A deep voice came from the cell opposite.
Victor had already noticed the man inside.
A slicked-back haircut, a scar across his cheek, and a golden hook embedded on his left forearm.
Former Shichibukai, user of the Sand-Sand Fruit, the King of the Desert… Crocodile!
Victor had always felt it was unfair that Crocodile lost to Luffy. From any angle, his strength should have crushed Luffy at that time.
"Why, are you afraid I'll kill you after I get out? Don't worry, we have the same goal—to escape from this disgusting prison!"
Crocodile frowned tightly, looking extremely impatient. He didn't want to stay in such a boring, filthy prison for even a second.
[Ding, trigger selection!]
[Choice 1: Break the prison and release Crocodile and Jinbei. Reward: 300 million berries!]
[Choice 2: Refuse and prevent Luffy from rescuing Crocodile and Jinbei. Reward: One Power Pill!]
Victor was speechless. He hesitated for a moment, waiting for the choice to trigger. But the reward seemed misleading!
Choice 2 sounded more exciting—the reward was actually a Power Pill!?
Shouldn't the harder task give the better reward?
"Hey, kid, what's going on?"
Crocodile's impatience grew. He doubted that this kid could even break the cell on his own.
Otherwise, even if you don't save him, you should at least save Jinbei, right?
Could it be that this guy stumbled into Level 6 by accident?
Sea Knight Jinbei's eyes burned with determination. He didn't think Victor was weak. Victor wasn't a devil fruit user, and his strength lay in his physical skills.
Jinbei could sense Victor's power and naturally did not underestimate him.
Actually, Jinbei was right.
After Victor made his choice, he kicked open the doors of both cells and destroyed the Seastone handcuffs on Jinbei and Crocodile with a single flick of his finger.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the mission and obtaining 300 million berries!]
Although the reward wasn't huge, it was still enough. In the pirate world, 300 million berries could go a long way. For instance, he could use it to take Hancock on a trip!
Speaking of Hancock… Victor missed her deeply.
"It seems I underestimated you, little brat!"
Crocodile stretched, feeling the devil fruit power returning after long imprisonment in Seastone cuffs. It surged through him like a torrent, more powerful than he had felt in a long time.
"Mr. Victor, thank you for your kindness. Jinbei will always remember it!"
"You're welcome. We'll need your help to get to Marineford. By the way, how long ago was Ace taken away?"
Victor felt guilty for not meeting Fire Fist Ace. Along with triggering the choice, he was eager to see the legendary Fire Fist in action.
"Although it hasn't been long, he should already be in the Navy's hands, and…"
Before Jinbei could finish, Victor had already disappeared. His speed was so fast that neither Jinbei nor Crocodile could react in time.
"This brat…"
"Mr. Victor is too reckless. The man escorting Ace is the most powerful in the prison—Poison Man Magellan!"
Jinbei grew anxious. Victor was strong, but Magellan was in a league of his own. He had the strength to control Impel Down, terrifying in every sense.
Jinbei was about to chase Victor, but the sixth floor suddenly erupted in noise. A group of people rushed over, pursued by prison guards.
Leading them was a thin man wearing a straw hat. He shouted, "Ace! Ace! I'm here to save you!"
Straw Hat Luffy…
―――
"We were just one step away, Fire Fist Ace. I was escorting you out when a man broke into Level 6!"
Magellan, the director of Impel Down, reported to Ace that they had left Level 6 and were on the way to the Navy.
"Luffy!"
Ace's eyes widened. His foolish and reckless brother had made it all the way to Level 6!
Bang!
Ace snatched a guard's weapon, swinging it to knock aside those around him. Though a devil fruit user, his physical skills were formidable.
"Don't struggle in vain. Your fate is sealed, Fire Fist Ace! And as for those in the Cholera Prison, I will wipe them all out!"
Magellan, far taller than a normal man, subdued Ace with one hand, pressing him under his palm.
Ace was handcuffed in Seastone and had endured cruel punishment. Now, facing a man like Magellan, he had no ability to resist.
"Luffy…"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Just as Ace despaired, loud banging sounded on the gate separating Level 6 Infinite Hell.
"Luffy!"
Ace thought it was his silly brother, but remembered the partition was Seastone. Luffy couldn't have broken it with sheer force.
Then who could it be?
"I'm Director Magellan. Open the door separating Level 6. Let the man outside in, then close it!"
Magellan remained indifferent. He already knew who was responsible for the chaos.
Victor, along with Straw Hat Luffy, was the culprit behind this prison chaos!
He wanted to execute him here!
Victor slammed the door with his Conqueror's Haki and iron fists, sensing Ace's presence nearby.
Just as the door cracked, it opened.
"You must immediately escort Fire Fist Ace to Vice Admiral Ghost Spider!"
Magellan was confident in his strength, but Ace wouldn't tolerate any mistakes.
"You are Victor, one of the culprits behind the Prison chaos, who defeated Sadi-chan!"
Magellan seethed, venom flowing on his body, capable of corroding the ground if it touched it.
"Magellan!"
Victor faced the massive Warden, shocked by his overwhelming aura and the lethal venom. This was indeed the strongest enemy he had encountered since arriving in this world.
Blocked by Magellan, Victor couldn't see Ace clearly, but Observation Haki detected a faint flame of hope.
Ace, scarred and battered, ran forward with all his strength, stopping beside Magellan.
The Warden watched him carefully; one false move from Ace, and Magellan would strike.
"Mr. Victor, I'm Luffy's brother, Portgas D. Ace. We've never met, but I'm grateful you came to save me. Now, please allow me to ask this favor: help protect Luffy and get him out of Impel Down alive. That idiot really causes trouble… Please, Victor!"
The super pirate Fire Fist Ace, famed in the New World, burst into tears. He bowed deeply, facing Victor—the only man he could ask for help.