Outside the cage, there was no one.
It was as if the voice Ace and Jinbe had heard earlier had never existed, like nothing more than a shared illusion.
"Shirogai! Shirogai!"
Ace struggled violently, chains rattling as he shouted the name with everything he had.
If Shirogai was truly here, then he could warn Whitebeard. He could stop the Whitebeard Pirates from stepping into this war.
This was Ace's own arrogance, his own mistake. It had nothing to do with Pops or the crew.
But aside from the echoes bouncing endlessly through Impel Down's stone corridors, there was no response.
Ace's breathing grew ragged as doubt crept in.
"…Did I hit my head too hard? Am I hallucinating?"
"Ace, don't doubt yourself."
Jinbe's deep voice carried certainty.
"I heard it too. That man's voice was real. It was not an illusion."
Sizzle. Sizzle. Sizzle.
From the distance, the sound of heavy footsteps returned.
The Jailer Beast, which should have already left, had come back, drawn by Ace's frantic shouting.
"Abba! Abba!"
It wrenched open the iron gate and strode toward Ace, raising its spiked club without mercy.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Ace clenched his teeth, enduring every blow in silence. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his body screaming in pain that would have broken an ordinary man.
He did not cry out.
…
"The Marines of the Blue Sea are nothing more than dogs kept on a leash by the Celestial Dragons."
The man feared and discussed across the seas stood calmly atop a high cloud platform, smiling faintly.
Shirogai.
"They believe sacrificing the Whitebeard Pirates will restore their authority. They want to show the world a Marine force that no one can challenge."
His smile turned cold.
"But the truth is simple. The Marines are rotten to the core. Beyond saving."
His gaze sharpened.
"As long as the Celestial Dragons remain above them, the Marines will never have a good ending. It is only a matter of time before the awakened people overthrow them."
Shirogai's voice grew firm.
"I will lead you to crush those running dogs who trample on the lives of ordinary people."
Then, as if flipping a switch, the fervor vanished from his expression. He spoke indifferently.
"You need more passion when you deliver that line. Understood?"
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!"
A sharp, emotional voice answered through tears.
"Shirogai San, you truly are a man who carries the world in his heart. To save the entire world with your own strength…"
"That's exaggerated."
Shirogai laughed helplessly as he looked down from the platform.
Below him, Galdino scribbled furiously on a small notepad, his eyes shining with admiration.
"You do not need to be so serious. You are actually talented at this kind of rhetoric."
Shirogai continued casually.
"Just learn how the Marines use their so-called justice to suppress people, and you will already stand in an invincible position. As for who is truly right, let victory educate the world."
His lips curved slightly.
"This is a simple world. One that listens to strength above all else."
Galdino nodded repeatedly.
"Sky Island already has that strength."
Recently rescued from Impel Down, Galdino had been brought here to witness Sky Island's military power and advanced technology firsthand.
He had no doubt.
Sky Island possessed the capability to confront the Marines.
"Shirogai San, Sky Island's growth in such a short time is astonishing. Your contributions are indispensable."
Galdino looked at Shirogai with reverence, as if gazing upon a god.
Not long ago, he had been rotting in Impel Down. Now he stood as the Air Force Marshal of Sky Island.
"You are the Air Force Marshal now," Shirogai said with a smile. "Get used to flattery. There will be much more of it in the future."
He stepped forward and placed a hand gently on Galdino's forehead.
"What I am about to do may hurt. You can refuse."
"Please proceed, Shirogai San."
Galdino answered without hesitation, his eyes unwavering.
"I trust you. Even if you meant me harm, I would accept it without regret."
Shirogai laughed softly.
"You will regret it a little. You will not sleep for a few days."
Darkness spread instantly, swallowing both of them.
Dark Seclusion Chamber.
Thirty seconds later, the darkness faded.
"I am finally out!"
Galdino burst into wild laughter, his expression strange yet exhilarated.
Then his body split.
Three became nine.
Nine became dozens.
In moments, hundreds of Galdinos filled the area, each acting independently. Some argued. Some fought. Some wandered aimlessly.
This was the awakened power of the Wax-Wax Fruit.
Shirogai emerged from the fading darkness, entirely unharmed.
"Reduce the number," he said calmly, patting Galdino's shoulder.
"Remember this. Never let anyone know where your real body is. Only by deceiving yourself can you deceive others."
"Yes, Shirogai San!"
Galdino bowed deeply.
"Sky Island is in your hands," Shirogai said. "Everything will proceed as planned."
The next instant, he vanished.
(Galdino is Mr. 3 real name)
…
In a blink, Shirogai crossed thousands of miles and appeared within Impel Down, Level Three, the Hunger Hell.
Scorching heat pressed down relentlessly.
This place existed solely to break humans through thirst and hunger.
The ability that brought him here belonged to the Teleportation Fruit, a power he had spent time acquiring. A displacement ability surpassing even the speed of Kizaru's light.
Bodies lay scattered.
Prisoners fought endlessly over scraps of food and drops of water.
"Interesting," Shirogai murmured, observing the bloodshot eyes and twisted expressions.
"A world stripped bare. Humanity reduced to its ugliest instincts."
"Food!"
"Fresh blood!"
A figure appeared suddenly.
No, it was Shirogai, standing alone among the starving prisoners.
They surrounded him instantly.
Luck had delivered a meal.
A bald man with a blue-faced ghost tattoo licked his knife, chains clanking.
"What a blessing," he sneered. "Such tender prey."
He lunged.
Clang.
The blade shattered.
The man staggered back, staring in disbelief at the man's neck, which gleamed like steel.
"Sea Prism Stone… Impossible!"
Shirogai's voice echoed calmly.
"The difference between people has always been vast."
He looked directly at the man.
"Dunn. Once known as the bounty hunter 'Fierce Lion.'"
Dunn froze.
Shirogai continued, his tone indifferent.
"Your family was slaughtered by a corrupt Marine. When you sought justice, you were framed and hunted. That Marine was later promoted to Vice Admiral."
Dunn's eyes burned with hatred.
"Who are you?"
"You have no secrets from me."
Shirogai's pupils formed a slow, rotating ouroboros.
"Your third child died before ever meeting you."
"Stop!" Dunn roared, charging.
"Stop."
Dunn froze mid-leap, unable to move.
Shirogai turned to the others.
"Most of you are scum. Your deaths would mean nothing."
The ouroboros reflected in their eyes.
"Yet even scum can atone."
Their expressions changed. Fanatic devotion took hold.
"For atonement!"
The Atonement Army was born.
Dunn stared in horror.
Then, click.
His Sea Prism Stone cuffs fell away.
Freedom.
He transformed instantly, leaping away in beast form.
Moments later, he returned.
"What do you want?" Dunn demanded, breathing heavily.
Shirogai smiled.
"Now that is a question worth answering."
___
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