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Although Jinbe had promised to repay Ivankov if he helped him leave Impel Down, Ivankov privately felt that the possibility was quite low.
It was not that he thought the people around him were unreliable. Rather, he felt that Jinbe's chances of surviving the war between Marine Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates were relatively slim. If things went wrong, someone standing right next to you could be executed on the spot. If Jinbe died, then naturally he would never be able to repay his debt of gratitude.
Even so, Ivankov wanted to try.
"Otherwise, I would live my whole life in regret. Please, Ivankov."
As Jinbe spoke, he bowed deeply.
Previously, when Bullet had instigated the riot on Level 6, Jinbe had felt the desire to escape. However, he had been observing from the shadows, and after careful consideration he concluded that the chances of escaping past Sadi-chan and Magellan were quite slim. Rather than attempting it, it was better to wait for the right opportunity.
In fact, his approach had been correct. Because of it, he was spared from being incapacitated or killed by Magellan's venom, as had happened to the other pirates. He had simply waited for his moment, and now Ivankov and Lightning, standing before him, were exactly that.
Ivankov listened, then gave Jinbe a long, searching look. After a while, he nodded slightly.
"I still want to gain the friendship of Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea. Fine, since you're so persistent, I'll help you leave. The riot on Level 6 has just been quelled, and many of the guards are still busy dealing with the problem of Magellan's venom. Sadi-chan has also temporarily used up too much of herself to act. This might be the best opportunity to leave. Jinbe, I'll find a way to get you out of here."
Taking so many people out of Impel Down was an enormously difficult task for Ivankov. However, letting Jinbe leave alone was comparatively easy, fewer people meant fewer eyes to avoid among the surveillance personnel.
Of course, this only extended to the outskirts of Impel Down. For an ordinary person, escaping the surrounding sea would be impossible, given the warships monitoring the perimeter. But for Jinbe, a Fish-Man, that posed no difficulty at all.
"I am deeply grateful!" Jinbe breathed a sigh of relief.
"Jinbe, before you leave, let me treat you first. Magellan's venom must be quite unpleasant. Once the venom on your body is cleaned up, I'll take you with me when I go. Of course, that will only be as far as the outskirts of Impel Down. After that, you'll have to rely on yourself."
Ivankov extended a finger, revealing his sharp nail, as he spoke.
"I understand. Please, do as you see fit." Jinbe nodded.
Since he was relying on Ivankov's help to leave, he was in no position to refuse his arrangements.
Seeing that Jinbe had agreed, Ivankov wasted no more time. Using the power of his Hormone-Hormone Fruit, he manipulated hormones and began detoxifying Jinbe.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Impel Down-
Sadi's room.
"Sadi-chan, are you really alright? Should I find you a doctor?"
After laying Sadi on her bed, Domino looked down at her weakened state and asked with concern.
"Don't worry, Domino. I will be absolutely fine, nothing is going to happen. That kind of power is extremely energy-consuming, but it does not pose a threat to life."
Sadi smirked and said this to Domino. After she finished speaking, her gaze drifted to the sword Ikki had left for her, sitting on the table beside the bed.
In Sadi's mind, it was naturally impossible and unacceptable for her to be harmed. She would also have to help Ikki properly going forward. From now on, she would cherish the time spent nestled at his side.
Since Sadi, the one directly involved, had said she was fine, Domino couldn't say anything more. She could only nod solemnly. However, she had no intention of simply leaving. As her friend, she naturally had to take good care of Sadi-chan while she was in a weakened state.
This had also been arranged by Magellan, who had entered the city, that was understandable, considering that Sadi was now Impel Down's darling. It was only natural that Magellan would take care of her, and only right that he had arranged for Domino to look after her.
"But Sadi-chan, if you feel unwell at any point, just tell me. No matter what it is, I'll help."
Domino pulled up a stool and sat down beside her, speaking softly.
"Really?" Sadi's lips curled into a smile as she looked at Domino with interest.
"Of course it's true." Domino nodded seriously.
"In that case, go and get the famous sword from the deputy warden." Sadi said with a light laugh.
"The famous sword in the deputy warden's hand? What do you need that for? Wait, you're not planning to hand it over to Ikki, are you?"
Domino stared wide-eyed and asked, already understanding.
The deputy warden's famous sword, Ikki had shown interest in it the last time he visited Impel Down. However, the deputy warden had no intention of handing it over, and Ikki had no intention of training him in return. The matter had been left unresolved.
In the end, Ikki had only taken Shiryu's famous sword, obtained the Red Earl's sword puppet by defeating him in combat, and accepted Sadi-chan as a trainee to complete his deal with the Navy and the World Government. Now that Sadi-chan had brought up the deputy warden's sword, Domino immediately understood what she was planning.
"Hehe, as expected of Domino, you're so clever. That's right, I want to hand the deputy warden's famous sword over to Ikki. Anyway, that man doesn't really know much about swordsmanship. Holding onto a blade like that is of no use to him. It would be far better to hand it over to Ikki. And if I do, Ikki might be willing to train you as well, Domino. Then the two of us will be able to grow stronger together here in Impel Down and rise to higher positions."
Sadi laughed.
Sadi understood that simply becoming the warden of Impel Down was not enough to truly control it. Ideally, one also needed their own power base - subordinates, and friends willing to serve them. Domino was exactly the person Sadi had her eye on.