Chapter 152: The new guide

Dialogue "sample"

Thoughts 'sample'

Author notes -sample-

Disclaimer: One Piece and all of its characters belong to Eiichiro Oda.

Chapter 152: The new guide

The Strawhats and their two guests were climbing what it seems like a never-ending set of stairs that were designed into a spiral shape.

"How did we end up going up? We are trying to go down!" Shouted Luffy.

Vivi shook the body of Saldeath to wake him up but got no success. She was carrying him by the back of a long white suit with his little black wings floating around.

"The little guy is not waking up so we can't ask him any questions"

"And the clown is useless at this point" Commented Sanji.

"Hey!" shouted the clown in question. "Few people have been in this level. And as far as I know, no one who has been locked this deep has ever left Impel Down alive. So, there is no information about it either".

"Mmm, maybe I can make some coin by selling a map of this place…" Considered Nami.

"There is a squad of marines waiting for us around the corner" Warned Vivi. Although the rest of the care probably noticed too at this point.

Sanji turned invisible and took off running. Mere seconds later, they started to hear some gunshots and then…silence.

Vivi noticed the little guy she was carrying starting to move.

"Oh? it seems like the gunshots did the trick."

"Uggg…my head hurts…" Spoke Saldeath. He then made a surprised expression when he noticed that he was not on the ground but was instead being carried.

"What is going on!"

The little demon twisted his head to look at the one who was holding him.

"You pirate woman! put me down this instant! I am a chief guard of Impe- ouch!" He yelped as he landed on the stairs.

"You asked me to let you down" Vivi chucked.

"Vivi, he's just a kid!." Scolded Nami.

"Are you sure of that?" She glanced at the little guy. "I don't know, he could just be a short guy…" She picked him up again.

This seemed to get the little guy very angry.

"I'm not short! I a proud member of the demon race, you useless human!."

He tried to look intimidating flailing his arms around and flapping his little demon wings while still in Vivi's grasp.

"How cute!" Nami gushed.

"Stop being so noisy you little guy!" Shouted Luffy.

"I'm gonna show you!. Let me…" He started to feel his clothes, obviously looking for something that wasn't there.

"What is that little guy complaining about?." Sanji came back and joined the conversation.

"By the way, I took down those marines. Can you believe it? they had some seastone nets!."

"Where is my trident!. You are going to pay for this!" Saldeath shouted in rage.

"What is he complaining about now?" Asked Luffy.

"It looks like he lost his toy," Vivi answered.

"Oh…that's too bad..." Nami nodded in understanding.

Saldeath face was completely red from anger.

"Is not a toy!. That is my weapon!, I use it fo-"

Vivi shook him violently to shut him up.

"Listen up. You are now our hostage. Guide us to where the prisoner named Ace is and I promise that no harm will come to you."

Saldeath frowned heavily.

"You think I am afraid of you?!. When the Chief Warden finds you, you are all going to be wishing for death!"

Vivi rose him up and held his head between her two hands, then she started to apply some pressure, making the little guy wince in pain.

"You didn't let me finish…If you refuse to collaborate…I will crush your skull…as simple as that."

"Vivi…" Nami looked with concern.

"Listen to her kiddo! One time, she ripped a man's arms with her bare hands." Warned Sanji while lighting a cigarette.

"Eh?, she did?!" Chopper exclaimed in surprise.

"You should do what she asks. Those guys are all monsters!" Shouted Buggy.

Vivi glanced at Luffy for permission to continue.

"I just want to find my brother, that's all."

She looked back at Saldeath.

"You heard my Captain. We just want to find his brother and get out of here, nothing more. But if you don't want to help us…we will have to find a different guide…" She increased her grip on his head.

"Ahhh!" He started screaming. "Fine!!!, please, let me go! I'll tell you where the prisoner is!"

Vivi let go of his head but still held him by his waist.

"Well then…start taking."

"Ugg…" Saldeath held his head in pain. "The prisoner you are looking for is locked in level 6."

"What?!" Shouted Buggy. "There is actually a level 6? I thought those were legends to scare the prisoners."

"Level 6…we are still far away." Muttered Luffy.

"I assume that we need to get to level 4 first, right?" Asked Nami.

The little demon nodded.

"If we keep going through these stairs, we will reach the other wall of the caldera that maintains the heat of the entire prison. Descending from there you will find the next level. Level 4 is where the caldera is located, that is why is called the 'Blazing Hell'. The whole level is basically on fire"

"Wait, we have to go up and then down? That doesn't make any sense, design-wise." Observed Nami.

The demon made an annoyed face. "Tsk, idiot. This is a prison!. The paths are convoluted and confusing to help prevent any escapees. The Chief Warden and high-rank personnel have access to an elevator that can travel easily and fast between levels 1 and 5. Level 6 has only one access and is difficult to get in or out of there."

They continued walking up the stairs while discussing the best way to continue.

Nami then approached Vivi and said in a low voice.

"You weren't going to actually crush his skull right?."

Vivi chuckled.

"Of course not, Nami. Don't be silly."

Saldeath heard this and breathed in relief.

"Oh…you had me worried for a moment there, you know?" Nami chuckled.

"I would have started by breaking every bone of his legs….then his arms…and then..." Vivi continued while Nami and Saldeath made some complicated expressions.

A.N - Remember to comment, vote and/or leave a review if you have the time. Those things help me a lot and I would really appreciate it.

You can Support me on P@treon if you like and get 10 advanced chapters.

-patreon.com/Kriogenix