Impel Down.
While the news outside was continuing to spread like wildfire, becoming more and more explosive by the minute, the deep-sea prison that should have been the very eye of the storm was, in contrast, eerily calm.
The riots in the upper levels had been completely suppressed. After over a dozen hours of intense search and retrieval, Warden Pablo, who had sunk to the seafloor, was successfully rescued.
However, the old man was gravely wounded. Even after emergency treatment, he remained unconscious and unresponsive.
Nao had originally wanted to spar with him—but clearly, that plan was out the window.
Not that Nao minded. After the battle with Shiki, he'd had more than his fill. That sparring match was now nothing more than a side thought.
After sitting by the old man's bedside for a while, he and Aokiji both pushed the door and walked out of the ward, just in time to see a large group of jailers escorting Shiki, walking past the iron-barred door.
The one leading the team was not Magellan, as that guy had an upset stomach again and was squatting on the toilet.
Instead, it was a skinny young man wearing an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh-style headdress and holding a black demon trident.
"Ah! Mr. Nao!"
The skinny young man immediately stood at attention and gave a military salute the moment he saw Nao.
"You… are you and Vice Admiral Kuzan preparing to leave and return to Headquarters?"
"That's the plan," Aokiji nodded slightly and looked at the young man in front of him with some surprise.
"You're only sixteen or seventeen, right? And you're already a captain at Impel Down. That's very impressive. What's your name?"
"H-Hannyabal, Vice Admiral, sir!"
The young man immediately brought his legs together and stood at attention, responding loudly:
"Thank you for the compliment! My dream is to become the Warden of Impel Down and turn this prison into my… ah, sorry, I accidentally let that slip!"
"…"
Aokiji looked at Nao speechlessly.
Nao just smiled and didn't respond.
Of course, he had recognized Hannyabal at first glance, though he was still somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected this guy to have been in the Impel Down system since he was a teenager. No wonder he was able to get the position of Vice Warden in the future, even though his strength was pathetically weak.
But, you know… this kid deserves it.
Strength matters, yes, but not everything in this world is measured by strength.
In the original timeline, eighteen years later, facing the prison-breaking Luffy and a large number of vicious pirates, this goofy and unreliable supporting character, after fighting tooth and nail, gritted his teeth and said those words that were enough to make people remember and feel touched.
"Mr. N-Nao…"
When Aokiji was looking at him, Hannyabal didn't feel much, but when Nao's gaze swept over him, he was so nervous that he could barely hold his trident. He said excitedly:
"I saw the battle outside, too. The way you… you defeated the Golden Lion was so cool! This… we were able to hold Impel Down this time all thanks to your help!"
Hannyabal was about to bow deeply on the spot, but Nao waved his hand and smiled as he helped him up. "It was just what I was supposed to do. What, are you taking the Golden Lion to Level 6?"
As he spoke, he pointed to Shiki behind the group of jailers.
There, Golden Lion—just like Warden Pablo—was still unconscious, dragged forward by two jailers holding him under each arm.
The bottom half of his prisoner pants was empty. His two famous swords, Oto and Kogarashi, had been taken away and would be presented to the highest levels of Headquarters as one of Nao's achievements.
Shiki was shackled with Seastone handcuffs on his thighs, waist, hands, and even his neck.
It was clear that after Shiki's successful escape, Impel Down had held many meetings to self-reflect and learn their lesson.
In this situation, if Shiki could still successfully escape, there were only two possibilities.
Either this old guy's last name was actually Scofield, or he was cruel enough to cut off everything below his neck…
"Yes, Mr. Nao. That's a direct order from Vice Warden Magellan."
Hearing Nao's question, Hannyabal nodded enthusiastically and answered with a smile:
"We've already prepared a cell for this old guy in Level 6. It's actually the same one he was in before he broke out…"
A trip down memory lane?
Nao chuckled and then, as if he had just thought of something, he held his chin and said with interest:
"Speaking of which, I haven't been to the lower levels yet, especially Level 6. I'm quite curious about it…"
"Then why don't you come down with us?"
