Whitebeard's captain?
Upon hearing this, Ivankov nearly dropped his jaw to the ground.
A man like Edward Teach, a member of someone else's crew??? That's right...
Even the now world-renowned "strongest man in the world" was once a crew member of another man...
In that instant.
A shadow, already incredibly vague, flashed through Ivankov's mind.
It was before Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.
The sea overlord closest to the title of "Pirate King"—the captain of the Rocks Pirates!
Rocks D. Xebec! Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, Kaido of the Beasts...
Each of these legendary pirates known throughout the world had once been a member of the Rocks Pirates.
Not to mention Captain John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, Buckingham Stussy, and the Nine Snake Empress (the previous generation).
On the ship of the Rocks Pirates.
Even Wang Zhi, who was once unknown, now dominated Hive Island as a powerful figure in the New World for years! 'I must be a bit out of my mind...'
Ivankov lowered his head and rubbed his forehead, trying to mask his overly exposed emotions.
'To compare a young man to the likes of Rocks D. Xebec...'
When Ivankov raised his head again to look at Whitebeard III.
"Teach, is what he said true?"
"Yes."
Whitebeard III nodded firmly.
"Storm is not only my comrade but also my captain."
The scene before him was too unbelievable.
Even for the thick-skinned Ivankov, it was hard to accept at that moment.
But with Whitebeard III personally affirming it, the Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom had no choice but to refrain from questioning.
"Vongola Storm, who exactly are you?"
Ivankov could only turn to Storm, throwing questions one after another.
"Why did you come to Impel Down? What is your purpose? Is it for the prisoners in Infinite Hell—"
"You have too many questions, Ivankov."
Storm interrupted the Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom directly.
"I have no obligation to explain myself to you."
Ivankov couldn't help but rub his face, trying to ease his current excitement.
At that moment.
On the other side, Inazuma, who had been injected with Healing Hormones, slowly awakened from his stupor.
"Your Majesty!"
Inazuma's call immediately caught Ivankov's attention.
Ivankov quickly moved to his subordinate's side, gently lifting his arm.
"Be careful, Vongola Storm!"
Inazuma struggled to maintain his consciousness, warning the Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom.
"He has entered Extreme Cold Hell!"
After saying this, Inazuma fell unconscious once more.
The atmosphere in New Kama Land suddenly grew tense.
Ivankov had just lowered his guard, but now he had to raise it again.
"Vongola Storm, did you do this to Inazuma?"
"That was indeed me!"
Storm unexpectedly gave a straightforward answer.
The pain and anger on Ivankov's face flickered away.
Then Storm continued.
"You should be grateful, Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom."
"Grateful for what?" Ivankov replied coldly.
"Grateful that Inazuma wasn't killed by you?"
"That is indeed the case."
Storm retorted sharply.
"At least I didn't kill that person but let Teach bring him to you!"
Ivankov's expression froze.
Even though he felt dissatisfaction and anger over Vongola Storm injuring Inazuma, he had to admit that Storm's words held some truth.
As the Warden Chief of Impel Down, Vongola Storm also had the authority to execute prisoners.
Even if Vongola Storm had truly killed Inazuma, it would have been within his duties.
Even if we take a step back.
If Vongola Storm had severely injured Inazuma and left him in the forests of Extreme Cold Hell unattended.
The unconscious Inazuma would surely have been devoured by the frenzied Army Wolf Pack.
In that case.
Ivankov would also lose this precious subordinate!
At that moment, a hint of relief unexpectedly surged within Ivankov.
Fortunately, the enemy Inazuma encountered was Storm and not Shiryu of the Rain.
Otherwise, Inazuma would undoubtedly be dead! Once he sorted through his thoughts.
The anger in Ivankov's heart dissipated significantly.
Inazuma was injured, but he was merely injured; as long as he was alive, that was enough!
As for how Vongola Storm had left the prison in Extreme Cold Hell and encountered Inazuma...
Ivankov had no intention of delving into that.
After all, Vongola Storm's identity was "Warden Chief," not "prisoner."
His punishment was merely "solitary confinement," not "imprisonment."
He probably had a thousand ways to leave his cell...
Ivankov decided not to dwell on such trivial matters.
The heavy atmosphere in New Kama Land gradually eased.
"Vongola Storm."
Ivankov brought up the old topic again.
