Now, this stain on Impel Down's honor had finally been erased.
Though it hadn't been Magellan who personally recaptured him, the result was the same.
Deep down, Magellan even felt a flicker of... gratitude? Toward that Straw Hat brat he'd never met, and that eccentric Tyrant, Kuma.
The heavy gates groaned open, a wave of chilling air rushing out, the sound echoing through the empty corridor.
Through the gates stepped a bizarre figure wearing an Egyptian pharaoh's headdress, his face resembling a demonic Hannya mask. It was Vice Warden Hannyabal. Pointing at Shiki being carried in by the Jailer Beasts, he shrieked, "Warden! Are we not going to give the prisoner his initiation? It's the rules! Unless—is he an acquaintance of yours, Warden? If you're breaking the rules, I'm you!"
The so-called initiation referred to the mandatory processing upon entering Impel Down—disinfection, changing into prisoner uniforms, and so on. But for Level Six prisoners, it sometimes also meant a more brutal welcoming ceremony.
"Jihahaha... It's been a while. Are you itching for a beating, Hannyabal?"
Even bound in Seastone chains, Shiki shot Hannyabal a sidelong glance. The look sent a shiver down his spine.
"G-Golden Lion?!"
"Heh. That's me."
Hannyabal stumbled back several steps, cold sweat pouring down his face. "You've come back to attack?!"
Only after confirming Shiki was securely bound with Seastone did he relax.
"There's no need. In this state, he's practically half-dead. We can't risk that Devil Fruit of his getting out."
Magellan shook his head, his tone brooking no argument. "Orders from above. Direct incarceration in Level Six. Maximum security."
"Well... fine."
Hannyabal agreed readily enough. Then, as if unable to control his own mouth, he lowered his voice and muttered conspiratorially to himself: "Should I find a chance to release Golden Lion? A guy like that is bound to clash with Warden Magellan. If it damages the Warden's authority, I can seize the opportunity to boost my own standing! Take over as Warden!"
"Hannyabal. I can hear you."
A vein bulged on Magellan's forehead as he shot a glare at his subordinate.
This Vice Warden, who wore his ambition on his sleeve, could be such a headache sometimes.
"Ah! My ambition has been exposed!"
Hannyabal clapped both hands over his mouth in exaggerated horror, his eyes going wide.
"Enough. Stop wasting time. I'll personally escort him to Level Six. Open the lift."
Magellan waved his hand dismissively, ignoring his comical Vice Warden. He personally led the Jailer Beasts, escorting Shiki onto the massive specialized lift, descending toward the deepest depths of the prison.
First, they passed Level Four: Blazing Hell. That was where Magellan's office was located—also where prisoners were interrogated. The searing heat could melt the very soul.
Then came Level Five: Freezing Hell. This held prisoners with bounties exceeding 100 million berries—the highest security level among the regular floors. The extreme cold could shatter steel.
Below that was Level Six: Infinite Hell—a place unknown to the outside world. Here were truly incarcerated the most heinous criminals, those whose existence could shake the foundations of the world. This was Shiki's final destination.
The deepest level—Level Six. Infinite Hell.
Cold, damp, deathly silence—these were its eternal constants.
Every prisoner here had once been a force of nature, their names known across the seas. Their danger was so great the World Government wanted to erase all traces of their existence.
In one corner cell, for instance, was a former Warlord of the Sea who had once plotted to seize the kingdom of Alabasta—Sir Crocodile.
As fate would have it, Shiki was placed in the cell next to Crocodile's, gaining a new neighbor.
When this old familiar face was returned to Level Six, the normally deathly silence of Infinite Hell was broken by considerable commotion.
Those imprisoned here had mostly known each other on the seas, or at least heard of each other's infamy.
They were all surprised to see Golden Lion brought back.
"Golden Lion, your old bastard—what are you doing back?"
"Haha! Shiki, did that old bastard Garp catch you again?"
"Looks like your flying days are over!"
Taunting, curious, and gloating voices echoed from the dark cells.
Shiki, bound in Seastone chains, looked somewhat displeased. It was humiliating.
It wasn't Garp who had beaten him. It was Garp's grandson. That was even more shameful than being caught by Garp himself!
He stayed silent, but Magellan, who was processing the transfer, had no such reservations. During the handover, he casually mentioned Straw Hat Luffy's name.
Level Six fell silent for a moment, then erupted in laughter tinged with various emotions.
"Hahaha! You really are getting old, aren't you? Beaten by a younger generation!"
"Are these newcomers really that fierce?"
"If Golden Lion's in this state, those old geezers in Whitebeard's crew can't be far behind. The Emperors should retire."
"Don't forget, Kaido and Linlin are still in their prime. And there's the youngest one, Red Hair."
"I'm starting to think it's not that this 'Straw Hat' is so strong—it's that Golden Lion and Crocodile are just weak."
"Shut up!"
Golden Lion and Crocodile in the neighboring cells snapped simultaneously, their voices cold.
Shiki glanced thoughtfully through the ice toward Crocodile's cell, a note of realization and mockery in his voice. "Oh? That brat from Whitebeard's circle... so the one who beat you was also that Straw Hat brat."
Crocodile leaned against the cold wall, a cigar clamped between his teeth, his expression dark enough to drip water. "Shut up, Golden Lion."
The two of them didn't carry enough weight to silence everyone.
These were all big shots here—no one bowed to anyone. Soon enough, the arguments resumed.
"Hahaha! Looks like this Straw Hat brat is quite the rising star! Defeated a Warlord, then clashed with Admiral Aokiji and got away unscathed."
"And now even an old monster like Golden Lion has fallen to him!"
"Do you think this kid might challenge the thrones of those four monsters?"
"I doubt it, but we can't underestimate him either."
"You old fossils have been in here too long—you don't know how much of a splash Straw Hat has made recently. I'd put my money on Straw Hat. He's the people's choice for Emperor!"
"You're joking. Which one of them—Whitebeard, Red Hair, Kaido, Big Mom—do you think is going to be taken down? You volunteering?"
From one cell, a man with only half a face pointed at the one who had just spoken. "Those are Emperors. Stick to fighting Admirals."
"Hey. Do you think Emperors are stronger than Admirals?"
From another cell, a man gestured toward a massive block of ice nearby. "Aokiji froze that guy decades ago, and he's still not thawed out!"
The question of whether Emperors or Admirals were stronger was an eternal debate.
***
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