Chapter 65: I'm Not Just Anyone's Mount!
Within Impel Down, only Magellan could truly suppress Shiryu of the Rain. Hannyabal's fear was that the witnesses to Shiryu's slaughter would cause the Chief Jailer to resort to the ultimate method of silencing them—murder. Was there anything Shiryu wouldn't dare to do?
"Yes, it's me, Jock Ian," Ian confirmed, his voice calm. "You must be Impel Down's Chief Jailer, Shiryu of the Rain. I've long heard rumors of your cruel nature, your disregard for life, your utter ruthlessness. Are the prisoners here just toys for your amusement? I recall the World Government has a specific rule regarding Impel Down: the unauthorized execution of prisoners is a capital offense."
Ian dismounted, signaling for Speed to move away. Although Shiryu's strength might not match Magellan's, he was known as one of Impel Down's two pillars and would become a key officer in the Blackbeard Pirates in the future. His current overall power, combined with his cunning and formidable swordsmanship, was definitely no less than Jack the Drought's. To encounter such a powerful opponent during his visit to Impel Down... today was indeed a fruitful day.
"Since when does a Marine brat get to interfere in Impel Down's affairs?" Shiryu's voice was a low growl. "It's just a few worthless lives. Do you have a problem with that?"
Without another word, Shiryu swung his sword without hesitation. The movement was so swift and decisive that Hannyabal, on the scene, couldn't react at all. A dark red sword wave slashed out, fiercely homing in on Ian, enveloping him in an instant. Whether it was the Navy's 'Supernova' or the Navy's future... none of it mattered in Shiryu's eyes. In his territory, no outsider was allowed to interfere.
The sword light swept past the piles of corpses, creating a shrill whistling sound. The wailing aura was breathtaking—this was a dark characteristic surpassing ordinary sword slashes... a demonic aura!
BOOM!
A loud explosion erupted at the corridor entrance. The demonic aura swept through, leaving horrific gashes on the thick stone and iron railings surrounding them.
However...
Shiryu did not feel the satisfaction of a successful strike. He muttered coldly, "Nice reaction time, little Marine. Did you foresee my attack? Did you dodge in advance?"
(Author's Note: Regarding Shiryu of the Rain's imprisonment timeline. The original story contains some vague descriptions of Shiryu, introduced through a conversation between Bentham and Emporio Ivankov. Ivankov states: 'Escape was very difficult not long ago, due to the presence of two of Impel Down's most iconic figures: Shiryu, as famous as Magellan.' This suggests Shiryu's imprisonment by Magellan wasn't long ago, definitely not just one or two years. In the original story, when Shiryu was introduced, only Deputy Chief Warden Domino was present, not the Chief Warden. It wouldn't make sense for the Chief Warden position to remain vacant for a year or two after Shiryu's arrest. Bentham claims he'd never heard of Shiryu, saying it was before his own imprisonment. Therefore, Shiryu's imprisonment by Magellan must have occurred before Bentham's capture. The current timeline of this story takes place before Luffy's departure, hence the plot where Shiryu is discovered executing prisoners. I personally believe this timeline fits, so I'm clarifying it here.)
From within the shaking smoke and dust, Ian emerged slowly, brushing off his Marine coat, completely unharmed.
"Ready to kill me after just a few words?" Ian's tone was cool. "Chief Jailer Shiryu certainly lives up to his reputation. Your swordsmanship is formidable. Are you here to take my life? What you do with the prisoners is none of my business, but trying to kill me... that concerns me, doesn't it?"
Ian showed no fear as he paced forward, speaking calmly. He didn't seem worried at all that Shiryu would attack again. Passing by Hannyabal, who had fallen to the ground in terror, he glanced down.
Hannyabal stammered, "Th-This... Major General Ian..."
Ian cut him off, "Why are you looking at me? Go get help!"
More cowardly than a rice ball. I really don't know how he became the Deputy Warden.
After all, Impel Down was someone else's territory. It wouldn't do for Ian to randomly kill a Vice Warden-level officer here.
"G-Get help... Get help!" Hannyabal scrambled up. "Y-Yes, yes... Major General Ian, you... you... you be careful! I'll be right back!"
Hannyabal turned and ran toward Magellan's office. Spotting Speed, who had hidden herself far away, he immediately waved and shouted, "Prisoner horse! Carry me to the Warden's office! You're faster than me! You must notify the Warden as quickly as possible!"
As he spoke, Hannyabal's portly body leaped up, attempting to mount Speed.
The result...
THUD!
Hiss...
Speed nimbly dodged, looking at Hannyabal with utter contempt. "I'm not someone who can be ridden by just anyone!"
Every cell in her body radiated disgust.
Hannyabal rubbed his sore backside, baring his teeth in anger. "Damn prisoner horse! Do you understand your status?! You are a prisoner delivered here, and I am the dignified Deputy Warden Hannyabal! How dare you refuse my order?!"
Hannyabal directly used his authority as Deputy Warden to pressure Speed. Speed's face tightened, a flicker of panic crossing her features at his words. But to carry this disgusting fat man...
"You... you try mounting me again... and Lord Ian won't let you off!" she retorted, changing her tune and bringing Ian into it. "He hates it most when people touch his things... Hmph!"
"Y-You... how vicious..." Hannyabal sputtered.
It had to be said, invoking Ian's name worked. Hannyabal could only rub his sore backside and continue running forward in shame.
Speed let out a sigh of relief, thinking to herself... It feels really good to have someone powerful backing you up.
Back in the battle corridor, Shiryu paid no attention to Hannyabal's departure. Instead, he continued his assault on Ian, gathering power for another slash, tracking Ian's footsteps. Yet, Ian's pace never faltered. He narrowly avoided Shiryu's sword strikes time and again in perilous situations.
Ian was internally gauging Shiryu's strength. He knew Shiryu hadn't yet used his full power, but the intensity of the Haki he was releasing... Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Magellan was the Warden of Impel Down, possessing the troublesome power of the Doku Doku no Mi. He was definitely far stronger than most of the monsters on Level 6. Shiryu, who was spoken of in the same breath as Magellan... after several exchanges, that reputation didn't seem exaggerated!
Ian had no way of judging if the Shiryu who would join the Blackbeard Pirates over two years later had reached the level of a top-tier commander. But the Shiryu before him now was definitely not the least bit inferior to Magellan.
"Tch, cunning Marine brat!" Shiryu grunted. "No wonder you could withstand Jack the Drought's attacks. Your reaction speed isn't bad. But today... there's no Admiral here to help you!"
Ian's reaction speed was indeed exceptional, marking him as a true powerhouse. He was testing Shiryu, and Shiryu was testing him in return. One dared to provoke openly, the other dared to attack without restraint. When it came to sheer audacity, they were evenly matched.
Shiiing!