"Are you and Teach... really planning to recruit subordinates from Infinite Hell?"
"Our target is indeed the prisoners in Infinite Hell."
Storm spoke truthfully.
"However, I never intended to come looking for you.
"New Kama Land... ha!"
Even though Storm's attitude was quite unpleasant, Ivankov couldn't have wished for anything more.
Because he didn't want to get involved in the "recruitment plan for Infinite Hell" at all!
Cherish life, stay away from madmen.
"Then please, both of you, leave!"
Ivankov hastily issued the eviction order.
"I wish you both success in your endeavors in advance!"
"Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom."
Storm tilted his head, glancing sideways at Ivankov.
"When did you develop the illusion that you could stand aside?"
Ivankov was taken aback.
"What!?"
Storm waved his hand, and Whitebeard III obediently stepped aside.
Then, he took a step forward, slowly approaching Ivankov.
"New Kama Land, a place that exists in the blind spot of Impel Down's surveillance."
Storm stepped closer, and the ground beneath his feet erupted like a fountain, spewing out clay.
"The moment I appeared here, your fate was already sealed!
"Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom.
"Do you want to go to Infinite Hell with me?
"Or do you want me to send you to Infinite Hell?!"
The previously eased atmosphere suddenly turned tense.
Ivankov's eyes widened, nearly bursting.
But in the next moment, he suddenly blinked.
A powerful shockwave erupted from his eyelid, surging like a storm toward the approaching Storm.
"DEATH WINK!"
Boom! The shockwave generated by Ivankov's "Death Wink" exploded the moment it made contact with Storm's body.
A deafening roar echoed through New Kama Land.
And Storm, hit by the explosion of Ivankov's "Death Wink," found his body torn and ragged.
But the wounds on Storm's body did not bleed blood; instead, white clay flowed out! Meanwhile.
The ground beneath Storm's feet was assimilated by the power of the Clay-Clay Fruit into an enormous mass of clay.
"Flowing Clay!"
Storm manipulated the clay ground beneath him, transforming it into undulating shapes like ocean waves.
From the clay ground, giant hands emerged, launching attacks on all the inhabitants of New Kama Land.
"Ah! The ground has turned to clay!"
"I can barely stand!"
"So many hands! There's no way to dodge!"
The members of New Kama Land, originally prisoners Ivankov had recruited from the lower levels, had varying levels of strength.
Faced with the widespread attack of "Flowing Clay," not a single one of these inhabitants could evade! In just a few breaths.
The vast majority of members in New Kama Land were controlled by Storm using the Clay-Clay Fruit.
Even Inazuma, who had fallen unconscious again, was no exception.
Only Ivankov was still dodging the attacks of "Flowing Clay."
Well-versed in combat, he quickly recognized the essence of this widespread attack technique—
Vongola Storm's Clay-Clay Fruit had awakened!
The Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
While Ivankov skillfully dodged the clay attacks, he shouted loudly.
"I give up, okay? Please stop! If you keep attacking, the entire New Kama Land will be destroyed!"
"Give up?"
Storm looked at the unmoving Grand Prize Trophy, a cold smile spreading across his face.
"Since you're worried about New Kama Land being destroyed, let's go outside and fight! "Just right, I'm very interested in your abilities."
Storm had been pondering how to make the Clay-Clay Fruit more "artistic."
After all, it is well-known—
Art is an explosion!
The fact that human muscles and eyelids could unleash such a degree of explosive force.
Storm was incredibly intrigued by Ivankov's "Death Wink"!
"Huh? What did you say!?"
Ivankov was astonished by Storm's words, even forgetting to dodge the clay attacks.
"You want to become a New Human too?! I can help you evolve!"
New Human.
That is, a transvestite.
Upon hearing Ivankov's words, Storm's face instantly darkened.
He controlled the white clay to form an enormous hand, slamming down heavily on Ivankov.
Smack! Storm swatted Ivankov into the depths of New Kama Land as if he were swatting a fly.
"Ah! I'm going to be sent to Infinite Hell—no way!"
Ivankov's cries echoed from within the clay.
"HELL WINK!"
Boom! The violent shockwave crashed into the white clay, causing the clay-formed ground to explode.
As clay fragments flew through the air.
Ivankov leaped high into the sky, his appearance having transformed into that of a woman at some point.
The Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom beckoned to Storm with a finger.
"Vongola, let's go play outside together!"