Darkness slowly faded.
A faint warmth replaced the freezing cold.
Then—
Music.
Laughter.
Cheers.
Bon Clay's eyes slowly opened. "…Huh…?"
He blinked in confusion.
Instead of the icy hell of Level 5—
He found himself surrounded by people dancing, drinking, and celebrating.
Bright lights.
Colorful outfits.
Joy everywhere.
"WELCOME BACK!!!"
A group suddenly cheered around him.
Bon Clay sat up, completely confused.
"…Where… am I?"
One of the people laughed. "You're still inside Impel Down!"
Bon froze. "…What?"
Footsteps approached.
A calm voice followed. "Well… looks like you've woken up."
A figure stepped forward.
It was Inazuma.
"My name is Inazuma."
Before Bon could respond—
A dramatic presence filled the room.
"YEEEHAAAW!!"
Bon turned.
His eyes widened.
Emporio Ivankov appeared flamboyantly.
"You're currently in Level 5.5!"
"The paradise hidden within hell!"
"Newkama Land!!"
Bon Clay's jaw dropped. "…Hidden… level?"
Ivankov crossed his arms. "You're one lucky person."
Bon blinked. "…What do you mean?"
Ivankov smirked.
"That Straw Hat boy…"
"…asked me to heal you first."
Bon froze. "He… what?"
Ivankov continued.
"Even while dying from Magellan's poison…"
"He insisted that you be treated first."
Silence.
Bon's eyes trembled.
"…Straw… boy…"
Tears streamed down his face.
Then suddenly—
"WAIT!"
"What about him?!"
Ivankov's expression turned serious.
"He's been undergoing treatment for several hours now."
"…And he's screaming his lungs out."
Bon's heart dropped.
"…How long?"
"Two days."
Ivankov raised two fingers.
"He still needs two full days of treatment."
Bon clenched his fists.
"…Two days…"
Ivankov continued.
"That boy has an incredible will."
"To save his brother…"
"He agreed to give up 10 years of his lifespan."
Bon's eyes widened in shock. "…TEN YEARS?!"
Ivankov nodded.
"This is no ordinary treatment."
"My powers…"
He gestured to himself.
"…combined with his willpower…"
"…are forcing his body to fight the poison."
"If he survives—he lives."
"If not…"
Silence.
Bon slowly lowered his head.
"…I understand…"
Then he looked up again.
"…How long until Ace is executed?"
Ivankov answered calmly.
"Two days… and sixteen hours."
Bon froze.
"…That's not much time…"
Ivankov turned.
"Come."
They walked through a hidden tunnel.
Eventually, they arrived at a cave.
Bon looked around. "…What is this place?"
Ivankov pointed ahead. "Look inside that hole."
Bon slowly approached.
He peeked inside—
And froze.
Inside the cavern—
Monkey D. Luffy was writhing violently.
His body convulsed.
Veins bulged.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
His screams echoed through the cave.
Bon staggered back in horror. "…No…"
Tears streamed down his face.
"IVA-CHAN!!"
"PLEASE SAVE HIM!!"
Ivankov suddenly shouted. "CALM DOWN!!"
Bon froze.
Ivankov's voice grew serious.
"I am already saving him!"
"But listen carefully—"
He stepped closer.
"Even if they call me a miracle worker…"
"I do not believe in miracles."
Bon stared at him.
Ivankov pointed toward Luffy.
"I never save those who rely only on others."
His voice echoed.
"Miracles are not given freely!"
"They are earned by those who refuse to give up!"
Bon's eyes widened.
"It is not something to take lightly!"
Silence fell.
Bon slowly clenched his fists.
"…I see…"
Ivankov exhaled.
Then his tone returned to normal.
"This place…"
"Level 5.5…"
"Was created by a tunneling Devil Fruit user."
"It exists between Level 5 and Level 6."
Bon blinked. "…Level 6?"
Ivankov nodded.
"Yes."
"The lowest level."
"The worst criminals are kept there."
"People the World Government wants erased from history."