Without his idol even needing to ask, Hannyabal took the initiative to ask.
"That's a good idea."
Nao nodded and looked at Aokiji. "Do you want to come along?"
"Been down there twice already a few years back. No thanks."
Aokiji lazily waved his hand and sat down on a nearby bench with his legs crossed.
"You go down and take a tour with them. I'll wait for you here. Just don't take too long."
"Okay."
Nao nodded and, under Hannyabal's eager guidance, turned and left.
The group entered the elevator—Crimson Hell, Beast Hell, Blazing Hell—the scenes of the upper levels flashed by quickly, and before long they arrived at the bottom.
The legendary and most mysterious Level 6, the Infinite Hell.
The moment they stepped out of the elevator, an icy, bone-chilling atmosphere engulfed them.
Unlike the upper floors, which still had decent lighting, this place was almost pitch black.
It was dark, damp, and deathly silent. In the narrow, cramped corridor, the only sound was the footsteps of Nao's group.
And the ones imprisoned here were all incredible people. A bounty of over a hundred million Berries was barely enough to be considered for entry.
Among them were monstrous pirates who were so vicious that their existence had been erased from history, and various near-legendary figures. Many of them had been erased from records and newspapers and were forgotten by the world, buried in the dust of history.
The entry of Nao's group undoubtedly woke up many of them, and their attention was quickly drawn to these figures in the darkness.
"Huh? Someone else is here?"
"Jie-jie-jie-jie, it's really lively here lately. A big guy was brought in a few days ago, and now another one is coming in!"
"You're so loud! What, are the Marines rushing to meet their end-of-year quota? Hmm? And, why don't I see that old man Pablo? The ones leading the team are just a few kids?"
Soon, a prisoner noticed that neither Pablo nor Magellan was among the leaders. There wasn't a single familiar face who could command the room.
Even the two most prominent figures didn't look like they were even twenty years old.
Sarcastic and disdainful voices immediately rang out.
"Tch. Just a bunch of kids."
"Don't know who they think they are. Hasn't anyone told them Level 6 isn't a place for little shits to wander around in?"
"…Hmm?"
At this point, the voice of the speaker suddenly became serious, and then an extremely domineering and terrifying aura instantly erupted, sweeping towards the corridor!
Conqueror's Haki.
One after another, following the lead of this pirate, several other figures also unleashed their own Conqueror's Haki. They pressed and collided with each other, each refusing to back down, and at the same time, they all roared and rushed towards Nao's group!
For a moment, a terrifying Conqueror's Haki storm erupted in the entire corridor! Hannyabal and the jailers behind him immediately turned pale, with cold sweat dripping from their temples.
And at the very moment they were about to be hit by the Conqueror's Haki…
BOOM!
A terrifying Haki that made one's soul tremble suddenly erupted from behind Hannyabal. With an unstoppable force, it instantly swept away all of the oncoming Conqueror's Haki!
A few pained groans immediately came from the dark corners of the prison cells.
"Who?!"
"That Marine kid?!"
"How is that possible! How could a Marine have Conqueror's Haki?"
"And its power is so terrifying…"
The entire Level 6 was instantly alarmed.
Many pirates who had been sleeping were now awakened. Many of them turned their gazes to Nao behind Hannyabal, their eyes filled with shock and uncertainty.
"Since you're prisoners, you all should behave yourselves and stop looking for trouble."
Nao's face was still calm and indifferent. He took a step forward, passed the leading Hannyabal, and coldly swept his gaze over these guys who were used to being arrogant:
"I know many of you have been here for a few years, so it's normal that you don't know me, but that's okay. I brought you an old acquaintance. If you have time, just ask him."
At that moment, Shiki was being dragged by the jailers into the light of the torch. Hearing these words, the great pirates' gazes subconsciously shifted from Nao's face to this new arrival.
"That's…"
The moment they saw that old, withered face, these great pirates' pupils shook violently, and they showed looks of disbelief.
"Golden Lion Shiki?!"
How is that possible!
