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Deep within Impel Down, on Level 4's scorching Inferno Hell, the warden's office, a space reflecting the demonic aesthetic of its occupant, Magellan, with its black, winged coat draped over a chair, had its doors flung open with violent force. A large, imposing man with a prominent belly and a face resembling a Noh mask stormed in.
The newcomer was none other than Hannyabal, the vice-warden of this underwater prison. "Magellan, what in the blazes is going on? Calling an emergency meeting out of the blue? You interrupted my wonderful dream!"
Hannyabal barged in, immediately launching into a tirade, showing no respect for his superior. He wiped a streak of dried drool, a remnant of his daytime fantasy, from the corner of his mouth.
"If something goes wrong in the prison at this critical juncture, it's your responsibility, Magellan. Then I'll just have to step up and take the warden's position…" His long-held ambition was to finally ascend to the coveted position of warden, to finally have Magellan, the man who had overshadowed him for so long, working under his command.
The thought sent shivers of excitement down his spine. Lost in his reverie, Hannyabal's loose lips inadvertently revealed his innermost desires.
Magellan sighed and rubbed his temples. This was Hannyabal's usual behavior. Though unreliable in his personal conduct, he was dedicated to his work. Impel Down, a place crucial to maintaining order in the world, couldn't afford to have an incompetent vice-warden.
Suddenly, Magellan clenched his buttocks, releasing a plume of purple poison gas that filled the room. Hannyabal's face turned green as he inhaled the toxins.
"Ugh! Careless of me! That sly Magellan! But I won't be defeated so easily! I will become the warden of Impel Down!"
With these words, Hannyabal, driven by sheer willpower, stumbled towards the wall, flung open a window, and gasped for fresh air.
"Warden Magellan!" Domino, the newly promoted chief guard, rushed in. She was a tall, striking woman with long, flowing golden hair, her figure accentuated by the form-fitting brown guard uniform.
Magellan was about to reprimand Hannyabal when his face suddenly contorted. His stomach gurgled ominously, and he promptly bolted for the restroom. As a user of the Venom-Venom Fruit, he was a walking biohazard.
Everything about him, even his breath, was toxic. As a consequence, he suffered from chronic diarrhea, spending a significant portion of his day confined to the restroom.
Magellan emerged from the restroom, exhaling a plume of poison gas. "Golden Lion Shiki has been captured. He's being brought back to Impel Down. Along with Donquixote Doflamingo."
"..." The room fell silent. Shiki's escape twenty years ago had been a shock, but it was ultimately an isolated incident.
Considering he was the legendary "Flying Pirate," his escape wasn't entirely unbelievable. But Donquixote Doflamingo, a Warlord of the Sea, what was he doing mixed up with Shiki? Had Shiki, eager to return to piracy, chosen a Warlord as a warm-up exercise?
And the Marines had simply reaped the benefits? Then Magellan revealed the name of the individual responsible for their capture: Ian. The silence deepened, the expressions on everyone's faces frozen in disbelief. They had heard of the "Black Winged Devil." He had defeated Gecko Moria in his first major battle…
Then Crocodile, fought Dracule Mihawk to a standstill, and now, he had clashed with two legendary pirates and a Warlord… He had emerged victorious in two of those battles, with the third, against Rayleigh, ending in a draw.
"I'd love to be… disciplined by him…" Sadi-chan, a woman with long, flowing golden hair, clad in a revealing red leather outfit, exclaimed, her body contorting in a suggestive manner. The atmosphere in the room took a decidedly awkward turn.
"…They should be arriving soon. Let's go Welcome Shiki Back home," Magellan said, casting a strange look at Sadi-chan before leading the way out. He was used to the peculiar quirks and fetishes of his subordinates, having worked with them for so long.
Sadi-chan, Domino, Hannyabal, and the other guards followed Magellan out of the office, taking the prison's private elevator to Level 1 before heading towards the harbor.
...
Today, this underwater prison was destined to witness events worthy of legend. Golden Lion Shiki, the first pirate to escape Impel Down, was being returned to his cell. And… the Emperor of the Sea, Kaido, was about to make a grand entrance.
They were completely unaware of the chaos that was about to unfold.
As Ian passed through the Gates of Justice, a colossal structure loomed before him: Impel Down. Beneath the surface level lay six levels of hell, each housing increasingly dangerous criminals. Several large Marine warships surrounded the prison, reinforcing its reputation as an impenetrable fortress.
A group awaited at the harbor, led by Magellan, flanked by Sadi-chan, Hannyabal, and a host of guards.
In the vast expanse of the Calm Belt, the imposing prison stood like an ancient behemoth, dark clouds swirling above it, the lingering resentment of the countless prisoners who had perished within its walls.
The sight of it sent shivers down one's spine. "So this is the legendary prison, Impel Down," Ian murmured, his arms crossed, observing the ominous structure with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
"Are you scared?" Ian asked Tashigi, a gentle smile gracing his features. He noticed she remained remarkably calm, clearly not a newcomer to this place. She shook her head.
"The horrors within these walls are a testament to the peace that exists beyond them. Peace isn't free; someone has to bear the burden. And with Vice Admiral Ian by my side, what is there to fear?"