Bon swallowed.
"…Who's down there?"
Ivankov answered calmly.
"Among them…"
"Crocodile…"
"Jinbe…"
"…and Ace."
Bon's eyes widened.
"…Straw Boy's brother…"
Ivankov continued. "Even Jinbe was imprisoned for opposing the war."
Bon shook his head in disbelief. "…Even warlords…"
Ivankov added casually. "And one of my allies is down there too."
Bon looked up. "…Who?"
Ivankov smiled. "Douglas Bullet of the Nyx Pirates."
Bon Clay's jaw dropped.
"BULLET?!"
"One of an Emperor's crew?!"
"How are you even allied with them?!"
Ivankov laughed loudly.
"Yeeehaw!"
"That's a secret cooperation…"
"Between the Revolutionary Army…"
"…and the Nyx Pirates."
Bon staggered. "…That's insane…"
Ivankov suddenly turned serious.
"Anyway…"
"That Straw Hat boy…"
"…won't make it in time."
Bon froze.
"…What?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"They will transfer Fire Fist Ace to Marineford."
Silence.
Bon lowered his head.
"…Straw Boy…"
"…won't make it…"
Then—
He clenched his fists. "…I'll stay with him."
Ivankov raised a brow.
Bon walked toward the cave entrance.
He stood outside.
Then shouted—
"STRAW BOY!!!"
"I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!!"
"You're not dying here!!"
"You still have your brother to save!!"
His voice echoed.
Inside the cave—
Luffy screamed in agony.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Bon continued shouting.
"DON'T GIVE UP!!"
"YOU PROMISED!!"
One by one—
People from Newkama Land gathered behind him.
Then—
They began shouting too.
"FIGHT!!!"
"DON'T DIE!!!"
"YOU CAN DO IT, STRAW HAT!!!"
A massive chorus of voices echoed through Level 5.5.
Bon clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face.
"COME BACK TO US, STRAW BOY!!!"
Inside the cave—
Luffy's screams continued.
But his will—
Burned stronger than ever.
————————-
Deep within Impel Down, at Level 6 — Eternal Hell…
Chains rattled softly in the darkness.
Inside a dim prison cell sat Portgas D. Ace, his head lowered, wrists bound in heavy shackles.
Across from him sat Jinbe, calm despite the grim situation.
Ace exhaled slowly.
"…That stupid little fool…"
"He'll just get himself killed…"
Jinbe gave a small smile.
"You don't have to worry, Luffy-kun is a strong person."
"He has an unbreakable will."
"He will make it out."
Ace looked up slightly.
"…You know my brother?"
Jinbe nodded.
"Yes. I met him in the East Blue."
Ace raised a brow. "…East Blue?"
Jinbe continued.
"He defeated Arlong."
"I encountered him by chance."
"Captain Ada had tasked me with dealing with Arlong's tyranny…"
"But your brother got there first."
Ace smirked faintly.
"…That sounds just like him."
He leaned back against the wall.
"…I don't want to cause any more trouble…"
"For Pops… Luffy… the old man…"
"…and Aunt Ada…"
Jinbe's eyes widened. "…Aunt… Ada?!"
He leaned forward. "Ace-kun… how are you related to the captain?"
Ace blinked.
"…Didn't you know?"
"Luffy is Aunt Ada's son."
Jinbe froze completely.
"…What?!"
"I… didn't know that…"
His expression turned thoughtful.
"…So that's why he felt familiar…"
Then suddenly—
Jinbe's eyes widened again.
"…Wait…"
"If you're Luffy's brother…"
"Does that mean you are related to her?!"
Ace shook his head.
"…No."
"Since you're part of her crew, there's no point in hiding it."
"But we're not biologically related."
"We just grew up together. I call her Aunt because she's Luffy's mom. "
He looked down.
"…Still…"
"If Luffy really made it here…"
"He might need your strength…"
"…and Bullet's too."
Jinbe nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, Ace."
"Me and Bullet will make sure Luffy-kun leaves here alive."
