Racing against the clock

The chaos in Impel Down had reached its breaking point. The sounds of prisoners rioting, guards scrambling, and distant explosions reverberated through the stone walls as Blake and the group made their ascent from Level 6. Their escape was now in full motion. Blake moved with purpose alongside Luffy, Jinbei, Ivankov, and the others, his expression calm, though his mind worked quickly.

They had arrived too late to save Ace from being transferred to Marineford, missing him by just hours. Luffy's frustration was palpable, and while Blake remained outwardly composed, his thoughts raced. With Ace on his way to execution, their priority was now escaping the prison before Magellan caught up to them.

They moved swiftly through Level 5, the freezing cold biting at their skin. Despite the chill and the enemy forces closing in, the group pressed on, knowing Magellan's wrath was following them. Blake stayed toward the back of the group, his Heimdall card-enhanced vision allowing him to scan for danger and keep track of any threats.

As they reached Level 4, Blazing Hell, the heat hit them like a wall, a stark contrast to the icy depths below. The sea of boiling blood bubbled in the distance, and guards rushed in, attempting to intercept their escape.

Luffy charged ahead, fists flying, with Jinbei and Crocodile close behind. The battle between the prisoners and guards intensified, the sounds of clashing metal echoing across the burning prison. Blake, however, hung back, his eyes scanning their surroundings, aware that the real danger was not just the guards—it was Magellan, lurking somewhere behind them.

"Stay close to the walls," Blake instructed, his voice cutting through the noise. "The guards are herding prisoners toward the center. It's a trap."

Crocodile's eyes glinted with amusement. "Not bad for someone who's been locked away in Level 6."

As they moved into Level 4, near the entrance of Level 4, the group came to a sudden halt. A wave of tension rolled through the air as the large, unmistakable silhouette of Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard—appeared before them. His crew stood behind him, eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

Luffy's eyes widened in shock, rage boiling up within him. "You...!" His fists clenched, and it was clear that Luffy was ready to charge straight into battle, his body trembling with anger.

Blake watched carefully, stepping closer to the front, his mind working rapidly. He didn't knew this man's name but he could feel the cold and sinister calculation behind Teach's smile.

Blackbeard spread his arms wide, grinning. "Straw Hat Luffy... what a surprise. Looks like fate brought us together again."

The tension was palpable. Luffy was barely holding himself back, and even Jinbei and Ivankov looked on warily. But Blackbeard made no move to attack. He seemed almost amused, savoring the moment.

Before Luffy could lunge forward, Jinbei stepped in front of him, his voice calm but firm. "Luffy, this isn't the time. If we fight here, we'll be playing right into Magellan's hands."

Luffy gritted his teeth, glaring at Blackbeard, but Jinbei's words held him back. They didn't have time for a fight—not now. Not when Ace was still at risk.

Blackbeard let out a booming laugh, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Looks like you're in a hurry, Straw Hat. No need to worry, though—I have my own business here." His gaze turned toward the chaos erupting in the prison, clearly unfazed by the danger that surrounded them.

Ivankov, however, narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here, Teach? You don't belong in this prison."

Blackbeard grinned but said nothing, his intentions still unclear. It didn't matter. Whatever he was planning wasn't their concern—for now.

"Let's go," Blake said, his voice cutting through the tension. "We don't have time for this."

Luffy, after one last glare at Blackbeard, nodded reluctantly. The group moved forward, leaving the grinning pirate behind.

As they pressed on through Level 4, Blake's enhanced senses picked up the familiar scent of something toxic—poison. It lingered in the air, faint but unmistakable. Magellan was getting closer.

"Magellan's near," Blake warned, his voice calm but urgent. "We need to move faster."

Luffy and the others redoubled their efforts, but as they neared the upper levels, the poison became more pervasive, spreading through the air like a creeping fog. Blake's eyes darted around, searching for a solution.

"We can't fight him directly," Jinbei said, his brow furrowed in thought. "Magellan's poison will overwhelm us."

