News of Skarn Wortham's capture spreads, and people react as though a monster has been defeated.
In the newspapers, citizens admire the Navy, while pirates are terrified and incredulous.
A mother whispers to her child:
« See, honey… It's thanks to them that this guy got captured. »
The child nods, impressed by the Navy's power.On a dock, pirates comment:
« I can't believe it… they captured a man of that caliber? »
« I remember when I saw him… he had an aura of power that commanded respect.»
« Yeah… he's no ordinary human. »Cries echo throughout the prison as a convoy with portable toilets descends to the lowest levels.
Skarn, chained and poisoned, his body smeared with a thick red substance, is dragged along the floor like a dog.
Magellan walks at the front.
« You've caused a lot of chaos on the seas, pirate. Now you'll enjoy a long stay with the rest of the vermin. »
Skarn does not respond.They bring him to an enormous door where the convoy stops.
The Den Den Mushi stares at Magellan for a moment, then a click sounds.
The staff pushes open the door, thick as a tree trunk.
On the other side, dozens of eyes turn toward him, cold, hungry. The prisoners use Observation Haki to analyze the newcomer.
« A new one? It's rare to see someone here… »
Laughter and insults erupt in the corridor filled with criminals.
Magellan steps forward, his arm covered in poison.
His mere gaze silences everyone.
The prisoners retreat, trying to hide behind each other.
« Poison wave. »
He opens a cell and throws Skarn inside like a sack of meat.
Once the door closes, he looks at another cell — the one where the former chief guard is — and tosses a newspaper at him.
« It stinks of trash here… Let's go. »
The other guards follow.When silence returns, a voice rises from behind the bars.
« So, the new guy… how did you end up here? Tell us a bit. We're bored like cockroaches in this hole. »
Skarn looks at the prisoners around him but shows no fear.
He closes his eyes.For some, it's an affront.
Weakened or not, chained or not, they rush him, swinging their bound arms toward his head.
Skarn responds with a single kick.It takes barely an hour for him to establish order in the cell.
He nearly beats all the prisoners to impose his dominance.
Though weakened, injured, and without care since his arrival, he remains in a state far superior to those who have been here for years.Skarn observes the unconscious bodies around him, finds a corner, sits, and closes his eyes.
He recalls his fight against Kizaru.
« I could have done better… If only I had been prepared. If I had known, I would have… I would have fled that island like the plague. Damn it. »
« Seven years in this world… I've lived through hardships. Alliances. Betrayals. And more. But now… I've lost everything. My crew. My ship. My reputation. Even my freedom. »
« But well… I still have a chance. »
« In a year and four months, I'll have an opportunity to get out. In the meantime, I can't end up like them, doing nothing. »
« Rebuild a crew? Take back the seas? Or … »
« I can pick from the prisoners. Most are captains on the Grand Line or even in the New World. »
« But… Devil Fruits… that's the other option. Hunting down those with powers. »His thoughts are interrupted by a deep voice.
Shiliew of the Rain.
« Not bad… Skarn Wortham. Captain of the Abyssal Exiles. Destroyed several naval bases in the New World. Killed a king and ravaged his island. Arms and drug trafficking… even organs. A fine piece of scum, with a bounty of 532,000,000 berries. »
He smirks.
« It's rare to see someone of your caliber caught by the Marines. The last one was three years ago. And judging by the newspaper… You must hate Kizaru to death. I understand why a man like you ended up here. »The prisoners begin whispering, then a real commotion breaks out.
Skarn raises his eyes toward Shiliew.
« And what does that have to do with you, ex-guard? »
« Nothing, » he replies.
« But abandon your rage. You'll spend the rest of your life here. Like the others. »His words strike deeply with most prisoners, who reflect on their own pasts.
Skarn smiles.
« We'll see who it really is… »
Time passes. A year and four months of hell for Skarn.
Once living like a king, eating to his fill, he now has to adjust to a diet of a piece of stale bread and some stagnant water. Just enough to survive.That day, a door clangs.
The entrance to Level 6 opens.
« It's not ration day… » Skarn thinks.Guards descend, escorting a man chained in seastone. Torso bare, his face slightly freckled, he moves slowly, weakened.Magellan opens a cell and throws the man inside like trash.
« You'll feel right at home. But don't get used to it. Unlike the vermin here, you'll be executed soon. Enjoy your last days… Portgas D. Ace, captain of the 2nd division of Whitebeard. He won't be able to help you. »« The 2nd division of Whitebeard… »
« I can't believe it… They're insane! »
« The Marines are idiots… no one touches the son of that monster! »An older prisoner adds:
« I remember when I saw him… he had an aura that commanded respect. Over 10,000 men and 7 captains against him… and yet… »
« He's a monster. Long ago, he ceased to be human. Disease won't kill him, and nothing will stop him from getting his son back. »« If he decides to attack here… maybe we'll see the sun again. »
Another adds:
« He'll sink all of Impel Down and send fish-men to retrieve his son. You never know. »
« An emperor… and if he provokes another emperor? War is guaranteed. »The whispers turn into shouts, debates, and terrifying rumors.
Everyone realizes the magnitude of the power that the name commands.
Skarn remains still, but inside, he smiles.
He thinks:
« Finally… it took them long enough. Damn it… I'll be free soon. »