Hancock was worried. Even she had heard of Impel Down's reputation.
This fortress was designed to keep people from entering. Or leaving.
She knew Luffy was strong. He had fought Admirals. But this was Impel Down.
In some ways, it was more dangerous than Marine Headquarters.
There was nowhere to run.
"Luffy,"
Hancock took his hand. "Even you must not cause a disturbance. If you are caught, there is no escape. Please, promise me. Do not act recklessly."
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
He nodded.
Knowing what he was doing, and rescuing Ace, were two different things.
He would have to cause a disturbance.
That was the spirit of a Conqueror's Haki user.
He had fought Admirals. He wouldn't be cowed by a prison.
And Hancock, though she seemed meek now, would turn anyone else to stone.
If not for Luffy, she would have ignored the summons.
The Warlords meant nothing to her.
If the Navy dared attack, they would see why she was a Warlord.
Lucky climbed up.
Hancock relaxed a little. She put on the face of the haughty Empress.
She put on the Kairoseki cuffs.
Domino was unpetrified. She was confused. But the cuffs were on Hancock. Good.
Hancock followed Domino. Momonga. Hannyabal.
Through the huge doors, down the stairs, into the prison.
Lucky put his hand on his hat.
"Let's see how big this place is."
He closed his eyes. And used his Kenbunshoku Haki.
In his mind, he saw the twisting halls. The many cells. The people, some strong, some not. The hidden Den Den Mushi.
A map of Impel Down.
The place was huge.
He could hear the Sea Kings below.
But where was Ace?
The prison was big. Each level was its own hell.
"Life card."
He took Ace's life card from his hat.
It was smaller than when Ace had given it to him. It was burning.
Ace was not in good condition.
No one in Impel Down was. Especially ability users, with their Kairoseki cuffs.
He didn't know what it felt like. But his Kenbunshoku Haki warned him. It was dangerous.
The paper pointed.
Down.
Without hesitation, Luffy moved. He was fast. He was silent. He used his Haki to avoid the guards and the Den Den Mushi.
His rubber body let him cling to walls and ceilings.
The prisoners never left their cells.
Some would lock themselves in, even if you let them out. It was safer.
He followed the life card. It pointed down.
Through the floor.
"Below?"
He stopped. Ace was on a lower level.
He had to go through.
"I told you. 'No disturbance,'" Nika said.
"Yes, but plans change."
He prepared to be seen.
He covered his fist in Haki. And punched down.
BOOM!
The rock floor broke. He fell through.
Below him, he heard a scream.
"AAAH! What the hell!"
He had landed on someone.
A familiar someone.
Blue hair. Red nose. Clown makeup. Buggy the Clown.
He was wearing a prisoner's uniform.
Lucky needed a guide. And here one was.
Buggy, struggling under the rubble, looked up. He saw Luffy's face.
"S-Straw Hat?!"
Buggy's eyes opened wide.
"What are you doing here? You're in Impel Down!"
"Hey, Red Nose. What are you doing here?"
"You ask me that!"
Buggy was angry. "I was beaten by you. Again. At Loguetown. I was caught. By the Marines. Sent here."
It was all Luffy's fault.
But now was not the time. Buggy had been planning to escape. Now Luffy had made a scene.
"Find a guide!" Luffy said.
He heard guards running.
Buggy was near tears. This Straw Hat was as bad as Shanks. Everything had gone wrong since he met them.
"Find a guide! Don't be a baby!"
"I need your help, Buggy."
"MY help?"
"You think you're someone? An Emperor?"
Buggy had been hiding his powers. He had an escape plan. Luffy had ruined it.
And now he wanted help.
Only if Whitebeard was here. With a sword at his neck.
But Buggy followed Luffy.
Staying in one place was worse.
At least Luffy was strong.
He was going the wrong way. Not to the exit. Deeper into the prison.
"Straw Hat! The exit is that way!"
"Later. You know this place? What's above? Who's there? Take me to the lower levels. I need to rescue someone."
Buggy was stunned.
This was Impel Down. The inescapable prison.
"Now we will be caught!"
As if on cue, guards appeared. In front. Behind.
Buggy was doomed.
THUD!
THUD!
Luffy's hands moved.
The guards were down. Before they could fire.
"Coming?" Luffy's fists.
"I'll guide the way!"
"Smart."
They were in Level 1. Crimson Hell.
Level 1 was a hell of heat. And sharp plants.
He heard the groans of prisoners.
"Cough, cough! Damn Crimson Hell."
Buggy spat out dust. "I just got out of here."
"Jihahaha! Buggy is back!"
"Nowhere to run, Buggy!"
"We will be gentle!"
Some prisoners laughed.
Some prisoners were weak. Their skin red. Blistered.
"What's wrong with them?"
"They had a hot shower."
Each new prisoner had to be cleansed. In boiling water.
It made them weak.
Especially ability users, with their Kairoseki cuffs.
Buggy hadn't been given them. He had hidden his powers.
He had planned to escape. But it was ruined.
Luffy continued. Deeper.
The alarms were sounding. People knew about the escape.
But they didn't know Luffy was here to "jailbreak."
He was here for "break in."
Prisoners didn't normally riot. The guards were too strong. The Warden, Magellan, was too strong.
"Follow the floor!"
"Lead on," Luffy said.
"I will," Buggy said. He was tired.
"Where's Ace?" Luffy asked.
"I know he's here," Buggy said. "But he's not on this level."
"There are five levels."
"Level 5, Freezing Hell. If the rumors are true, there's a Level 6."
"Killing the biggest, baddest pirates."
"So, you're only important enough for Level 1?"
Buggy was hurt.
***
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