Ace smiled faintly.
"…Thanks, Jinbe."
He lowered his head slightly.
"…And if you see Aunt Ada…"
"…tell her I'm sorry for making her worry."
Jinbe smiled.
"…Knowing Captain Ada…"
"…she might already be on her way to your execution."
Ace's expression darkened.
"…So many people will die because of me. I don't want her involved too…"
Jinbe shook his head.
"Ace…"
"If you die…"
"…many people will mourn for you."
"So don't carry everything alone."
Ace looked at him—
Then smiled softly.
"…Thanks, Jinbe."
"…And please…"
"…take care of my little brother."
Jinbe nodded. "I will."
Suddenly—
Heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor.
The atmosphere turned tense.
A massive figure appeared before the cell.
It was Magellan.
His voice echoed coldly.
"…Your time is up."
He looked directly at Ace.
"Portgas D. Ace."
"…You are to be transferred to Marineford."
Chains clanked as guards stepped forward.
The door creaked open.
The moment had come.
The war…
…was about to begin.
——————-
Back in Level 5.5 — Newkama Land within Impel Down…
Voices echoed loudly.
"FIGHT!!!"
"DON'T GIVE UP!!!"
"COME BACK, STRAW HAT!!!"
At the center of it all—
Bon Clay stood in front of the cave, shouting with everything he had.
"STRAW BOY!!!"
"YOU CAN DO THIS!!!"
Hours passed.
Suddenly—
Drip.
Drip.
A thick stream of blood began leaking from beneath the cave door.
The crowd slowly fell silent.
"…Huh?"
Bon froze.
"…No…"
The blood kept pouring out.
Then—
Silence.
The screams stopped.
Completely.
Bon's eyes trembled.
"…Straw… boy…?"
He dropped to his knees.
"NO…!!"
"YOU CAN'T BE DEAD!!!"
Even Emporio Ivankov looked shaken.
"…Impossible…"
"…It hasn't even been a full day…"
The entire crowd stood in stunned silence.
Then—
BANG!!
The door suddenly shook violently.
Everyone jumped.
From inside—
A voice roared. "FOOOOOOOOD!!!"
Silence.
"…Huh?"
The door burst open.
And there he was.
Monkey D. Luffy.
Standing.
Alive.
Looking completely energized.
The entire room froze.
Ivankov's jaw dropped.
"…That's impossible…"
"…It hasn't even been one full day…"
"BRING FOOD!!!" someone shouted.
Plates, meat, and drinks were rushed in.
Luffy devoured everything like a beast.
"MEAT!!! MORE!!!"
Moments later—
He stepped out of the cave fully standing, looking completely recovered.
The crowd ERUPTED.
"HE SURVIVED!!!"
"UNBELIEVABLE!!!"
"YEEEEEHAAAAW!!!"
Then Luffy spotted Bon.
"BON!!!"
"You're okay!!!"
Bon smiled weakly.
"Of course, Straw Boy…"
"But I'm more glad that… you're okay…"
Then—
He collapsed face-first.
"BON!!!"
Ivankov sighed.
"That idiot…"
"He's been shouting for hours without rest."
"He was completely exhausted."
Luffy froze.
Then—
He bowed deeply.
"…Thank you…"
"I'm in your debt, Bon-chan."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then Inazuma stepped forward, holding Luffy's belongings.
"Your clothes."
"And your hat."
Luffy took them.
Inazuma added calmly,
"You are not fully recovered."
"You need at least one full day of rest."
Luffy shook his head immediately.
"I don't have time!"
"Ace is going to be transferred!"
He turned.
"Take care of Bon!"
"I'm going after Ace!"
He took one step—
Then collapsed.
THUD.
Inazuma sighed.
"…Like I said."
"You need rest."
Luffy groaned.
"…Tch…"
He reached into his pocket—
Pulling out Ace's vivre card.
It was slowly burning away.
Luffy clenched it tightly.
"…Ace…"
Then he looked at Ivankov.
