"What?! Shiki the Golden Lion has escaped!!??"
I received the report shortly after departing Marineford, just as I was finally heading toward the East Blue again.
"Yes, sir. There is no doubt. According to the report, he engaged several jailers and Vice Warden Hannyabal, defeated them, and fled through the sky."
"What happened to the Sea Prism Stone shackles?! Weren't they on both wrists?"
"It seems he was only shackled by the legs... He cut off his own limbs to remove the chains and escape."
Dammit! I had worked myself to the bone trying to flag the danger of a jailbreak, specifically pushing for him to have his arms shackled even if he lost a leg.
I remembered he escaped by cutting off his feet, so I thought I'd relayed the concerns to Impel Down clearly enough...
"Are there any orders regarding this?"
"A search order has been issued, but the priority is low. Command judges that he won't make a major move immediately."
"...I can't just let this slide. Change course! We're heading for Impel Down!"
The East Blue would have to wait. Again.
"Understood, sir! Since Enies Lobby is close, I'll request permission from the Government to use the Tarai Current!"
First, I needed to confirm the situation at Impel Down. Then... where was it Shiki hid? Merville? Nelville? It was an island with a massive number of unique, mutated animals.
I picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"Information Bureau! This is Captain Krieg of the Independent Company, M.C. 00919!"
"Information Bureau here. What do you need, Captain?"
"I need you to look up an island. The name is something like 'Merville' or 'Nelville,' located in the Grand Line. It's characterized by high mountains and a vast number of unique animal species. Once you identify it, send me an Eternal Pose!"
"Understood. We will investigate immediately and contact you."
"Also, forward all intelligence regarding the Golden Lion to me at Impel Down. Sorry for the trouble, but I'm counting on you!"
"Roger that. The report will be sent within the next few days."
I hung up and turned to the crew.
"Listen up! This vessel is now officially hunting the escapee, Shiki the Golden Lion! Our course is Enies Lobby, then through the Tarai Current to Impel Down! Everyone, battle stations! Prepare for departure!!"
The ship suddenly became a hive of activity. I couldn't call for reinforcements yet because I didn't know if he was actually on that island, but I'd call for backup the moment I spotted him. The real question was Shiki's current combat level.
After being chained up for two years, his strength had to have dropped. If it follows the movie, he should have swords for legs now, but since he cut off his limbs at the thigh this time, it was hard to say. Either way, he had to be weakened.
I also needed permission to use my full suite of prototype armaments. They were still being tuned, so I'd have them delivered to Impel Down for pickup.
I hope Shiki doesn't remember my face from the war, I thought as we reached Enies Lobby a few days later. I felt a chill looking at the giant hole in the ocean and marveled at the sheer scale of the Gates of Justice before finally arriving at Impel Down.
Speaking of holes in the ocean, I remembered there was one in the East Blue too—the "Navel of the Ocean" or something, where a legendary treasure... a "Great Treasure"... was hidden? If I didn't forget, I'd look for it later.
Impel Down. The world's greatest underwater prison, owned by the World Government. It's treated as a class of its own.
Built in the middle of the Calm Belt and filled with Sea Kings, it was deemed "impregnable." Or it was, until now. Shiki had just shattered the absolute myth of the escape-proof prison.
Upon arrival, I spoke with Vice Warden Hannyabal, who was still recovering from the skirmish. He confirmed Shiki had retrieved his two famous katanas and escaped by severing his own legs to slip the Sea Prism shackles.
I considered investigating the cell, but when I heard he was in Level 6—the floor for the most heinous criminals—I changed my mind. Barrett was likely down there, and I didn't want him grabbing me through the bars.
Instead, I just requested a copy of the Level 6 prisoner manifest, just in case.
Scanning the list, I saw familiar names, and sure enough, Barrett's was there. I felt a wave of relief that I hadn't gone down.
Next, I checked the data sent by the Information Bureau: details on Shiki's former subordinates, his old bases, and his territories.
Finally, I checked my newly arrived prototype gear.
This was a new model. Instead of the signature gold-plated Wootz steel, it was made of a high-tech alloy, giving it a sleek, tactical gunmetal color and significantly higher defense.
The arsenal included:
Impact Gauntlets: Fitted with rare Dials from Sky Island.
Dual Sabers: Four heavy-duty swords (two on each side) built for pure durability.
The White-Tailed Mace: My 10-ton signature weapon, which I could finally handle with some degree of control.
I also distributed specialized gear to my entire platoon. If we found the Golden Lion, we weren't going to give him a chance to fly away.
I looked at the Eternal Pose the Information Bureau had delivered. The label read: "Merveille."
The Grand Line's hidden paradise that touches the clouds... Merveille.
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