There was no mistake about it.
These inmates—many of them lifelong criminals—were locked away because of the Navy.
Naturally, their hatred ran deep.
Especially those on Level 6, the Infinite Hell.
Most of them were monsters—either sentenced to death or condemned to rot in prison until the end of their days.
"Tch. What a bunch of pests."
As foul-mouthed curses echoed from the cells, Bai Yu clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Conqueror's Haki.
Hum…
With just a thought, Bai Yu unleashed a powerful wave of Haoshoku Haki.
Invisible pressure rippled outward from his body, covering both flanks of the long prison corridor.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
One after another, prisoners collapsed to the ground, unconscious—overwhelmed by the sheer force of his will.
Each step Bai Yu took forward was like a thunderclap—entire groups fainted under his overwhelming presence.
Though many of these criminals had bounties of over 100 million berries, they were nothing before Bai Yu's mastered Haki.
It had long surpassed the level of most elite Vice Admirals.
As for the true monsters locked deeper within Level 6—they remained silent, observing.
"The headquarters really sent a terrifying guy…"
Watching the trail of unconscious bodies, Hannyabal muttered under his breath, a gleam of ambition in his eyes.
"If I can just curry some favor with him… maybe the Warden seat won't be far off!"
—
Elsewhere in the passageway, Bai Yu had reached the corridor's end.
Just ahead, a turn would lead him to another block of high-security cells.
He came to a stop in front of a specific cell.
Inside were two very familiar faces.
One was Portgas D. Ace, the prisoner Bai Yu had been assigned to escort.
The other, the former Warlord of the Sea, "Sea Knight" Jinbei of the Fish-Man race.
As Bai Yu stood before the cell, both men lifted their heads to meet his gaze.
"Portgas D. Ace. I'm here under orders from Marine Headquarters to escort you," Bai Yu said, his voice firm and clear.
"My name is Bai Yu."
Ace's expression tightened. He didn't speak.
"Your public execution is scheduled for tomorrow," Bai Yu continued.
"Before that… is there anything you'd like to say?"
Still, Ace remained silent, his lips pressed into a line.
"I came on behalf of Vice Admiral Garp."
Ace's eyes widened slightly at the name.
"If there's anything you want to say to him… I can pass it along."
After a pause, Ace finally spoke.
"There's nothing between us to talk about."
Despite the harsh words, his voice faltered for a moment.
"Garp treated you with kindness. I only came to say a few words on his behalf," Bai Yu said calmly.
"…Can I ask you to give him a message?"
"As long as it doesn't compromise any classified information, I'll relay it," Bai Yu replied.
Truthfully, this visit had been at Garp's request.
Due to the conflict of interest, Garp had been forbidden from contacting Ace directly.
Instead, he had recommended Bai Yu for the mission, hoping he could serve as a bridge.
"I've known this day would come," Ace said, his voice calm.
"I'm not afraid of death. But…"
"Please tell Garp—don't let Luffy try to rescue me."
Ace looked directly at Bai Yu, his eyes filled with emotion.
"I know him. I know he'll come charging in no matter the danger."
"As his older brother… I don't want him to die because of me."
"…I'll deliver your message," Bai Yu nodded solemnly.
Though he already knew that, despite this warning, Monkey D. Luffy would not stand idly by.
And perhaps… Ace wouldn't be the only one caught in the coming storm.
"…Thank you."
Ace's gratitude was sincere.
Bai Yu gave a final nod, then turned his gaze briefly to Jinbei.
Without saying another word, he turned and walked away.
"Do you really believe him, Ace?" Jinbei asked quietly once Bai Yu was gone.
"You only met him today."
"In my situation, what's the point of lying?" Ace replied with a faint smile.
Jinbei had no comeback. He fell silent.
—
After the short conversation, Bai Yu and Hannyabal returned to the first floor above sea level.
Until the escort began, they would stay temporarily in Impel Down.
Time passed.
By the next morning, Bai Yu and Maya had already made preparations for Ace's transfer.
BOOM!
Suddenly, the sound of cannon fire roared from outside Impel Down's massive structure.
Mixed with it were the agonized wails of Sea Kings.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Bai Yu's expression turned grim. Without delay, he and Maya rushed to the Central Surveillance Room.
From here, they could observe every level—from LV1 to LV6—and monitor the waters surrounding the prison.
"Enemy pirates!"
"There's a fleet gathering just outside the main gates!" cried a panicked staff member.
"They're trying to breach Impel Down!"
"Damn it… it's all over now," Hannyabal groaned, sweating profusely.
"There goes my chance at becoming Warden…!"
Ignoring Hannyabal's complaints, Bai Yu focused on the video feed.
The screen displayed the vast seaway outside the fortress.
Dozens of pirate ships had gathered—flag after flag fluttering in the wind.
The Sea Kings, guardians of the perimeter, had already been slaughtered.
"No way…" Bai Yu's eyes narrowed.
Among the flags, he recognized them instantly:
—The Kid Pirates
—The Donquixote Family
—And most shockingly… the Beasts Pirates.
To see the likes of Eustass Kid, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Kaido's subordinates working together was unthinkable.
"They've lost their minds," Bai Yu said, incredulous.
"This is open war against the Navy."
"They… they came here knowing it's Impel Down?!" Koby exclaimed, his face pale.
"No," Bai Yu replied coolly, his tone sharpening.
"They came for a reason. A plan."
"There's no one connected to those crews imprisoned here right now. No high-profile captains. No hostages."
"And yet… I'm here."
A pause.
"They came… for me."
"W-what do we do? There's too many of them!" Helmeppo asked, panic rising in his voice.
"Order all G-5 units to fall back and enter the fortress," Bai Yu commanded.
"Reinforce the three main batteries at the front gates. If even one ship breaches the perimeter—open fire without hesitation!"
"Yes, sir!"
Koby and Helmeppo saluted, then rushed to relay the orders to the 100 elite Marines stationed outside.
Just then—DING!
A familiar sound echoed in Bai Yu's mind.
System Alert – Mission Triggered.
End of Chapter.
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