"Are you thinking of doing that again... Shiryu!"
Magellan's expression was grim, not only because of Shiryu's actions but also because he had been interrupted halfway through a bout of diarrhea by the notification of the Marines' arrival.
Marine Headquarters and Impel Down were not in a superior-subordinate relationship. Including Enies Lobby, the three institutions were equal in authority, all directly commanded by the World Government.
Theoretically, Magellan's status was equivalent to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and he didn't need to personally receive the Marines.
But this time, it was a high-ranking official of the World Government who had ordered him to fully cooperate with that person's actions. Put in official terms, it meant...
Do whatever that guy says, just don't tear Impel Down apart.
...
Magellan had heard of Griffin. Defeating Shanks' crew and ending the Pirate Paradise of Hachinosu Island—his strength spoke for itself.
But was he really worth such treatment from the higher-ups? It wasn't like he had killed a Pirate Emperor.
What he didn't know was...
Ever since the decision was made, Griffin was viewed differently in the eyes of the Five Elders.
He was a future colleague who would inevitably be brought under Imu's command to control the Marines. To increase his dependence on and identification with the World Government, certain privileges could be granted in advance.
...
The Five Elders' plan to control Griffin wasn't born out of dislike. On the contrary, it was precisely because they admired him too much and considered him too important that they wanted to possess him completely.
...
—
However, upon seeing the twin swords Griffin carried on his back, Magellan misunderstood the reason for the higher-ups' special treatment.
Shiki had caused great harm to the Marines, and his damage to Impel Down was no less significant!
The first-ever escapee from Impel Down...
What a humiliating event!
When he escorted Shanks here, he had been criticized over this matter. One could imagine how many people had used it to attack Impel Down over the years.
...
Magellan secretly resolved to find an opportunity to properly thank Griffin in the future, to thank him for washing away Impel Down's shame.
Just as he was thinking this, while leading the group to the cell holding Hancock, this incident occurred!
...
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Magellan with a forced smile: "Warden Magellan, if I recall correctly, one of the original purposes of building Impel Down was to prevent Devil Fruits from falling into the hands of even more uncontrollable individuals after their users were killed."
"It seems this isn't the first time..."
"Are the criminals we Marines risk our lives to capture just toys for you to slash and kill?"
...
Unlike Vice Admiral Tsuru, who still had the mood to sarcastically criticize Magellan, Shakky, who had come along, rushed straight in and embraced the pale-faced Hancock.
"Hancock, are you alright!!"
"Shakky... how did you... and Elder Nyon, Sandersonia..."
Hancock looked around, only able to think of one possibility.
Her beautiful eyes filled with despair.
"You... were you also captured by that guy?!"
...
"No... anyway, we're here to save you. We can leave now!"
Shakky gently stroked Hancock's face, her heart aching.
In her eyes, Hancock was almost like her own daughter. Seeing this face, clearly thinner than before...
"Give me the key!"
Suppressing his anger, Griffin turned and spoke in a low voice.
...
"What… is going on?"
Feeling the killing intent locked onto him fade, Shiryu turned to ask Magellan.
Magellan's expression was grim. "I'll settle accounts with you later. Give her the key!"
...
Shiryu hesitated for a moment, then sneered coldly. "Warden Magellan, if you're going to release such a major criminal, you should at least show me the official documents."
"Impel Down isn't your personal domain! You can't just release anyone on a whim!"
...
Swish—
A chilling blade light grazed Shiryu's face, slicing off a corner of his hat brim.
Clang—
The specially crafted Sea Stone chains binding Hancock were shattered with a single slash!
...
Shiryu's pupils contracted sharply, a drop of cold sweat sliding down.
Impossible… Even I couldn't cut through Sea Stone chains of that purity!!
...
"Warden Magellan, how do you plan to deal with this guy afterward?"
Griffin lowered his sword and asked calmly.
Magellan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I will imprison Shiryu and give the Marines an explanation!"
"What did you say!"
Shiryu erupted in fury, shouting, "You're joking! Magellan, who do you think you are!"
