The dark sixth level houses death row inmates and those with life sentences. Before imprisonment, they endure the 'baptism' of the first five levels, which weakens them, though some strong individuals don't even flinch.
Even after being imprisoned, the punishment doesn't end. Occasionally, a Prison Beast opens the cage and violently attacks the prisoners, and Magellan periodically comes down to execute some troublemakers.
As the warden, he holds the power and strength to execute prisoners at will.
However, in special cases where the baptism is not possible, they are directly imprisoned on the sixth level.
For instance, in the current state of frozen imprisonment.
This ice is not only hard but also naturally restraining, combined with the unique environment of the sixth level, it remains unchanged without external interference.
Ice, in the sixth level, doesn't melt.
After being frozen, it turns one into a perfect prisoner—silent and quiet, neither crying nor laughing.
Just like the two icebergs within that massive cell, one has been frozen for thirty years, forgotten by the world and almost by Impel Down itself.
If it weren't for a newly arrived iceberg, even Magellan wouldn't necessarily remember it.
But now, this iceberg is somewhat different.
The ice sculpture within the iceberg begins to crack; as time goes on, more cracks emerge. On the second day of imprisonment, the huge iceberg is riddled with cracks from inside.
Finally, a crevice opens, which forces others open wider, and they start to fall.
Bang...
Bang bang...
Chunks of ice continuously fall from the iceberg, hitting the cell floor, causing the massive iceberg to shrink, emitting faint sounds in the dim sixth level.
Yet it's not abrupt. Although the sixth level isn't usually bustling, it's not completely silent either.
The cells are not far apart; some are across from each other, while others are adjacent. Pirates from various seas of the Grand Line ultimately gather here, naturally sparking discussions.
The pirates who failed to challenge the Four Emperors and got captured by the Navy constitute one group.
Those who caused massive destruction and threatened the world form another.
Looters and treasure enthusiasts argue; some believe piracy is about looting, while others think seeking treasure is the pirates' romance.
There's also one who doesn't fit into either category, only interested in adventure, indifferent to everything else.
Rather than traditional pirates, they are considered 'pirates' by the World Government for illegal sailing.
Those who crave order and those who love chaos argue too; some believe order is necessary for territory, others think as pirates, order is irrelevant, and one should live freely.
Ability Users and those specializing in Body Techniques and Swordsmanship also argue.
The Ability Users believe their abilities are powerful, while those practicing Body Techniques and Swordsmanship claim they have Haki, which makes them superior!
They also argue about strength...
"I think Akainu is stronger!"
In a cell holding three men, one stands inside the bars, lifting his prison clothes to reveal burn scars on his body, "Look! Half of my body is scarred; this is what Akainu did to me, his power is the greatest on the sea!"
"Whitebeard is stronger!"
In the opposite cell, a burly man over four meters tall pointed at his twisted half-face, shouting:
"This was caused by Whitebeard's quake, Akainu is no match for Whitebeard! He would be killed without a doubt!"
"The Mag-Mag Fruit has the greatest destructive power in the world! Whitebeard can't compare to Akainu!"
"Damn it! Whitebeard is the strongest man in the world; he can certainly defeat Akainu!"
So, the two cells began arguing.
Of course, there are different opinions too.
"I think Garp is very strong."
Someone in a neighboring cell stepped forward, stretching a hand through the bars, saying: "That guy's fists hurt a lot. I thought he was weak from age, but he's still very strong, maybe if he was younger, he could defeat Kaido!"
"Ha! That's Kaido we're talking about!"
The opposite cell let out a cold laugh: "Kaido, the world's strongest creature on land, sea, and air! No one can defeat him, not Garp, Akainu, or Whitebeard, none of them, Kaido is the strongest!"
"Garp is the Navy Hero, even though he's the enemy, I admire him. After all, he caught Roger! Compared to him, Kaido might be weaker!"
"I think Big Mom is the strongest, you don't understand the terror of that woman!"
"Tch, being impervious to swords and guns is nothing; Kaido's body is just as tough!"
"Shut up! Whitebeard is the strongest on the sea!"
"I think Akainu has the highest attack!"
"Kaido!"
"Big Mom!"
"I still believe in Garp!!"
Bang!
Amidst the noise, a prisoner not far from these cells banged on the bars with his shackles, saying: "I think Roger is the strongest. The guys you're talking about were just starting out when Roger became famous!"
This is a prisoner who has been incarcerated for at least twenty years.
"If you put it that way, then I think it's Rocks."
There are quite a few prisoners in the sixth level who have been imprisoned for at least twenty years.
Some are familiar with Roger's famed era twenty years ago, and naturally, some know of the true Pirate Overlord of that period, Rocks.
"Eh? If you put it that way, doesn't that make Garp, who caught Roger and defeated Rocks, the strongest on the sea?"