"Hey…"
"You were planning to escape too, right?"
"That's why Bon was looking for you."
"If you're leaving…"
"Can you show me where Ace is?"
Ivankov crossed his arms.
"…No."
"It is not my time to break out just yet."
Luffy blinked.
"…Huh?"
Ivankov's expression turned serious.
"There has been a shift in the tides."
"Big changes are coming."
"The Navy…"
"And the Whitebeard Pirates…"
"…are about to clash."
He continued.
"The Revolutionary Army and the Nyx Pirates are already in cooperation."
"Our plan is already in motion."
Luffy listened quietly.
"My ally Douglas Bullet is waiting for my signal."
Ivankov spread his arms dramatically.
"Our TRUE goal?!"
"To destroy all three major World Government bases!"
Ivankov had just finished speaking, arms spread wide, voice echoing with dramatic intensity.
"Even so… the true powers of this world are still waiting in the shadows… biding their time."
He raised a finger.
"I am, of course, referring to two figures…"
"The leader of the all the revolutionaries in the world — the Revolutionary Dragon!"
Smirks appeared across the crowd.
"And second…"
His grin widened.
"The strongest Emperor of the New World… the most dominant pirate of this era… and a hidden ally of the revolutionaries…"
"Nyx D. Ada!"
The prisoners erupted in shock.
"Two monsters… preparing to shake the very foundation of the world!"
Ivankov declared dramatically.
"As soon as those two rally their forces—once their armies and fleets move—this world will be thrown into chaos! And when that happens…"
He pointed upward.
"We will rise to the surface and throw ourselves into the center of that storm!"
He crossed his arms.
"If we escape now, we'd just be hunted down like rats. Timing is everything in war!"
There was a beat—
Then—
Luffy scratched his cheek casually. "Oh… you mean my mom and dad?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Ivankov blinked.
"…Eh?"
The crowd froze.
"…Did he just say… mom and dad?"
Ivankov's eyes bulged.
"…W-WAIT."
He stumbled backward.
"M-MOM AND DAD?!"
He fell flat on his back in shock.
"EEEEHHHHH?!"
The entire crowd exploded.
"DRAGON AND ADA ARE YOUR PARENTS?!!!"
The entire crowd erupted into chaos.
"No way!!!"
"That's impossible!!!"
"The Revolutionary Dragon and Emperor Ada?!"
Luffy looked around, confused by the sudden chaos.
"Huh? Yeah, I think so. Why are you guys so shocked?"
Ivankov shot back up, grabbing Luffy by the shoulders, shaking him violently.
"Y-YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!"
"You're telling me… YOU… are the son of Dragon and Ada?!"
"They have a son?! SINCE WHEN?!"
Luffy blinked.
"…Ah… I wasn't supposed to tell anyone."
He shrugged.
"Well, whatever."
"My grandpa said Dragon's my dad."
"And some old lady from Amazon Lily said Ada's my mom."
He scratched his head.
"I've never met them though… don't even know what they look like."
Ivankov froze.
"…Ehhhh…"
His mind started racing.
He doesn't even know…?!
That just makes it more believable!
He stared at Luffy intensely.
No hesitation… no deception…
This boy… he's not lying.
He broke into Impel Down… survived Magellan… endured poison that should've killed him…
And that will… that insane will to live…
Ivankov's eyes widened.
He's not normal.
Everything he's saying… makes perfect sense!
Suddenly—
Ivankov leaned in.
"Where is your hometown?!"
"And that woman from Amazon Lily—WHO told you Ada was your mother?!"
Luffy answered casually.
"East Blue."
"And the granny's name was… uh… Glorio-something?"
Ivankov's face went pale.
"…Gloriossa…?!"
His eyes trembled—
—and suddenly—
———————
Flashback
Ivankov stood beside Dragon on a cliff, wind roaring around them. "Dragon… you know, there's something I've noticed."
Dragon glanced at him. "What is it?"
Ivankov smirked. "When you stand in the wind like this… you always face the same direction."
Dragon raised a brow slightly. "…Do I?"
Ivankov leaned closer, teasing.
"That direction… it points to the East Blue, doesn't it?"
"…Your hometown?"
"…Do you have someone there you long for?"
There was a pause.
Dragon's expression darkened.
"…Stop asking about my personal history, Iva."
Ivankov laughed loudly. "Fufufu! My apologies!"
—————————
Flashback Shift
Ivankov now stood across from Ada aboard a ship. "Say, Ada… can you tell me more about your time with the Rocks Pirates?"
Ada raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why the sudden interest?"
Ivankov grinned. "Well, you were the ones who saved us during the God Valley incident."
"I figured I'd like to hear more about such a legendary crew."
Ada leaned back slightly, thinking.
"…It was a crew filled with monsters."
Ivankov tilted his head. "Anyone you were close to? Friends, perhaps?"
Ada smiled faintly.
"…Three."
"Newgate."
"Shakky… though she was only an honorary member back then."
"And…"
Her eyes softened slightly.
"Gloriossa."
Ivankov blinked.
"Oh? The Kuja tribe?"
Ada nodded.
"Yes. Both of them."
————————-
Ivankov returned to the present—
Frozen.
"…No way…"
His mind raced at full speed.
Gloriossa… confirms Ada…
Dragon… always looking toward East Blue…
Both of them disappearing at certain times…
Excuses… unexplained absences…
His eyes widened further.
"…Among all the people Dragon has ever been involved with…"
"…the ONLY one he ever showed a soft spot for…"
"…was Ada."
His voice trembled.
"There is no mistaking it…"
"They are the only two people in this world capable of handling each other."
He clenched his fists.
"All those times Dragon disappeared…"
"It was reported Ada also left her crew during those same periods…"
His eyes snapped toward Luffy.
"…That must have been it."
"They were meeting each other."
A slow realization settled over him.
"…Then…"
His finger rose again, pointing at Luffy.
"…that means…"
His voice shook with disbelief.
"THAT BOY…"
"REALLY IS THEIR SON!!!"
The entire chamber erupted once more.
"EEEEHHHHHH?!!!"
Ivankov clutched his head dramatically.
"THIS WORLD HAS LOST ITS MIND!!!"
Luffy suddenly snapped his fingers as if remembering something important.
"Oh yeah!"
Everyone turned toward him.
"The granny from Amazon Lily told me Ada was my mom because of my pendant!"
Ivankov blinked.
"…Pendant?"
Luffy nodded and reached into his shirt, pulling it out.
It dangled in the air—
A simple cross-shaped pendant.
"My grandpa said my mom left this for me," Luffy said casually. "Even he doesn't know who she is though."
He grinned.
"Shishishi!"
Ivankov's eyes locked onto it—
…and instantly widened.
"…That pendant…!"
His entire body trembled.
"No… there's no mistaking it…"
He stepped closer, almost in disbelief.
"THAT'S HER PENDANT!"
The entire Newkama crowd leaned in.
"Huh?!"
Ivankov pointed at it, voice rising.
"So that's where it went…!"
"I was wondering what Ada did with it all this time…!"
He grabbed his head again, spiraling.
"You were the one she entrusted it to?!"
His finger shot toward Luffy again.
"Then that settles it!!!"
His voice echoed through Level 5.5.
"YOU REALLY ARE THEIR SON!!!"
The crowd exploded once more.
"EEEEHHHHHHH?!!!"
"THAT'S THE MOST WANTED MAN IN THE WORLD AND AN EMPEROR!!!"
"HOW DO YOU EVEN TOP THAT?!"
A random prisoner collapsed dramatically to his knees.
"I THOUGHT THIS GUY WAS CRAZY BEFORE—NOW HE MAKES SENSE!!!"
"ONLY SOMEONE LIKE THAT COULD DO ALL THIS!!!"
Another prisoner yelled.
"NO WONDER HE DOESN'T FEAR ANYONE!!!"
"HE INHERITED THAT INSANITY!!!"
