One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 54
“What? You won’t let me go back?”
“Figo, don’t make it hard for me. This is an order from Mendesbin Saint.” The voice on the other end of the phone snail, belonging to the current Marine Fleet Admiral Gandoru, sounded somewhat helpless. “The reason is that Impel Down cannot be left without your supervision for a long time. Vice Admiral Doug is merely ill at the moment. Mendesbin Saint’s intention is… only when he is critically ill or even for his funeral will you be granted a short leave to return.”
Figo stared at the phone snail silently before speaking, “Fleet Admiral Gandoru, I no longer have a phone snail to contact the Five Elders. Can you pass a message to Mendesbin Saint for me?”
“Hmm, go ahead. I also think this decision is somewhat inhumane. I’ll definitely…”
“Tell him to go to hell!”
The phone snail call ended with a beep.
In the Fleet Admiral’s office, Gandoru sat silently for a while before angrily slamming his fist on the desk.
Being Fleet Admiral is really tough!
…
Back in Impel Down, after letting out a roar, Figo’s mood calmed down a bit.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t mentally prepared; after all, Vice Admiral Doug was already 86 years old. During Ohka’s two years in Impel Down, he visibly aged each day. It wasn’t surprising that either of these two elderly men could pass away at any time.
But it still felt too sudden.
Just a month ago, Figo communicated with Mia and Doug via phone snail. The old man was in good health then, his voice still loud and clear. Could illness strike so suddenly?
Beside him, Kimchi had also been closely listening to Figo’s conversation with Gandoru. He found Figo’s arrogance so reasonable and satisfying for the first time.
Waiting until the teacher was critically ill or for his funeral before granting leave?
Who could make such an inhumane arrangement?
But at the same time, he was concerned. “If both of us leave, what will happen to the fifth and sixth levels of Impel Down? I don’t trust that warden Cloze.”
“It’s fine. Tell him to be careful. Those big pirates can go hungry for ten days or half a month without any problem,” Figo said. “If there’s no ship to pick us up, I’ll swim back first and arrange for a ship to come pick you up, Old Kim.”
Kimchi nodded, not doubt that Figo could swim from Impel Down to Marineford. “But be careful, Figo. This is the second time you’ve openly defied the orders of the Five Elders. If…”
Figo patted Kimchi on the shoulder. “It’s the third time. This time when I leave, I don’t plan on coming back. You’ll likely take over as warden. After that, you’ll have to keep an eye on the situation on the 4.5th floor.”
Kimchi was momentarily stunned, not feeling as happy as he thought he would.
“Without you here, I wouldn’t dare openly defy the orders of the Five Elders.”
“No matter where I am, as long as I’m alive, the Five Elders won’t dare act recklessly!”
For a moment, Kimchi was persuaded.
“Alright, Old Kim. Before I leave, I need to go to the sixth level one more time and give those big pirates a parting gift. Watch the staircase for me.”
…
On the sixth level of Impel Down, when Figo’s footsteps echoed, the looks the big pirates gave him were numb and weary.
The Hell Pirates’ officers had gradually given up after several failed escape attempts over the years, losing their spirit.
The once delightful sound of keys jingling now sounded like the grim reaper. They hoped Figo was here to deliver food rather than unlock their cells.
But today, the sound of the keys jingling was persistent.
Figo’s words were direct: “I’m leaving Impel Down. This might be our last meeting. Doesn’t anyone want to make one last attempt to escape from me?”
The big pirates’ eyes showed a glimmer of hope. Was he really leaving? Could this be true?
Hope came too suddenly.
As for one last attempt?
Only a fool would try!
“This time, I’ll release everyone except Zebruth!” Figo announced.
The sixth level of Impel Down fell into a pin-drop silence. In the next moment, chains rattled loudly as a big pirate roared, “If you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!”
“Are you serious about this?!”
The keys jingled as Figo tossed them out.
Zebruth, feigning sleep and conserving energy, opened his single eye, looking at Figo with surprise.
Is he serious? Even with many weaklings, it’s possible to overwhelm a true dragon! Not to mention, not all of them are weaklings; there are some golden fish here too!
The big pirates who got the keys quickly and skillfully unlocked their chains, stepping out of their cells and into the corridor.
In 25 years, the sixth level had seen comings and goings, sickness and death. Some were near death and had lost the ability to fight.
But there were still nearly 40 big pirates capable of fighting! The weakest were SR6, the strongest SSR1. Each had been renowned on the sea, with bounties no less than 200 million Berries!
But even with this numerical advantage, no one charged forward recklessly. The big pirates gathered together, exchanging glances, their fierce natures restrained as they coordinated their formation.
Then, they charged at Figo together.
Roaring, ferocious, and filled with killing intent!
Figo stood tall, his expression unwavering. His right fist was tightly clenched, covered with a seemingly tangible layer of heavy Armament Haki.
Then he swung his fist, striking out!
An hour later.
Figo, covered in blood, dragged two corpses to the staircase, saying to a dazed Kimchi, “Couldn’t hold back, two died.”
“Get someone down here to clean up and repair the walls. Now, even if we’re both away, we don’t have to worry about the sixth level pirates. I’ll go take a shower and then leave, Old Kin.”
“Ah… Okay.” Kimchi watched Figo’s retreating figure, feeling for the first time that he would willingly live in this man’s shadow forever.
…
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
In the hallway on the top floor of the Marine hospital, young and middle-aged Marines constantly brought gifts or flowers to visit, only to be turned away by Mia.
“Vice Admiral Doug needs to rest.”
“I’ll pass on your well-wishes.”
“Yes, the Vice Admiral will be fine.”
At 47, Mia’s youthful glow had finally dimmed, her face bearing the marks of time.
But she hadn’t been overshadowed by the rise of new Marine heroines. As one of the only 16 elite Vice Admirals in Marineford, apart from Figo, she remained the most prominent and powerful of Vice Admiral Doug’s students and the most caring, sharing a bond with him like a father and daughter.
So even as she forced a smile, her sadness was evident. She showed a genuine smile only when Figo’s figure appeared at the end of the hallway. “You’re here, Figo.”
Figo? The warden of Impel Down, Gaston Figo? The Marine hero who captured Zebruth a few years ago?
The Marines in the hallway stepped aside, saluting Figo as he passed. He nodded in acknowledgment, asking Mia, “How is the Vice Admiral? Why did this happen so suddenly?”
“It wasn’t all that sudden,” Mia sighed. “Given his age and his straightforward temperament, he often fell ill when he got emotional. He’s had several minor illnesses over the years, but this time…”
She glanced at Figo and said, “Unlike you, who seems ageless.”
Figo could only shake his head, following Mia into Doug’s room. The old man lay in bed, hooked up to an IV, his face pale. Compared to a few years ago, he had visibly aged, with more pronounced age spots and hair turning from white to gray.
With Figo’s expertise in physical conditioning and his keen Observation Haki, one look told him that the old man probably had less than a month left, beyond saving.
The old man likely knew this too but was very open-minded. Seeing Figo, he immediately broke into a joyful smile, not forced at all. “Haha, Figotor, you’re here.”
Figo was taken aback. After Fickle and Fitz, have I become Figotor?
He wanted to correct him, but the old man interrupted with a laugh, “Are you surprised? Disappointed? Did you think the old man had forgotten your name again?”
“Hahaha, Figo, even if I forget everyone else, I won’t forget you again!”
The old man laughed like a child who had stolen candy.
Figo remained silent.
Damn old man… still teasing me.
Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉
Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.
