Chapter 2
"System, can you tell me about the abilities of this Zanpakuto?"
Katie was incredibly curious about the Zanpakuto she had obtained. She wondered what kind of help this blade, named Po Kong (Break the Sky), which had never appeared in the storyline, could offer her.
"Space. This blade's ability is related to space. The specific effects will require the host to explore and familiarise themselves with it."
Though the system's description was brief and vague, Katie was utterly shocked.
The foundation of the world rests on two key elements: space and time.
Space determines the form of matter, while time governs its changes. Katie never imagined her luck would be so extraordinary. She was convinced that this Zanpakuto was undoubtedly among the most exceptional.
Her consciousness entered the system's storage space, where she gazed at the silver-white Po Kong. The more she looked, the more she loved it. If circumstances allowed, she would have already taken it out to examine and play with it.
*Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Beginner-level Physical Technique Lv3 from Pirate Extra A.*
*Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Beginner-level Marksmanship Lv2 from Pirate Extra B.*
As Katie was carefully observing the Zanpakuto in the system's storage, a series of notification sounds suddenly rang out, continuing for a full half-minute.
When it finally stopped, Katie noticed that her personal panel in the system had suddenly gained ten new abilities. The one that caught her attention the most was a swordsmanship skill called *Half-Moon Slash*. To her surprise, this skill was obtained from Hook. But what left her speechless was that there was also a skill for *Flirting*, and it was at a terrifying Lv5.
"System, are these the abilities you've given me? What does Beginner-level Lv3 mean? And why is there a plus sign after each skill?"
"Skills vary in strength. Beginner-level is the weakest tier, followed by Proficient, Master, Grandmaster, and so on. Each tier has ten sub-levels."
"As for the plus sign, it's used to upgrade skill levels. This requires skill points, and higher levels demand more points. Skill points can only be earned by completing tasks assigned by the system. Of course, diligent practice by the host can also improve skill levels."
Nodding, Katie understood the logic after the system's explanation. It seemed she would have to find a way to complete the system's tasks.
"Detected the host's intent. Task assignment for the host will now begin."
*Task 1: As the freest pirate on the seas, you cannot tolerate insults from others, not even for a second. Please find a way to personally eliminate Pirate Hook. Task Reward: Two skill points, one thousand exchange points.*
*Task 2: Sometimes, enduring in silence is also a strategy. Ignore Hook's insults and outlast him in prison to see who falls first. Task Reward: One skill point, five hundred exchange points.*
After confirming her eyes weren't deceiving her, Katie understood the system's nature. It was clearly pushing her to stir things up. Comparatively, the first task seemed much simpler.
With Po Kong in hand, killing someone was no challenge for her. The only issue was how to deal with Impel Down's guards afterward, or worse, facing Magellan. With her current strength, encountering him would mean certain death.
But the second task wasn't as simple as it sounded either. Outlasting someone with her life on the line in a place like Impel Down, where her fate was entirely in others' hands and accidents could happen at any moment, was far more difficult than the first task. Not to mention, the rewards were half as much. There was no real choice.
"System, I choose the first task."
"Task confirmed. Please complete it as soon as possible."
Looking at Hook's defenceless back, Katie was tempted to strike him down right then and there. But her rationality told her it wasn't the right time. She needed to wait for the perfect opportunity, and that opportunity was Luffy's arrival.
Unbeknownst to her, that opportunity was already near. On the open sea, just a day's journey from Impel Down, a Navy warship was sailing at full speed. On board was the only female member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the ruler of Amazon Lily, known as Empress Hancock.
"Your Highness Hancock, we've arrived at Impel Down. It's time to disembark."
Vice Admiral Momonga's voice came through the door, reaching Hancock and Luffy. The two exchanged a glance, and Luffy hurriedly slipped into Hancock's dress. After tidying up, Hancock stepped out of the room.
"Lead the way."
Even when facing Vice Admiral Momonga of Navy Headquarters, Hancock's attitude remained as cold as ice. Perhaps it could be said that only when facing Luffy would a rare smile grace her face.
Momonga stared at the door Hancock emerged from for a long time before finally looking away.
For some reason, throughout the entire journey, Hancock's behavior had seemed unusually off, impossible to ignore. Yet, he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
"What's the matter? Is there a problem?"
"N-no, nothing. We're about to enter Impel Down, so I called you to prepare."
"Oh."
No matter what Momonga said, Hancock's response was always a single word. Looking at her cold demeanor, Momonga felt he might have been overthinking. She had no reason or need to do anything against the Navy's interests.
As the massive iron gate, dozens of meters tall, slowly opened, a musty smell hit them, and faint screams of tortured pirates echoed in their ears. The world beyond the gate felt like a terrifying abyss straight out of hell.
"Quick, quick! That guy Buggy has escaped! Catch him!"
In an instant, the long-quiet Impel Down erupted into chaos. As a facility directly under the World Government, they would never allow anyone to escape. The escape of the Golden Lion over a decade ago remained a lifelong disgrace, and they would not permit such a humiliation to happen again.
However, it wasn't just the prison guards who were emotionally charged. The pirates on Level 1 of Impel Down were also stirred. They had long grown tired of this sunless prison. Even the slightest glimmer of hope made them eager to try escaping.
"Where's Buggy? Come open the door for me! If you let me out, I'll do anything for you!"
"Buggy! Buggy!"
In no time, Buggy's name echoed throughout Level 1 of Impel Down, with everyone hoping for his arrival.
However, so far, no one had seen Buggy, let alone escaped.
Watching Hook's anxious figure, Katie's hands itched with anticipation, and Po Kong seemed just as eager.
Buggy's escape signaled the start of Luffy's prison break. The Summit War was now just over thirty hours away. This was not only the prelude to the war at Marineford but also her best and safest chance to escape Impel Down.
But before that, she had one thing left to do: kill Hook as quickly as possible to complete the task.