Level Four of Impel Down housed the Warden's office.
At this very moment, Warden Magellan was occupied with one of life's unavoidable urgencies.
A guard, sent by Hannyabal, rushed in to report that three intruders had breached the prison.
Three?
How had they crossed the Calm Belt and the surrounding defenses?
Magellan immediately sensed the gravity of the situation.
But the side effects of the Doku Doku no Mi left his stomach in turmoil—he couldn't leave the toilet just yet.
"Hold them. I'll be there shortly," he ordered.
Then, gritting his teeth, he activated a Den Den Mushi surveillance feed.
Impel Down was riddled with monitoring devices. For a man who spent most of his day in the restroom, Magellan ensured the screens were installed there as well.
The image flickered on.
His pupils contracted sharply.
Level One—
Destroyed.
The iron bars twisted and broken.
Corpses of over a thousand guards sprawled across the ground.
Among them—
Hannyabal.
A surge of rage exploded within him.
He switched to Level Two.
Blood everywhere.
Prisoners and guards alike—slaughtered.
His fury reached its peak.
Finally, he tuned to Level Three.
There—
He saw them.
"It's him… the Fifth Emperor, Luo Xing."
Recognition dawned instantly.
Marine Headquarters had circulated his image after Sabaody.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself had warned Magellan to remain vigilant.
And now—
The man had come.
But how?
The surrounding sea was heavily monitored.
Not even the skies were unwatched.
How had Luo Xing slipped through undetected?
There was no time to ponder.
Levels One and Two obliterated.
Hannyabal dead.
Rage overwhelmed him.
He didn't even bother cleaning up before pulling up his trousers and marching out.
A murderous aura radiated from him as venom seeped from his body.
Level Three—Hunger Hell.
The prisoners here had bounties above fifty million.
Their bodies were skeletal from starvation.
Before the towering giants rampaging above, they looked ready to collapse from fear alone.
Yet Luo Xing spoke with gentle warmth.
"Eat these Monster Cells."
"Those who survive will follow me and leave this suffering behind."
Eyes lit up instantly.
To escape this hell—
To serve under such a terrifying figure—
It seemed like salvation.
They swallowed without hesitation.
"AAAAAH!"
Screams erupted.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Many exploded outright, unable to endure the mutation.
But those who survived—
Their auras surged violently.
From fifty million—
To over a hundred million in strength.
Their frail bodies swelled grotesquely, muscles bulging like monsters.
"Hahaha! I'm stronger!"
"This power… it's unbelievable!"
They were criminals to the core.
With newfound strength came arrogance.
Their gazes turned savage as they looked at Luo Xing.
Why serve him now?
One rushed forward.
"I'm a pirate feared across the seas! Why should I kneel to you?!"
A thunderbolt erased him instantly.
Enel scoffed.
"Insects daring to disrespect a god."
Luo Xing chuckled.
"No need to blame them. Scoundrels rarely change."
He smiled kindly at the survivors.
"If you wish to kill me, come."
"Those who lack the courage—insert this into your neck."
He tossed small electromagnetic chips onto the ground.
Developed from the Goro Goro no Mi's principles, each device stored devastating electric current.
With a press of a switch—
No matter the distance—
It would fry their nervous systems instantly.
Luo Xing had never expected genuine loyalty.
Even if offered—
He wouldn't trust it.
A leash was safer.
Those who refused—
Were struck down by Enel.
Watching hundreds fitted with "collars," Enel felt strangely relieved.
At least he wasn't alone.
"These men are yours to command," Luo Xing said lightly.
Joy flickered across Enel's face.
His ruthless temperament made him a perfect overseer.
Level Three concluded.
Luo Xing gained several hundred subordinates exceeding 100 million in combat strength.
Fewer than expected—
Years of torture had weakened many beyond recovery.
But the lower levels awaited.
Impel Down was structured like a descending tower.
The deeper one went—
The fewer but stronger the inmates.
When Luo Xing reached Level Four—
Magellan stood waiting.
Behind him coiled a massive venomous dragon.
"Troublesome opponent," Luo Xing murmured.
Magellan's strength rivaled that of an Admiral.
His voice was icy.
"Fifth Emperor Luo Xing… today, you will experience true hell."
"Venom Demon!"
Without further words, he unleashed his poison dragon.
He had nearly annihilated the Blackbeard Pirates with this very move once.
But Luo Xing was no fool.
He vanished in a flash, keeping his distance.
Close combat against Magellan was suicide.
Ranged combat—
That was optimal.
Enel stepped forward.
Lightning clashed with venom.
Thunder roared through the inferno of Level Four.
But Magellan was not alone.
Aware of Luo Xing's strength from Sabaody's intelligence, he had already released one man—
Shiryu of the Rain.
Now free.
And armed.
At the same time—
Orders were sent to Marine Headquarters.
Impel Down was under assault.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ZoroTL442