"Of course I'm willing. I've wanted to leave this dreadful place for a long time," Big Barrel, Moonlight Hunter, Sajuan Wolf said with eager smiles.
"Hahaha, attacking the Marines is fine, but let's be clear from the start, I will not be your subordinate," Crocodile said, his long, demonic laugh echoing.
"I agree with Crocodile. As long as you don't expect me to follow orders, attacking the Marines — that's something I've wanted for years. Ideally, I'd kill an Admiral to show my strength hasn't faded!" Douglas Bullet said, excitement bright in his eyes.
For so many years Bullet had hungered for a battle worthy of his power.
"Using the assault on the Marines as the condition for my release, that's not a bad offer," Shiryu of the Rain said, his gaze turning sinister.
Ever since Shiryu had been thrown into the Underwater Great Prison by Magellan, he had longed for the chance to bring the Marines down — and now Thorne Ashveil had given him just that opportunity.
Even the legendary pirate known as Red Count showed excitement long buried by despair.
"I… I… I can finally get out. These dark days are over. Free me, and I'll help you tear those Marine bastards apart, Ashveil!" Red Count said, bursting with energy.
Everyone turned toward Red Count's cage. He was a legendary pirate, after all, shackled in Sea Stone handcuffs — more numerous and heavier than those worn by ordinary Sixth Floor inmates — but now he might finally see freedom.
"Old monster, what do you plan to do after the Marine attack?" Bullet narrowed his eyes.
"I have no comment," Red Count said with a small, cruel curl of his lips.
Thorne Ashveil gave a satisfied smile. Though each criminal had their own selfish motive, all had agreed to his demand.
Only World Destroyer Byrnndi World remained.
Ashveil approached Byrnndi World's cell and a chill struck him as he saw a long-bearded old man frozen inside a giant block of ice.
With his mastery of ice, Ashveil easily dispelled the freezing effect.
After thawing, Byrnndi World's eyes cleared; as they took in the chaos surrounding him, he grasped the situation.
"What a terrifying junior, to have turned the Sixth Floor into such a mess!" Byrnndi World said, admiration softening his voice as he looked at the disarray in the prison.
"How about I free you, and together we raise hell at Marine Headquarters?" Ashveil asked, his tone composed yet full of confidence.
Byrnndi World's expression lit up with excitement.
"Hahaha, raising hell at the Marines — that is a grand idea! It's time for revenge!" Byrnndi World roared.
"I will destroy everything that stands in my way!" Byrnndi World declared, his eyes flashing with anger.
He remembered being betrayed by a spy planted by the World Government, a betrayal that resulted in his imprisonment. Revenge was not merely desire — it was necessity.
It was simply doing someone a favor, Ashveil told himself. Once he helped Byrnndi World attack the Marines, this wide world, combined with the power of the Momo Fruit, promised opportunities unlike any other — he would have no lack of ways to show his strength and make his name known.
With Byrnndi World's consent, all the prisoners on the Underwater Great Prison's Sixth Floor — except Kaido — had now agreed to Ashveil's plan.
Ashveil understood Kaido's nature too well. If released, Kaido might attempt a sneak attack the moment he saw weakness.
He had learned from examples in the stories of the seas, from Kozuki Oden's lesson in the anime. He would not make that mistake.
Ashveil smiled through satisfaction. A thick mist began to rise from his body, white vapors coalescing and seeping through the iron cell doors. He had no intention of simply using raw Conqueror's Haki — he planned to mix the power of the Magma Fruit into it.
Allowing a small amount of Conqueror's Haki to penetrate Sea Stone, Ashveil infused it with Magma power to provoke internal destruction.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosive sounds tore through every dim cell.
After the silence fell, wild laughter rang out throughout the Underwater Great Prison.
"Haha... haha... haha... I'm free at last!" Crocodile's long, demonic laugh echoed.
Nine-tailed Fox, Big Barrel, Sajuan Wolf, Red Count stared at their shattered handcuffs. Though injured from the blasts, their faces glowed with excitement.
"Hahaha! I never thought we'd walk free from this damned Great Prison! Let's turn this world upside down!" one cried.
Shiryu of the Rain, once his handcuffs removed, retrieved his beloved sword Rayu and wiped its blade clean.
"My old friend, it's been a long time since I have held you. You remain sharp," he said, smiling wickedly.
Bullet stared at his fists, clenching them as though testing invisible weights.
"The feeling of freedom! Hahaha! It's incredible, I can face strong opponents again!"
Suddenly Douglas Bullet's Conqueror's Haki flared outward. Although overwhelmed by Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki, it still caused the criminals around him to glance toward him with newfound respect.
Even Kaido, still locked in his cell, looked on in surprise — though imprisoned, Bullet's strength had not diminished.
Just as everyone turned in awe at Bullet's aura, Red Count and Byrnndi World stepped out of their cells. They moved slowly but each step carried weight, their presence alone radiating power without any visible anger.
"Ashveil, kid, we made our pact. You free us, I won't hold you any favors," Red Count said, narrowing his eyes.
Byrnndi World nodded in agreement.
Ashveil smiled faintly, voice steady: "Naturally."
"Yet... since I'm the one freeing you, I must bear some responsibility for this world."
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