained.
"Ace! This is your final chance before Marineford!"
Ignoring the flying cannonballs, Jiang Lin raised Ace's arm and slowly injected the antidote into his body.
"Opportunity!"
Ace looked around. Marine warships were closing in rapidly.
"Attack! Attack them!"
Shouts and booming cannon fire turned the area outside Impel Down into a sea of projectiles.
"I said… You guys are too noisy! Don't you see we're… having a conversation?"
Jiang Lin shouted in anger as dazzling ice spread from his side, freezing everything it touched.
"Ice Age!"
With a single command, the chaos outside Impel Down immediately fell silent.