One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 9
The possibility that giants’ power might extend his lifespan left Figo deeply unsettled.
What if he could live to be 350 years old?
Even at 126, when Luffy sets sail, he would still be in his prime after a century of guarding Impel Down!
Of course, spending 100 years in Impel Down was out of the question. Even if he were immortal, there was no need to waste his youth here.
But if he could live for 350 years, should he consider staying in Impel Down for another two years?
Over the past six years since his transmigration, Figo had grown comfortable and accustomed to life in Impel Down. More importantly, there were likely more giant pirates to come, ready for him to exploit!
Or perhaps he could leave Impel Down and actively participate in dismantling the Giant Warrior Pirates, capturing giants himself?
Previously, Figo chose safety because he was weak and afraid of death. Now, whether to continue playing it safe or take risks was a difficult decision.
“Hmm, thinking too far ahead. It’s still uncertain if the power of giants can extend my lifespan.”
After much deliberation, Figo decided to stop overthinking.
Because it was time for dinner.
The pirate world was indeed a paradise for food lovers. The various strange Sea Kings all had one common trait—their meat was delicious.
365 days of different flavors, and no need to worry about gaining weight—heaven couldn’t be much better!
Today’s meal was the Sea King Figo had caught in the morning. It looked strange, with a cow’s head and a fish’s body. The taste followed the head.
It couldn’t compare to this quality even if it were Wagyu beef. Figo quickly forgot all other thoughts, immersing himself in the deliciousness.
Perhaps due to the effect of the giant’s power on his physique, Figo’s appetite was excellent today. Unknowingly, several hundred pounds of meat disappeared into his bottomless stomach. Wiping the grease from his mouth and letting out a satisfied burp, Figo left the private room specially set up for him in the kitchen to facilitate serving.
Figo’s eating took time.
When he left the private room, the dining hall was usually almost empty, with only a few kitchen staff members left.
But today was different. The dining hall was packed with jailors, all eagerly watching the direction of the private room, seemingly waiting for Figo.
As Figo emerged, a small commotion arose among the jailors, and one stepped forward, saying:
“Deputy Warden Figo, we heard… you’re planning to transfer out of Impel Down?”
Figo responded, “Your news is pretty accurate. I was planning to announce it before leaving. What, you don’t want me to go?”
Of course, they didn’t want him to go. Because of Figo, the average weight of the jailors had increased by over eight pounds each year!
Ahem, of course, their average strength and power also increased; Sea King meat was highly nutritious.
Moreover, whether as Chief Jailor or Deputy Warden, Figo had always worked diligently on the front lines of escorting pirates.
He did it for the gains in his prison file, but the jailors didn’t know that. They just thought Figo was a hardworking leader who led by example. Especially the initial group of jailors, who admired Figo immensely.
Hearing Figo’s confirmation, many were moved to tears, even making exaggerated gestures of despair: “Deputy Warden!”
“Woo… are you really leaving?”
“Take me with you! Waaa…”
The crying made Figo uncomfortable, and he scolded, “I haven’t decided yet. Go back to your work and stop crying around me!”
Thinking of the future, with no female jailors currently in Impel Down and many men crying around him, Figo felt very awkward.
Hastily leaving the dining hall, Figo went directly to find Cesar. Cesar was waiting for him and immediately said, “The transfer order from headquarters has arrived.”
“Figo, you can leave Impel Down with the warship coming to receive new staff in three days. The Fleet Admiral will personally confer upon you the rank of Rear Admiral.”
Figo asked, “Rear Admiral? What about you?”
“I have to stay for another two years,” Cesar said helplessly, “to let Kincaid gain experience as Deputy Warden before I can leave.”
Figo frowned, feeling more conflicted.
Thinking about the effect of the giant’s power, the jailors in the dining hall just now, and the helpless look on Cesar’s face… he finally shook his head, “Forget it, you go. I’ll stay for another two years.”
