In the depths of Impel Down, in the hidden sixth level, the damp, dark corridors were filled with the clinking sounds of chains occasionally scraping against the floor.
Within the shadowy cells, pairs of monstrous, savage eyes glowed with intense malice.
Those imprisoned here were all notorious criminals; even one of them loosed upon the outside world could cause a bloodbath.
Since the breakout three years ago led by Golden Lion Bullet, several infamous prisoners had escaped from here.
While many were recaptured and brought back, the number of inmates still remained much lower than before.
But the sixth level had never been more lively.
There was only one reason for this—the presence of the woman reputed to be the world's most beautiful, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, was now among them!
The bored pirates amused themselves by throwing vile taunts at Hancock, locked in the deepest cell.
With no hope for their own futures, this was their only solace in a prison they would die in.
Bound by sea-stone chains at her wrists and ankles, Hancock showed no response to their disgusting taunts.
To her, these men were no different from the dead.
Indeed, in Hancock's mind, that man would definitely come for her.
Whether it took a year, three years, or even ten, she was willing to wait, convinced that one day he would appear!
Click, click.
The sound of firm footsteps interrupted the pirates' chatter, and faint light filtered into the pitch-black cells.
Under the wary, fearful stares of the pirates, a towering figure in the uniform of the Warden approached Hancock's cell.
"Boa Hancock, I have something to inform you of."
Magellan turned his head awkwardly, looking towards the chains in the corner of her cell, and spoke in a cold tone.
Every time he came down to deliver news to Hancock, he made sure to avoid looking directly into her eyes, fearing he would be ensnared by her breathtaking beauty.
Despite being the strongest in Impel Down, even he couldn't take such a risk lightly.
Hancock remained silent, her head lowered.
During these past three years, Magellan occasionally brought newspapers in, claiming it was a special "courtesy" for the inmates.
But most of the news was trivial—new Yonko, new admirals, insignificant matters. Over time, Hancock's hopeful anticipation faded into indifference.
Magellan, unfazed by her lack of response, continued with the orders passed down from above: "Three days from now, at the New World's Navy Headquarters, you will be publicly executed."
Just as Zyhark had predicted, the World Government planned to use Hancock to lure him out, igniting an inevitable "Showdown War"!
Hearing this, Hancock's eyes widened as she snapped her head up to look at Magellan, letting her long black hair fall over much of her face.
It wasn't her impending death that shocked her but rather the underlying message in Magellan's words.
If the World Government intended to execute her, they could have done so three years ago. Why wait until now?
"Magellan, tell me—is it because Zyhark has appeared?"
Hancock's voice was filled with excitement as she tugged on the heavy chains, moving quickly to grasp the bars with both hands.
"This is an order from the World Government. I cannot disclose any further information."
Not wanting to answer her directly, Magellan turned his head even further away.
However, the lack of a response was, in itself, an answer.
Hancock's heart pounded wildly, and a smile of joy spread across her beautiful face.
But her joy was soon replaced by a determined, solemn expression.
As if reading her thoughts, Magellan turned his back on her, folding his hands behind him.
"Do not attempt anything foolish, like suicide. A medical team will monitor you around the clock."
His words instantly cast a shadow of despair over Hancock's eyes.
Only now did she bitterly regret the reckless actions she had taken three years ago.
"Enjoy your last three days."
With that, Magellan turned to leave the sixth level.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed from above, shaking all of Impel Down violently!
Magellan was startled, immediately quickening his steps to leave.
Buru Buru Buru.
Just a short distance from her cell, his transponder snail rang.
"Hello, this is Magellan. What's going on up there, Hannyabal?!"
"Warden! We're in serious trouble! Pirates! Pirates have broken in from the front!"
"What?!!"
The call abruptly ended, and a crackling sound of thunder cut off all communication.
…
A few moments earlier, as Magellan descended to the sixth level, outside Impel Down, the Endless Dream sped through the Calm Belt, leaving a long wake on the otherwise still sea.
On the deck, Moriah and the rest of the Sea Restaurant crew were assembled, staring intently at the looming prison fortress in the distance.
Normally, a surprise attack from the air or the deep sea would be more effective than charging in directly.
But Zyhark was here to make a statement; there was no need for the usual caution.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Open fire!"
The Navy ships guarding Impel Down immediately noticed the approaching Endless Dream.
As orders to attack were given, the upgraded Navy ships deployed laser cannons from the masts and took to the skies.
Over the past three years, the youth version of the Endless Dream, crafted by Vegapunk, had come into service, equipped with laser weaponry powerful enough to rival the Pacifistas.
It was one of the reasons the Yonko were forced to form alliances.
The Navy's new ships, with their unprecedented speed and mobility, had been a thorn in the side of pirates still reliant on wind-powered vessels.
However, this time the Navy was facing a further-upgraded Endless Dream!
Zzzz!
Before the Navy's laser cannons could fully charge, the crew's electromagnetic cannon had already fired.
The terrifying energy beam tore through the air, instantly striking one of the airborne Navy ships.
Explosions erupted, and the sea was littered with debris.
Back on the first level of Impel Down, guards, shocked by the devastation, hurried to close the massive steel doors.
But before they could act, a flash of lightning streaked past, leaving every guard lying unconscious.
At the forefront was Zyhark, striding confidently into Impel Down.
His companions followed, while Meowth and Uta submerged the Endless Dream to stand by for their escape.
"Intruders! Intruders!"
