Impel Down...
Known as the greatest underwater prison in the world, Impel Down sat within the Calm Belt along the first half of the Grand Line, protected by an impenetrable web of security.
Incarcerated deep within its abyss were the world's most dangerous criminals. The prison was dark and terrifying, guarded by monstrous jailers and monitored constantly by Surveillance Den Den Mushi.
Surrounding its submerged walls, massive Sea Kings prowled the waters, earning Impel Down its reputation as an ironclad fortress.
Yet this record stood until "Golden Lion" Shiki threw Impel Down into chaos. As a legendary pirate from the same era as Roger, Shiki refused to believe that his rival could ever be captured.
Single-handedly, he invaded Marine Headquarters at Marineford to demand answers, slaughtering scores of Marines in his path.
Upon learning from Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp that Roger would be publicly executed in his hometown of Loguetown, Shiki grew infuriated.
To him, executing a conqueror like Roger in the East Blue—traditionally deemed the weakest of the four seas—was the ultimate insult to the Pirate King's legacy.
To prevent Shiki from disrupting the execution, Garp and Sengoku personally confronted him. Their cataclysmic duel laid waste to nearly half of Marineford before the golden-maned pirate was finally subdued.
Following his defeat, Shiki was shackled and thrown into the deepest abyssal floor of Impel Down: LEVEL 6, Eternal Hell!
Clearly, this was part of a grand strategic web orchestrated by the Marines. Beyond Roger and Shiki, another legendary figure sat in Fleet Admiral Kong's sights: "Red Count" Patrick Redfield!
Kong and "Black Arm" Zephyr personally led a massive force, surrounding Redfield on an isolated island. As the execution date drew near, the Marines intended to exploit the world's distracted attention to sweep up the Grand Line's most formidable pirates in one swift stroke.
However, Redfield's mastery of the sword was peerless. Even under relentless assault from two Admiral-level powerhouses, he stubbornly held his ground on the battered island.
On an isolated island somewhere in the Grand Line, Patrick Redfield stood with a cold expression. His hand gripped his rapier tightly, his body marred by multiple wounds.
While Roger and Shiki commanded massive, formidable fleets, Redfield had always been a solitary lone wolf. Now that the Marines were hauling in their net, they had no intention of letting this rival to the Pirate King slip away.
For Fleet Admiral Kong, ending the Golden Age of Pirates was his ultimate crusade. Though the Whitebeard Pirates remained untouchable for now—continually expanding their forces in the New World—the Marines had mobilized every available asset to neutralize Redfield.
Because Redfield acted alone, he was the easiest to isolate. Under a barrage of naval bombardments, Redfield fought a bitter rearguard battle, forced deeper into the island's interior. Now, surrounded by six Marine Vice Admirals, Fleet Admiral Kong, and Admiral Zephyr, Redfield faced absolute catastrophe.
"You've been trapped by the Marines for quite some time. Continue like this, and you'll be joining Roger and Shiki in Impel Down."
A sudden voice broke through the air. Redfield's rapier flashed like lightning as he spun around, his eyes locking onto the intruder's face: "Uchiha Madara?!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Redfield unleashed over a dozen blood-red sword slashes. Yet swirling atmospheric currents materialized around the newcomer, effortless dispersing the razor-sharp sword light.
"No... you're not Uchiha Madara!"
As a master of Observation Haki, Redfield's ability to read human presences was flawless. Though the person before him possessed the exact face of Uchiha Madara, their aura and demeanor were entirely different.
Seeing Redfield hold his blade, the mysterious figure spoke unhurriedly: "Since you're certain we're not the same person, can we discuss a partnership?"
"A partnership? What leverage do you bring?"
"This fruit contains the exact power you crave most."
The figure produced a Devil Fruit, causing Redfield's expression to shift dramatically. He had never imagined the legendary fruit he had sought for so long would end up in this stranger's hands.
Zoan Mythical Zoan: Bat-Bat Fruit, Model: Vampire!
Having secretly studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, Redfield's eyes burned with intense desire. The figure allowed a faint, imperceptible sneer to touch his lips, emitting an unsettling, dark aura.
Sheathing his rapier, Redfield's gaze turned dark and calculating: "What do you want me to do?"
"Eliminate the Sunagakure Pirates. They are currently heading toward Loguetown. I want you to remove that nuisance."
"Is that all?"
Though Redfield was a proud, solitary man, he had no reason to turn down such an irresistible offer. With a cold nod, he accepted the deal.
The youth bearing Madara's face let out a chilling chuckle: "Heh. Aoki Shiraishi is no simple opponent. Even as the Red Count, do not make the mistake of underestimating him."
Redfield gripped the Vampire Fruit and devoured it without hesitation. The moment he swallowed it, a burst of blood-red energy swept across the entire island!
A suffocating crimson aura condensed around Redfield, radiating a terrifying power unlike anything the world had ever seen.
In an instant, blood pooled along his rapier and burst outward, transforming into a swarm of colossal blood bats that unleashed a murderous counterattack against the surrounding Marines!
As thunder roared and lightning flashed, death energy surged across the sea. The Marines trapped on the island were plunged into a living hell, completely unable to defend themselves.
By the time Kong and Zephyr reached the inner zone, Redfield had already transformed into a giant blood-red bat, soaring into the sky and vanishing over the horizon.
"Should we return to Marine Headquarters, or proceed to Loguetown?" Zephyr asked.
"To Loguetown!"
Kong made his decision instantly. Nothing took priority over the public execution of Gol D. Roger.
Virtually no one across the Grand Line knew of the secret battle surrounding the Red Count. Like the future Dracule Mihawk, Patrick Redfield was a solitary wanderer whose movements rarely made the headlines.
Loguetown...
The town of the beginning and the end—the site where Pirate King Gol D. Roger would be executed. To ensure the execution proceeded without a hitch, the World Government deployed an overwhelming military presence.
Marine hero Garp personally anchored the defense. Joining him were Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Great Strategist Tsuru, a division of elite Vice Admirals, and Zephyr's top star pupils: Borsalino and Sakazuki.
Borsalino and Sakazuki had enlisted in the Marines together as peers. Back then, Sakazuki's overwhelming strength and ruthless performance had earned both of them the moniker of "Monsters."
However, while Borsalino was officially one of Zephyr's students, his relationship with his mentor was famously strained.
Consequently, he aligned himself primarily with Sengoku. Meanwhile, Sakazuki was already making waves on the front lines of the Marine hierarchy.
Following the death of Doberman in battle and the retirement of Stainless due to severe injuries, Sakazuki and Borsalino had been promoted early to Vice Admiral. Having recently consumed powerful Logia Devil Fruits, the two stood as pivotal pillars of the Marines' absolute power.
This lineup was formidable enough to crush any pirate crew in existence. Even if the Whitebeard Pirates launched an all-out assault, the Marines were confident in claiming victory.
Under this tense atmosphere, Loguetown braced for the day that would redefine history.
Countless Marines lined the docks and coastline.
As the warship carrying the Pirate King glided toward the harbor of Loguetown, deep beneath the ocean's surface, the Shukaku quietly emerged from the depths.
Stepping onto the deck clad in a silver captain's coat and a crisp tricorn hat, Shiraishi gazed toward the shore:
"To see the Pirate King with my own eyes... I simply wish to confirm a few theories of my own regarding the final island."
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: Patreon.com/kazama677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how quickly the tale unfolds.