Cesar was stunned, “Figo, you…”
“I’m not satisfied. Why should I leave as a Rear Admiral while you leave as a Vice Admiral? Tell the Fleet Admiral, I’ll stay for another two years and leave as a Vice Admiral.” Figo smiled.
Cesar said, “When I transferred to Impel Down six years ago, I was already a Rear Admiral. At that time, you were just a Captain. Besides, you’re only 26…”
“…You won’t accept my offer?”
“No, no, no.” Cesar quickly shook his head and then solemnly said, “Thank you, Figo!”
Soon, the news spread, and Impel Down erupted in cheers.
Figo initially felt helpless but couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Cesar’s darkened face, thinking the jailors were quite cute.
Fine, another two years then.
The final two years!
Thus, two years flew by.
…
Sea Calendar Year 1422.
Impel Down, Warden’s Office.
Figo lay on his bed, chatting with the Fleet Admiral through the Warden’s exclusive Den Den Mushi.
The Den Den Mushi on his arm, with a stern expression, spoke in a deep voice, “Figo, are you really determined to leave Impel Down this time?”
“Yes, Fleet Admiral.”
The Den Den Mushi nodded its antennae, “Hand over your duties to Kincaid. Three days from now, welcome the new jailors and return to headquarters with that warship.”
“Understood.”
“And, two days from now, another warship will arrive to take the seven giants currently imprisoned in Impel Down,” the Fleet Admiral added.
Figo was taken aback, “Take them?”
Impel Down was typically a one-way trip.
Leaving usually meant execution!
“That’s right. They will be escorted by the warship to Woe Island, near Elbaf, for public execution!” the Fleet Admiral explained.
“I see.”
Figo understood but suddenly found the name Woe Island familiar.
The prison file opened in his mind, and Figo quickly searched, finding Durham, the first SR-level pirate he had helped imprison seven years ago!
[Character Event (Activated): Durham once buried most of his looted treasures under an ancient tree on Woe Island…
Event Requirement: Let Durham or help Durham throw his treasure into the sea.]
Sure enough! What a coincidence?
Figo’s mind raced, and he quickly said before the Fleet Admiral could hang up, “Fleet Admiral, I want to leave with the warship escorting the giants.”
“Hmm?”
“I… Haha, I’ve been in Impel Down for eight years and want to go out and have a look. Can I have a month’s vacation?”
The Fleet Admiral was silent momentarily before saying, “Very well. The World Government will also be involved in this execution. It seems they have some plans, and I feel more at ease with you there. But avoid conflicts with their intelligence agents; just treat it as a vacation.”
From the tone, it seemed the World Government’s plans for this execution were kept from the Fleet Admiral, making him uneasy or even dissatisfied?
Figo replied, “Yes, understood.”
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Figo turned over and immediately went to hand over his duties to Kincaid.
Receiving a transport ship, personally operating the crane for a baptism, beating up an unruly fifth-level pirate, and giving half a loaf of bread to a starving sixth-level great pirate…
The last two days passed in work.
Two days later, Figo took off the Warden’s uniform he had worn for years, leaving only a pair of sunglasses, and changed into a well-fitting casual outfit brought by the supply ship, looking refreshed!
He escorted the seven giants out.
The corridor leading from the lower levels to the sea platform was lined with jailors bidding him farewell.
They wept again.
This time, Figo didn’t find it exaggerated.
“Everyone, goodbye!”
“Waaa…”
“Warden!”
“Figo-sama…”
“Safe travels! Waaa…”
Stepping onto the sea platform again, Figo’s feelings were entirely different from before.
“Eight years!”
“Pirate world, here I come!”
Inside Impel Down, the increasingly robust Kincaid took over Figo’s position as Warden, watching the slowly closing gates, the crying jailors, and Figo’s disappearing figure, feeling somewhat dazed.
Did he leave?
The guy who had been pressuring me since defeating me, just left like that?
From now on, I’m in charge of Impel Down?
Once Figo decided to leave, he did so without hesitation or looking back!
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