The first level of Impel Down, known as the Crimson Hell, held pirates with bounties no less than ten million berries. Anyone weaker wasn't even qualified to be imprisoned here—they were sent instead to local branch prisons scattered across the seas.
In the future, even someone like Buggy the Clown, with a bounty of fifteen million, would find himself in this level. Back then, he hadn't even been restrained by seastone cuffs—rare and valuable items that were in short supply. In this era, that scarcity was even worse.
The second level, Wild Beast Hell, housed more ferocious criminals, yet even there, seastone restraints were limited. Only certain Devil Fruit users were chained with them. The Candle Man, Gal Dino, with a bounty of twenty-four million, hadn't been given any either.
It wasn't until the third level, Starvation Hell, that seastone cuffs became more common. Even non-Devil Fruit users were forced to wear them. Among the prisoners here was Bentham—Mr. 2 Bon Clay, the Okama with a bounty of thirty-two million. Thanks to a loophole—or perhaps sheer luck—he wasn't wearing seastone at all, which would later make him an invaluable ally during Luffy's legendary prison break.
The fourth level, Blazing Hell, was where the real suffering began. Pirates with bounties over fifty million were held there, boiled alive in pools of blood and whipped by monstrous jailer beasts. Names like Miss Olibe and Daz Bones—bounties of fifty and seventy-five million respectively—would one day occupy these pits.
The fifth level, Freezing Hell, was a nightmare of ice and starvation. Prisoners worth hundreds of millions endured sub-zero conditions and were hunted by the feral military wolves, their lives worse than death.
And then there was the sixth level—the Eternal Hell. It was home to pirates whose strength and influence had once shaken the world, men and women too dangerous to be allowed to live freely.
Now, that same fortress was under siege.
Newgate and Charlotte Linlin commanded the first level, overwhelming the guards of Crimson Hell. The blue gorilla patrol units that once ruled this floor were no match for the Hell Pirates' monstrous strength.
Beasts from the second level—cockatrices, sphinxes, and scorpions the size of ships—were annihilated. Redfield, leading the newly freed prisoners from the Eternal Hell, stormed the fifth level, slaying the military wolves and feeding their carcasses to the starving pirates.
Under a coordinated assault from above and below, both the Starvation Hell and Blazing Hell fell in quick succession.
"Oh my~," Shakky's crimson eyes gleamed as she floated through the air, fangs glinting. "So many fresh pirates surrendering. Looks like we'll be feasting soon."
Redfield gave her a cold glance. "Brook's waiting on the sixth level to start the feast. You're in luck—three conquerors down there refused to kneel."
He had no hesitation about killing. Those prisoners had been given their chance. Refusal meant death—and the Hell Pirates wasted nothing.
"heheh~ If it's about souls and blood, you and Crocus go ahead first," Shakky said, stretching her wings. "Linlin can't participate anyway."
With a flash, she and Crocus descended toward the lower floors. Crocus carried medical instruments and containment gear, his goal to extract and preserve the genes of powerful prisoners for Vegapunk's research. Every Conqueror's bloodline was a treasure.
Newgate crossed his arms, letting out a booming laugh. "Gurarara~ The defenses are down. Now we wait for Shiki to lift this place. Don't touch the prisoners yet—he's choosing his crew first."
Even Newgat, with all his might, obeyed the plan. Without Brook's approval—or Shiki's signal—they wouldn't act recklessly.
Meanwhile, Stussy had located the warden's office on the fourth floor. She sifted through prisoner records, carefully selecting individuals with rare abilities or unique lineages for recruitment.
Outside, beyond the storm clouds surrounding the fortress, the sea churned. Marine and Enies Lobby reconnaissance ships hovered at a distance, unwilling to approach. Impel Down was now half-lifted into the sky by Shiki's power, its shadow stretching across the Calm Belt.
But the Hell Pirates were already aware of them.
Hiruba, their sniper, watched the fleets through his Glare-Glare Fruit, his eyes glowing as he reported directly to Brook. "Multiple warships approaching! Marineford and Mary Geoise have both dispatched reinforcements! Fleet Admiral Kong himself is on the move!"
He cursed softly. "If Shiki doesn't lift Impel Down soon, we'll be surrounded."
"Brother Brook!" Shiki's voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi. "Give me thirty more minutes! I'll have this whole fortress airborne by then!"
Brook, standing atop the golden warship, gave a short laugh. "Yohoho~ Thirty minutes, then. Let's make sure no one disturbs us."
He stepped out from the depths of Eternal Hell and joined Redfield on the deck, their figures illuminated by the storm.
"These reconnaissance ships really don't know when to quit."
Redfield smirked, raising a finger. Lightning arced through the sky and struck the nearest vessel. The explosion echoed across the Calm Belt, reducing the ship to splinters. The rear admiral aboard tried to counter with his blade but was vaporized instantly, his body falling into the sea.
"What a clown," Redfield muttered. "My prey lies among the admirals, not these insects."
Brook laughed, pulling the Seven-Star Demon Sword from its sheath. "Yohoho~ Then I'll take care of the rest."
He raised the sword toward the heavens. A colossal feathered serpent materialized above them, spreading its wings and roaring as storm clouds swirled around its form.
"! Bring the storm!" Brook commanded.
The skies darkened at once. The serpent's power dwarfed even the golden ship's storm generators, calling forth thunder and hurricanes in moments.
"Redfield, Linlin, handle the lightning. Newgate, prepare a few tsunamis to greet our guests."
