One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 4
There are many strange and diverse races among the pirates.
The Fish-Men are relatively numerous and common. They possess physiques that ordinary humans do not have and can swim freely in the sea.
This was also the first time Impel Down had received a non-human prisoner.
However, there was no difference in treatment.
Under the baptism of boiling water, the Fish-Man couldn’t withstand it and obediently turned into boiled fish.
Moreover, this unknown Fish-Man already had many wounds from a fierce battle when captured. During the baptism, all his wounds reopened, nearly dyeing the large pot of water red. Even with his strong physique, he lost consciousness when fished out, his head lolling.
After finding an oversized prison uniform for the Fish-Man, Figo completed the handover with the transport ship, expertly lifting the Fish-Man and leaving the sea platform.
He felt a bit of anticipation: “A Fish-Man, huh? I wonder if my prison file will include Fish-Man Karate, and if I can learn it?”
His thoughts were interrupted as the Fish-Man in his hand quietly opened his eyes, the blue hand close to Figo’s body clenched into a fist!
‘Fish-Man Karate – Water Shot!’
The residual water droplets from the baptism turned into powerful water bullets as he swung his hand!
But before he could strike, Figo suddenly let go of his collar. The Fish-Man lost balance, and his prepared attack hit the ceiling.
The Fish-Man’s face showed shock, and in the next instant, he was struck by the handle of Figo’s sword, distorting his face!
His mouth twisted, saliva and blood splattered!
The Fish-Man tumbled down the stairs from the first floor, falling several dozen steps. All his wounds reopened, and at the bottom of the stairs, he convulsed and struggled, unable to get up.
Figo reattached his sword to his side and looked up at the ceiling damaged by the water bullets.
Generally, prisoners in the third and fourth levels had strong enough physiques that boiling water couldn’t severely injure them.
Figo had experienced this kind of incident over a dozen times in the past year; he was used to it. This time, however, the attack was slightly more powerful.
“Because he’s a Fish-Man and didn’t choke on water?”
He judged the reason, walked down, and picked up the Fish-Man again, nodding to the corner’s surveillance Den Den Mushi to indicate that everything was fine.
“Don’t bring trouble on yourself, fat-headed fish.”
Fat-headed fish… The Fish-Man’s eyes were filled with ferocity, but he couldn’t withstand the weakness caused by massive blood loss.
He could only look at Figo’s handsome face and curse bitterly: “Damn Marine!”
“Lapdog of the Celestial Dragons!”
This was routine; Figo had heard all kinds of filthy words from these criminals. It was all trivial. After staying in Impel Down for a while, the prisoners would know to behave.
However, this time, the fat-headed fish’s content was slightly different. It was the first time Figo had heard the term ‘Celestial Dragons’ since his time travel. He asked:
“What did the Celestial Dragons do to you?”
Perhaps feeling Figo’s lack of respect in his tone, the fat-headed fish actually answered: “Those bastards took my brother… captured him as a slave for no reason!”
That’s it? Nothing new.
Figo was a bit disappointed and ignored him.
The fat-headed fish was enraged by Figo’s attitude, struggling and shouting: “Damn lapdog!”
“Let me go!”
“I’ll kill you!!”
Annoyed by the noise, Figo had to drag him on the ground instead, keeping him away from his ears.
The clinking of chains and the sound of the Fish-Man’s head hitting the ground masked the cursing as they descended the stairs.
By the time they reached the fourth level, Figo looked down to find the fat-headed fish truly unconscious.
He found an empty cell and threw him in.
Job done.
Figo began to anticipate the benefits of this imprisonment.
The stronger the pirate, the slower the prison file recorded their information.
Figo waited for nearly half a minute before the green book reappeared in his mind.
[Prisoner: Agai]
[Level: R9]
[Status: Imprisoned]
[Crime Index: 27]
[Capture Participation: 5%]
[Selectable Gains: Shipwright, Brewing, Fish-Man Power (Rare)]
“Crime Index 27.” Figo was mentally prepared. He had encountered such situations many times.
Captured criminals often wept about their misery and injustice, making one feel pity. Initially, Figo had sympathized with one or two, thinking they were wronged.
Later, reading their files taught him valuable lessons. Now, he trusted nothing but the crime index in his prison file, which had never been wrong!
“But Fish-Man Power… rare?”
It was the first time he had imprisoned a Fish-Man, so seeing this Fish-Man-exclusive ability wasn’t surprising. But in the past year, no ability had been marked as rare.
Unlike N-level criminals, R-level criminals offered three random choices for rewards.
The other two abilities, shipwright and brewing, from Agai only made Figo appreciate his versatility. Naturally, he chose the rare Fish-Man Power!
Even though Figo didn’t know its effect yet.
[Gain: Fish-Man Power (Rare) +35 ? 35 (Level 1 Fish-Man Juvenile)]
Upon receiving the gain, Figo immediately felt something different in his body. He clenched his fist, then relaxed, “It seems my strength hasn’t increased?”
“The level name is Fish-Man Juvenile…”
He pondered silently, “An ability related to Fish-Men… I should jump into the sea and try swimming when the supply ship arrives in a few days?”
…
Meanwhile, on the Sabaody Archipelago.
In District 17, in an abandoned house, a Fish-Man, wrapped tightly in a cloak, suddenly pushed the door open.
Inside, the sound startled two other Fish-Men, each with bandages.
“Papass? How did it go?”
“Any news? Where did those damn Marines take Boss Agai?”
“Is Boss Agai okay?”
The cloaked Fish-Man, Papass, removed his cloak and nodded, “For now, he’s fine. The Marines didn’t execute Boss Agai immediately. They will likely take him to Impel Down!”
“Impel Down?”
“What is that place?”
“An underwater prison,” Papass replied. “It was established about a year ago, not well known, but in the past year, several pirates with bounties over a hundred million have been captured and taken there. Boss Agai will be too!”
“An underwater prison?”
“Underwater?”
The two Fish-Men exchanged glances, feeling restless.
“Do you know the exact location?”
Papass: “It’s in the Calm Belt, not far from Marine Headquarters. It might be very dangerous.”
The Calm Belt… Although Fish-Men could swim freely in the sea, an underwater prison would be advantageous terrain for them, but the giant Sea Kings in the Calm Belt didn’t recognize them as kin.
“Boss Agai was captured by the Marines because of us. We must save him!” One Fish-Man gritted his teeth, “If you’re afraid to die, I’m not!”
“Of course we have to save him!” Papass said, “But you are injured. We must recover for a couple of days and think of a plan before going! The Marines are searching for us all over the island. Do you want Boss Agai’s sacrifice to be in vain?!”
“…A plan?”
“The Calm Belt, damn… The Marines rely on their technology to navigate safely in the Calm Belt…”
One Fish-Man suddenly said, “What if we follow behind the Marine ships…”
The three Fish-Men’s eyes lit up.
This plan was much more feasible than swimming directly across!
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