One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 53

Today, the sixth level of Impel Down was particularly noisy.

The notorious pirates imprisoned in the sixth level had mostly ventured into the New World. Who wouldn’t recognize the legendary twin peaks—Zebruth?

They would have seen his bounty poster even if they had never met him. Whether to escape or submit if they ever encountered him, it was wise to be prepared.

A pirate of such caliber being captured? His entire crew being wiped out? And more importantly, the commotion and curses they heard as they were being escorted down indicated that Warden Gaston Figo captured them?

The world was becoming too surreal. That devilish warden disappeared for a week, went out, and brought back one of the twin peaks of the sea. If he went out again for another week, would the Gluttonous King also join them?

It felt like there was no future in being a pirate anymore.

Even as prisoners, Zebruth’ fearsome reputation still held. No pirate dared disturb him, but those familiar with the Hell Pirates’ officers loudly inquired about what had happened.

No one answered. The officers of the Hell Pirates exuded a dark aura, scrutinizing their chains and the surroundings. This was a common process for new prisoners—figuring out how to escape.

“It’s useless. These chains are extremely hard. Even with a sword, unless you’re a renowned master swordsman, you can’t cut through them, let alone break them with brute force. Only Figo and Head Warden Kimchi come to the sixth level, leaving us no chance.” Someone advised them to save their energy.

Worry Demon Gildachack found it hard to believe. He was one of the prisoners who had ‘watched’ Figo grow stronger. Eight years ago, when Figo captured him, he had sustained significant injuries. Later, in this sixth level, he saw Figo grow from someone who could barely handle one prisoner to someone who could fight ten, getting stronger with each step. And now, he had even captured Zebruth…

The rate of improvement was absurd!

“Hey, Jackson, what exactly happened?” He and Jackson were somewhat acquainted.

Unexpectedly, Jackson’s gaze was chillingly sinister. It was this bastard who misjudged Gaston Figo’s strength!

Jackson was filled with both anger and self-blame. If only he hadn’t been taken down prematurely, if Zebruth had had this handy weapon, things might have turned out differently! This loss was on him!

Worry Demon felt inexplicable. Why were these bastards still so arrogant even after being captured? Wait until Figo dealt with them…

Thinking of Figo, he arrived.

As footsteps echoed, the sixth level of Impel Down fell silent. Figo’s voice rang out: “Members of the Hell Pirates, are you satisfied with your new home?”

“You bastard…”

“Arrogant prick…”

“If it weren’t for ambushes, terrain advantages, and treachery, how could you have captured us? What are you so proud of? Bastard!”

New prisoners were always full of energy.

“Shut up.” Zebruth’ deep voice echoed, silencing the Hell Pirates’ officers’ curses. “Gaston Figo, strong men like us, no matter the grudges, once the outcome is decided, there’s no need to humiliate the defeated further.

Jackson, Tony, Piro, don’t say more. We indeed lost. The sea sees a new generation replacing the old. Who can be an undefeated king forever? We lost, accept it.”

“Boss…” The Hell Pirates’ officers teared up, feeling suffocated.

“Our era is not over yet! We’re sorry for dragging you down, boss!”

“I’m not here to humiliate you.” Figo replied, “Humiliating you is pointless. It’s just that your officers seem very unwilling to accept defeat and capture, which might cause trouble for my prison.”

He took out a set of keys, dangling them from his finger: “How about this? I’ll give you a chance. One spear, one shield, four beasts. I’ll let the six of you out together. If you can kill me, you can rescue your boss. Otherwise, you’ll stay obediently in your cells!”

Zebruth’ single eye narrowed slightly.

The six named Hell Pirates’ officers froze, then immediately rattled their chains excitedly.

“Are you serious?!”

“Bastard! Don’t mess with us!”

Figo directly threw the corresponding keys into their cells. Three SSR1, two SR9—this would take some effort, but each of these six had a crime index of at least 100. The benefits would be in the thousands, worth it!

Other prisoners remained silent.

Here he goes again!

This demon! Tyrant!

Soon, the sixth level of Impel Down echoed with rumbling and explosions. At the stairway entrance, Ohka stood guard, his old face surprised.

So this is how Figo trained himself? No wonder he improved so quickly and reached such heights at his age.

It does cost a bit in walls, though.

He glanced at the falling wall bricks, frowning slightly. And this kid’s ideas are getting more dangerous. He needed to counsel him—there are many ways to uphold justice, but you must ensure you stay alive to help more people.

So at lunchtime, an old man sat beside Figo, telling stories: Three hundred years ago, a sea king recognized as the world’s strongest led a charge to Mary Geoise, only to die silently without making much impact.

Five hundred and eighty years ago, another…

Interspersing with Ohka’s own life experiences, these stories went on for over two years.

Figo’s ten-year term as warden ended.

But nearing 80 years old, Ohka received a retirement order, while Figo received another appointment order from the Five Elders.

Citing the lack of suitable candidates to replace Figo as warden of Impel Down, the Five Elders reappointed Figo for another 20 years!

“The Five Elders want to keep you in Impel Down forever, treating you like a prisoner too!” Ohka was furious, “How can they suddenly appoint you for 20 years?”

“Calm down, no need to rush.” Figo soothed the old man, “Didn’t we expect this? Back when I cut off that phone call, Mendesbin Saint seemed to suggest I’d spend my life in Impel Down with the Sapphire siblings.”

“But…”

“It’s fine. You should leave. This place isn’t suitable for retirement. The reform and education area has just started, and I need to oversee it for a few years. Since capturing Zebruth, the number of pirates sent here has increased monthly. The Navy’s doing great, so I need to keep an eye on this place. Otherwise, these pirates will all become Celestial Dragon slaves.”

Ohka protested, “But twenty years…”

“It won’t be twenty years.”

Twenty years later, Figo would be nearly 60. Though for someone with the power of a giant, that was still youth, the confinement would be stifling.

“When I decide to leave, nothing will stop me!” Figo declared.

Ohka was momentarily stunned. He wanted to advise Figo against clashing head-on with the World Government, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“You must be tired of my nagging, hiding from me for a few years.” Leaving a dispirited comment, the old man left Impel Down with the fleet.

Having served as deputy warden for two years, he had already made his stance clear to the World Government and the Five Elders. Continuing as deputy warden was pointless.

Kimchi finally took over as deputy warden, feeling like it was a surreal dream.

Figo remained as warden, continuing to train prisoners, setting a departure benchmark for himself—defeating or killing Admiral Raul within half an hour without relying on Sea Stone or seawater!

But he didn’t anticipate an unexpected message disrupting his plans.

In the 1439th year of the Sea Calendar, during Figo’s 25th year guarding Impel Down, news came from Mia.

Admiral Doug was critically ill.

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