Chapter 64: Rescuing Jinbei and Crocodile

Crocodile had been imprisoned earlier, back when Luffy cleared the Alabasta arc. He was thrown into Impel Down by the Navy, so it was understandable that he didn't recognize Lin Yan. But just because he didn't recognize him didn't mean Jinbei didn't! Before being imprisoned, Jinbei had read about Lin Yan in the news. After all, Fishman Island had a history with the Whitebeard Pirates. The news of a new division commander in the Whitebeard Pirates was something he couldn't be unaware of.

However, seeing the newly promoted division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates appear in Impel Down, especially in the sixth level, the infamous Infinite Hell, known as the forbidden zone of the sea, even someone like Jinbei, who had seen countless storms as a Warlord of the Sea, had his expression change. Could it be... The battle at Marineford was already over? Had the Navy become so terrifying? The battle had just started, and they already swallowed up the colossal Whitebeard Pirates?

"Division Commander... what are you doing here?" Jinbei asked, trying to suppress the shock in his heart. This was simply too unbelievable, like a fantasy, unheard of. Jinbei tentatively asked Lin Yan, "Have our Whitebeard Pirates been annihilated, and everyone captured by the Navy?"

Hearing Jinbei's doubtful words, Lin Yan paused slightly, then quickly understood. "Do you have so little faith in our Whitebeard Pirates?" Lin Yan laughed and asked Jinbe. Quickly, after Lin Yan's explanation, Jinbei understood the reason. The battle at Marineford had just begun. Lin Yan and Whitebeard had split into two groups—one to face the enemy head-on, the other to launch a surprise attack on the Navy's rear. Although the surprise attack was only carried out by Lin Yan alone...

"You intend to free the prisoners and bring them to Marineford?" Jinbe quickly grasped Lin Yan's plan. "Hmph, Whitebeard has a good strategy!" Once Crocodile understood the situation, despite his arrogance and disdain, he had to admit it was a good plan. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The prisoners were already enemies of the Navy, holding great resentment. If offered freedom, few prisoners would refuse to join the battle at Marineford. Compared to the sky outside, who would want to stay in this dark and endless Impel Down to die?

For Lin Yan, he needed the strength of these prisoners. Don't be fooled into thinking he could ride a Gundam, wield Thor's power, and sweep through Marineford with Issho and the others. That was just wishful thinking. Lin Yan never underestimated the Navy. He never thought that just his group alone could take down the Navy, which had dominated the sea for over 800 years without falling! If the Navy were so easy to defeat, why did Rocks fall in the past? If the Navy were so easy to defeat, why couldn't the Four Emperors join forces and easily push over the Navy?

The Navy appeared to have one Fleet Admiral and three Admirals. But the problem was, in addition, they had many backup Admirals, each extremely powerful. And former Fleet Admirals and Admirals who had retired and hidden, providing hidden strength. Even with Issho, Ryokugyu, and Zephyr joining Lin Yan's side, it only slightly tilted the balance of top-tier combat power, easing the pressure on the Whitebeard Pirates. If a full-scale war broke out, with both sides fighting to the death, who would win was not clear-cut!

This was why Lin Yan needed the prisoners to join the battle at Marineford! Realizing Lin Yan's purpose, Jinbei clenched his fists. "Please take me along, so I can contribute to the Whitebeard Pirates!" Lin Yan originally intended to free these people. He placed one hand on the iron bars, and immediately, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was activated. The cage was melted into molten iron.

Seeing Lin Yan's method, Crocodile showed the same astonishment as Buggy earlier. "Why... can't Seastone restrict you?"

"Secret!" Lin Yan replied with a mysterious smile, not giving an answer. Simultaneously, he glanced at Crocodile and then asked, "Now, as a Warlord of the Sea, are you interested in freedom outside?"

"Interested in freedom outside?" Crocodile sneered. "Are you trying to invite me to join the battle at Marineford with your Whitebeard Pirates?"

Lin Yan nodded. "If we hadn't met, your life or death wouldn't concern me. But since we have, you're a valuable Warlord of the Sea. With another Warlord, our Whitebeard Pirates will have more security, right?"

Crocodile still sneered. "Why should I agree to help you?"

Hearing this, Lin Yan placed his hand on Crocodile's cage without another word. The next second, his cage was dissolved by Lin Yan's high-temperature lightning. Crocodile looked at the melted cage, his heart shook slightly. Then, Lin Yan's words reached his ears.

"Do you really want to be locked up here forever? Come with me. After this war, you can go wherever you want, and I won't stop you!" Lin Yan offered a reason Crocodile couldn't refuse. Crocodile fell silent. Finally, he said one word: "Alright!"

Lin Yan led the way, with Crocodile and Jinbei following behind him. If Impel Down only held major criminals of the sea, then the sixth level imprisoned only top-tier powerhouses. With the addition of these people, the pressure would shift to the Navy. But Lin Yan had no intention of releasing them. The reason was simple: the prisoners in the sixth level were hard to control! Lin Yan would rather not have uncontrollable people.

As Lin Yan searched around, a commotion broke out in the sixth level of Infinite Hell. Rather than a commotion, it was more like a quarrel.

"Damn Straw Hat kid, this is all your fault! If you hadn't beaten up that Celestial Dragon, we wouldn't be stuck in the sixth level of Impel Down!" Kid kicked a large stone, hitting Luffy square on the head with a crisp sound.

"Mind your own business!" Luffy glared angrily at Kid.

"I can't stand this guy either!" Scratchmen Apoo scowled, cursing at Luffy.

"Mind your own business!" Luffy shot back at Apoo.

"Damn it, if it weren't for him provoking the Celestial Dragon... we wouldn't have been crushed by the Admiral." Mad Monk Urouge chimed in right after.

"Mind your own business!" Luffy quickly responded.

"Let me out, let me out, I'll beat you up to vent my anger!" Jewelry Bonney, known as the Gluttonous Woman, also vented her fury.

"Mind your own business!" Luffy countered.

"According to my prediction, I shouldn't die in Impel Down..." Hawkins thought of his tarot cards.

"Mind your own business!" Luffy, losing his mind, bit at anyone who came close.

?? Hawkins: "I was just recalling my prediction, how did I offend you?"

"Damn Straw Hat!!"