The sixth level.
As the lowest floor of Impel Down, it was like a terrifying abyss, exuding a hair-raising aura.
It was said that the world's most vicious and dangerous criminals were imprisoned here.
Their brutality and madness were enough to make anyone who heard of them tremble in fear.
Even the usually fierce guards dared not easily set foot on this level, as if it were a cursed forbidden zone.
"The sixth level... Since they weren't in the upper levels, Zoro and the others are likely imprisoned here," Ron frowned slightly and murmured in a low voice.
He just couldn't understand why Zoro, Sanji, and the others—who weren't particularly notorious criminals—would be locked up on the sixth level.
"Let's go in and search."
Nami and Robin exchanged glances, nodding slightly.
Their eyes were equally filled with tension.
The next steps would undoubtedly be more dangerous, but they had no way back.
To find their companions, they had to press forward courageously.
Ron took a deep breath and pushed open the iron door to the sixth level with force.
Accompanied by a grating creak, the iron door slowly swung open.
Behind it was a dim, narrow, and winding corridor, stretching like a giant serpent into the depths of the darkness.
On both sides of the corridor were tightly shut prison cells, their heavy iron doors radiating a cold and oppressive aura.
The air was thick with a suffocating stench—a mixture of blood, decay, and despair.
Every breath carried the scent of death, stinging their lungs and making it difficult to breathe.
"Be careful, there might be traps here," Robin whispered nervously as a warning.
Ron, however, shook his head gently and explained with a smile, "Don't worry, it's safe here. Generally, no one comes."
"After all, those who dare to come to the sixth level are either incredibly powerful or have a death wish. And the prisoners here are never released—once you're here, it's a one-way trip to the grave."
Despite Ron's reassurance, the two women advanced cautiously, their footsteps light and their eyes intently scanning every corner around them, not daring to let their guard down.
Suddenly, a low, rumbling roar echoed from ahead.
"What... was that sound?" Nami asked in a hushed voice, a clear note of fear in her tone.
In this eerie and terrifying environment, any unusual sound could make one's heart race with fear, intensifying the already tense atmosphere.
Ron frowned, a flicker of vigilance in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Whatever it is, we need to be careful."
They continued forward and soon arrived at the source of the sound.
It was a massive prison cell, its door tightly shut.
The heavy iron door was clearly engraved with the words "LEVEL 6 HEAVY CRIMINAL!" as if declaring the special danger of this place.
Through the observation window, they saw a burly man imprisoned inside.
His body was as strong as an iron tower, covered in crisscrossing scars, each one seeming to tell a story of fierce battles.
Despite his injuries, the man's eyes remained terrifyingly sinister, like a devil's, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent.
"It's not them..." Nami whispered, her tone tinged with deep disappointment.
Her shoulders slumped slightly, and a trace of frustration showed in her eyes as the hope she had kindled was once again extinguished.
Just then, the man in the cell suddenly raised his head, a bloody glint flashing in his eyes as he stared directly at them.
Under the dim light, his face appeared especially sinister.
A ferocious smile curled at the corners of his mouth, like a beast lying in wait finally spotting its prey.
His voice was low, carrying a bone-chilling sense of oppression:
"You... are here looking for someone?"
The two women instantly felt a piercing cold run up their spines to the tops of their heads, as if locked in by some invisible force.
Nami and Robin quickly took a few steps back, warily watching the man in the cell.
They knew that the person before them was no ordinary individual—he might even be more dangerous than any enemy they had encountered before.
If they could avoid contact, it was best not to engage.
"Ron, let's hurry and leave. We need to find Zoro and the others as soon as possible," Nami tugged at Ron's sleeve, her voice carrying a note of urgency.
However, she suddenly noticed that Ron remained rooted to the spot, unmoving like a statue.
Following Ron's gaze, she saw him staring intently at the man in the cell, his expression unchanged.
"Devil's heir, Douglas Bullet," Ron said softly, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger.
The name seemed to carry a certain magic, making the surrounding air grow heavy.
Hearing his name, the man in the cell showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes, then revealed a mocking smile.
He slowly stood up, the chains dragging and clinking noisily.
His towering figure felt especially oppressive in the dimly lit cell.
"Hmph! Not here to threaten me? Are you some new lackey? Tell Magellan that I'll get out one day, and I'll personally twist his head off!"
Ron wasn't intimidated by Bullett's threat.
Instead, he showed a faint smile.
He looked directly into Bullett's eyes and spoke slowly.
"I'm not one of Magellan's men, and I'm not here to threaten you. I can take you out, but on one condition: you must serve as my bodyguard for three years. After three years, I'll grant you your freedom."
Upon hearing this, Bullett was first stunned, then burst into wild laughter.
The laughter was filled with disdain and mockery, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"Hahaha! you? A wet-behind-the-ears brat, actually wanting me to serve under you? That's nothing but a fool's dream!"
Bullet's laughter abruptly ceased, his gaze sharpening abruptly.
"I am Douglas Bullet! Even without you, I can get out on my own. Who do you think you are? How dare you make such a demand? This is nothing but an insult to me!"
Ron was not angered by Barrett's mockery.
His expression remained calm, as if he had long anticipated such a reaction.
He spoke slowly, "Bullett, I know your strength. You were once a member of the Roger Pirates, known as the 'Devil's Heir,' possessing formidable power."
"But you should also be well aware that this Underwater Great Prison is not an easy place to escape. No matter how strong you are, without outside help, you can only slowly rot away here."
A shadow flickered in Bullett's eyes; Ron's words had clearly struck a nerve.
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