"Are we heading out now? We'll probably be discovered," Nelson said in a low voice inside the shadow space, frowning slightly.
There was surveillance outside. The moment they stepped out, they would be exposed. Going unnoticed was impossible. Teach and the others had already prepared themselves mentally.
No matter what, Impel Down's Warden, Acel, was an unavoidable obstacle. Once they freed Redfield, his ability would sense the disturbance immediately.
And if the surveillance Den Den Mushi outside were damaged, the entire prison would be thrown into alarm.
Their infiltration had seemed easy, but that was only because nothing had gone wrong yet. The moment something slipped, they would be discovered.
Besides, sneaking around was never Teach's style.
Since exposure was inevitable, they might as well make it spectacular.
"Then let's cause a storm," Teach said with an excited grin, clenching his fist. "We'll shatter the myth of the world's greatest prison."
"Since Captain said so, there's nothing to worry about." Nelson showed no fear. A long sword had already appeared in his hand.
"Heh… then let's go together." Redyat chuckled softly and nodded.
Their goal hadn't changed, but instead of slipping away quietly, they would fight their way out.
Teach hadn't had a proper battle in a long time.
This was the perfect opportunity.
Inside the deepest cell of Level Six, Infinite Hell, shadows spread rapidly and enveloped the entire chamber.
Three figures emerged.
Teach, Nelson, and Redyat stood before Patrick Redfield.
Silence filled the air.
This was their first face-to-face meeting.
Teach carefully observed the legendary pirate. Even now, he could feel the terrifying power hidden within that seemingly thin frame, a monster who had honed his body to the absolute limit.
Nelson studied him as well. Even as a prisoner, Redfield radiated arrogance.
Redfield lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the three men. His eyes lingered on Redyat and Teach.
Two young monsters.
He could clearly sense their terrifying strength.
One of them was his own son.
From Teach, he felt overwhelming ambition, a domineering will that burned like a dark sun. His mind-reading ability was useless against Teach.
From Redyat, he sensed something familiar, an echo of himself. Pride. Isolation. A similar aura.
"Remove the shackles," Teach said calmly.
Nelson nodded. This was his role.
He activated his domain. The power of the Steal-Steal Fruit acted upon the Seastone chains binding Redfield. One by one, the shackles vanished, stolen into his thieving space.
In an instant, Redfield was free.
"Are we going?" Teach asked casually, unsure whether he was addressing Redyat or Redfield.
"You go first," Redyat replied softly, unmoving, eyes still fixed on his father. "I'll stay a while."
"Fine. Don't be late." Teach nodded.
Some things required space.
Before leaving, Teach turned and grinned.
"But first… let's destroy those watching eyes."
The next moment...
A terrifying, abyss-like Conqueror's Haki erupted from his body.
It surged outward, upward, flooding the entirety of Impel Down.
The prison trembled.
Cracks formed in the surrounding walls under the invisible pressure.
Redfield turned his head in surprise.
The overwhelming spiritual shock crushed weaker minds instantly. More than ninety percent of the jailers and prisoners collapsed unconscious. The Military Wolves of Level Five fell one after another. The beasts of Beast Hell dropped like cut strings.
Level Four , Monitoring Room.
The surveillance Den Den Mushi had already captured the abnormal shadows in Redfield's cell.
"What's happening?"
"There's a problem in the deepest cell!"
"Notify the Warden!"
But it was too late.
Teach's Conqueror's Haki swept through.
The jailers fell.
Across Impel Down, Den Den Mushi froze mid-motion, eyes rolling back before going still.
The monitoring screens went black.
Every communication Den Den Mushi became unresponsive.
The prison's eyes were blind.
Its voice silenced.
With this level of mental shock, the Den Den Mushi would not recover for at least a day.
Marine Headquarters would not receive news in time.
And that delay was precisely what Teach wanted.
Impel Down had only one top-tier combatant at the moment.
If Marine reinforcements arrived, especially someone like Borsalino, it would complicate matters.
Teach wasn't afraid.
But tonight wasn't meant to be a full-scale war.
It was meant to send a message.
Level Four , Warden's Office.
The old man suddenly opened his eyes.
He stood.
"An enemy attack?"
This was Acel, current Warden of Impel Down.
That Conqueror's Haki did not belong to any prisoner.
It was powerful.
Domineering.
Foreign.
He picked up a Den Den Mushi.
No response.
"Damn it… who is it?!" His fists clenched, joints cracking audibly.
For over forty years he had guarded this prison.
Impel Down was his pride.
Once before, a prodigy had defected, King, an Ancient Zoan user he personally favored. That stain had already damaged his reputation.
He would not allow another.
More importantly,
Someone had infiltrated Impel Down without him noticing.
Based on the direction of the Haki, the source was below.
Level Six.
Infinite Hell.
"Not good!"
Acel rushed out.
The corridors were silent.
Jailers lay unconscious across the floor.
A handful remained standing, clutching walls and weapons.
"Warden!" Relief flashed in their eyes.
"There's an intruder," Acel said gravely. "Den Den Mushi are down. Gather all capable fighters to Level Five. Inform Magellan to seal every passage. Use broadcast for communication."
With that, he rushed toward the elevator.
The remaining jailers snapped into action.
The alarm sirens wailed.
Red lights bathed the corridors.
Level One , Crimson Hell.
A massive figure stood beneath the flickering lights.
Black uniform.
Horns.
A gas mask covering his face.
This was Magellan, Vice-Warden of Impel Down, wielder of the Poison-Poison Fruit.
"Are all Den Den Mushi unusable?" his voice rumbled through the mask.
"Yes, Vice-Warden. They all fainted after that invisible shock."
Magellan's expression darkened.
He felt it too.
This Conqueror's Haki was far more terrifying than anything he had experienced from Infinite Hell's prisoners.
But he could not act recklessly.
As one of Impel Down's strongest combatants, he had to guard the entrance.
Still, morale was critical.
"Don't panic. Warden Acel is here."
The name alone steadied the jailers.
For over forty years, Acel had been the pillar of Impel Down.
Several past riots had been crushed by his hands.
Magellan was considered his successor.
Below the Warden stood three key positions: Chief Guard , held by Shiryu, master swordsman. Chief Jailer , formerly held by King, now vacant after his defection. Vice-Warden , Magellan himself.
At that moment, the broadcast crackled:
"Vice-Warden Magellan. Enemy confirmed in Infinite Hell. Warden has engaged. Seal all passages immediately."
"Understood."
Magellan turned.
"Seal everything."
"Yes, Vice-Warden!"
The jailers scattered.
Magellan walked alone to the main gate of Impel Down.
He pushed it open slightly, revealing the dark sea beyond.
Standing there silently, he muttered:
"I will never let anyone escape Impel Down."