The massive Marine battleship cut through the dark waters on its way toward the great underwater prison, Impel Down.
Inside one of the private chambers reserved for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Boa Hancock stood calmly near the window.
Behind her—
Hidden within the folds of her dress—
Monkey D. Luffy was crouched awkwardly, trying not to make a sound.
Outside the door, footsteps passed.
A Marine officer saluted as he walked by.
"Vice Admiral, the Warlord has arrived."
The voice belonged to Momonga, the Marine vice admiral escorting Hancock.
Hancock simply waved him off.
"I require privacy."
Momonga nodded stiffly.
"Understood."
The footsteps faded.
Once the coast was clear—
Luffy popped his head out.
"Man… it's stuffy in there!"
Hancock smiled slightly.
"That Vice Admiral sure is weak."
She crossed her arms.
"He didn't even notice you hiding in my dress."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"His Haki must be weak."
Luffy blinked.
"Haki?"
He scratched his head.
"I still don't really get what that is."
Hancock looked surprised.
"You don't know?"
Luffy shrugged.
"Nope."
Then he grinned.
"Maybe I'll train and unlock it after I save Ace!"
"But thanks, Hancock!"
Hancock froze.
Her face slowly turned red.
"…You said my name again."
Luffy blinked.
"Huh?"
"Yeah."
"Is there something wrong?"
Hancock quickly turned away, covering her mouth.
"Nothing at all, Luffy!"
Her voice trembled slightly.
The ship rocked gently as it continued its journey.
After some time—
The massive shadow of a fortress rose from the sea.
A gigantic structure surrounded by dark whirlpools.
The infamous prison of the seas.
Impel Down.
Marine soldiers shouted orders across the deck.
"We've arrived!"
"Prepare for docking!"
Luffy peeked out from Hancock's dress again.
"Whoa…"
"That place looks scary."
Hancock glanced down at him.
"This is where we go our separate ways."
The ship slowly approached the enormous Gates of Justice.
The moment the guards turned their attention elsewhere—
Luffy jumped out.
He landed lightly on the deck.
Then he looked back at Hancock and grinned.
"Thank you, Hancock!"
He waved happily.
"Let's meet again!"
Hancock froze.
Her brain short-circuited.
"…Eh?"
In her mind, the words twisted.
Did you just say…
You love me…?
Her face exploded into a deep blush.
"L-Luffy…!"
She clasped her hands dramatically.
"Be careful, Luffy!"
Meanwhile—
Luffy had already jumped down toward the lower levels of the prison entrance.
"Alright!"
He pumped his fists.
"I'm coming, Ace!"
Behind him, Hancock stood at the ship's railing, watching him disappear into the depths of Impel Down.
Her eyes sparkled dreamily.
"…He said he loves me."
The Marines nearby looked confused.
"Huh?"
Hancock covered her cheeks, smiling.
"…How bold."
Far below the ocean's surface—
The gates of hell awaited.
And Luffy had just stepped inside.
————————-
The iron gates of Impel Down loomed over the sea like the mouth of a monster.
Inside the fortress, guards and wardens moved constantly through the corridors.
Standing near the entrance, Boa Hancock looked down at the Marine escort beside her.
"Vice Admiral."
The officer straightened.
Momonga saluted.
"Yes, Warlord Hancock."
Hancock crossed her arms.
"Take me to where Portgas D. Ace is being held."
Momonga raised an eyebrow.
"…May I ask why?"
Hancock looked forward calmly.
"I want to see the man who will cause this war."
Momonga studied her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Very well."
"But protocol requires that all visitors wear seastone cuffs while entering the prison's lower levels."
Hancock lifted her hands without hesitation.
"That is not a problem."
Momonga signaled the guards.
The cuffs were placed on her wrists.
Soon after—
They stepped into a large iron elevator.
The heavy gate slammed shut.
CLANK.
The elevator began descending.
Level by level.
Down past the screams and echoes of prisoners.
Level 1.
Level 2.
Level 3.
Level 4.
Level 5.
Finally—
The deepest level.
Level 6.
The secret floor.
The prisoners here were too dangerous for the world to even know existed.
The gates opened slowly.
Momonga stepped forward.
"This is Level 6."
"Where the most dangerous criminals are held."
Hancock walked through the dark hallway until she stopped in front of one cell.
Inside—
A man sat chained to the wall.
He looked up slowly.
Hancock spoke first. "So you are Portgas D. Ace."
Ace frowned slightly.
"…And you are?"
"Why are you here?"
Hancock answered calmly.
"Your brother is here."
Ace's eyes widened.
"…What?"
"He is looking for you."
Ace shot to his feet against his chains.
"Luffy?!"
His face filled with panic.
"What is he doing here?!"
"I don't want him here!"
"He'll just get himself killed!"
Hancock looked at him quietly.
"He is already on his way."
Ace gritted his teeth.
"That idiot…"
Before he could say more—
A voice came from another inmate behind Ace.
"Hancock…?"
She turned.
Behind iron bars sat a large blue-skinned fishman.