Impel Down's guards quickly mobilized, wielding swords and cannons.
These guards had been selected for their physical prowess and combat experience, far beyond that of ordinary soldiers.
Unfortunately, they now faced a terrifying crew, many of whom were on par with the Yonko commanders!
Zyhark barely needed to lift a finger. With just a glare, his Conqueror's Haki swept over the guards, leaving none standing.
Effortlessly advancing through the first level, they soon arrived at the second level, the Crimson Hell.
The Blue Gorillas stationed at the far end of the passage were swiftly defeated.
Pirates imprisoned there recognized Zyhark's group and rushed to the cell bars, screaming for the "Thunder of Ultimate Evil."
Ignoring the rabble, Zyhark unleashed a blast from his Cliff Sword, shattering the external sword forest of the prison cells as he proceeded to the Beast Hell on the second floor.
Creatures like basilisk snakes, lion-faced beasts, venomous scorpions, and sphinxes were all crushed mercilessly.
Continuing to the third level, the Starvation Hell, the failed awakened beasts were rendered unconscious by lightning.
In the fourth level, the Blazing Hell, Zyhark and his group encountered Deputy Warden Hannyabal, Chief Warden Shiryū of the Rain, and Head Jailer Sadi, all intent on halting their advance.
The only challenging opponent was, naturally, Shiryū of the Rain, whose strength was comparable to Magellan's.
After exchanging a few moves, the cruel swordsman fell to Zyhark's twin swords, empowered by Conqueror's Haki.
At this point, Hannyabal urgently contacted Magellan for assistance.
Thunder soon filled the air as a massive explosion engulfed the Blazing Hell!
In the fifth level, the Freezing Hell, the group encountered Magellan just as he stepped off the transport lift.
"Zyhark, the Thunder of Ultimate Evil! I never expected you'd get here so soon!"
Magellan's eyes gleamed with killing intent, his body dripping with purple poison.
The fact that they had reached him unscathed meant that everyone else, including Shiryū, had been defeated!
"Stand aside, Magellan. We're just here to bring our comrade home," Zyhark said, his voice low.
Magellan and Hannyabal were men he respected for their duty and integrity in maintaining the peace of Impel Down.
But respect alone wouldn't stop him from rescuing Hancock.
"It's because of criminals like you who ignore the rules that Impel Down's existence is justified."
"This is the place I vowed to protect with my life. I won't let anyone pass so easily!"
Even knowing the vast power gap between them, Magellan had no intention of retreating.
Such was his unyielding resolve.
Glurp, glurp.
The purple venom coating his body began to boil, and a dense poison mist erupted.
A stronger, red poison replaced the purple one, swelling and forming a monstrous creature.
"Poison Giant: Hell's Judgment!"
Without hesitation, Magellan activated his strongest attack.
"It seems there's no room for negotiation…" Zyhark sighed softly.
If the world is broken, it's not their fault.
In the next instant, lightning flashed, arcs of electricity coiling around him, gathering into the intense Thunder God Armor.
The cold wind from outside was instantly dissipated by the clash of poison and lightning.
"Prepare to face hell's judgment, Zyhark!"
Magellan roared, controlling the poison giant's massive right hand as it swung towards Zyhark and his crew.
His intent was clear—if he wanted to defeat this crew, whom even the World Government and Navy headquarters deemed dangerous, his only chance was his deadly poison!
"200 Million Volts: Thunder Dragon!"
Zyhark raised his hand, releasing a colossal lightning dragon that struck the poison hand without fear.
Boom!
Lightning surged, and the fragile poison hand exploded, raining poison drops everywhere.
Had he succeeded?
Magellan fixed his gaze on Zyhark's group, surrounded by the falling poison rain, yet none of them moved an inch, his heart filling with dread.
As the poison fell on them, a mysterious blue light flashed, purifying it into clear water.
"Impossible!"
Confident in his powers, Magellan stood stunned, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Did you really think you could ambush us with that? What a joke," Aqua mocked as she stowed her staff, sneering at Magellan.
Playing with liquids in front of the Goddess of Water was a rookie mistake on Magellan's part…
However, worse than the elemental mismatch was the humiliation of being mocked by the idiot goddess.
Such a dreadful experience would bring him misery for a long time!
"Now do you understand?"
Zyhark calmly retracted the powerful Thunder God Armor, his gaze fixed on Magellan's shocked face. "Neither your abilities, Haki, nor physical skills will match us."
"So, should I just step aside and let you pass? Dream on!"
Magellan clenched his fists, forcing out his full power as his poison giant grew even larger, emitting a fearsome aura.
"Protecting this prison is my sworn duty, even at the cost of my life!"
Feeling his indomitable resolve, Zyhark stopped speaking, drawing his two swords, the Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui.
Dark red lightning, infused with Conqueror's Haki, crackled around them.
He was ready to unleash his full power.
"Apologies, but no matter what, Hancock—I'm bringing you home!"
A terrifying battle erupted, and the shockwaves shattered the fifth level, breaking through the ceiling to the sixth level below.
Rubble fell, along with Magellan's unconscious body and a piercing light.
Deep within her cell, Hancock squinted through the blinding light, peering ahead.
As if in response to her hope, Zyhark appeared from the smoke, twin swords in hand, striding forward.
Following him were King, Kanna, Escanor, Brook, Darkness, and Moriah.
Her fiancé (in her imagination), her comrades, had really come to rescue her!
(End of Chapter)
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