Golden Lion and Redfield exchanged a glance—then burst into loud laughter.
"Zehahaha! Brat." Golden Lion grinned widely.
"We don't think you're an idiot. So don't treat us like idiots either."
"This scale of riot looks spectacular—but the moment Magellan, that poison freak, shows up, his Poison-Poison Fruit will dominate in this enclosed environment. Suppressing this is only a matter of time."
Leno curled his lip. "Even so, my plan is to escape by sea. You can't follow me."
The last sentence was directed at Golden Lion.
Redfield hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit—he could swim.
Golden Lion couldn't.
But Golden Lion didn't seem bothered at all. He burst out laughing and slapped Leno heavily on the shoulder.
"Zehahahahaha! That's why you can carry me out, brat!"
"I can't swim—but you can!"
"Consider it payment for the heartfelt effort I put into teaching you Haki and swordsmanship these past few days. What do you say?"
Leno shot him a cold look. "You old bastard sure have thick skin."
"You taught me because I promised to set you free in exchange. Don't act like I owe you."
Golden Lion wasn't angered. He simply chuckled.
It was obvious—he had decided to latch onto Leno.
Redfield said nothing.
But his silence clearly conveyed the same intention.
Seeing this, Leno's mouth twitched.
Why hadn't he realized earlier that these old monsters were such shameless rogues?
—
Elsewhere.
Facing the frenzied charge of criminals, the Marines and Jailer Beasts could barely hold the line.
Their defenses were torn open repeatedly. The riot had already spread to Level 4—Blazing Hell!
Chief Jailer Sadi, wielding her long whip, was anxiously directing the Jailer Beasts in defense.
"Mmm! Such naughty little brats! Stop them! Don't let them advance any further!"
Behind her,
a graceful woman with long blonde hair appeared to glance around nervously.
When her gaze landed on Leno—walking at the very rear of the mob—
her eyes lit up instantly.
She almost rushed toward him.
But she immediately halted her steps.
Instead, she began carefully circling around, approaching Leno in a subtle, cautious manner.
Her actions did not escape Leno—
nor the two old monsters beside him, whose perception far exceeded ordinary standards.
Golden Lion was the first to cackle.
"Zehahaha! Didn't expect a Navy traitor like you to have such connections?"
"There's a beautiful lady sneaking over to see you," he teased, waggling his brows at Leno.
Redfield added calmly,
"My Observation Haki tells me that when she saw you, her heart was filled with excitement and joy."
Leno responded with nothing but a cold smile.
There wasn't the slightest ripple in his eyes.
"More likely the joy of catching a traitor and earning herself a promotion."
After experiencing total betrayal,
he no longer trusted anyone easily.
Especially not women.
Domino, however, had no idea of Leno's guarded thoughts.
She was simply overjoyed to see him again.
The reason she didn't rush over openly—
wasn't because she didn't want to.
It was because she couldn't.
She was afraid her actions might cause trouble for Leno.
After all—
Leno was no longer a Navy Vice Admiral.
He was now a criminal of Impel Down.
Even so…
In her heart, she still remembered it clearly.
Back then—dressed in spotless white Navy uniform—he had stepped gently in front of her.
When a pirate being escorted into Impel Down suddenly went berserk, it was Leno who had struck him down and protected her.
She muttered softly to herself,
"Lord Leno looks handsome even in prison clothes…"
"But he still looks best in white!"
Carefully avoiding the gazes of fellow Marines, she hurried closer to him.
However—
Before she could fully approach—
A sharp, invisible slash suddenly cleaved into the ground right before her toes.
It left a deep gash, forcibly halting her steps.
Domino jumped in fright.
She looked toward the source of the attack, eyes filled with grievance.
Before she could speak—
Leno's icy voice reached her first.
Filled with unmistakable suspicion and ridicule.
"Domino. Are you here to take my life too?"
His cold, unfamiliar demeanor made her feel even more wronged.
She couldn't understand what she had done wrong.
She only wanted to see him—to check whether he was doing alright.
Flustered, she waved her small hands, her pretty face flushed red with urgency.
Her voice trembled with grievance.
"N-no! Lord Leno! I'm not here to arrest you!"
"I didn't inform the Marines either! I just… I just wanted to see you…"
"Hmph." Leno let out a cold laugh, cutting her off.
"You believe that yourself?"
"It's been a week. I was locked in Eternal Hell, and you never showed up."
"Now there's a riot, and you come saying you're concerned about me? I'm not a fool."
His tone was calm, yet every word pierced like a blade.
"Even that old man Garp betrayed me."
"You're just a Marine I once saved."
"Even if I hadn't stepped in back then, someone else would've saved you."
"And now you claim you care? What a joke."
As he spoke, Leno himself didn't realize the trace of sorrow beneath his voice.
Truthfully, when he saved Domino back then—
He had harbored a bit of personal feeling.
As a Marine, he never considered chasing after beautiful pirates.
Among the Marines, there were only a few attractive women without powerful backgrounds.
Domino fit his tastes perfectly.
A faint ripple stirred in Leno's heart—
But it was quickly smothered by cold reality.
Unfortunately…
It was no longer possible.
He shook his head, casting aside the useless thought.
But when he lifted his gaze again—
His pupils shrank in shock.
Domino had, without hesitation, removed her Navy cap.
Then she tore off the coat of justice that symbolized her rank and faith—
And threw it to the ground.
Beneath it, she wore simple civilian clothes.
Tears streamed down her face, yet she forced a brilliant, almost blinding smile.
A smile so bright—
It made one's heart ache.
Her voice was soft.
"To you… I might've just been someone you saved on a whim."
"But to me, it wasn't the same."
"I know you were wronged! I'd rather leave the Navy than not follow you!"
"I, Domino, will never betray Lord Leno!"
Those resolute words and actions—
Left Leno momentarily stunned.
Who could reject the heartfelt confession of a pure, devoted admirer?
His expression shifted rapidly.
Struggle. Doubt. A flicker of emotion.
He wasn't sure whether this was some Navy ploy.
But in the end—
He made a decision.
Even so, his face remained cold as he tossed out a single sentence.
"If you're not afraid of being branded a traitor… and hunted endlessly…"
"Then follow me."
After speaking, he didn't look at her again.
He turned and continued forward.
Yet—
His steps seemed to slow ever so slightly.
Hearing his words, Domino broke into a radiant smile from the bottom of her heart.
"Hai~! Lord Leno!"
However—
Her declaration had not gone unnoticed.
"Domino! What do you think you're doing?!" Sadi shouted, whip in hand, glaring furiously at her.