Chapter 68: New Skill, The Voice of All Things!
Magellan's venom did not have a potent effect on Ian's body. He could clearly feel toxins attempting to seep into his system through his skin's pores. However, the toxins did not penetrate quickly. Once inside, they were rapidly broken down and neutralized by his enhanced cells.
The gains from today's trip weren't just the opportunistic collection of Enhancement Points. It also gave Ian a more comprehensive understanding of his body's resistance to toxins. Facing the potent venom that could have incapacitated the entire Blackbeard Pirates, he was able to withstand it for a short period. It seemed he didn't need to be quite so cautious about other poisons in the future.
"Major General Ian, you..." Magellan and Hannyabal were stunned, watching Ian deliver powerful punches like a raging tiger. Was this the same young man who had been so weak he could barely stand moments ago?
Ian stepped out of the puddle of venom, performing an exaggerated "staggering" act.
Phew...
"I'm sorry," he gasped, feigning breathlessness. "Being beaten by your Chief Jailer for so long left me feeling a bit stifled. Seeing him subdued, I couldn't help but want to get some payback. Warden Magellan's Doku Doku no Mi is truly formidable. Even I..." Ian immediately contorted his face into a pained expression. Since he was acting, he had to see it through to the end.
"Antidote!" Hannyabal exclaimed. "Major General Ian, I have it right here! Hurry, take some quickly, don't let the injury worsen!" He immediately produced a small box and took out a vial identical to the one Shiryu had possessed.
"Yes, I'll take some. As expected of Warden Magellan, his poison is truly potent." Ian smoothly took the entire box of antidotes and pocketed it. This stuff might come in handy for future dealings with Impel Down.
"Hey! That's... Hey..." Hannyabal had only intended to give one vial, never expecting Ian to be so swift in taking the whole box.
"Hannyabal, take Major General Ian to Level 1 to rest. Leave this place to me," Magellan commanded, his voice heavy with authority. "I will report today's incident truthfully to Mary Geoise. Major General Ian, you can rest assured, I will not show favoritism. Next time you have the chance, I will personally receive you. But today... I need to deal with these pressing matters!"
Magellan spoke with immense dignity. This kind of officer was the true hallmark of Impel Down. Having achieved his goal, there was no point in finding further excuses to stay.
Ian nodded in agreement. "No problem. I believe Warden Magellan can handle it. Impel Down is truly unbreakable with you here!"
That Afternoon
Ian concluded his half-day tour of Impel Down and boarded his own warship to return to the Sabaody Archipelago.
On the warship's deck, Ian lay comfortably in a large leather chair and opened the system interface. He used all the points accumulated over the past two days for seven consecutive enhancements.
[Devil Fruit Ability] x4!
[Overall Quality] x3!
[Ding!]
[Mental abilities enhanced. Host's mental strength significantly improved. 1000 Enhancement Points consumed!]
[Visual ability enhanced. Coverage and subtle insight of "Super Vision" significantly improved. 1000 Enhancement Points consumed!]
[Olfactory ability enhanced. Search and analysis capabilities of "Super Smell" significantly improved. 1000 Enhancement Points consumed!]
[Auditory ability enhanced. New passive skill "Listen to the Voice of All Things" acquired. 1000 Enhancement Points consumed!]
[…]
[…]
The subsequent three enhancements to his Overall Quality affected his physical skills, Armament Haki, and Observation Haki respectively. As there were no substantial breakthroughs, Ian didn't pay them much mind.
The four enhancements to his [Devil Fruit Ability], however, yielded surprising new results.
[Listen to the Voice of All Things (Passive):] An advanced application of super-hearing ability, allowing you to understand the sounds of all things within a certain range.
[Skill Characteristics:] Passive skill, no need for active activation. Can comprehend human speech, understand animal language, and perceive the strong will or information expressed by inanimate objects. Cannot be actively improved through training.
That's it!
After reading the skill description, Ian was completely certain. This was the ability possessed by the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger—the power to "hear the voice of all things"! It wasn't a form of Observation Haki but a unique ability of the human body itself!
Caw, caw!
Coo, coo!
Just after acquiring the ability, Ian heard a peculiar communication sound from above his head. He looked up toward the warship's mast. Two seagulls had landed and were engaged in an intense discussion:
"Brother, where are we flying to?"
"I'm going to the pier up ahead to get some fries!"
"Brother, you misunderstood. I meant, as the free wings of the ocean, where is our ultimate destination? What are we truly pursuing?"
"So I can get some fries at the pier up ahead later!"
Ian: "..."
That Evening – Impel Down, Level 1, Staff Duty Room
Speed, now in her normal human form with Seastone cuffs on her wrists, was escorted by a jailer to the staff duty room.
(Author's Note: Most users of Artificial Devil Fruits are unable to switch between human and beast forms, remaining partially transformed. This can be understood as a normal Devil Fruit user having an "inner demon" they can control when to release. The Beasts Pirates' Artificial Devil Fruits are defective, meaning the user cannot suppress the inner demonic power, making form-switching impossible. Once Seastone is applied, the fruit's power is negated, allowing them to revert to their normal human form.)
In the duty room, only two of Impel Down's officers were present, sitting in chairs behind a desk. One of them gestured for Speed to come closer.
Speed took a deep breath, her heart uneasy. Didn't they already perform the 'prisoner baptism' during the day? Are they going to make up for it now?
"Your name is Speed, correct?"
"Yes, it's me," Speed replied, stepping closer.
"Do you know why I've called for you?"
"No, I don't... Are you going to interrogate me?" Speed glanced around, trying to see if any terrifying torture instruments were hidden nearby.
However...
"How could that be? This is the staff lounge, not an interrogation room, uh-huh," the woman in the pink leather jacket said. "Are you familiar with Major General Ian? Are you one of his confidantes? You should have seen the two of us at the gate during the day, right?"
Speed finally took a careful look at them. "You are... I remember now!"
The two officers before her were Domino and Little Sadie!
A Few Minutes Later – Inside the Staff Duty Room on Level 1
Speed was frantically devouring the barbecue on the table. Since her capture the day before, she had barely eaten anything proper. The meals given to prisoners were even more difficult to stomach.