The massive steel fleet gradually slowed as it approached its destination.
At the bow of the flagship, Renn Hawk stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
Behind him, Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Nami, Hibari, Peacock and the others maintained solemn expressions as they silently observed the legendary prison before them. The greatest fortress of confinement in the world.
A long metallic creak echoed as the fleet glided into the harbor. The heavy ramp dropped with a loud clang that sent dust rippling across the ground.
Hawk was the first to descend, his military boots striking the solid surface with a deep, resonant thud.
Behind him, the Marine soldiers filed out in perfect formation.
Waiting at the dock was a reception unit.
At their front stood a rather ridiculous-looking man.
Bare-chested, with a round protruding belly, two small horn-like bumps jutted from his brow. A pharaoh-style yellow and green headdress sat atop his head, and in his hand he clutched a long iron trident.
The Vice Warden of Impel Down.
Hannibal.
The moment he saw Hawk, Hannibal's eyes lit up. He jogged forward, face overflowing with enthusiasm.
"Rear Admiral Hawk!"
"Welcome to Impel Down!"
He thrust out his hand, voice so loud it bordered on piercing.
"I am the Deputy... ahem! I am the Warden of Impel Down, Hannibal!"
Hannibal stared up at the young Rear Admiral before him, straight-backed and composed, and waves roared through his heart.
He really came.
The man who, while only a Branch Lieutenant Colonel, purged the East Blue.
The man who, in fury, used naval artillery to erase the pirate haven of Mock Town from the sea entirely.
The Blood Hawk of Marine Headquarters.
Renn Hawk.
Hannibal had read every single report about him.
Against evil, he never compromised. His methods were iron-blooded, like a demon of the underworld.
Toward civilians, he returned stolen wealth and rebuilt destroyed homes like a savior descended from heaven.
This was true justice.
This was what the Marines were meant to be.
A man worthy of lifelong loyalty and admiration.
And in person, he was even more handsome than his photographs.
Hawk regarded the strange and comical figure standing before him.
Ambitious, but mediocre in capability. A man who cut corners and slacked off while dreaming of replacing Impel Down's true Warden, Magellan, and becoming the leader himself.
Yet deep in his heart was a sincere compassion for ordinary people.
It was that compassion that made him despise pirates.
Not because pirates challenged the authority of the World Government, but because their existence meant countless helpless civilians losing their homes, their families, and their sleep.
"As long as pirates continue to sail the seas, innocent people will lie awake at night in fear of losing the ones they love…"
This was Hannibal's famous quote.
A man who, in his own flawed way, truly wished for a future where the weak no longer suffered.
Hawk extended his hand.
"Warden Hannibal. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Hannibal froze. Then his brain crashed into overwhelming joy.
He called me Warden.
My idol called me Warden.
That means he recognizes my leadership talent.
He must believe that I, Hannibal, am the rightful next ruler of Impel Down.
His face flushed with excitement.
"Rear Admiral Hawk, please! Right this way!"
"I will personally guide you through my... no, our Impel Down!"
He puffed out his chest and slammed the trident against the floor, producing a dull boom.
"Rest assured!"
"From today onward, every corner of Impel Down will be fully open to you and your men!"
Hawk chuckled softly and continued forward.
He had taken only a few steps when a massive figure emerged from the shadows.
He clutched his loudly rumbling stomach, his expression dark and sour.
The towering man possessed a pair of bat-like black wings, devil-like horns, and a faint aura of purple poison flowing around him. Even his breath carried a toxic hue.
The true Warden of Impel Down.
The Paramecia-type Poison Fruit user.
The strongest man in the prison.
Magellan.
A man who believed that if even one prisoner escaped, he should die to atone.
"Magellan!" Hannibal sprinted ahead, shouting before anyone else could speak.
"Rear Admiral Hawk!"
"This is the Deputy Warden of Impel Down, Magellan!"
Then he turned his back to Hawk and began frantically winking at Magellan, silently mouthing words.
Play along.
Understand?
Do not embarrass me in front of my idol.
Magellan stared at Hannibal's ridiculous contorted face and paused.
What nonsense was this fool pulling now?
Magellan nodded once, then looked at Hawk.
"Rear Admiral Hawk?"
"This way please."
"I have heard Hannibal speak of you endlessly. It is good to finally meet you in person."
"As for matters concerning Impel Down…"
Magellan paused and met Hawk's eyes.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has already contacted me."
"You have traveled far. Let us talk over a meal."
He stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
Hawk nodded. He did not refuse.
This trip to Impel Down was not merely his personal hunting ground.
It was the crucible that would transform the entire G–3 Branch.
Two months of hell-like training. Logistics and recovery were paramount.
He needed his soldiers in peak condition, with maximum stamina, ready to face brutal combat without pause.
His gaze subtly drifted toward the silent figure behind him.
Kuma.
Kuma sensed his eyes and inclined his head.
Hawk had already instructed him during the journey.
During the Impel Down operation…
He would continue to use the powers of the Paw Fruit to remove every injury and every ounce of fatigue from the soldiers during training.
But as for who would receive that accumulated suffering…
Kuma's eyes drifted past Hawk, toward the depths of the iron prison.
Dark. Endless. Filled with madness and despair.
All the extracted pain, exhaustion, and torment…
Would be forced into the bodies of the condemned criminals.
Letting them, in endless agony, contribute their final value to the Marines.
Using the screams of the guilty to forge the strength of the righteous.