Blake nodded, his mind racing. "If we can slow him down, we might buy ourselves time to escape."

It was at that moment that Mr. 3—who had been tagging along in the chaos—stepped forward, his voice laced with urgency. "I have an idea!" he called out, waving his hands.

Luffy turned to him, his face still tense with frustration. "What is it?"

"I can make wax walls! They'll block the poison!" Mr. 3 shouted, his hands already forming the thick white substance.

Blake's eyes sharpened. It was a simple solution, but it could buy them precious seconds. "Do it," he said, his voice firm.

Mr. 3 didn't hesitate. With a flurry of movements, he created massive walls of wax that sealed off parts of the corridor behind them, preventing the poison from spreading further. The toxic clouds swirled against the wax barrier, but for now, it held.

"That should hold him for a little while," Mr. 3 said, panting slightly as he finished his work.

Blake gave a brief nod. "Good. Now let's move."

The group surged forward, racing up toward the higher levels with renewed determination. Magellan's presence still loomed behind them, but the wax walls had bought them time—just enough time to escape his immediate reach.

As they reached Level 3, Starvation Hell, the scent of Magellan's poison faded, though they knew it was only a temporary reprieve. They could hear the distant roars of Magellan and his forces, but Blake knew they were far enough ahead now to make their next move.

With every level they ascended, the danger grew, but so did their resolve. The prisoners they had freed joined the fight, creating chaos throughout the prison, dividing the guards' attention. Blake's keen eyes remained sharp, constantly scanning for potential threats.

Luffy looked back at Blake, his eyes filled with determination. "We're getting out of here. I'm not stopping until I save Ace."

Blake nodded, his own resolve matching Luffy's. "Then let's keep moving."

___________________________________

Blake moved alongside Luffy, Jinbei, Ivankov, Buggy, and Mr. 2 Bon Clay through the scorching depths of Level 3, Starvation Hell. His senses were on high alert, absorbing everything around him. He had spent the past few hours gleaning as much information as he could. Luffy's desperation to save Ace, Ivankov's leadership, Buggy's endless complaints, and Bon Clay's loyalty to Luffy—they were all pieces of a puzzle that Blake was slowly piecing together.

He still had no idea how he ended up in this place, in this body. The name "Blake D. Flame" was the only thing he knew about himself, and from the reactions of those around him, it was clear that the name carried weight. Yet he remained silent, listening more than speaking, observing how each individual moved and reacted to the situation.

The sounds of fighting and explosions echoed through the corridors, signaling the widespread chaos that now engulfed Impel Down. Blake could feel the tension mounting with each step they took toward escape.

As they neared the passage leading out of Level 3, Buggy let out a loud groan, waving his arms in frustration.

"I knew this was a bad idea!" Buggy whined, his face contorted in exaggerated fear. "We're heading straight into our graves! Do you even know what's waiting for us up there?!"

Blake glanced at Buggy, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had quickly learned that Buggy's personality was a mix of cowardice and luck, though beneath the surface, there was a cunning survivor. Blake said nothing, letting Buggy's words flow through him as he processed the potential danger ahead.

Mr. 2 Bon Clay—or Bentham, as Luffy affectionately called him—was the complete opposite. Always full of energy, full of hope, and above all, loyal to Luffy. Bon Clay twirled around, striking a dramatic pose, his voice booming with exaggerated confidence. "Oh, Luffy-chan, don't you worry! We will blast through this place with elegance and grace, swan!"

Blake couldn't help but notice the dynamic between the two—the dramatic and flamboyant Bon Clay versus the panicked, self-preserving Buggy. Yet, both seemed to have survived thus far, even in a place as deadly as Impel Down.

Ahead, Luffy's fists flew as he smashed through the guards blocking their path. Jinbei and Ivankov followed closely, clearing the way with precision and skill. Blake stayed toward the back, silently analyzing the situation, picking up on every detail, every piece of information that might give him an edge in this strange new world.

