Chapter 190: Impel Down
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office
"What? You want to go to Impel Down?"
Sengoku slammed his hand on the desk, asking, "Is that a place you can go to? Don't be reckless!"
"Oh come on, it's just to meet someone," Rodney waved his hand dismissively, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, don't be so stingy. I still want to keep my position as a Warlord, so I won't do anything like a prison break."
His words made Sengoku even more suspicious that he might attempt a jailbreak.
"It's precisely because it's you that we don't trust you," Sengoku replied.
He was well aware of Rodney's abilities. While Magellan was there, Rodney's powers were troublesome, and there was a possibility that Magellan might be caught off guard. If something went wrong now, it would be a major embarrassment to the Marines and the World Government. Would he still be able to continue as an admiral?
Rodney considered for a moment and said, "If it's really necessary, how about you put Seastone Cuffs on us and let Vice Admiral Garp escort me?"
His advantage was that many believed he had a unique Devil Fruit power, so he could gain the upper hand. As long as Seastone Cuffs were in place, he couldn't use his abilities, which should put Sengoku at ease.
Sengoku pondered for a moment and then turned to Garp, saying, "Garp, you go with Rodney. I can trust you."
Knowing that his old friend was in a bad mood, Garp agreed. He said, "I understand. Rodney, let's go."
"Oh, okay. Goodbye, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Rodney followed Garp with a spring in his step. Sengoku sighed.
He hadn't wanted to do this, as the grudges of the previous generation should not be passed on to the next. However, he believed in Garp's sense of justice and knew that Rodney wouldn't dare to attempt a jailbreak with Garp watching over him.
On the Marine ship, Garp and Rodney sailed towards Impel Down. Rodney asked, "Garp, do you ever regret it?"
Was he referring to regretting making Ace a pirate, or regretting not stopping him when he let Ace go? Garp chuckled and replied, "Haha, I've never regretted anything I've done. Rodney, that brat Ace made his own choices. Since he chose this path, he has to take responsibility for it. He's my grandson, but I won't interfere in his decisions. However, that brat is really giving me a hard time."
Rodney sensed the sadness in the old man's tone but didn't press further. Instead, he asked, "Why are you going to see him?"
"I heard that someone volunteered to enter Impel Down to protect Ace. I'm going to see him and maybe give Ace a good beating," Rodney said.
"I've told him many times, but he never listens. Beating some sense into him will make me feel better."
"Haha, indeed, that brat deserves a beating!" Garp laughed heartily.
He and Rodney were in good spirits, chatting as the Marine ship sped through the sea, reaching Impel Down in a matter of hours.
Impel Down, the world's first and most secure prison, was located in the Calm Belt, halfway along the Grand Line. Security was extremely tight, and to reach Impel Down, one had to use the Marines' dedicated sea route, the Tarai Current.
The Tarai Current continuously circled between Justice Island, Marine Headquarters, and Impel Down. When one of the three Gates of Justice opened, seawater would rush in and carry ships to their destination. But if all the gates were closed, the ships would endlessly circle the current without making any progress.
Upon arriving at Impel Down, Garp and Rodney were greeted by Hannyabal, the Vice Warden. Hannyabal had a peculiar face and wore a hat resembling an Egyptian pharaoh's headdress.
He held a steel fork in his hand. After introducing himself, he said with a bit of panic, "I'm Vice Warden Hannyabal. Welcome. Although I'm just the Vice Warden, I will become the Warden someday. Oops, I've accidentally revealed my ambition again!"
Garp and Rodney couldn't help but smile at his antics. Garp pointed at Rodney and said, "This guy is with me, so there's no need to search him. Let's go."
"Vice Admiral Garp, this is against the rules!" Hannyabal protested.
"Haha, it's fine, Hannyabal. Fleet Admiral Sengoku won't find out, and with me here, this guy won't cause any trouble," Garp said. "Lead the way. I want to see my grandson."
"But..."
Hannyabal tried to object, but Rodney chimed in, "Haha, Vice Warden Hannyabal, you're quite the character. With someone as responsible as you here, nothing will go wrong."
"Hohoho, you have a keen eye! That's right, with me, Hannyabal, here, nothing will go wrong. Even if something does happen, it would be Magellan's doing, and he can resign in disgrace while I become the new Warden! Oops, I accidentally revealed my ambition again!"
Hannyabal chuckled nervously. Rodney and Garp followed him into Impel Down.
While a body search was necessary, Rodney simply put his pouch aside. It was provided by the system, and only he could open it.
During the search, several Senbon needles were found in his hair, explosive tags in his clothes, and a pile of other items. Hannyabal was astounded.
"How many things did you have on you?" he couldn't help but ask.
"I'm afraid of being under-armed," Rodney replied nonchalantly.
"Without some items, I don't feel safe. You know, it's all about security."
Garp and Rodney followed Hannyabal to the elevator, passing through the first three levels: Crimson Hell, Wild Beast Hell, and Starvation Hell, until they reached the fourth level: Blazing Hell.
As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they felt a wave of heat wash over them. Rodney fanned himself and complained, "Your Warden really knows how to pick a location. Aren't they afraid of getting sick from the heat?"
He disliked extreme heat more than cold because when it was cold, at least you could sleep, but extreme heat made it impossible to sleep. Even if you did manage to fall asleep, you would wake up drenched in sweat.
"Magellan, the Warden, is here. He's probably in the restroom right now," Hannyabal said.
Magellan had eaten the Venom-Venom Fruit, turning him into a poisonous person. The food he breathed on became lethal, causing stomachaches and diarrhea if consumed. As a result, he only worked four hours a day and spent almost ten hours in the restroom, ensuring that he was well-rested. After all, he didn't want to carry fatigue into the next day.
Rodney followed Hannyabal and Garp as they made their way to Magellan's office. Rodney didn't see anyone familiar among the prisoners who were working, which was to be expected. Most of his adversaries had already met their end at his hands.
Reaching Impel Down seemed almost impossible.