"And you lot! I know who you are. I'll report this to the World Government! Who gave you permission to release a criminal privately?!"
"Once they enter Impel Down, they belong to Impel Down!"
"I am the Head Jailer!!"
...
"What's the use of reasoning? I just happen to want to test my swords."
Griffin drew his other sword and said indifferently, "Come on. You look like you're not convinced."
...
No… This expression is directed at Magellan. Why are you getting involved…
The killing intent from earlier was too terrifying. Shiryu's hand gripping his sword wavered uncertainly.
Noticing his hesitation, Griffin smiled.
"How about this… If you defeat me, I'll guarantee you won't be imprisoned. How does that sound?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Shiryu moved.
Without any warning, the stone tiles beneath his feet shattered as his figure turned into a blur.
The Famous Sword 'Raimei' tore through the air, piercing straight toward Griffin's throat with a shriek like a ghost's wail.
A precise, ruthless strike filled with murderous intent!!
Just as the blade tip was about to touch his skin—
Clang—
The spine of Sakura Ten precisely intercepted the thrusting blade tip.
Shiryu gripped his sword with both hands, yet the force he exerted couldn't overcome Griffin's single-handed strength.
This man's strength surpasses mine!!
Shiryu immediately realized the gap in power. His wrist sank, shifting from a thrust to a slash.
The long blade carved out a vicious semicircle, aiming for Griffin's abdomen.
At the same time, he caught sight of Vice Admiral Tsuru and the others retreating expressionlessly from the corner of his eye.
...
What does this mean…
Are you all so sure I'll lose?!
Don't look down on me!!
Fueled by rage, Shiryu's strength surged even more.
Clang—
Almost identical to before.
The spine of the other sword, Kogarashi, happened to be positioned exactly in the path of the slashing blade.
It was as if Griffin had placed the sword there first, and Shiryu had simply slashed into it.
...
The gap in swordsmanship is too vast…
Even Magellan, who wasn't skilled in swordsmanship, could see the enormous technical disparity between the two.
After all, he's the man who obtained those two swords… Shiryu, haven't you recognized them yet?
...
Not just strength… his swordsmanship is also above mine…
Realizing this, Shiryu sank into even deeper fury.
Especially when he met Griffin's indifferent eyes.
With a low growl, inky black Armament Haki coiled around Raiju, the long blade emitting a deep hum.
"Don't look down on me... you bastard!!"
——
Swish swish swish swish swish swish————
Raiju transformed into a curtain of blades, a storm of blood and gale, descending to envelop everything.
Slashing attacks like a torrential downpour, impossible to evade—this was the origin of the title Shiryu of the Rain!
...
Facing this frenzied curtain of blades, Griffin made his move.
There was no passionate exchange of blows. Griffin lowered his stance, his twin swords thrusting forward at an impossible angle, piercing through the seamless curtain of blades.
The approaching blades were like venomous snakes baring their fangs, lethally dangerous.
Shiryu maintained his slashing posture, retreating step by step until his back hit the prison wall, with nowhere left to retreat.
The ferocity buried deep in his bones erupted. He swung his blade, charging head-on toward the twin swords.
"Die!!!"
Even if it meant being impaled by the twin swords, he would sever Griffin's head!!
In terms of physique, I surpass you!
I can withstand such damage!
——
——
Clang——
No longer a crisp sound, a dull snapping echoed in the cramped space.
Shiryu remained frozen in his downward-slashing posture, his furious expression rigid.
Half of his blade clattered to the ground, while the tip of Sakura Ten, dark and unadorned, rested steadily, gently against the skin of his forehead.
A chill colder than the Freezing Hell of Impel Down pierced his nerves.
Strength, swordsmanship, even the weapons themselves.
The gap was far greater than he had imagined.
Defeated...
Not a narrow loss after a hard-fought battle, but a complete, overwhelming, almost humiliatingly swift defeat!!
A crimson glint flashed in the dark prison. Once again, Shiryu felt that extreme, maddening killing intent.
"I happen to need someone to steer the ship. From now on, you follow me."
Not a request, but a command.