Finally Out
The group's footsteps echoed through the narrow halls of Level 1, Crimson Hell, the last barrier between them and the exit of Impel Down. The stench of blood mixed with the tension in the air as they hurried forward, driven by the knowledge that Magellan was closing in.
Luffy's unyielding determination was evident in every move he made, though Blake could tell he was starting to feel the weight of the relentless battles and their constant flight. The others were no better off, though their resolve remained intact. Each person had a reason to escape, whether it was Luffy's drive to save Ace, Jinbei's honor, Ivankov's revolutionary mission, or the simple survival instincts of Buggy and Bon Clay.
Blake, however, was focused on adapting. He had learned much about the people around him through observation. Luffy, despite his recklessness, had an undeniable charisma that inspired loyalty in those around him. Buggy's constant complaints masked a cunning survivor who always managed to slip through impossible situations. Bon Clay, with his flamboyant personality, brought unshakable loyalty and optimism to the group, despite the odds. Ivankov was a wild card, someone who combined flamboyance with deadly seriousness, never backing down from a fight.
As they pushed through the bloodstained floors, Blake absorbed these dynamics, his mind constantly processing the situation. Each step brought them closer to freedom, but also closer to the looming threat behind them—Magellan's deadly poison.
The group had fought through countless guards, dealt with wild beasts, and narrowly avoided the traps that Impel Down had thrown at them. Yet, as they moved toward the final corridor, Blake could feel the pressure mounting. Magellan was no ordinary warden—he was relentless, and his poison would soon fill the air.
They had only just managed to delay him with Mr. 3's wax walls in earlier levels, but Blake knew that solution wouldn't hold forever. His mind worked quickly, strategizing their next moves. It wasn't about brute force—it was about outsmarting the enemy, playing to their strengths, and avoiding unnecessary risks.
"Magellan's getting closer," Blake muttered to himself, though Luffy, who was right beside him, caught the words.
The air grew heavier as they neared the final stretch. Ahead, the exit to Impel Down beckoned, but Blake sensed something wrong. The guards were gathering in larger numbers, their stances tense as if awaiting orders. He quickly calculated the odds—Magellan must have ordered reinforcements here, a last-ditch effort to stop their escape.
Luffy, always at the front, clenched his fists, ready to charge. "We're not stopping now!"
But Blake quickly assessed the situation and realized a frontal attack would only slow them down further. They didn't have time for that—not with Magellan behind them.
"Hold on," Blake said, grabbing Luffy's arm before he could leap into battle. "If we rush in, we'll be fighting on two fronts—Magellan behind us and guards ahead. We need to thin them out without getting surrounded."
Luffy gritted his teeth but nodded, his trust in Blake growing with every decision they made together.
Blake turned to the rest of the group. "We can't fight them all head-on. Buggy, Bon Clay, distract them—draw them into a smaller area. Luffy, Jinbei, and Ivankov, hit the ones that break off. We need to punch a hole through their defenses, not get tangled up."
Buggy's face paled at the suggestion. "Me? Why do I always get stuck doing the dangerous stuff? I'm not a hero—I'm a pirate captain! I didn't sign up for this!"
But Bon Clay, as always, was quick to encourage him. "Oh, Buggy-chan! Don't be so dramatic, swan! We'll dance our way through this, just like we've done every time!"
Buggy groaned but nodded reluctantly. He knew better than to argue when he didn't have a better plan.
With Blake's strategy in place, Buggy and Bon Clay created a noisy distraction, using their flamboyant personalities and antics to draw the attention of the guards. The soldiers, confused by the sudden chaos, broke formation, some rushing to deal with the duo while others hesitated, unsure how to handle the unpredictable attackers.
That was the opening Blake had been waiting for.
"Now!" he called.
Luffy and Jinbei surged forward, cutting through the fractured lines of guards. Ivankov unleashed powerful blows, sending soldiers flying in all directions. The confusion and chaos that Buggy and Bon Clay had sown allowed the rest of the group to break through, carving a path toward the exit.
Blake stayed back, his sharp mind focused on making sure no one was left behind. Every step had to be calculated, every movement precise. They couldn't afford mistakes now—not when freedom was within reach.
As they pushed closer to the exit, Blake noticed something—a shimmer in the air, faint but unmistakable. His heart sank. The poison had started to spread. Magellan was closer than they thought.
"We don't have much time," Blake muttered, picking up the pace.
Ahead, the exit loomed, but the poisonous gas creeping into the corridors was starting to fill the space. The guards, sensing they were outmatched, began to retreat, but the poison would soon make that unnecessary. Magellan's final trap was falling into place.
"We need to move now!" Blake shouted.
