The fifth level of Impel Down had always relied on its extreme cold as a natural defense.
The army wolves, once the primary guardians of this level, had already been summoned to Level Three by Saldeath—and were completely wiped out.
On top of that, Magellan had ordered the remaining guards on this level to retreat and regroup on Level Six.
Now, the flames and boiling blood from Level Four poured down continuously through the opening Squard had blasted open, melting away the layers of ice that coated Level Five.
Steam rose relentlessly, billowing up the stairwell toward Level Three, the "Starvation Hell."
As a result, the previously dry and blisteringly hot environment began to balance out, becoming surprisingly pleasant.
The prisoners who had just descended into Level Three looked around, blinking in disbelief.
"Wait, wasn't this level supposed to be dry and scorching hot? Why does it feel cooler than a day at the Water 7 Gardens?"
"Who cares! Let's just free the prisoners first!"
Galdino's ears perked up at the sound of a flamboyant singing voice.
He immediately followed it and, sure enough, found Mr. 2—Bon Clay.
Bon Clay's eyes lit up as he saw him.
With his usual flair, he shouted, "I knew it! I knew you'd get free eventually! That battle just now was fabulous—though it's a shame you didn't see it!"
Galdino hurriedly asked, "Did that man beside the Empress take action?"
Bon Clay paused for a moment. "No, he didn't."
Galdino's face fell slightly in disappointment—until Bon Clay added:
"But none of the attacks worked on him or the people around him! Not even a rain of bullets!"
"Shooting at him is like shooting yourself!"
Upon hearing that, Galdino's heart soared. He knew he'd backed the right horse.
He quickly used his Wax-Wax Fruit powers to craft the appropriate keys, unlocking both Bon Clay's cell and shackles.
Bon Clay looked at him curiously.
"You're planning to join this Roya guy, aren't you?"
Galdino smirked.
"Why not?"
"If we don't join a powerhouse like him, even if we escape, we'll just end up getting recaptured eventually."
Bon Clay nodded.
"Good point! Let's hurry and free Mr. 1 and Mr. 0!"
Galdino frowned.
"You really want to release Crocodile? Don't forget—it's because of him we ended up in this hellhole!"
Bon Clay shrugged.
"The temperature drop on this level means Roya's already connected Level Four with Level Five. That must be what's causing the cold snap."
"Which means once we reach Level Six, we'll be seeing Mr. 0 whether we like it or not."
Galdino was stunned for a moment, then sighed in resignation.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
Bon Clay grinned.
"Let's move! The four elite beast guards didn't die—they fled upstairs!"
Galdino's expression changed.
"They must be heading to find that lunatic Sadi-chan! We have to catch up with Roya before she whips us all to death!"
Before they could move, the sound of distant chaos echoed from the stairway between Levels Two and Three.
The two of them exchanged glances, then dashed full-speed toward the Level Four passage.
---
Within just a few minutes, Roya and his group arrived at the massive steel doors separating Level Five from Level Six.
Suddenly, Roya turned to Squard.
"You two, go ahead and release the revolutionary leader hidden in the interlayer."
Without hesitation, Squard turned and left.
McGuy expression grew tense. He pointed at the gate.
"Vice-Emperor Roya… You intend to face the prison's final defenses alone?"
Roya smiled.
"Of course. After watching you guys fight all this time, my hands are starting to itch."
With that, he tapped his foot lightly on the floor.
The massive, fortified door swung open—just from the force of his footstep.
McGuy blinked in astonishment, then hurried to catch up with Squard.
Roya, calm as ever, stepped alone down the staircase toward Level Six.
From below, two sets of panicked footsteps echoed upward.
Two guards were frantically fleeing downward, muttering in fear as they ran.
"They're already here!"
"Damn it! No communication, and we get sent to monitor the enemy's movements?!"
"Less talking, more running!"
Boa Hancock glanced at Roya, suppressing the unease in her heart.
They were about to face the man known as the most dangerous in the entire prison—Magellan.
A living weapon of lethal poison—his entire body toxic, even the breath from his mouth deadly.
Just touching him meant certain death.
Worse still, Magellan had developed his Venom-Venom Fruit to a terrifying degree, with a whole arsenal of advanced toxin techniques.
Could Observation Haki still counter or evade such a power?
Even if Roya could phase into another dimension to avoid the poison like before—how would he attack Magellan in return?
Even if he landed a hit, wouldn't he still end up covered in deadly venom?
As her thoughts spiraled, they reached the bottom of the stairwell.
The vast transfer hall before them had only a single person standing there.
A tall figure over three meters high, wearing a custom prison officer's uniform.
A thick cigar burned between his lips, puffs of smoke rising and falling with every breath.
Hancock's eyes widened in shock.
"Rain of Death… Shiryu?! Magellan actually released you, a death-row inmate, just to win this fight?!"
Shiryu cackled.
"Well, well. So it's the Pirate Empress herself. I've heard plenty about your beauty."
"To stop the prison from falling, what's a few death row inmates? Seems like a fair trade."
From the shadows of a side passage, Magellan emerged.
Beside him stood another towering man—muscular and imposing.
He stood at least two and a half meters tall, but beside the nearly five-meter Magellan, he looked almost childlike.
Magellan chuckled.
"So bold of you… sending both your guards to fetch those rats."
"Well, no matter. After I deal with you, I'll exterminate those androgynous pests as well."
The muscular man could barely contain himself.
He raised his right hand—sand swirling from his palm into the air.
"Magellan!" he shouted. "You remember your promise! Once I kill this man, you let me go free!"
"Otherwise… I'll stop playing with poison—and start playing with poisoned sand instead!"
He thrust his hand forward.
The swirling grains exploded into a violent sandstorm tornado, barreling toward Roya.
Even the reinforced steel flooring beneath was caught in the whirlwind—disintegrated into dust to feed the storm's power.
Boa Hancock gasped.
"The Desert King… Crocodile?!"
PS: Access advance (50+) chapters at
https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL