Impel Down Level 2.
A man coated in blood knelt on the hard stone floor, supporting himself with a heavy naginata. His chest was bare, his belly bloated like some demon's, and thick brow ridges jutted over his eyes like horns.
His breathing came in ragged gasps, his form exhausted and disheveled.
This was Hannyabal, Vice‑Warden of Impel Down.
Opposite him stood a burly middle‑aged man missing two teeth, wearing gaudy jewelry — two necklaces, bracelets, and rings on every finger. His confidence was unnerving.
This was Marshall D. Teach, the infamous Blackbeard, now invading Impel Down.
Hannyabal stared at Blackbeard with unyielding eyes, even though he was beaten, bleeding, and barely able to stand. He was like a gutted fish awaiting the final cut, yet there was no fear in his gaze.
"Even if I die I won't let you pass," Hannyabal declared, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth with each word.
Blackbeard paused for a moment, somewhat impressed.
"So you're tough aren't you All your bones must be broken yet you won't even step back"
The gap between them was absolute. From the start Blackbeard had overwhelmed Hannyabal, catching him off guard with raw power. What he had not expected was that Hannyabal would fight again and again, like an unkillable cockroach.
It fascinated Blackbeard.
Though Hannyabal was not strong by Blackbeard's standards right now he had earned a twisted respect.
"Zehahahahaha your name is Hannyabal right If you let us pass I'll spare your life"
"Hah"
Hannyabal spat blood onto the stone.
"I am Hannyabal Vice‑Warden of Impel Down You are a Pirate the scum of the world If I let you enter Impel Down and wreak havoc for my own life I would not be worthy of the title Vice‑Warden"
Blackbeard actually felt a chill — respect and amusement swirling in his gaze.
"Wee hahahaha Captain are you going soft Let me handle this" Burgess boasted as he flexed, muscles bulging.
Blackbeard smiled without haste.
"No rush Burgess Marineford is busy preparing to deal with Whitebeard They have no time for Impel Down We have plenty of time to play."
"Wee hahahaha Captain you gone soft on this guy A weakling like you I should be the Captain" Burgess teased but was cut off.
Laffitte spread his wings and stepped forward.
"Hohohoho be careful or I'll kill you You know We are the Blackbeard Pirates."
Blackbeard crouched down and looked straight at Hannyabal.
"I respect you as a man so I'll give you a swift end."
He reached for Hannyabal's neck.
Suddenly a voice broke the tension.
"Oh dodododo what do I see"
The tone was calm yet chilling, like something slithering out of a grave. It sent shivers down Blackbeard's spine.
Laffitte and the others turned their heads toward the sound.
In the corridor between Levels 2 and 3, three figures emerged.
On the left walked someone with a straw hat, in a red jacket, blue shorts, and flip‑flops.
Beside him, a large blue man in a prison uniform followed.
In the center was a man over 2.2 meters tall with jet‑black hair, wearing a white T‑shirt, gray shorts, and flip‑flops.
From this man radiated a presence so oppressive that Laffitte and the others felt frozen in place.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
As they drew closer, Laffitte and the Blackbeard Pirates' faces twisted in shock.
"God…Godslayer Rolan"
Blackbeard withdrew his hand mid‑motion and stared directly at Rolan. Sweat soaked his undershirt.
Then he forced a laugh.
"Zehahahahaha Rolan long time no see I never expected you to be in Impel Down too"
He spoke like greeting an old friend, but his eyes betrayed his panic. Rolan's aura was cold, deep... bottomless in strength far beyond even Whitebeard's.
Blackbeard knew Ace was Rolan's disciple. Blackbeard had handed Ace over to Marineford. If Rolan was just any man he might be spared. But Rolan was not.
He was a force of nature.
Hannyabal, through blurred vision stained with blood, finally recognized the man before him.
"Rolan How are you on Level 2 What did you do to Warden Magellan"
Magellan had told him over the Den Den Mushi that he intended to stop Rolan. He left Hannyabal to deal with Blackbeard and his crew. Shiliew was temporarily freed to hold back the Sixth Floor prisoners.
Yet here was Rolan, unwounded.
Clearly Magellan never met him.
Hannyabal tried to read Rolan's face for truth but saw nothing. Rolan's expression was honest, unguarded.
Perhaps Magellan really missed him Hannyabal thought.
Rolan didn't answer at first. He reached into his system space and retrieved a senzu bean. With a flick of his finger he sent it straight into Hannyabal's mouth.
"Cough cough cough what did you feed me" Hannyabal choked while gripping his neck.
To everyone's astonishment his wounds began to close. Blood stopped flowing. Flesh knitted and healed before their eyes.
Hannyabal stared, dumbfounded.
"Why save me I'm the Vice‑Warden of Impel Down I don't need charity from Pirates"
Rolan didn't react. He simply instructed Luffy.
"Keep an eye on him Don't let him interfere."
"I'm not your subordinate Rolan" Luffy protested but immediately obeyed anyway.
Rolan ignored both Luffy and Hannyabal, turning his attention to Blackbeard.
He spoke with calm precision.
"Should I call you Marshall D Teach or should I call you Blackbeard"
Blackbeard stopped laughing. The hallway became silent as every eye watched Rolan.
Rolan's presence pressed down like the weight of the sea itself.
Not a question of strength but inevitability.
Blackbeard waited a moment longer before replying.
His voice was confident but not without fear.
"Zehahaha, Rolan So you've come to reclaim what's yours"
Rolan said nothing, his quiet gaze sharp as steel.
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