Tashigi's face radiated determination, before softening as she winked playfully at him. Ian felt a surge of warmth, a renewed determination to find an opportunity to… ahem… express his appreciation for her unwavering support. She was simply irresistible.
"Let's go down," Ian replied, nodding calmly. While his Ulquiorra template limited his expressions to a stoic mask, it proved surprisingly effective at concealing his inner thoughts, especially when those thoughts involved certain… activities.
...
As they approached, he sensed a powerful surge of spiritual energy emanating from the dark clouds above, a swirling mass of souls, the remnants of countless pirates and criminals.
As the world's most secure prison, Impel Down housed the most dangerous individuals in existence. Screams and the stench of blood were its daily soundtrack. Countless prisoners had perished within its walls, their souls lingering in the darkness. Impel Down had existed for centuries, almost as long as the World Government itself.
Over the years, it had imprisoned countless individuals, their souls trapped within its impenetrable walls, a natural barrier that prevented escape and intrusion, like a powerful ward in a fantasy novel.
The souls within Impel Down dissipated at an incredibly slow rate, the dark clouds above acting as a focal point, similar to the eerie mist surrounding Thriller Bark in the Florian Triangle.
Without hesitation, Ian activated his Soul Absorption, drawing in the countless souls, like invisible fireflies converging towards him.
The air rippled as the energy surged towards him, like an unseen hand stirring the very fabric of reality.
The perpetual gloom that shrouded Impel Down finally parted, the sky clearing for the first time in perhaps centuries.
Sunlight bathed the grim prison, dispelling some of its oppressive darkness.
The Marines stationed on the surrounding warships gazed up in astonishment, witnessing the unprecedented event.
"The sky… it's clear. It's been years since we've seen the sun. The clouds, formed from the resentment of the dead, have dispersed…"
"What's going on? Is that Vice Admiral Ian, the Black Winged Devil? He's so young…"
"He defeated Donquixote Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Gecko Moria. He even fought Dracule Mihawk to a draw…"
Many of the Impel Down guards, though seeing Ian for the first time, had heard of his exploits through news reports and rumors. They were finally witnessing the legend in person. The news of his encounter with Rayleigh and Shiki…
…had yet to reach them.
"Impel Down is a treasure trove, indeed," Ian murmured, opening his eyes.
Even just the souls from the cloud above had boosted his fusion rate to 54%. If he absorbed the souls from the lower levels and continued his pirate hunting spree…
…60% was within reach. At that level, he would possess the power of a Yonko, capable of taking on Kaido single-handedly.
"Greetings. I am Magellan, warden of Impel Down," Magellan said, approaching Ian and Tashigi as they disembarked. Ian offered a polite nod. "The pleasure is all mine."
He held a deep respect for Magellan, Hannyabal, and the other Impel Down guards, not for their strength – he was now on par with Magellan, both nearing Admiral level – but for their unwavering dedication to justice. Their valiant stand against Jinbe, Crocodile, and countless other pirates during the Impel Down arc…
"Why not join my team? The position of warden of Impel Down is comparable to that of a Marine Admiral… Black Winged Devil."
Magellan, towering over Ian, made his offer. With his pale skin, white attire, black sash, and skull helmet, Ian seemed like a creature born for the underworld.
With the return of sunlight, Magellan had sensed a powerful surge of energy emanating from Ian, a clear indication of his involvement. It was symbolic, almost poetic. A being of darkness bringing forth the light. He couldn't let such a talent slip away.
The rumors of his Admiral-level strength seemed to hold some truth. Hannyabal, however, immediately protested. "I object! The warden's position is mine! And a Marine Admiral is far stronger than a warden! Don't mislead him, Magellan!"
Thump! Magellan delivered a swift punch to Hannyabal's head. "Then you can have it. I'll give him my position."
"..." This struck a nerve with Hannyabal, silencing his protests. If he truly didn't desire the position…
…he wouldn't obsess over it day and night. Ian knew that Magellan believed he could perform the duties of warden more effectively. After all, Impel Down was a place of utmost importance, a responsibility that couldn't be entrusted to someone untrustworthy.
Hannyabal, despite his flaws, was dedicated and committed.
"I'll have to decline. I value my freedom. I prefer to roam the seas, hunting down pirates." Ian politely refused Magellan's offer. "Justice can be served anywhere."
"Well said. I look forward to the day your name, Black Winged Devil, strikes fear into the hearts of every pirate on the seas." Magellan praised.
"Good riddance, kid." Hannyabal breathed a sigh of relief, happy to have avoided a potential rival.
His chances of becoming warden had just increased. Wait, Ian hadn't even accepted the offer. He had miscalculated.
He promptly received another punch from Magellan.
"So handsome!" Domino and Sadi-chan were captivated. Not only was he powerful, but he was also strikingly handsome, his stoic demeanor exuding an aura of strength and authority.
Domino, clad in her Marine uniform, maintained her composure, her heart pounding in her chest. Sadi-chan, however, with her love for leather and whips, couldn't contain her excitement.
Ian had inadvertently charmed two more golden-haired beauties, but he remained indifferent, his focus elsewhere.
A few romantic interests were sufficient. He was a man of commitment, content with admiring beauty from afar. Besides, these two seemed to have… particular tastes, and he wasn't interested in such intense… activities.
"Let's welcome our guest home…"
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