Hancock's eyes widened.
"…Jinbe?!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Why are you imprisoned?"
Jinbe smiled calmly.
"It's been a while, Hancock."
"I refused to cooperate with the Navy in their war against Whitebeard."
He folded his arms.
"Even though Fish-Man Island is under the protection of the Nyx Pirates…"
"Old Man Whitebeard has helped the fish-men for many years."
Hancock nodded slowly.
"I see."
Then she added,
"Speaking of the Nyx Pirates…"
"I heard Douglas Bullet is here."
Jinbe nodded.
"Yes."
"He is also imprisoned on this level."
He lowered his voice.
"The captain's plan is already in motion."
Hancock narrowed her eyes.
"So Lady Ada is planning something."
Jinbe gave a small smile.
"Yes."
"But that information is confidential."
There was a brief pause before Jinbe continued.
"However… there is one thing I can tell you."
Hancock looked at him carefully.
Jinbe's voice lowered slightly.
"In this coming war…"
"…there will be two Emperors."
Hancock's eyes widened in shock.
"…What?"
She immediately understood the implication.
"I see…"
"So she plans to join this war as well."
Jinbe nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"That is all I can tell you."
Hancock didn't push further.
Instead she walked down the row of cells.
Then she stopped.
Inside one of them—
A massive figure sat in the shadows.
Hancock spoke.
"Douglas Bullet."
The figure slowly looked up.
Then grinned.
"…Oh?"
"Well if it isn't Hancock."
The member of the Nyx Pirates chuckled.
"You've grown."
"The last time I saw you was when we helped bring you back to Amazon Lily."
Hancock nodded.
"Yes."
"It has been a while."
Then she crossed her arms.
"Since you are part of Lady Ada's crew…"
"You must know about Luffy."
Bullet laughed loudly.
"Ada's brat?"
"What's he up to now?"
Hancock raised an eyebrow.
"So you know he is her son."
Bullet smirked.
"Of course I know."
Hancock continued.
"I helped him come here."
"He is trying to save his brother Ace."
Bullet blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
"That brat is suicidal."
"Coming to Impel Down alone…"
Then his grin faded.
"…Still."
"I can't believe the Marines captured Ace."
Hancock shook her head.
"He wasn't captured by the Marines."
"He was turned in by Marshall D. Teach."
"In exchange for a Warlord position."
Bullet's expression darkened.
"…That bastard."
"I didn't think he would fall that low."
He crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"…Maybe I should expedite the captain's plan."
"If Ada's brat is here… we can align things."
Hancock stepped closer to the bars.
"Whatever Lady Ada's plan is…"
"I only ask one thing."
"Protect Luffy."
"That is why I told you."
Bullet laughed again.
"That won't be a problem."
"Ada will probably kill me if I don't protect him while he's here."
Hancock nodded.
"…Good."
"Then this is goodbye."
She turned and began walking away.
Behind the bars—
Bullet watched her leave.
Then he chuckled to himself.
"Well now…"
"Things just got interesting."
He leaned back against the wall.
"I just hope that brat meets Ivankov first."
He grinned widely.
"I wonder what his reaction will be."
Then the massive pirate burst into laughter that echoed through Level 6.
——————
Deep inside Impel Down, chaos echoed through the halls of Level 1 – Crimson Hell.
Gray walls and blood covered the floor as a prisoner ran desperately from the terrifying guards.
A group of monstrous, ghost-like jailers wielding axes chased after a screaming pirate.
"GET BACK HERE!"
The pirate sprinted wildly down the corridor.
It was Buggy.
He waved his arms frantically while running for his life.
"Suckers! You can chop me up all you want!"
"I ate the Chop-Chop Fruit!"
"Your stupid axes won't work on me!"
Suddenly—
Another figure dashed beside him.
Sandals slapping loudly against the ground.
Buggy blinked.
"…Huh?"
He turned his head.
Running right next to him was Monkey D. Luffy.
Buggy's eyes bulged.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
Luffy blinked in surprise.
"Oh!"
"Buggy, it's you!"
Buggy groaned loudly.
"Thanks for reminding me why I hate you!"
Luffy smirked.
"I see prison hasn't made you any less annoying."
Buggy snarled back while still running.
"Speaking of annoying…"
"Guess that King of the Pirates thing isn't working out too well for you, huh?!"
Luffy shrugged casually.
"I came here on my own."
"Only dumb people like you get caught and thrown in jail."
Buggy nearly tripped.
"HEY!"
"WAIT WHAT?!"
"You threw yourself in jail and you're calling ME the dumb one?!"
He squinted suspiciously.
"…Wait a minute."
Buggy pointed at him dramatically while still running.
"You must've known I was here!"
"That's the real reason you broke in, isn't it?!"
"To save me!"
Luffy's eye twitched.
Buggy folded his arms smugly while sprinting.
"Well I'm not into you, weirdo!"
Luffy snapped.
"JUST SHUT UP AND GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!"
Behind them—
The axe-wielding guards roared.