Didn't this big-shot successfully escape a few years ago? How was he caught and brought back, and looking so miserable and wretched?
Wait a minute…
Recalling Nao's words and the thunderous commotion that had come from the upper floors of the prison a few days ago, the pirates' faces changed again.
Could it be that the commotion was related to the Golden Lion? And that the Golden Lion himself was captured and brought back by this young Marine in front of them?
When did a ruthless person like this appear in the Marines?
No one spoke again for a moment. When these great pirates, who had all made quite a name for themselves in the New World, looked at Nao again, their eyes were filled with a hint of fear…
They knew what it meant to be a person who could defeat the Golden Lion, no matter how arrogant and conceited they were.
"…Looks like you're not all idiots."
Nao withdrew his gaze and said to Hannyabal flatly, "Continue."
"Let's move on."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Hannyabal snapped out of his daze, gripping his trident tightly as he resumed leading the way. But his mind was still reeling from what he'd just witnessed.
It was his first time leading a team to escort a prisoner to Level 6.
And to his shock, these monsters were that ruthless—starting trouble the moment they laid eyes on someone.
It's a good thing Mr. Nao was here…
This is what a real man is!
Hannyabal was so excited that he couldn't help but dream about the future.
When will I be able to be like Mr. Nao, who commands respect without anger and has such a powerful presence?
In a flash, they arrived at the empty prison cell that had been prepared. The unconscious Shiki was thrown into a corner by the two jailers.
Nao pretended to check if the shackles were secure, but he touched the tip of the Azakana Sword to Shiki's abdomen. Without arousing suspicion, he activated a new feature of the Azakana Sword.
Devil Fruit ability, STRIP!
A dark and obscure red aura broke away from Shiki's body, turning into a wisp of red mist that only Nao could see. It seeped into the Azakana Sword.
A red light flickered on the long blade, and a pattern of a devil's fang appeared on the blade before quickly disappearing under Nao's gaze…
I did it.
Nao let out a soft breath and glanced at the withered Shiki.
Stripping the Float-Float Fruit and using it for myself.
This was his true purpose for following Hannyabal and his group on this trip to Level 6.
The Float-Float Fruit's power had already been proven—in their battle, and in the decades of terror that had made Golden Lion a legend.
And with the chance right before him, there was no way he'd resist. Who could?
With a thought, Nao summoned his translucent blue system panel.
A new prompt appeared beneath the Azakana Sword in his weapon list:
"Devil Fruit Ability Detected and Extracted"
Type: Paramecia – Float-Float Fruit
Grade: S
Estimated Incubation Time: 90 Days
Incubating…
"Three months from now… the newly born fruit will be ready."
Nao pulled back his gaze, gave Golden Lion one last glance, then turned and strode out of the cell.
He waved a hand, signaling the guards to lock the door.
"As for Golden Lion…"
He didn't look back. He followed Hannyabal down the corridor, getting farther and farther away.
The side effects of the Devil Fruit were still present for him. It was a shame, but he would never be able to use the Float-Float Fruit's abilities again.
All that awaited him was endless imprisonment, and eventually, he would die in prison, old and alone, at some unknown time…
...
It was five days later when they returned to Headquarters.
The special current among the Three Gates of Justice still hadn't returned to normal.
But according to word from the top, the magnetic interference from the fallen islands was rapidly fading.
In a few more days, the whirlpools would return to normal, and the connections between the three impregnable fortresses would be stable again.
Nao's return, as expected, caused a huge stir at Headquarters. It happened to be during the evening dinner time, and many Marines, hearing the news, voluntarily gathered at the port to cheer and give him a warm welcome.
At a glance, it was truly a bustling crowd, a sea of people.
At first, Nao could handle it. He waved and smiled in response along the way, but he quickly found it a bit overwhelming. He finally found an opportunity to sneak away, ungraciously leaving Aokiji alone in the middle of the circle of enthusiastic fans…
When he finally got home, Nao was about to push the door open, but he suddenly felt that something was not quite right.
He listened carefully and seemed to hear the faint sound of running water from the bathroom…