Edward Teach strolled through the forest of the Extreme Cold Hell.
In his hand, he held Inazuma as if he were holding a frail little chick.
Just moments ago, he had used his Observation Haki to scan the entire forest.
Especially the areas where Inazuma had been active, which were the focal points of his search.
After a thorough investigation.
Edward Teach discovered a hidden entrance deep within the forest.
His Observation Haki allowed him to clearly hear the constant noise emanating from within.
Without a doubt.
That hidden entrance was the gateway to the Newkama Land, the secret fifth-and-a-half level of Impel Down!
Edward Teach—
Or rather, Storm, who was concealed within the "Edward Teach Humanoid Mecha."
His destination was the mysterious Newkama Land beyond that entrance! After a few minutes of walking.
Edward Teach successfully arrived near the mysterious entrance.
Here, even without using his Observation Haki, he could clearly hear the sounds coming from inside.
Without hesitation, Edward Teach stepped inside.
At first, the path was narrow, barely wide enough for a person, but after walking a few dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a vast space.
Edward Teach found himself inside a massive, cavernous chamber.
Although the height of this chamber couldn't compare to the Extreme Cold Hell outside, it was still several dozen meters tall.
More than enough to accommodate the normal activities of the Giant Tribe.
The interior of the chamber seemed to have been specially designed, resembling a crude, makeshift theater.
When Edward Teach entered the chamber, the people inside were in the midst of a wild celebration.
A strangely proportioned figure with an afro was passionately performing on the theater's stage.
"...Here, you can find everything!"
"Drinks! Food! Weapons! And most importantly... freedom!"
"This is the secret garden of Impel Down—the Newkama La—la—"
As soon as the afro-wearing figure turned around, he caught sight of the towering figure amidst the crowd.
His eyes bulged in shock, his mouth opened to its fullest extent, and his tongue curled up in surprise.
"Whitebeard—???"
The horrified reaction of the stage performer triggered a chain reaction among the others in the Newkama Land.
The lights turned on.
Everyone in the room saw the sudden appearance of the unfamiliar guest.
"Whitebeard!"
"Edward Newgate!"
"The strongest man in the world!!"
Chaos erupted in the Newkama Land.
"What a lively place, gura gura gura..."
Edward Teach let out a low chuckle as he tossed the injured figure in his hand toward the stage.
"This is your subordinate, right, Queen of the Okama?"
Emporio Ivankov instinctively raised his hands and caught the unconscious figure.
"Inazuma!? What happened here?"
"The details are a bit complicated to explain."
Edward Teach rubbed his stomach and glanced at the banquet nearby.
"Is there any food here?"
"Yes! Of course! Just give us a moment!"
Ivankov first administered a dose of "Healing Hormones" to Inazuma.
Then, he immediately rushed to Edward Teach's side, carefully guiding him to a seat at the banquet.
"Bring the food! The finest ingredients! The finest wine! Bring it all!"
In no time at all.
Before Edward Teach lay a mountain of food.
"I won't hold back!"
Hidden within, Storm quietly allocated points to his various abilities.
After the previous battles and accumulation.
Storm currently possessed 11 [Gold Trophies] and 3 [Platinum Trophies].
Before entering the Newkama Land.
Storm had spent several Grand Prize Trophies to enhance some of his abilities.
[Moon Walk/Tempest Kick/Swordsmanship/Life Return: ★★★★★]
As for now, with ample food laid out before him, Storm's choice was naturally—
[Physique] allocation! As the last three [Gold Trophies] were consumed.
Storm's [Strength] and [Speed] attributes immediately surged.
Without hesitation, he then invested the remaining three [Platinum Trophies] into [Endurance] and [Speed] attributes.
[Strength: ★★★★★]
[Speed: ★★★★★☆]
[Endurance: ★★★★★★]
The moment the [Physique] allocation was completed.
An unprecedented sense of hunger overwhelmed Storm.
He casually grabbed a piece of Sea King meat and stuffed it into his mouth, the mountain of food before him rapidly diminishing and disappearing.
In the empty cave.
Only the monstrous sounds of eating echoed continuously.
The newkamas in Newkama Land watched this gluttonous feast.
Not a single one dared to make a sound at this moment.
Even Emporio Ivankov, the "Queen of the Newkamas," dared not disturb "Whitebeard" during his meal.
Seeing the food before "Whitebeard" decreasing rapidly.
Ivankov quickly waved to the chefs in Newkama Land, signaling them to hurry up with the next course.
