Feeling the power contained within the giant spear in Sanders' hand, Magellan's expression turned serious. He didn't dare be careless, and immediately pushed his Armament Haki to its peak, covering his arms, preparing to defend. However, a sly grin tugged at the corner of Sanders' lips as he revealed the success of his strategy.
"Thunder Flash!"
In an instant, Sanders disappeared from where he stood, and in the blink of an eye, he was already above Magellan, poised for a strike.
"Damn it!"
Seeing Sanders vanish from sight, Magellan's expression shifted dramatically. His Observation Haki quickly detected Sanders' location, but it was too late for him to react.
"It's over, Magellan!"
With a swift, merciless motion, Sanders drove his electrifying spear toward the back of Magellan's head. Unable to turn in time, Magellan could only wrap his head in Armament Haki.
Boom!
The terrifying force struck Magellan, sending him flying through the air without any resistance. The devastating lightning shattered his Armament Haki, quickly breaking through his defense and slamming into the back of his skull. Magellan, still airborne, rolled his eyes back and lost consciousness. His large body crashed to the ground like a ragdoll, bounced once, then lay still among the ruins.
"Phew!" Sanders exhaled deeply.
He released the "Thunder God Descent" form, revealing his muscular physique. At this point, his upper clothing was entirely shredded, and even the pants he wore were tattered and torn. Magellan didn't fare any better. The once-imposing warden's uniform was nothing but fragments, with only a few scraps of cloth clinging to his body.
Glancing at the unmoving Magellan, Sanders turned and left. The greatest obstacle in Impel Down had been defeated. It was time to escape the prison and return to the seas.
At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind. His Paramecia-type Fusion Fruit had finally evolved successfully. With ease, Sanders equipped the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Azure Dragon. This had been part of his plan all along. He knew how powerful the Mythical Zoan types were from reading the manga.
With the Azure Dragon Fruit, his physical strength would skyrocket once more, and his defensive capabilities would also increase. His power would reach new heights again. Most importantly, he wanted to experience firsthand the kind of "education" Kaido-sensei provided. Who knows, maybe getting hit a few times would improve the rest of his Haki to the highest level as well.
After making these adjustments, Sanders walked toward the great gate of the first level above the sea. Passing through this door would mark his complete escape from Impel Down.
Meanwhile, outside Impel Down, the Marine fleet was ready for battle. Vice Admiral Onigumo had already drawn his twin swords, prepared for a fight. Just moments ago, the Impel Down vice warden had notified him that Warden Magellan had been defeated by Sanders. Shocked, Onigumo immediately ordered the fleet to be on alert.
Cannons pointed directly at the exit, ready to fire the moment Sanders emerged and deliver a heavy blow to the escapee. Although Onigumo knew the cannonballs might not harm Sanders, any delay they could cause would be beneficial. Fleet Admiral Sengoku had already informed him that Admiral Kizaru and reinforcements were on their way, including several Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo, all bullets and cannonballs have been replaced with Sea-Prism Stone rounds. We're ready to fire at any time."
The lieutenant approached Onigumo and reported.
"I understand," Onigumo responded casually, his eyes never leaving the exit of Impel Down.
Against Logia-type fruit users, aside from Armament Haki, Sea-Prism Stone was the only effective tool. This was why Onigumo had ordered all non-Haki-using Marines to arm themselves with Sea-Prism Stone weapons.
The clouds in the sky were growing thicker. The sound of thunder echoed more frequently. Countless bolts of lightning snaked through the clouds, creating a suffocating tension that made the Marines on the ships increasingly nervous.
Boom!
Lightning flashed.
A bolt of electricity illuminated the sky above Impel Down, briefly lighting up the sea. In the dim light, Onigumo saw a figure slowly walking out from the massive gate.
The figure was tall and muscular. His upper body was bare, with bulging muscles exuding an intense sense of strength.
"Sanders..."
Onigumo narrowed his eyes, recognizing the figure immediately. The man before him was even more imposing than three years ago. Onigumo's expression was complex. The person in front of him had once been the pride of the Marines, an idol to countless low-ranking soldiers, and a leader among the younger generation of Marines.
Now, however, he was their enemy.
Three years ago, the news of Sanders, the wielder of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, betraying the Marines had left many confused. Many Marines who held justice in their hearts couldn't understand why a promising Rear Admiral like Sanders would choose to defect. While the matter had been ordered by the World Government and Fleet Admiral to never be discussed, some higher-ups in the Marines had their suspicions.
Sanders' adoptive father had died shortly before his capture, and though the details were unclear and the World Government had covered it up, it wasn't hard to imagine that his death wasn't as simple as the Government's statement of, "attacked by pirates and fatally wounded."
Onigumo wasn't the only one with a complicated expression. Many on the Marine ships felt the same. Three years hadn't been enough to erase the memory of the brilliant genius who had once stunned Marine Headquarters.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves! The target has appeared."
Onigumo took a deep breath, his expression hardening.
No matter what happened before, Sanders was now their enemy!
"Fire!"
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T/N:
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