Luffy just tilted his head, confused.
"Huh? I told you already. Didn't I?"
Bon Clay who was lying ont the ground stood up for a second and froze—
Then suddenly struck a dramatic pose.
"Straw Boy…!"
His eyes sparkled.
"You never cease to amaze me!!!"
Ivankov stood frozen for a moment longer… staring at Luffy… at the pendant…at all the conclusions that his mind is racing at.
Then suddenly—
His expression changed.
Completely.
Serious.
Sharp.
Decisive.
He turned his head sharply. "Inazuma!"
Inazuma stepped forward immediately. "Yes?"
"What time is it?!" Ivankov demanded. "How long until Ace is transferred?!"
Inazuma adjusted his glasses slightly.
"…Based on our surveillance… the transfer should be happening very soon."
Luffy immediately checked his vivre card.
The small paper still pointed downward.
"…He's still here," Luffy said.
Ivankov saw it too.
"…So he hasn't left Level 6 yet."
A pause.
Then—
Ivankov clenched his fist.
"…That settles it."
The air shifted.
Everyone in Newkama Land felt it.
Ivankov turned, his presence overwhelming.
"LISTEN UP, EVERYONE!!!"
The entire level went silent.
"We're changing plans!!!"
Gasps spread.
"What?!"
Ivankov pointed upward dramatically.
"We are breaking out—NOW!!!"
Cheers erupted.
"EEEEHHH?!!!"
"We're escaping?!"
Ivankov continued, voice booming.
"We descend to Level 6!"
"Free Jinbe!!"
"Free Bullet!!"
"And—"
His eyes sharpened.
"WE SAVE ACE!!!"
The entire crowd roared.
"YEEEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!"
Ivankov spun, cape flaring.
"We will cause chaos in this prison!"
"We will tear Impel Down apart from the inside!"
"And then—"
He pointed toward the ceiling.
"WE BREAK OUT!!!"
Ivankov then threw his head back.
"FATE!!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FATE!!!"
The crowd kept roaring, energy rising higher and higher.
"IF HE'S THEIR SON—"
"THEN THIS BREAKOUT IS DESTINED!!!"
"WE'RE FOLLOWING THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD!!!"
The Newkama army erupted into wild celebration.
Luffy grinned widely. "LET'S GOOO!!!"
Ivankov then suddenly turned toward Luffy, his expression softening slightly.
"…Strawhat boy."
Luffy looked at him. "Hm?"
Ivankov placed a hand on his hip, speaking more calmly now.
"I am a comrade of your father… Dragon."
Luffy blinked. "Oh, really?"
Ivankov smirked.
"And your mother…"
His tone shifted—respectful.
"…is my savior."
Luffy tilted his head. "Savior?"
Ivankov nodded.
"Yes."
"Long ago… she saved my life."
His eyes softened slightly, remembering.
"And because of that… I later joined the Revolutionary Army."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Luffy's grin returned.
"Shishishi!"
"That's awesome!!!"
He pumped his fist, completely fired up.
"My mom sounds amazing!"
Ivankov blinked… then burst out laughing.
"FUFUFUFU! Of course she is!!!"
Then suddenly—
Luffy snapped his fingers.
"Oh yeah!"
"You mentioned that Bullet guy was your ally, right?"
Ivankov nodded.
"Yes, he is."
Luffy grinned wider.
"Then I gotta thank him properly!"
"He helped us escape back in Enies Lobby!"
Ivankov raised a brow, then let out a knowing laugh.
"Ahh… so you crossed paths back then."
Luffy nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! He was super strong!"
Ivankov smirked.
"He went there… intentionally."
Luffy blinked.
"…Huh?"
Ivankov crossed his arms.
"Your mother ordered it."
Luffy froze.
"EEEHHHHH?! WHY?!"
Ivankov's expression turned more serious.
"For our grand plan to work… we needed someone powerful to be sent to Impel Down."
He pointed downward.
"The easiest way to achieve that… was to destroy Enies Lobby… and get captured."
