"Uncle you really knew him?" Luffy sounded surprised after hearing what Jinbe said.
"Luffy, Ace often spoke of you in front of me," Jinbe replied, his voice calm but sincere.
He couldn't help but remember how fond Ace's expression became whenever he mentioned Luffy.
"Huh Did Ace always talk about me then badmouth me too" Luffy asked as he sprinted forward with enthusiasm.
"Not at all Luffy Ace always praised you when he spoke of you," Jinbe clarified gently.
"Oh really Then Uncle are you also going to save Ace" Luffy turned, his eyes shining with excitement.
"I am going I just want to help that person," Jinbe said, his voice firm with resolve.
Bang
Luffy punched a monster aside in his path, then grinned, "Who Ace"
Jinbe shook his head slightly, "Not just Ace Fish‑Man Island maintains its peace now largely because of Whitebeard If any Pirates travel through the Grand Line they must pass by Fish‑Man Island After the Great Pirate Era began Fish‑Man Island suffered greatly Countless human Pirates flooded in and many Marines pursued them Many fishmen and merfolk were captured and sold Into despair came Whitebeard With a single declaration 'This territory is mine' no one dared lay a hand on Fish‑Man Island again."
Jinbe paused for a moment, admiration in his voice, "Such strength I will never forget that day That man protected many islands under his name."
Luffy's eyes lit up hearing this, "Cool Whitebeard really was a good man."
Then Jinbe's tone became serious, "In this World many islands enjoy peace because of Whitebeard's reputation So Old Man Whitebeard must not fall If he dies chaos will spread once more Everyone knows a return to widespread disorder would follow The World Government must see this So even if it costs death I intend to stop this war."
Then he looked toward Rolan, "Mr Rolan I may never repay your kindness in my lifetime. You ended the suffering for Fish‑Man Island and freed me giving me the chance to repay Whitebeard's mercy If I survive this matter I will come thank you again."
Rolan regarded Jinbe with detached calm. Jinbe was a genuine man who had taken beating from prison beasts without fear of authority, even when imprisoned deep within Impel Down's horrors.
Rolan inclined his head slightly, "We'll discuss this later Right now we're going to the level between the fifth and sixth floors to find someone."
"5.5th floor" Luffy repeated in confusion "Rolan didn't you say Impel Down only has six floors How can a 5.5th floor suddenly exist"
Even Jinbe looked puzzled "Mr Rolan are you sure there's a 5.5th floor in Impel Down"
Rolan nodded, "Impel Down is vast, with large gaps between floors Some prisoners used that space to create a hidden level between the fifth and sixth floors That's where the person we're looking for is."
"This won't slow us down from saving Ace right?"
Rolan reached out and gripped Luffy by the collar lifting him into the air calmly, "Are you questioning me"
"Ah I'm going to die I'm going to die" Luffy flailed dramatically.
Jinbe watched with muted respect. Ace had spoken often of Rolan and Luffy's bond, and he understood how deep that connection ran, So he did not intervene.
Marineford Headquarters
"What Rolan and Luffy have invaded Impel Down?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku protested, slamming his hand onto the table sending papers flying "What is Rolan doing? And how did Luffy appear inside Impel Down"
Staff Officer Tsuru adjusted her glasses thoughtfully, "Could they be going to save Ace"
They knew that Rolan, Ace, and Luffy had once worked together as bounty hunters in the East Blue Yet the three had sailed separate courses and many assumed they had parted ways No one had truly examined the nature of their bond Now Rolan and Luffy's appearance in Impel Down after Ace's capture forced a re-evaluation of their connection At minimum Rolan and Luffy's relationship was more complicated than previously believed.
Sengoku lifted his Den Den Mushi, "Magellan have Rolan and the others taken drastic action"
Magellan's voice came through tense and rigid, "They released all the prisoners on Level Six!"
"WHAT" Sengoku and the staff gaped at the report They had assumed Rolan and Luffy would withdraw once they learned Ace was not there But releasing every prisoner on Impel Down's deepest level was unprecedented These criminals were powerful and notorious Many were personally captured by Marine forces or Vice Admiral Garp themselves Any of them resurfacing on the seas would cause immense upheaval Now all of them were free A tidal wave of chaos threatened the seas.
"Sigh" Sengoku exhaled heavily "Magellan if needed you may release Shiliew For now do not concern yourselves with Rolan and Luffy We cannot spare more forces here The Whitebeard conflict already drains our strength Rolan and Luffy's actions are an unexpected complication."
Magellan's voice returned, "But if Rolan and Luffy are allowed to recklessly destroy Impel Down then Impel Down's reputation is ruined."
Sengoku said, "If Impel Down is destroyed we can rebuild it I will take responsibility The priority is that none of you are lost."
Silence filled the room over the Den Den Mushi.
After a moment Magellan responded, "Understood Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Sengoku hung up, his face clouded with concern "Where is Garp"
A Marine saluted crisply "Reporting Fleet Admiral Sengoku Vice Admiral Garp is currently with the prisoner Ace."
Bang
Sengoku slammed his fist against the table once more "What is Garp doing Why can't he ever be found at crucial moments"
Tsuru lifted her coffee cup and sipped, "Ace is his grandson after all Let grandfather and grandson have their moment."
Sengoku sighed at Tsuru's words "You still indulge him so much"
Tsuru glanced toward the window, her voice drifting softly "We're all getting old."
Sengoku met her gaze with quiet understanding and said nothing further.
Impel Down 5.5th Floor — The Criminals' Paradise
Rolan and the others emerged into the strange half‑level a place born from ingenuity and desperation Hidden between the official floors it was known among those imprisoned here as the Criminals' Paradise.
"Is this Impel Down's 5.5th floor" Luffy murmured in awe scanning the bizarre assortment of cages workshops and makeshift camps that filled the space.
Rolan's expression remained unreadable as he stepped forward his eyes scanning every corner with keen calculation.