As they pushed further through Level 3, Blake's enhanced senses—courtesy of the Heimdall card—picked up something off. The air ahead seemed different, almost thick. His eyes narrowed, honing in on the subtle shimmer of gas that was beginning to seep into the corridor.

"Wait." Blake's voice was calm but firm, cutting through the noise of battle.

Luffy, already charging ahead, skidded to a stop, turning to look at Blake. "What is it?"

Blake's sharp eyes scanned the area. He could see the poisonous gas slowly creeping toward them, almost invisible to the naked eye. "There's poison in the air. Wax man, block this entrance"

Mr. 3 grunted, his hands shaping the thick, white wax into a large barrier that sealed off the passage ahead. The group watched as the wax hardened, creating a temporary wall between them and Magellan's poison.

Blake's eyes remained focused on the wall, his mind calculating the next step. "It won't hold forever. We need to move fast."

Buggy, always quick to panic, immediately began flailing his arms. "Fast? Do you see what's going on here?! We're going to get caught and die! This place is a nightmare!"

Blake stayed silent, letting Buggy vent as they quickly moved toward the next corridor. His mind was racing, absorbing every bit of information he could gather. Magellan's poison was something he needed to avoid at all costs. But the fact that these prisoners could work together, even in a place like this, told him something important: survival here wasn't just about brute strength. It was about using every tool, every ally, and every bit of information to stay ahead.

As they ascended to Level 2, Wild Beast Hell, the atmosphere shifted once more. The growls of massive, terrifying creatures echoed through the stone walls, and Blake could feel the tension rising again. The beasts had been unleashed, their monstrous forms blocking the path forward.

Luffy didn't hesitate. "We don't have time to mess around! Let's get through them!"

Without waiting for a response, Luffy launched himself at the nearest creature, his fists flying with the same raw power that had carried him through countless battles before. Jinbei followed suit, his precise strikes knocking the beasts back.

Blake, however, remained focused, his enhanced vision scanning the area. These beasts were dangerous, but they were also predictable. He could see the patterns in their movements, the way they attacked in waves. The beasts were meant to overwhelm with numbers, but if they kept moving, they could slip through the gaps in their defense.

"This way," Blake said, his voice low but firm as he pointed to an opening on the right. "We can get through if we stay close to the walls."

The others followed his direction without question. Luffy's brute force and Jinbei's calm precision cleared the way, while Buggy and Bon Clay scrambled behind, narrowly avoiding the beasts' attacks.

"Oh, Luffy-chan!" Bon Clay cried out dramatically as he dodged a swipe from one of the beasts. "We're cutting it close, swan!"

Buggy was less theatrical, his face pale with fear. "Why am I still here?! I should've left when I had the chance!"

Blake paid little attention to their banter. His focus was on the exit—the stairwell to Level 1. If they could get through Wild Beast Hell, they might have a chance to escape, but the beasts were closing in fast, and Magellan's poison was still creeping through the levels below them.

As they neared the exit, another wave of guards appeared, ready to block their escape. Blake's eyes scanned the area, and he realized they were running out of time. Magellan's poison would break through Mr. 3's wax wall any minute, and the guards in front of them were preparing to close off their only way out.

Luffy, ever determined, charged ahead. "We're not stopping now!"

But Blake knew that brute force alone wouldn't be enough to get through this. They needed to buy themselves time.

Blake glanced at Ivankov, his sharp eyes betraying his plan. "You need to create a distraction."

Ivankov's wide eyes met Blake's, and after a moment of understanding, Ivankov grinned. "Oh, darling, leave it to me!" With a dramatic flourish, Ivankov leaped into action, his flamboyant attacks drawing the guards' attention away from the group.

Luffy, Jinbei, and the others followed Blake's lead, slipping through the opening in the chaos. As Ivankov held off the guards, Blake guided the group toward the stairwell, his mind already calculating their next steps.