"STOP THEM!"
The two pirates kept running down the burning corridors of Impel Down.
One trying to save his brother.
The other just trying to survive.
————————-
The Level 1 – Crimson Hell inside of Impel Down stretched endlessly around them.
Spiked trees tore at prisoners who tried to escape, while guards chased screaming inmates through the maze.
Amid the chaos—
Two pirates kept running side by side.
Monkey D. Luffy glanced over at the clown beside him.
"So… you know this place pretty well?"
Buggy puffed his chest while sprinting.
"Of course I do!"
"I've been running for who knows how long!"
"I practically memorized this place!"
Luffy's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
"Then can you take me to the lower levels?"
Buggy screeched to a halt for a second before continuing to run.
"Are you an idiot?!"
"Why would I do that?!"
"And why the hell are you going down there anyway?!"
Luffy answered immediately.
"I'm here to save my brother, Ace."
Buggy blinked.
"Ace?"
"I don't know who that is."
Then—
His eyes suddenly locked onto something on Luffy's arm.
An armlet.
Buggy's pupils shrank.
Wait…
Is that…?!
His mind exploded with realization.
That's Captain John's treasure mark!!
Buggy's face twisted as he tried to act casual.
"…You know what?"
"If you give me that armlet of yours…"
"Maybe I'll help you."
He grinned slyly.
"But only down to Level 4."
Luffy didn't hesitate. "Okay!"
Buggy blinked. "…Huh?"
Luffy smiled. "So you're a nice guy now?"
Buggy burst out laughing.
"Of course!"
"That's only because you're giving me the treasure mark that leads to Captain John's treasure—"
He suddenly slapped his hands over his mouth.
"…I told him?!"
Luffy tilted his head.
"You're in here because you're weak, right?"
Buggy snapped instantly.
"DON'T BE NOSY!"
"Leave me alone!"
Inside his head Buggy panicked.
He didn't notice!
Good thing this guy's slow!
Then Luffy suddenly spoke again.
"Ohhh, I see."
"So this armlet is some sort of treasure thingy, huh?"
"I had no idea!"
Buggy's jaw dropped.
"YOU WERE PAYING ATTENTION THEN?!"
He grabbed his head in frustration.
"Dammit!"
"Well now I have no choice!"
Before Buggy could continue—
Luffy suddenly held out his arm.
"Then I'll just let you have it right now."
Buggy froze.
"…What?"
"You're giving this to me?"
"Even knowing how valuable it is?!"
Luffy nodded casually.
"Yeah."
"Saving Ace is more important anyway."
Buggy stared at him like he had just seen a ghost.
"…But if you give it to me now…"
"I might just fly off and leave you here."
Luffy shrugged.
"You could."
"But you said you'd show me the way, right?"
Buggy's eyes trembled.
Tears suddenly burst out of his face dramatically.
Don't look at me with honest eyes like that!!
I'm just a cheap worthless scumbag, you know!!
You can't just take my word like that!!
Buggy slowly grabbed the armlet.
His hands trembled as he held it.
Inside his head fireworks exploded.
The map…
The key…
The mark leading to my dream!!
Captain John's treasure!!
He wiped his fake tears and puffed his chest proudly.
"I accept your offering!"
"I owe you one, Straw Hat!"
Luffy grinned.
"Great!"
Buggy forced a smile back.
"…Yeah."
But inside his mind he was already scheming.
Alright… now how do I get away from this guy?
————————
The two continued running down the long stone corridor as they descended deeper into Impel Down.
Behind them, the burning forest of Level 1 – Crimson Hell slowly faded from sight.
Now they had entered Level 2 – Wild Beast Hell.
The air felt heavier.
From deep within the prison came terrifying roars and the rattling of iron cages.
Massive shadows moved behind reinforced gates.
Somewhere nearby, a giant creature slammed against metal bars, shaking the entire corridor.
"ROOOAAARRR!"
Buggy shivered as he ran.
"I hate this level…"
"I hate this place…"
Clutching the armlet tightly, he kept glancing at it with greedy excitement.
Captain John's treasure…
It's finally mine…
Then his eyes drifted upward.
He noticed something hanging from Monkey D. Luffy's neck.
A cross-shaped pendant swayed as Luffy ran.
Buggy squinted.
"…Hey."
"Now that I look at it…"
"That pendant of yours looks really familiar."
Luffy immediately grabbed it protectively.
"I'm not giving it to you."
Buggy snapped back instantly.
"HEY!"
"I wasn't asking for it anyway!"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"I just said it looked familiar!"
"But I can't remember where I've seen it before…"
Buggy scratched his chin while running.
"Hmmm…"
Luffy shrugged.
"My grandpa said my mom left it for me."
Buggy blinked.
"Your mom?"
Then he shook his head.
"Whatever."
"Let's just focus on getting to level 4."
But as they continued running deeper into the prison—
Buggy couldn't help but glance at the pendant again.
Somewhere in the back of his mind…
A very old memory stirred.
But he still couldn't place it.