Luffy's jaw dropped.
"WAIT—"
"That means—"
"That Bullet guy… LOST ON PURPOSE?!"
Ivankov shook his head slightly.
"Well… your grandfather was the one who defeated him."
He smirked.
"But knowing Bullet… he didn't hold back."
Luffy scratched his head, still trying to process it.
"That's… crazy…"
Ivankov waved it off.
"Regardless—"
His tone sharpened.
"We need to free him and Jinbe as well."
Luffy looked up.
"They're part of your mother's crew."
Ivankov continued.
"If anyone can help you break out of here… and save Ace…"
"It's them."
But suddenly—
Luffy's eyes widened.
"Wait—Jinbe?!"
"As in that fish-man guy?!"
Ivankov blinked.
"…Oh?"
"You know him as well?"
Then his eyes bulged, veins popping dramatically.
"HOW MANY MEMBERS OF THE NYX PIRATES HAVE YOU MET OR CROSSED PATHS WITH?!!!"
The entire crowd flinched at his sudden outburst.
Luffy scratched his cheek casually.
"Well… we crossed paths with some of them."
"But we met Jinbe back in East Blue!"
He tilted his head.
"Isn't he working for the Marines since he's a Warlord?"
"Why is he here?"
Ivankov crossed his arms, expression turning serious again.
"Well…"
"He refused."
Luffy blinked.
"Refused?"
Ivankov nodded.
"He did not agree with the war."
"Whitebeard… is also a protector of his home—Fish-Man Island."
He continued calmly.
"Even if it's under your mother's territory… Whitebeard has saved countless fish-men in the past."
Luffy's eyes widened.
"Eh…?"
"So they locked him up… just because he didn't agree?"
Ivankov's gaze hardened.
"Yes."
"That's the World Government for you."
"Absolute obedience… or punishment."
A brief silence fell.
Then—
Luffy clenched his fists.
His expression burned with anger.
"Then that settles it!"
He stepped forward without hesitation.
"Let's free them!!!"
The crowd behind him erupted again.
"YEEEEAAAHHH!!!"
Ivankov grinned widely, striking a pose.
"FUFUFUFU!!!"
"NOW THAT'S THE SPIRIT!!!"
"TO LEVEL 6 WE GO!!!"
"To free allies… crush the system… and save your brother!!!"
His fists clenched.
"Alright!!! Let's go save Ace!!!"
But—
Suddenly—
His body wavered.
"…Huh…?"
Then—
THUD.
Luffy collapsed to the ground. Again.
"Strawhat boy!" Bon Clay shouted.
Ivankov rushed forward immediately.
"…Damn it."
He checked Luffy's pulse.
"…His body is still wrecked from the treatment."
Without hesitation, Ivankov pulled out his hands.
"Inazuma—hold him steady."
Inazuma nodded.
Ivankov injected his pointed nails directly into Luffy.
"Tension Hormones."
Luffy's body jolted—
His eyes snapped open.
"HAAAH!!"
He gasped, breathing heavily.
Ivankov stood over him.
"This will force your body to move."
"You'll be able to ignore the pain… the fatigue… everything."
Luffy slowly pushed himself up. "…Really?"
Ivankov nodded.
"But listen carefully."
His tone became serious.
"This is temporary."
"For the rest of the day… you can keep fighting."
"But once it wears off—"
His eyes narrowed.
"Your body will collapse."
"Hard."
Luffy stood up anyway, cracking his knuckles.
"Doesn't matter."
His eyes burned with determination.
"I'll save Ace before that happens."
A grin spread across his face.
"Let's go!!!"
Behind him—
The entire Newkama army roared.
And deep within Impel Down—
The breakout had officially begun.
—————————-
Author's Note
Sorry for the late chapter, guys!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thing are really starting to escalate now.
I'm planning to finish the Impel Down Arc by next week, and after that we're heading straight into the Marineford Arc.
Big moments are coming, so stay tuned!
Thanks again for all the support!