One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 27
Filled with enthusiasm, yet choosing none of the three options and wanting to return to Impel Down, it almost felt like an insult to his Inspirational Fruit, but there was no evidence to prove it.
Vice Admiral Doug adjusted his glasses, staring intently at Figo.
Figo explained, “A true man doesn’t necessarily have to aspire to the vast ocean. If everyone longs for the sea, who will take up the role of a prison guard? During the past eight years, I was indeed afraid of the solitude and loneliness of Impel Down and became a deserter. I don’t think that’s right.”
Why did that sound so familiar? Doug looked puzzled, “So…”
“The captain of the Laughing Pirates couldn’t even be transported to Impel Down. The reputation of the world’s first underwater prison is somewhat exaggerated. I’m more familiar and suitable for the guarding work there, and Impel Down is also a good place to focus on improving my strength. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to go back for a few more years!”
Doug was speechless.
Figo’s decision to return to Impel Down was carefully considered, but not for the reasons he told Doug.
While capturing the escaped giants on Yino Island, Figo realized that re-capturing prisoners could supplement his participation rate. This realization made him consider returning to Impel Down, believing there was more potential for him to operate there, far more than he had previously thought. It was still the most convenient place for him to enhance his strength.
However, his eight years there were quite stifling. With his current strength, capturing pirates outside wouldn’t be too dangerous or slow to improve, so he had been indecisive.
But discovering that Celestial Dragons were like ‘pirate emperors’ with untapped potential treasures for him solidified his decision to return.
Figo wasn’t someone who couldn’t tolerate any wrongdoing. The three CP9 members had crime indices of over ten, but he didn’t think they must die because of their positions. Even after eight years as a prison guard, Figo couldn’t guarantee he had no crime index.
Unless he witnessed them doing something disgusting, he wouldn’t take action.
Out of sight, out of mind.
But Celestial Dragons were different. Their existence violated Figo’s fundamental values. Their brutality and stupidity, along with the slave trade they fueled, created countless tragedies like Sapphire every day in the pirate world.
Anger over his first act would inevitably lead to a second. They also happened to offer a huge number of benefits, and Figo knew he couldn’t stop thinking about targeting them.
You can’t hunt all the time without being hunted.
Once or twice might go unnoticed. Disguises, alibis, and his unique Fish-Man power could help him hide well.
But the World Government’s full force was enormous.
Celestial Dragons, who had maintained their supreme status for 700 years, couldn’t have no hidden cards, or they would have been secretly killed by lawless pirates long ago.
Figo wasn’t even sure he could defeat every slave group around the Celestial Dragons now.
One mistake would likely be fatal, so going directly to Mary Geoise for treasure hunting was out of the question!
Figo needed more power!
Admiral-level power! Power that would let him secretly kill Celestial Dragons without much concern! Power that would let him escape easily even if exposed!
And Impel Down was the quickest place for Figo to break through the huge barrier between Vice Admiral and Admiral!
After all, the giant power he gained on Yino Island would extend his life by at least ten years. Even if he spent all ten years in Impel Down, so what?
Figo could wait. This couldn’t be rushed.
Doug couldn’t understand Figo’s thoughts and hesitated to persuade him, but then he said, “Figo, is this because of what Mia said yesterday…”
Figo shook his head, “No, teacher, I was indeed very angry about that little girl’s experience, but it didn’t make me lose heart and want to retreat to Impel Down. At worst, I could choose to go to the New World or one of the Four Seas to stay away from those disgusting Celestial Dragons.”
“She’s not a little girl. If she were still alive, she’d be your age.” Doug corrected, “You’re not making a hasty decision. As your teacher, I can only support and believe in you.
“When you walk out of Impel Down again, you will undoubtedly be a stronger Marine, leaving your mark on Navy history!
“I, Doug, believe in you!”
He habitually encouraged him but hesitated, “Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”
…
The following day, Doug, looking somewhat troubled, arrived at Admiral Ohka’s office.
“Ohka, what is it?”
Just back from Mary Geoise, Ohka asked Doug, “Doug, the day before yesterday afternoon, you inexplicably prepared to set sail but didn’t. What were you doing?”
“You’re managing this too? I was just practicing the preparations for setting sail. What’s the matter?”
“Good thing you didn’t actually set sail.” Ohka said, “Late that night, Celestial Dragon Cassiria Saint was killed on the way back to Mary Geoise, and the perpetrator is still at large. The World Government is furious!”
