From Rolan's understanding of Akainu, he knew the Marine Admiral had no good intentions in taking Ace away this time around. Didn't the devastating blow that Whitebeard received at the hands of the Great Vortex Spider in the original timeline come from Akainu's actions? It had to have been designed as part of a larger trap against Whitebeard.
Without overthinking it, Rolan said to Luffy and Jinbe, "Let's go, we will leave Impel Down first."
Yet Rolan's easy movement through the cells and the effortless way he unlocked Jinbe's restraints shocked the prisoners around them. These men had given up hope of escape long ago, but right now the flame of freedom blazed within them once more.
"Hey Your name is Rolan right Can you let me out too"
"Lord Rolan let me out and I will sweep the yard for you"
"Rolan you are my Captain now quickly get me out"
"Rolan help me undo my chains and I will introduce you to my sister"
Voices erupted around him. Rolan frowned deeply. He originally did not want to bother with these scum. But freeing them would divert the Marines' attention and make it easier for him to act.
"Luffy Jinbe wait here for me," he said without expression.
Rolan vanished from sight. Luffy and Jinbe exchanged a look, both a bit confused.
Soon he reappeared holding a heavy ring of keys. He tossed them into a nearby cell and said flatly, "Free yourselves you scumbags."
"Quick quick undo my handcuffs now"
"Oh Lord Rolan you are my benefactor"
"Rolan your mercy I Rion will never forget"
Ignoring all the noise behind him Rolan guided Luffy and Jinbe toward the passage leading to Levels Five and Six.
A voice cut through the chaos.
"Rolan Hahaha just a yellow‑haired kid" said a tall man with spiky yellow hair as he watched Rolan's back.
Rolan turned his head slowly. His eyes narrowed the instant he recognized the figure.
"Douglas Bullet," Rolan said.
Bullet raised an eyebrow with a hint of emotion. "I never thought after twenty one years someone would still remember me," he said with amusement.
It had been nearly twenty one years since Bullet had been imprisoned in Impel Down. The young man in front of him looked no older than twenty five.
Rolan glanced at him with contempt.
"What" Bullet's eyes widened. "Hahaha it seems this World has been too quiet too long almost forgetting what strength truly is."
As his voice faded a powerful aura erupted around him sweeping outward with unstoppable force. Level Six trembled under its weight.
Sure enough Level Six housed only the strongest criminals; not a single one lost consciousness in the oppressive pressure. They simply stared dumbfounded as Bullet released Conqueror's Haki.
"Conqueror's Haki"
"Who is this man"
"He was deep inside when I arrived"
"So strong"
"Douglas Bullet is he the one called the Demon's Heir"
"Who"
"He once sailed with Gol D Roger"
"That is a legend I never thought he would be here in Impel Down"
Rolan shook his head with disinterest. "He really thinks of himself as a legend," he muttered.
Before his voice faded Rolan released his own Conqueror's Haki. The atmosphere around him rippled as his presence spread through every corner of Level Six.
Those who had barely endured Bullet's Haki collapsed into peaceful sleep under Rolan's more dominant presence.
"This Rolan has Conqueror's Haki"
"Such powerful pressure"
"Can someone this young truly be this strong"
Rolan's Haki pressed against Bullet like an iron fist squeezing the air. Bullet staggered as he was overwhelmed by Rolan's force. He had not expected this.
His own Conqueror's Haki was powerful yet Rolan's presence completely overshadowed his.
Luffy's eyes widened in shock at Rolan's strength; silently he stared, impressed beyond words.
Jinbe's eyes grew round with respect: as expected of the strongest man in the World the power is terrifying.
Rolan let out a low chuckle at Bullet's expression "What the Demon's Heir who claims to seek only the strongest afraid now"
Bullet's face flushed with anger "You brat you were not even born when I was sailing the seas"
Then suddenly he lunged at Rolan. His fist coated in Armament Haki as black as ink shot toward Rolan in a blink.
Rolan responded coldly. He focused Armament Haki on his own fist and met Bullet's blow head on.
Bang Their fists collided jarringly shockwaves spread outward cracking the ground beneath them.
For a moment neither man gave ground. But then Bullet was thrown backward like a cannonball.
Bang His body slammed into the stone wall, leaving deep fractures from the impact.
Bullet looked up at Rolan in disbelief. That blow had been his full strength and yet it did not force Rolan back at all. Instead it was Bullet himself who was sent flying.
"Rolan"
Rolan had no interest in further words. With practiced precision he used Electromagnetic Instant Transmission to appear right in front of Bullet once more.
Rolan wrapped his right fist in Conqueror's Haki lightning flickered red and black around his knuckles.
He punched toward Bullet's face. Bullet's pupils constricted. He had certainly not expected Rolan's speed to be so lethal. In panic he raised his arm to block.
Their fists met again. The force behind Rolan's punch was unstoppable. Bullet's arm groaned and then snapped inch by inch beneath that crushing power.
The momentum carried the blow straight through Bullet's shoulder.
Bang With a thunderous crash the wall behind Bullet exploded inward and he was hurled through it into another section of the prison.
Agh pfft A thick mouthful of blood spurted out as Bullet stared at Rolan in stunned agony.
He had never experienced such a humiliating defeat. Not even at the height of Roger's era had he been crushed like this.
He had expected Rolan to be strong but not like this not someone who seemed to come from another dimension entirely.
The prisoners around them were speechless. They had expected such a legendary figure to dominate but instead be defeated instantly by this young man named Rolan.
"So so strong"
"S amazingly powerful"
"What exactly is this Rolan Why is he this strong"
"The strongest in the World must be like this right"
"Good thing we did not provoke him"
Rolan withdrew his fist without another word. His figure vanished from sight as easily as smoke.
"Rolan wait I will surpass you one day"
Bullet's voice rang out behind him.
Rolan reappeared beside Luffy and Jinbe. "Let's go."
Jinbe looked at Luffy with solemn respect. "Luffy Ace often spoke of you"
Luffy's expression turned serious. "Then we have to go after Akainu now without wasting time."
Rolan nodded coolly toward them as they continued their march through the twisting corridors of Impel Down.
===
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