Time passed bit by bit.
The "new humans" in Newkama Land exchanged astonished glances.
'Whitebeard has been eating for half an hour...'
'Too strong! His stomach is like a bottomless pit...'
'All the food stored in Newkama Land for a week has been eaten by him...' During "Whitebeard's" eating process, Ivankov was also observing him closely.
After careful observation, he found that this "Whitebeard" was not the same as the "Whitebeard" he knew.
The Revolutionary Army's information channels were incredibly well-informed.
Even though Ivankov had been imprisoned in Impel Down.
As the commander of the Revolutionary Army's Grand Line forces.
Ivankov still possessed a wealth of unknown secret intelligence.
For example, he had known for a long time that Whitebeard was seriously ill and no longer as strong as in his prime.
But this "Whitebeard" who appeared in Newkama Land was unbelievably healthy! There was another point.
Ivankov had encountered Whitebeard in his youth over thirty years ago.
The two had experienced the God Valley Incident in the West Sea together...
'This Whitebeard doesn't resemble Whitebeard at all...'
Ivankov thought to himself.
'This Whitebeard is just a Whitebeard BOY (boy)!'
If Ivankov were to describe it.
The Whitebeard who had been eating non-stop was like a carbon copy of Whitebeard in his youth! 'Wait! No way!'
An unbelievable and astonishing thought suddenly emerged in Ivankov's mind.
'This Whitebeard… could he be Whitebeard's son?'
At that moment.
Storm, who had devoured all the food reserves in the Newkama Land, finally had his fill.
Ivan hesitated for a moment, then cautiously stepped forward.
"Lord Whitebeard."
The Queen of the Newkama bent down, forcing a flattering smile on his rugged face.
"What can I do for you?"
"No need to be so formal, Queen of the Newkama. I've heard of your name."
Edward Teach stood up, looking down at Ivan from above, and extended his right hand.
"Be my friend, Emporio Ivankov.
"I am Edward Teach! Whitebeard III!"
Whitebeard—the Third?!
The Queen of the Newkama had heard rumors about "Whitebeard Jr."
It was said that "Whitebeard Jr." possessed the same formidable strength as Whitebeard in his youth.
But where did this "Whitebeard III" come from?!
However, come to think of it.
This "Whitebeard III" does resemble the real Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, more closely…
"It would be my honor…"
Ivan timidly extended his right hand, lightly touching Edward Teach's fingers.
"To be your friend."
"Gurararara…"
Edward Teach let out a hearty laugh.
"Since we're all friends now, I'll speak plainly! Ivankov, I need your strength!"
After confirming that the other party wasn't the real Whitebeard but the so-called "Whitebeard III,"
Ivan's courage gradually grew.
"Edward—"
"Call me Teach!"
"Alright, Teach!"
Ivan immediately corrected himself.
"What do you want me to do? More food?"
As long as Edward Teach's request wasn't too outrageous,
Ivan was prepared to fulfill it.
After all, judging from the situation when Edward Teach appeared earlier…
He was Inazuma's savior!
"No! Not food!"
Edward Teach clenched his right fist and swung it forcefully.
"Ivankov, the moment I saw you, I knew.
"You're the same type of person as me!
"You were willing to abandon your previous identity and infiltrate Impel Down just to build this Newkama Land, right?!"
Uh…
Ivan blinked.
Although Edward Teach's words seemed a bit off,
From his perspective, it didn't seem entirely wrong.
Before being captured and imprisoned, Ivan was the legitimate Queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom!
And the reason he entered Impel Down and hid in the Newkama Land
Was to recruit prisoners from Impel Down and strengthen the Revolutionary Army's forces.
Once the Revolutionary Army began its actions in the outside world,
Ivan would lead the members of the Newkama Land back into the world.
From this perspective,
Edward Teach's understanding wasn't entirely wrong.
"Yes, perhaps maybe… that's the case."
Ivan responded vaguely, then quickly asked.
"What about you, Teach?"
"I don't care about these insignificant small fries."
Edward Teach spread his arms, embracing the void, fully displaying his "ambition."
"My goal is the sixth level of Infinite Hell! I will select the most elite and powerful subordinates from the world's most evil and terrifying criminals! I will form the most fearsome pirate crew in history! I will defeat Whitebeard and become the world's strongest pirate! The remnants of the old era have reached the time to exit the stage of history! In my new era, there is no ship to carry them!"