In the passage connecting Impel Down's Level 3 to Level 4, Jiang Lin walked alone past thousands of guards armed with prison rocket launchers. From beneath his feet, chilling frost spread outward, solidly freezing everyone along his path.
"Move aside!"
"Never!"
From beyond the passage, Luffy and Hannyabal's voices echoed. Reaching the end of the corridor, Jiang Lin slowly raised his eyes toward the scene ahead.
"Outside the passage, Luffy and Hannyabal faced off, their fierce quarrel echoing through all of Level 4."
"Jiang Lin!"
When he saw Jiang Lin, Luffy grew excited, eager to rush forward and greet him.
But Hannyabal, standing across from him, firmly blocked his way. Clutching his blood-soaked weapon, his eyes were filled with resolve.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Sweat had already soaked through Hannyabal's back, yet his gaze remained unyielding. Even in the face of Jiang Lin, he refused to retreat a single step.
"Step aside… I'm in a terrible mood right now!"
With ice clearing his way, Jiang Lin's cold aura burst forth, making the already frigid Level 4 grow even chillier.
"Take this! Prajna Passion Dance… Infernal Flame Chariot!"
Hannyabal swung his weapon wildly, igniting both ends with flame, before charging straight at Jiang Lin.
"Ice Sphere!"
The searing fire could not melt the chill in Jiang Lin's heart. With a sharp command, Hannyabal—weapon and all—was sealed within a massive icy sphere.
"Jiang Lin, have you seen my brother?"
Seeing Hannyabal frozen, Luffy immediately rushed forward, anxious to ask about Ace.
"I have… but…"
Jiang Lin's hands trembled slightly, his expression dimming.
"But what?"
Luffy pressed urgently.
"It's nothing. Let's head to Marineford together. This time, I swear I'll save Ace!"
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Lin cast aside all hesitation.
A brief setback was nothing to fear—what was truly terrifying was sinking into despair forever.
"If he had stumbled once, then his next attempt would succeed—and wipe away the scars of failure."
Marineford—it was Jiang Lin's last chance, Ace's last chance, and Luffy's last chance.
This time, he would not allow himself to fail again.
"Alright! Then let's go quickly!"
Luffy, oblivious to the weight in Jiang Lin's words, leapt forward happily as soon as he saw that the way ahead was clear.
But just then, thick black smoke spread rapidly through the passage.
The guards Jiang Lin had frozen were suddenly flung aside in all directions as the black mist poured forth.
"Ze…hahaha! Quite a gathering of big names here!"
Dressed in black, Blackbeard emerged after clearing the corridor, flanked by his crew.
"One minute has passed. The Gum-Gum Fruit has been successfully copied."
Because Blackbeard had stalled them, Jiang Lin's system had completed the process, granting him a duplicate of Luffy's Devil Fruit ability.
Glancing at the notification, Jiang Lin turned his attention back to Blackbeard. Since Teach had appeared of his own accord, Jiang Lin naturally had no intention of letting him go.
The Yami Yami no Mi—the Dark-Dark Fruit—was said to be the most sinister of all Devil Fruits. Jiang Lin had coveted it for a long time.
"So, you're the man with a bounty of 601 million, a 'D.' Join us!"
Blackbeard's eyes swept the area, and when they settled on Jiang Lin, greed shone openly across his face.
This trip to Impel Down was to recruit crewmates. Jiang Lin, a powerful and newly rising pirate, was the perfect candidate.
Faced with Blackbeard's outstretched hand, Jiang Lin's lips curved in a mocking smile.
"Sure! Defeat me, and I'll join your crew."
He extended his right hand and clasped Blackbeard's palm firmly.
"Jiang Lin!"
Luffy's face filled with alarm at Jiang Lin's words.
"Relax—I'm strong."
Jiang Lin smiled lightly, then turned back to Blackbeard.
"Well? Do you dare?"
Provoked by Jiang Lin, Blackbeard didn't hesitate for an instant. He nodded immediately, excitement in his voice:
"I've been wanting to test your strength anyway. Welcome aboard, 'D'!"
"Pika Pika no Mi (enhanced by Mero Mero no Mi) loaded. Duration: ten minutes. Cooldown: thirty seconds."
As the system's voice echoed, Jiang Lin's body slid back gracefully, like a dancer, creating space between himself and Blackbeard.
The Dark-Dark Fruit specialized in close combat. The Glint-Glint Fruit, however, excelled at ranged attacks. There was no reason for Jiang Lin to fight Blackbeard head-on.
"Laser Beam!"
Brilliant light shot from his fingertip, aimed directly at Blackbeard.
"Dark Vortex!"
A surge of black smoke erupted from Teach's hand, unleashing a powerful suction that yanked Jiang Lin's body toward him.
"Light-Speed Kick!"
Dragged into close range, Jiang Lin acted first. Before Blackbeard could strip away his powers, he launched a fierce kick.
The explosive impact sent Blackbeard flying, sparing Jiang Lin from having his ability nullified.
"Your powers really are troublesome…"
Watching Teach cloaked in dark mist, Jiang Lin's expression grew serious. If he were dragged into that vortex, his abilities would be negated. For a Devil Fruit user, that was dangerous.
"Ze…hahaha! My powers are far stronger than you realize, 'D'! Become my comrade—I'm destined to be Pirate King!"
Teach laughed wildly, his booming voice causing Luffy's face to flush with fury.
Blackbeard had captured Ace, and now he dared to set his sights on Jiang Lin, Luffy's crewmate.
Luffy's hatred for Blackbeard soared to its peak.
If Jiang Lin hadn't stepped up first, Luffy would have launched at Blackbeard.
"Pirate King, huh? That claim insults not only me, but everyone who admires the true Pirate King! I'll be the one to claim that title!"
Light flared from Jiang Lin's hands as he unleashed his ultimate attack.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
A storm of radiant projectiles burst forth like endless rain, engulfing all the space around Blackbeard.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Explosions thundered as the barrage struck, petrifying everything it touched.
Pale stone spread across the blasted ground like countless "bandages" pasted over wounds.
"Ze…hahaha… That hurts like hell!"
From within the smoke, Blackbeard's furious laughter rang out. His body, battered and scarred, staggered forth cloaked in darkness, treading upon the stone-covered ground.
"Captain!"
"Captain!"
His crewmates rushed forward, worried by his condition.
"What's this? Planning to gang up on me?"
Jiang Lin's body glowed brilliantly as he faced the entire Blackbeard Pirates alone, his voice cold.