"System, allocate points."
[Consumed one hundred thousand Justice Points. Armament Haki has been raised to Supreme Level (Admiral Class).]
[Consumed one hundred thousand Justice Points. Observation Haki has been raised to Supreme Level (Admiral Class).]
[Consumed one hundred thousand Justice Points. Martial Arts: Fist has been raised to Supreme Level (Admiral Class).]
A surge of invisible force erupted outward, centered on Renn Hawk, sweeping across the entire platform.
Renn slowly closed his eyes, quietly sensing the transformation within his body.
The world, in his perception, had been rebuilt.
Observation Haki was no longer merely predicting movements or listening to intent.
He could see the trajectory of every speck of dust drifting in the air, hear the heartbeat of every soldier below quicken with excitement, and even feel the thick, festering resentment and madness buried deep within this iron prison, accumulated over decades.
Armament Haki was no longer a simple hardened shell coating the body.
The power condensed, compressed, and flowed like a pitch-black current through his limbs and bones.
It fused seamlessly with his flesh, his skeleton, and every single cell.
His fist technique returned to its purest form.
No longer bound by forms or names, every breath and motion now held overwhelming destructive force and penetrating power.
This was the might of four attributes at the Supreme Level.
Renn opened his eyes. His gaze was calm and deep, like a still abyss.
He looked once more at the translucent system panel before him.
[Renn Hawk]
[Navy G-3 Branch Commander, concurrently Navy Headquarters Rear Admiral]
[Observation Haki: Supreme (Headquarters Admiral Class)]
[Armament Haki: Supreme (Headquarters Admiral Class)]
[Physique: Supreme (Headquarters Admiral Class)]
[Martial Arts: Fist: Supreme (Headquarters Admiral Class)]
[Conqueror's Haki: Advanced]
[Remaining Justice Points: 83,520]
[Remaining Days of Survival: 3,650]
"Still not enough."
Renn understood perfectly. He was still one step away from becoming a true peak powerhouse.
He lacked Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
To reach that level, Conqueror's Haki needed to be raised to Supreme, which required one million Justice Points.
Before then, he would need to master and integrate the power he had just gained.
Renn's gaze drifted past the levels below, toward the deepest part of the prison.
Level 6. Eternal Hell.
He would go there and find someone with enough weight to fight to his heart's content.
Renn leapt down from the high platform.
"Officers, assemble."
His calm voice carried clearly into every ear.
Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Nami, Hibari, and Peacock, who had been executing their respective assignments, all paused.
Moments later, six figures arrived from different directions and stood before Renn in a straight line, backs straight, expressions solemn.
Renn looked at Nami and Robin.
"Level 3, Hunger Hell, will remain as training grounds for the soldiers. Supporting and coordinating falls to the two of you. Do not neglect your own growth."
Nami and Robin exchanged a glance and nodded seriously.
Renn turned to Hibari and Peacock.
"Level 4, Blazing Hell. That will be your trial zone."
Finally, his eyes landed on Zoro and Sanji.
The two were practically vibrating with anticipation, barely containing the fighting intent in their eyes.
At last, it was their turn.
"You two will come with me to Eternal Hell first. After that, Level 5, Freezing Hell, will be yours to clear."
Zoro and Sanji's pupils contracted, then excitement flooded their faces.
Level 6.
After a week inside Impel Down, they knew exactly what that meant.
The legendary prisoners locked away in Eternal Hell were not opponents they could face.
But if big brother was bringing them along, it meant they were going to witness firsthand how a true peak powerhouse fought.
Renn led Zoro and Sanji toward the elevator descending deeper into the prison.
Once the three had disappeared completely from sight, a huge head cautiously poked out from around the corner near the restrooms.
He simply could not stop worrying about Hannyabal, so he had quietly sneaked out to look around.
"Where is Hannyabal?"
Magellan asked in a low voice toward a nearby guard.
The marine immediately saluted.
"Warden Magellan, Acting Deputy Hannyabal... he is right there!"
The soldier pointed toward a chaotic section of the battlefield.
A man was currently swinging a long polearm, movements wide and powerful, charging bravely at a group of prisoners that had just been released.
He wore a brand-new G-3 branch navy uniform, well-fitted and surprisingly sharp.
"Wait... sharp?"
Magellan squinted, then froze entirely.
The man swinging the polearm, wearing a determined expression and moving with what could almost be called agility...
Was Hannyabal.
Wearing a navy uniform was shocking enough.
But he had actually lost weight.
...
"All your fault, you damned straw hat brat!"
Across the endless sea, a battered little boat drifted aimlessly.
Buggy was shouting in fury at Luffy.
"If not for you, how could the great Captain Buggy end up like this!"
His clown makeup was smeared into a chaotic mess by sweat and grime, making him look pathetic and ridiculous.
Luffy lay sprawled out, stomach growling loudly.
"I am so hungry."
"You are just too weak, Red Nose."
"Stop calling me Red Nose!"
"Oh, alright then, Red Nose."
"You bastard!"
They had been running and hiding nonstop, escaping by sheer luck each time, but their stamina and willpower were at their limits.
A low humming sound rose behind them.
Another marine patrol ship had caught up.
"They found us again! Row faster!"
Buggy screamed in terror, grabbing the oar and rowing frantically.
But Luffy remained lying limp on the deck, unmoving.
"I am not running anymore."
He weakly waved his hand, sounding wronged and defeated.
"So tired, so hungry, and this is no fun at all."
Nothing had gone right.
For the first time, Luffy doubted the meaning of the word adventure.
In his imagination, setting out to sea meant a grand ship, ocean wind, mountains of meat, and ten or eight fun crewmates joining him.
Not this. Not being chased like a dying stray dog, unable to even eat.
"You idiot, do you want to die!"
"The marines are here! Really here!"
Buggy heard the growing noise behind them and turned pale.
He looked at Luffy, gritted his teeth, and decided to escape alone.
"Damn Straw Hat! Damn marines! Damn East Blue!"
He cursed as he rowed desperately.
Then a shadow darkened the sea.
Buggy instinctively looked up, and his jaw dropped open.
A massive dog-headed battleship descended from the clouds, landing steadily upon the water.
"Luffy! You brat! You made your grandpa search everywhere for you!"
A thunderous roar came from the ship.
A tall, muscular man in a navy admiral's coat stood at the bow, hands on his hips.
The Navy Hero. Monkey D. Garp.
He looked down at the limp Luffy and grinned wide, teeth gleaming bright.
"Pu ha ha ha ha!"
Then he leapt high into the sky.
"Is that... Vice Admiral Garp?!"
The marine captain who had been pursuing them finally saw Garp clearly.
Why was Vice Admiral Garp in East Blue?
And that pose...
Was the Vice Admiral about to attack for real?
"All ships, evasive maneuvers at once!"
The captain's shrill command cut like a blade.
The patrol ships immediately turned away, fleeing the area.
Garp's voice boomed from above.
"Fist Bone... Impact!"