Doug’s eyes widened, then he burst into laughter, “Serves him right! It must be the Laughing Pirates! Serves him right!”
“Keep it down.” Ohka frowned and reminded him, “It wasn’t the Laughing Pirates; they’ve been defeated. If this isn’t solved soon, it will cause trouble. If they can silently attack a Celestial Dragon once, they can do it again. For now, CP0 will monitor all Celestial Dragons’ movements, and we have to waste our Navy resources to protect them openly and secretly!”
“Humph.” Doug snorted, then couldn’t help but laugh again, wiping away tears. “Ohka, you don’t know what that Celestial Dragon did. To be honest, I prepared to set sail that day to kill him myself!”
“Are you mad?!” Ohka exclaimed.
“Almost went mad.” Doug pulled up a chair and sat down, “I never thought someone would do what I didn’t dare. If I knew who it was, I’d thank them properly!”
Ohka frowned deeply, looking at the tightly closed door, then at Doug’s expression.
“What did that Celestial Dragon do?”
“I don’t want to recall it again. It took all my effort and my Inspirational Fruit to calm myself and remind myself of my status as a Vice Admiral.” Doug said.
“Is that why you looked troubled?” Ohka asked again.
“Not really.” Doug replied, “It’s my student who just got out of Impel Down. He wants to go back.”
“Figo?” Ohka was surprised.
“Yes.” Doug explained Figo’s reasons for wanting to return to Impel Down, sighed, “That kid has grown a lot, very determined. My Inspirational Fruit hardly works on him. I can’t persuade him. Can you help?”
“No.” Ohka smiled, “In fact, I was wondering how to persuade Figo to return to Impel Down for a few more years…”
He told Doug about the World Government’s plan to make Impel Down an independent institution and establish a director position. “This position is crucial. We can’t let the World Government take it, or Impel Down will become a slave market for Celestial Dragons!”
Doug hissed, looking troubled, then left, “Fine, I can’t persuade him anyway. You talk to him.”
“In a few days. You first tell him about the changes coming to Impel Down. For now, even if it’s just for show, we have to fully cooperate with the investigation into Cassiria Saint’s death.”
“Don’t investigate too seriously.” Doug paused at the door, “Please!”
Please? Ohka frowned.
What’s with this old guy?
…
A few days later, at Mary Geoise.
“Still no clues?”
“Diving units have meticulously searched the possible attack site, but we haven’t found the exact location.”
“No suspicious targets.”
“This doesn’t warrant the deployment of the Divine Army.”
“Is the Navy really doing its best to cooperate? Mendesbin Saint, are you being too lenient with Ohka?”
“I’ve said before, when choosing a Navy Admiral, we shouldn’t only consider capability but also obedience!”
Because of Cassiria Saint’s death, the Five Elders gathered for the third time, but still couldn’t reach a conclusion and dispersed.
In fact, they weren’t overly concerned about the death of a Celestial Dragon, which happened every few decades. They were more troubled by the lack of clues.
Mendesbin Saint, criticized for his leniency towards Ohka, returned to his residence, fuming.
“Those four idiots don’t understand a thing!”
He maintained the Celestial Dragons’ arrogance, looking down even on his fellow Five Elders.
Obedient fools are useless.
Disobedient ones have vitality, and manipulating them without their knowing is the real fun.
At his residence’s entrance, Peslow and the other two CP9 members who failed their mission finally received a summons, kneeling to await their fate.
“Five Elders!”
Mendesbin Saint signaled them to rise.
“In this mission, the Giants never knew your true identities. Only Figo and that Lieutenant Colonel know, correct?”
“Yes!”
Mendesbin Saint pondered, “From today, the World Government will erase all traces of you. You are no longer CP9!”
“…Five Elders?”
“You were once friends of the Giants, captured while trying to save them, and had to join the World Government to save their lives. After two years of training, you became CP9!”
The three were stunned, then Peslow, the quickest to understand, asked, “Are we to replace the Mountain Witch?”
“Not entirely. The details need refinement.
I want you to become honored guests among the Giants in two years.” Mendesbin Saint said, “This mission is top secret. Gaston Figo and that Lieutenant Colonel will keep it confidential.”
As he finished speaking, a tiny Den Den Mushi on his arm rang.
After answering, he smiled faintly.
He knew Ohka would persuade Gaston Figo to return to Impel Down as its director upon hearing the news of its independence. Now, only the transfer of that Lieutenant Colonel to the World Government was necessary.
The Giants can’t escape my grasp!
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