Hell Unfolds

Blake had spent three days confined to the deepest part of Impel Down, the infamous 6th level known as Eternal Hell. Each day had been spent training, testing the limits of his newfound abilities. The Hanataro Yamada card had restored much of his strength, while the Heimdall card sharpened his vision, allowing him to observe his surroundings with eerie clarity. Even in the darkness, Blake could see the faintest movements, the smallest details. His senses had become a weapon, and he had trained his body as best as he could in the confines of his cell.

Three days passed in near silence. The guards rarely ventured down here, and the other prisoners were either broken or quietly biding their time. But Blake had no intention of rotting away in this hellhole. He kept his cool, always watching, always calculating.

That's when he heard it—footsteps. Not the usual patter of guards, but a large group moving through the lower levels, their voices carrying in the cold, damp air.

Blake leaned against the wall, his enhanced vision focusing on the faint torchlight flickering at the far end of the corridor. Something was happening, something important. His sharp ears picked up snippets of conversation.

"…Whitebeard's second division commander…"

"…Ace, huh? We'll see if Whitebeard can save you now…"

Blake's eyes narrowed. Whitebeard? The name triggered a flicker of recognition, though it didn't mean much to him personally. But the way the guards spoke the name with such disdain told him all he needed to know—this was someone important. And the man they were escorting, this Ace, was at the center of it all.

Moments later, the group emerged from the shadows, led by none other than Magellan, the hulking warden of Impel Down. Beside him, bound in heavy chains, was a man with wild black hair and burning eyes—Portgas D. Ace. The name echoed through the hall as the prisoners began shouting, jeering at Ace. Some called him a "son of Whitebeard," others spat insults about the coming war.

Blake's sharp mind pieced it together. Ace was a member of Whitebeard's crew, a pirate of great importance. And judging by the mention of "Marineford," it seemed Ace's capture was part of something much larger—a conflict that spanned the seas.

So, this is a world of pirates, marines, and emperors, Blake mused, his cool demeanor hiding the fact that he had just grasped a key piece of information about his new reality. A dangerous place.

The group moved on, dragging Ace toward a lower holding area, far from Blake's cell. The prisoners continued their taunts, their voices rising and falling as the procession faded into the distance.

A week later, Blake was jolted from his thoughts by a sudden surge of activity.

First, the flicker of the system caught his attention.

Quest Complete.

Reward: 50 Aether Points (AP).

Current AP: 50.

Blake barely had time to process the notification before a second commotion arose. The same group of guards from a week earlier returned, but this time, they were escorting Ace out. The prisoners erupted into mocking laughter once again, but Blake sensed something different—a tension in the air, a feeling that this was more than just a routine transfer.

Moving to the bars of his cell, Blake watched intently as Ace passed by, his face set in grim determination. There was no fear, only resolve.

This was no ordinary transfer. Something big was coming.

As Ace passed by, a few prisoners muttered words that piqued Blake's interest.

"Heading to the execution grounds…"

"…Marineford's going to be a bloodbath…"

Blake's eyes flicked toward Ace's chains, then to the man himself. So, this wasn't just about one man. It was about something larger—an execution, a war, a battle that would shake the world.

Blake remained quiet as Ace was led out of sight, but now his mind raced with a new urgency. This world is more dangerous than I thought. And if there's a war on the horizon... I need to be free before it happens.

Two hours had passed since Ace's departure, and the atmosphere in Impel Down had grown tenser by the minute. The quiet that had defined the 6th level was now replaced with the echoes of distant fighting, explosions, and the unmistakable sounds of chaos.

Blake had sensed it coming. His enhanced vision had picked up the distant movement of prisoners and guards clashing above, the vibrations of battle reverberating through the stone walls. Whatever was happening, it wasn't small—and it was getting closer.

Moments later, the sound of footsteps thundered through the corridor, followed by the sharp clang of metal and shouts echoing through the once-still air. Blake moved toward the bars of his cell, his eyes narrowing as a group of figures burst through the entrance to Level 6.

At the front was a young man in a tattered red vest and straw hat, his face set with determination—Straw Hat Luffy. Flanking him were several formidable individuals: The flamboyant and striking Ivankov, and a handful of others who fought their way down with single-minded purpose.

Blake's picked up their frantic conversation as they made their way deeper into the level, just missing Ace by hours.

"We're too late!" Luffy's voice carried through the air, thick with frustration. His fists clenched at his sides, his face etched with urgency. "Ace… they already took him! We're so close, and we missed him!"

Blake could see the frustration burning in Luffy's eyes, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. He had missed Ace's transfer by mere hours, and it was clear that Luffy's purpose in Impel Down was tied to his brother's rescue. The tension in the group was palpable, but they couldn't afford to dwell on what had just slipped through their fingers. Escape was still a priority.

It was Jinbei who spoke next, his deep voice reverberating through the hall. "Ace has been taken to Marineford, and with Whitebeard on the move, a war is coming. But we still have a chance to make a difference. Let me out—I can help you. If we work together, we might still be able to reach him in time."

