Fujiwara

Free time—those rare moments when prisoners could roam within Impel Down's confines. But freedom was relative; any act of violence or violation of the rules was swiftly punished by the head guard.

Imai used the opportunity to navigate through the maze of towering inmates. Her destination was clear: the isolated cell where her target resided. As expected, a guard stood stationed outside the door, his stance rigid and unwavering.

"Can I go through?" Imai asked, her tone casual but confident.

"Name?" the guard responded flatly.

"Imai Ryujin."

He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Five minutes."

Imai smiled faintly, pushing open the heavy door. Inside, the dim light revealed a figure leaning against the wall—a breathtaking beauty whose scarlet eyes gleamed with dangerous amusement.

"Imai Ryujin," Hibiki said, her voice soft but cutting. "So your last name's changed."

"Of course," Imai replied smoothly, stepping closer. "After years in seclusion, it felt right to leave the past behind. I killed my old self, Hibiki—just as you did."

Hibiki scoffed. "Spare me the theatrics. What do you want? If you've come here to plot something, let's hear it."

"Aha, straight to the point. I've formed a crew," Imai said, her voice laced with ambition. "A crew of those worthy to stand by my side."

Hibiki's lips curled into a smirk. "Let me guess. You're here to recruit me? Pfft. Figure out how to escape first, then we'll talk."

"I already have that part handled," Imai replied coolly. "The question is, will you join me?"

Hibiki's smile didn't fade, but her eyes darkened. She motioned for Imai to come closer. As Imai complied, Hibiki's hand shot out, grabbing her collar and slamming her against the steel bars.

"You must be delusional," Hibiki hissed, her voice low but venomous. "Did you really think it'd be this easy after you vanished off the face of the earth? If this door weren't here, I'd have killed you already."

Imai chuckled, rubbing her arm where it had collided with the bars. "I expected nothing less. But aren't you tired of this place? Aren't you tired of them?"

Hibiki exhaled sharply, releasing her grip. "Of course I am. I know exactly what you're planning, but don't forget—I'm not yours to command."

"Did I ever say you were?" Imai teased, brushing imaginary dust from her shoulder. "You used to remind me I was the younger one, remember?"

"That was a long time ago," Hibiki said tersely, her gaze hardening.

"True, but some things haven't changed," Imai replied, her tone softening. "You still love the world, don't you? Back then, I admired how you saw it—how you wanted to change it. I'm doing this for you too, Hibiki. Join me, and let's make the world better together."

Hibiki closed her eyes for a moment, as if weighing the weight of Imai's words. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll join you—on one condition. I leave when I want."

"Fair enough," Imai said with a grin. "Though I should warn you, your 'vacation' here hasn't done your reputation any favors. You've made quite a few enemies since I disappeared."

"They deserved it," Hibiki snapped, her voice colder now. "Those scum tortured people and sold them like cattle. I only did what needed to be done."

"And by taking over their system, owning slaves yourself, you think that's justice?" Imai pressed.

"I treated them better than those monsters ever did," Hibiki shot back. "Shelter. Food. Safety. That's more than they'd ever known. I gave them a chance."

Imai nodded slowly. "You're still the same person I knew, deep down."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hibiki asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Before I came here, you were painted as a villain—slave owner, drug dealer, cold-blooded killer. The higher-ups rewrote your story and spread their lies. They didn't want anyone knowing the truth."

Hibiki snorted. "Typical. They'll do anything to keep their corrupt system intact. All I did was cleanse the filth they ignored."

Imai's gaze softened. "I know. I'm glad I found you again. Once we're out of here, let's sit down for a proper chat—tea and all."

Hibiki's lips quirked into a rare smile. "Why not?"

Before Imai could say more, the door creaked open. The guard stepped inside, tapping his watch. "Time's up."

By the time Imai returned to her cell, the other prisoners had already been herded back to theirs. Standing in front of her cell was Diane, her sharp eyes filled with suspicion.

"Is there something you need, Admiral?" Imai asked with mock politeness.

"Do you know her? Fujiwara Hibiki?" Diane asked bluntly.

Imai shrugged. "You could say that." Without another word, she stepped into her cell. "I'm not causing any trouble, Admiral. Relax."

Diane frowned but turned on her heel, heading toward Marineford's headquarters. Her mind churned with unease as she entered the office where Akainu and Kizaru awaited.

"Anything to report?" Akainu asked, his voice gruff.

"Ryujin and Fujiwara seem to have a history," Diane said. "Do we have any records on their past connection?"

"Momousagi is working on it," Kizaru replied.

"Gion?" Diane asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's her. She's combing through past reports and newspapers. Shouldn't be long now," Akainu said.

Diane exhaled, her unease growing. News of Imai's imprisonment had already thrown the pirate world into chaos. It was as if her very presence ignited rebellion.

Something ominous loomed on the horizon. Diane could feel it in her bones. It wasn't luck that followed Imai—no, it was something far darker.

"Or maybe," Diane muttered under her breath, "she made a deal with the devil."