"Gurararara~ Got it!" Whitebeard's laugh rumbled like thunder.
Kaido's grin widened, his chest expanding as he inhaled. "Let's show them what real monsters look like!"
Flames licked at his fangs as he prepared his Fire Breath.
-----------
Admiral Kong led Chief of Staff Weimark and the remaining high-ranking officers of Marineford toward the besieged fortress of Impel Down. The air was heavy with tension, the sea roaring beneath their warships as the storm grew stronger.
At the same time, a luxurious battleship from Mary Geoise cut through the waves and joined them. Standing proudly at its bow was one of the Five Elders—the bald swordsman known as Saint Ethanbaron—accompanied by three Divine Knights. It was an unprecedented moment; the World Government hadn't mobilized a Five Elder in centuries.
The mere fact that the Hell Pirates had forced such action proved how dangerous Brook had become.
"Saint Ethanbaron, please forgive us for disturbing you!" Admiral Kong bowed deeply, his voice strained with respect. "The failure is ours."
"This isn't your fault," Saint Ethanbaron replied coolly, one hand resting on the hilt of the First Kitetsu. "A pirate like Brook hasn't appeared for hundreds of years. Even we—" his gaze turned cold as steel, "—take this anomaly seriously."
Brook's possession of Pluton was no small matter. It made him a threat on par with the legends of the Void Century. Ethanbaron's presence was not a humiliation for the World Government—it was a necessity.
The Five Elders were far from frail old men. Each bore scars carved from ancient wars, their strength forged in the blood of countless battles. Though they had not acted in decades, their power had not waned.
Now, before the world could see the rise of the Sun God Nika, the Pluton had appeared first.
Still, Ethanbaron thought, it would not matter. As long as Poseidon, Nika, and Pluton never united, the World Government's supremacy would remain unchallenged.
"This time, under Saint Ethanbaron's leadership, we'll crush the Hell Pirates for good!" Weimark said, his tone laced with false enthusiasm.
The Navy's failures over the past year had drawn ridicule even from the CP agencies. Without the Divine Knights lending their might, Marineford's forces would have been too weak to confront Brook.
"Hmph,"Ethanbaron said coldly. "I'll handle Brook myself. The rest of you—deal with his officers. Fail me, and I'll personally ensure you face punishment worse than death."
"Yes, Saint Ethanbaron!"
Every officer on the ship, from Marines to CP0, bowed as one. A battle led by a Five Elder could not, under any circumstances, end in failure.
"Saint Ethanbaron! The weather ahead is abnormal," reported a CP0 agent nervously. "Extreme storm activity detected. Should we change course?"
"Step aside!" Saint Ethanbaron barked, walking to the ship's bow. His presence alone made the air tremble. "I do not detour for storms."
He drew the First Kitetsu. A flash of crimson lightning streaked across the sky, the air itself screaming as his sword rose. With a single swing, a monumental arc of energy tore through the heavens. The storm split apart, the clouds retreating as though fleeing a god.
Even Kong, standing behind him, felt his breath catch in his throat. The sword pressure was suffocating.
Unbelievable.
He had always known the Five Elders were strong—but this was beyond comprehension. Saint Ethanbaron's slash carried the weight of the heavens. Not even Rocks at his peak had released such overwhelming killing intent.
No wonder the World Government had remained untouchable since the Valley of the Gods. With monsters like these guarding the throne, the world's balance was destined to endure.
The display ignited new confidence in the Marines and the Divine Knights. Their fear turned to faith. If Saint Ethanbaron fought personally, perhaps they could truly bring down the Hell Pirates.
Far ahead, Brook's ship trembled as the wind howled violently. Even he felt a chill from the distant sword energy that had cleaved the sky.
"That bald bastard…" Brook muttered, his grin fading. "He's a swordsman beyond even the greatest of swordmasters."
Through Hiruba's reconnaissance, Brook had already identified the opposing lineup. Among them was the bald Five Elder with the First Kitetsu—a monster feared even by the admirals themselves.
Redfield's crimson eyes narrowed. "That slash just now… it pierced the storm itself. Even I couldn't match that level of precision."
Newgate grunted, his massive frame tensing. "Gurarara~ That's no ordinary swordsman. We can't clash with him head-on—not yet."
Brook nodded. "We'll avoid direct combat. Hold our position. If we can hold out for half an hour more, Shiki will have Impel Down in the air."
This wasn't the time for pride. The Hell Pirates were powerful, but they weren't yet at their peak. Facing the full might of the World Government now would be suicide.
In a few years, when his officers had all reached overlord-level strength, the seas themselves would bow before them. Then—and only then—would Brook strike.
"Newgate! Bring the waves!" Brook ordered. "Shakky, keep the storms coming! Buy us time!"
Newgate slammed his bisento into the air, shattering space itself. A series of massive tsunamis surged forward, towering over the approaching warships. The sea roared as if enraged.
"Gurarara~ Let's see if they can handle this!"
The Divine Knights and Marine admirals countered instantly, their combined might cleaving through the tsunamis. The waves split apart, only to be whipped back by hurricane winds. The storm returned even stronger, pushing the fleet backward.
"Damn it! That serpent in the sky… it's Quetzalcoatl!" Kong's eyes widened as the feathered dragon roared above the clouds. "That was Kukulkan's power… They've stolen his Devil Fruit!"
His voice trembled with fury. "To use a fallen admiral's power against us—those monsters are unforgivable!"
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