Luffy turned to Jinbei, the frustration still etched in his features, but there was hesitation. The fish-man's words carried weight. He was no ordinary prisoner, and Blake could see that Luffy recognized this. But before Luffy could respond, Ivankov stepped forward, his long eyelashes fluttering as he surveyed the situation.

"We'll need all the help we can get, Luffy-boy," Ivankov said, his voice smooth but serious. "Escaping from this level won't be easy, and even if we do make it out, getting past the higher levels is going to be a nightmare. The warden, Magellan, won't let us go without a fight. And that's not to mention the forces waiting outside."

Ivankov's dramatic flair had lessened in the face of the situation's severity, and his large eyes turned toward one of the deepest cells—the cell of Crocodile. The former warlord sat chained, his cold gaze fixed on the group, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

Luffy's eyes followed Ivankov's gaze, landing on Crocodile. His jaw tightened, memories of their previous encounters clearly surfacing in his mind.

"No way," Luffy said firmly, shaking his head. "I'm not freeing him."

Crocodile's smirk widened, his chains clinking as he shifted slightly in his seat. "Still holding a grudge, Straw Hat?" His voice was calm, laced with sarcasm. "That's cute, but I think you'll find that right now, I'm your best chance at getting out of here alive."

Luffy's fists clenched tighter, his face set in stubborn refusal. "I don't need your help."

Ivankov stepped in, a dramatic sigh escaping his lips. "Luffy-boy, listen. We don't have time for grudges, as satisfying as they are. The truth is, Crocodile knows this prison. He knows Magellan, and he knows how to manipulate the chaos up above. Without him, we're going to be outnumbered and outmatched. With him… well, we might just have a shot."

Luffy hesitated, his frustration visible as he grappled with the idea. It was clear he didn't trust Crocodile—after all, this was the same man who had nearly destroyed his friend's home. But now, the stakes were different. His brother's life was on the line, and Luffy was smart enough to know that every second counted.

"I don't like it," Luffy muttered under his breath. "But if it helps us escape and save Ace, fine. I'll do it."

Ivankov's lips curled into a grin. "Smart choice, Luffy-boy. Sometimes you have to make deals with the devil to survive."

With a wave of his hand, Ivankov unlocked Crocodile's cell. The former warlord stood up, stretching his limbs as his chains fell away, his smirk never fading. "I thought you'd see reason," he said smoothly, stepping forward to join the group.

Blake observed all of this from the shadows of his cell, his mind racing. This was his opportunity. The commotion, the chaos, the tension—if he was going to escape, this was his moment.

Blake remained silent as they approached, his cool demeanor giving nothing away. He could feel the Aether Deck react as the system brought up a new notification.

New Quest: Escape from Impel Down.

Objective: Escape alongside the others making their way out of the 6th level.

Reward: Tier 4 Random Card Draw.

Stepping forward, Blake spoke for the first time, his voice cool and commanding. "You there. Let me out."

At first, the group didn't respond, too caught up in their plans for escape. But Ivankov's eyes flicked toward Blake's cell, a spark of recognition lighting up his face.

Ivankov's large eyes flicked toward Blake's cell, his expression shifting from curiosity to recognition. He took a step closer, his dramatic features settling into something more serious as he examined Blake's face.

"Those eyes…" Ivankov muttered, eyes narrowing in thought before a sudden realization lit up his features. "Blake D. Flame—now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. I thought it was just a rumor, a myth even."

Luffy and the others paused, looking over at Ivankov, who now stood right in front of Blake's cell. Ivankov's voice lowered as if addressing only himself, though everyone could hear him. "You're no ordinary pirate, are you? You're one of the last of a near-extinct race… and they say you've got powers that even the World Government fears. They locked you away because they couldn't kill you. Too dangerous, too valuable."

Blake met Ivankov's gaze, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "So it seems."

Ivankov turned to Luffy, his face alight with excitement. "Luffy-boy, we've hit the jackpot here! Do you know what this means? This guy's the real deal. Someone the World Government went out of their way to erase from history. If we're going to escape, having him with us could make all the difference."

Blake's gaze remained steady, his voice calm. "I'm not interested in staying here any longer. You're breaking prisoners out, I suggest you do the same for me."

Luffy, still focused on Ace's rescue, barely glanced at Blake before nodding. "Do it. We need everyone we can get."

With a swift motion, Ivankov unlocked Blake's cell. The heavy chains that had held him for days fell to the ground with a metallic thud. Blake stepped forward, his body free for the first time since he had awoken in this new world. He stretched his arms, feeling the strength return to his limbs.

"Welcome to the chaos, darling" Ivankov said with a grin, his voice full of amusement.

Blake gave a small nod, his eyes already scanning the corridor for the next move. He had no intention of staying behind. He was going to escape, and with the system on his side, he had every intention of surviving.

The group moved forward, now with Crocodile and Blake in tow. As they ascended through the levels of Impel Down, fighting their way through guards and prisoners alike, Blake kept his cool demeanor, calculating his every step. He was no longer a prisoner—he was a man on a mission, and nothing would stand in his way.