Luffy, always driven by action, nodded. "Let's go!"
The group moved as quickly as they could, but Blake's mind raced. The poison was spreading faster than they could run, and they would need more than just speed to get through it.
Buggy let out a wail of panic, waving his arms frantically. "This is it! I knew we wouldn't make it! We're going to be poisoned, and it's all over!"
Bon Clay, ever optimistic, twirled dramatically. "Don't give up, Buggy-chan! We've come too far to be stopped by a little poison, swan!"
But Blake wasn't willing to leave things to chance. He quickly scanned the surroundings, searching for anything they could use to delay the gas.
"Mr. 3!" Blake called out, his sharp mind seizing on an idea. "Can you create another wax barrier? We need to block the poison for just a few seconds."
Mr. 3, already panting from the earlier efforts, nodded hesitantly. "I'll try, but it won't hold for long."
"That's all we need," Blake said.
With a grunt, Mr. 3 formed another wax wall, sealing off the corridor and slowing the advance of the poison. It wouldn't last, but it bought them precious seconds—enough time to reach the final door.
"Move!" Blake shouted.
The group surged forward, sprinting toward the exit. The cool sea breeze hit their faces as they burst through the final gate, the fresh air a stark contrast to the suffocating heat and poison that had filled the depths of Impel Down.
They had made it.
The group emerged from the dark halls of Level 1, stepping into the open air at the entrance of Impel Down. The transition from the dim, oppressive prison to the bright, open sky above was almost jarring. Blake squinted for a moment, the brightness catching him off guard.
As his eyes adjusted to the sunlight, something new came into focus. The world around him, bathed in light, became incredibly clear. Every detail—the sharp edges of the marine warships docked nearby, the faint lines of marines scattered across the deck, even the distant horizon—came into crystal focus. It was only now, under the bright blue sky, that Blake truly realized how powerful his vision had become.
The ability granted by the Heimdall card wasn't just useful in the dark depths of Impel Down—it was even more overwhelming in the light. His dynamic sight allowed him to see far ahead, picking out details and movements that the others wouldn't notice. It wasn't just heightened awareness; it was like seeing the world in another dimension.
"Let's go!" Luffy shouted, already moving toward the scattered marines guarding the docks.
Blake shifted his focus back to the task at hand. They had no time to dwell on his abilities—there were only a few marines left guarding the entrance, and they needed a way out.
Luffy wasted no time. With a quick burst of speed, he launched himself into the small group of marines, taking them down with ease using his Gomu Gomu no Gatling. Jinbei followed closely behind, his powerful strikes sending the remaining marines crashing to the deck.
It was over in seconds.
Blake stepped forward, calm as always, observing their surroundings. The dock was clear, and their escape route was laid out before them: a Marine warship anchored just ahead. They had no choice but to take it if they were going to escape the fortress of Impel Down.
"This ship will get us out of here," Jinbei said, his voice steady as he gestured toward the warship. "We'll use it to make our way toward Marineford." Blake nodded, already calculating the next steps.
The group wasted no time. Luffy, Ivankov, Buggy, and the others scrambled aboard the ship, while Jinbei took charge of steering the warship away from the dock. Within minutes, they were pulling away from the entrance of Impel Down, the massive structure shrinking in the distance as they sailed out into the open sea.
As they sailed further from the prison, Blake's sharp vision caught something in the distance—massive gates looming on the horizon. They were far off, almost two hours away, but to Blake's eyes, they were clear as day. The enormous iron gates stood between them and the path to Marineford.
Blake's mind immediately began to work, piecing together what he had seen back inside Impel Down. He remembered the last moments before they had left the first level. Bon Clay had lingered behind, staying back as the group made their way out. At the time, Blake hadn't given it much thought, but now, with the sight of the gates ahead, everything became clear.
Bon Clay stayed to open the gates.
It wasn't an emotional realization, simply a logical one. Blake had noticed the layout of the prison, and now he understood the mechanics behind it. The gates could only be opened from inside, and Bon Clay had taken it upon himself to stay behind and ensure the group's escape.
Blake remained silent, his mind calm as he processed the information. There was no need to share it with the others just yet. His focus was now on the journey ahead—getting past the gates and heading toward Marineford.
The warship cut through the waves, heading straight for the massive gates that Blake had spotted in the distance. The others on the ship were unaware of the critical role Bon Clay had played, still focused on the task of reaching Marineford in time.
As they sailed, Blake remained near the edge of the ship, his sharp eyes always scanning ahead. His calm presence radiated across the deck, even as the tension of what lay ahead loomed in the background. They were moving toward a larger battle, and Blake knew the challenges were far from over.
But for now, they were free of Impel Down, and that was the first step.