Impel Down — Undersea Great Prison, Level 6: Infinite Hell.
At this moment, outside the cell of the high-profile prisoner Fire Fist Ace, the ground was covered in deep pits corroded by venom.
Even though the venom had faded, a terrifying poisonous gas still lingered.
Just moments ago, the Warden of Impel Down, the Venom Demon Magellan, had visited Ace along with Pirate Empress Boa Hancock and others.
Several ill-mannered, vicious prisoners had been executed by Magellan's Poison Dragon during that visit.
Inside the cell, imprisoned with Ace, was Knight of the Sea Jinbe — one of the former Seven Warlords of the Sea, captured while trying to rescue Ace.
"Ace, I didn't expect you to know the Pirate Empress. What did she tell you?" Jinbe asked, noticing Ace's agitated state.
He waited until Magellan, and the others had left completely before speaking.
"How could I know the Pirate Empress? She just came specifically to tell me a piece of news."
Perhaps from enduring too much torture, the once proud and unbreakable Fire Fist Ace was now in a poor state.
But his heart was burning with excitement — because his younger brother, Luffy, had actually come to Impel Down to save him!
"Oh? Straw Hat Luffy, the one you've mentioned to me many times. He truly is admirable, daring enough to break into Impel Down — the world's greatest prison!" Jinbe said seriously. He was always a determined man, even willing to risk his life to stop the impending war.
"I didn't expect Luffy to come either, but what surprised me more was Hancock's other remark. She said if Victor was harmed because of me, she would definitely take revenge!
Jinbe, have you heard of this guy named Victor?"
Ace was deeply puzzled. He didn't know anyone by that name, but from Hancock's words, Victor must have entered Impel Down with Luffy.
"I haven't heard of him. Perhaps he's one of Hancock's officers — not very famous."
Jinbe always spoke the truth. He really had never heard of Victor.
What neither Jinbe nor Ace could have imagined was that, in the near future, the name Victor would resound across the entire sea!
"What!? Intruders in Impel Down!? Mobilize all forces! Hunt them down with everything we've got — they must not escape alive!"
Warden Magellan, the strongest man in the prison, was furious. After just sending off the Pirate Empress, he had immediately received news of an escape — and intruders.
What a joke! Impel Down, the undersea fortress, was the most impregnable prison in the world. Other than the legendary escape of the great pirate Golden Lion twenty years ago, there had never been another breakout — let alone intruders.
"It's best if they escape… then all the responsibility falls on the Warden, and I can finally take the seat of Warden, ga ga ga!"
"Hannyabal, what did you say!?"
"Ah— I misspoke! I meant, of course, that we will definitely catch the escapees!"
Hannyabal quickly covered his nose, afraid of breathing in Magellan's poisonous exhalations.
"Hannyabal! Domino! You two go after them. I… need to use the restroom first!"
Magellan grimaced as sharp pain shot through his stomach. As a Venom-Venom Fruit user, he spent over ten hours a day relieving himself.
Meanwhile, Victor, Luffy, and Buggy had begun moving.
Luffy had Buggy lead the way. Buggy was unwilling at first, but after noticing the armband on Luffy's arm, he agreed — on the condition that the armband, which contained a treasure map, would be handed to him.
Luffy agreed, but before he could give it, Victor snatched it away. He knew Buggy was unreliable and would definitely try to run once he got the map. Victor promised he'd return it after everything was over.
Buggy hated Victor to death for that, but for now he had to swallow his rage.
Victor's display of Conqueror's Haki earlier had shocked him.
But shock was one thing — fear was another. As a former apprentice on the Pirate King's ship, Buggy wasn't intimidated. In fact, he was already scheming how to get Victor killed and reclaim the treasure map.
His plan was already forming. A cunning smile spread across Buggy's face as he looked at Victor.
Not far ahead lay the Crimson Hell.
This level was covered in crimson needle-grass, razor-sharp plants harder than steel blades that could easily pierce a human body.
What about Conqueror's Haki? So, what if Victor had it? Even the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed by blades. Surely a mere Victor would be skewered.
Buggy chuckled to himself, already imagining Victor's bloody body stuck on the crimson spikes.
Victor, however, kept a wary eye on Buggy. As a transmigrator, he knew Buggy's history: apprentice of Roger, former companion of Red-Haired Shanks.
Clearly Buggy's experiences didn't match his current strength. No wonder people suspected Buggy was hiding his true power.
"Hey, Buggy, what are you laughing about? Where's the entrance!?" Luffy snapped, impatient. He was focused only on saving Ace.
"Don't rush me, it's just ahead!" Buggy said with a sinister grin. Soon, the map would be his again.
The three of them reached the Crimson Hell's edge. Below lay the deadly needle-grass.
Victor sneered to himself. He already knew what Buggy was planning.
"Watch this great me!"
Buggy split his body from his feet, letting himself fly.
"Hehe, Ace, I'm coming!"
Luffy stretched his arms and leapt down.
Buggy quickly flew under him, catching him to prevent him from being impaled. At the same time, he cast a mocking glance back at Victor.
Can't fly, can you?
Beg me, and maybe I'll help you.
But even if you beg, I won't! That's what you get for stealing my treasure map!
Buggy laughed wildly in his heart.
He was sure Victor would have to beg him eventually. After all, their commotion had already alerted the higher-ups — countless guards would be on their way.
And just as he thought, the moment he and Luffy descended, five massive beasts — Masiras — charged at Victor!
"Five Masiras!? Perfect! I like it!"
Victor grinned, raising his finger.
Finger Pistol!
Five sharp shots rang out, and the five Masiras collapsed instantly.
Soru!
In a blink, Victor vanished, reappearing beside the corpses. He neatly arranged them, then lifted them all at once—
"Hey! Where's Victor!?"
"He can't fly! Probably ran away in fear!" Buggy mocked resentfully. No way that guy was as great as he was.
"Impossible! Victor is strong! No way he'd run!" Luffy argued, shaking his head.
"Hey, Buggy, move aside or I'll smash you flat!"
As the two bickered, Victor's voice suddenly echoed from above.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Five huge Masira corpses slammed down, impaled on the crimson grass, creating a safe path.
"EHHHHH!!! How the hell is this possible!!! How are you flying, kid!!??"
Buggy's eyes nearly burst from his skull.
Victor floated above them with ease, his body whole and unharmed, looking completely at ease.
How is this possible!!!
Buggy was crushed. First Conqueror's Haki and now flying. Could Victor really be that strong!?
"Ya! Isn't that CP9's Moonwalk? I didn't expect you to know it too. You really are strong, Victor, hehe!"
Luffy adjusted his Straw Hat, grinning.
"Luffy, come here. I have something to tell you!"