Chapter 162: Level 5.5 of Impel Down

Under the moonless night—

El's flaming aura blazed behind him, marking his exit from "Invincible" defense mode. With his power, speed, and reflexes heightened, he reduced his size to a compact three meters and reached incredible flight speeds.

In moments, he crossed a vast whirlpool current, guided by the Vivre Card. He bypassed the towering Gate of Justice and, in less than two hours, arrived at his destination.

"Are we here?"

Before him lay a vast, calm stretch of water with an island at its center, heavily guarded by dozens of elite navy battleships forming an impenetrable perimeter. Among them were over twenty advanced battleships—exclusive vessels designated for vice admirals of the Navy Headquarters, an impressive show of force.

This was the world's most secure underwater prison—Impel Down.

Alongside Enies Lobby and Navy Headquarters, it formed one of the three major strongholds of the World Government, connected by immense, swirling sea currents. In the event of an invasion, backup from the Navy Headquarters could arrive quickly through these powerful currents.

"Air Door!"

At El's command, Uthan activated his Devil Fruit ability from within Mirror World, opening an air door.

The two stepped seamlessly from Mirror World across the open ocean, infiltrating Impel Down and emerging in a hidden area on the prison's surface.

Uthan took a moment to catch his breath, then opened another air door, leading them deeper inside. They bypassed multiple levels: the first-level Crimson Hell, the second-level Wild Beast Hell, the third-level Starvation Hell, the fourth-level Blazing Hell, and finally descended to the frigid fifth level—Freezing Hell.

"Brrr…"

In the icy wasteland, the two figures materialized, Uthan shivering uncontrollably in the extreme cold.

"Look at you…"

El shot him a disapproving glare. As a Lunarian, El thrived in harsh environments and, with his immense strength, felt no discomfort in the freezing temperatures.

Raising his right hand, he ignited a bright flame mid-air, casting a warm glow around them. Uthan instantly felt a wave of relief.

"Thanks, Boss El. Is there really a Level 5.5 down here?"

Huddling closer to the fire's warmth, Uthan looked around. "Even the Den Den Mushi are frozen solid here… makes things easier for us!"

"Yes, I sense several life forms still holding out—they must be the inmates who managed to escape to Level 5.5." El took out a small mirror.

The mirror shimmered and expanded, and from it emerged Sally, Moss, Ryan, Barry, and Gerd, who had been waiting in the Mirror World.

"It really is freezing here..."

"So, this is Level 5—the Freezing Hell of Impel Down?"

"Prometheus, time for you to do your part…"

At Gerd's side, the homie sun Prometheus took on his battle form, radiating heat like a massive furnace, bringing much-needed warmth to the group.

"El, I'd guess a good number of the prisoners here are already frozen to death…" Gerd said, glancing at a nearby frozen cell where the lifeless remains of a prisoner lay stiff and encased in ice.

"Some are barely clinging to life," El replied with a shrug. His formidable Observation Haki picked up faint life signals as he led the way. "No rush; let's find a safe spot first."

They soon reached an area covered in thick ice and snow. Using his heightened senses, El pinpointed the location directly above Level 5.5, estimating it was about thirty to forty meters below.

After receiving El's nod, Uthan activated his ability, opening an air door in the ground. They stepped through, passing through layers of frozen earth.

In the dim underground Level 5.5—

A portal suddenly opened within a spacious hallway.

"Huh, is there really such a place inside Impel Down?" Sally looked around in surprise, noting the scattered footprints on the ground. "It seems like people come and go here often!"

El shrugged. "Decades ago, a Giant with a Push-Push Fruit ability was imprisoned here. They mistook him for a non-Devil Fruit user, but he escaped using his ability and created this 5.5 floor space."

"So that's what happened!" The group nodded in understanding.

"The Push-Push Fruit?" Gerd raised an eyebrow.

"It lets the user push non-living objects as if they were made of clay, so it's perfect for digging tunnels," El explained with a smile.

Their arrival quickly drew attention. Several figures dressed as regular citizens—not like typical prisoners—hurried over. When they saw El and his crew, their eyes widened in shock. "You're…?"

"Whoosh… whoosh…"

El didn't waste words. His feet slammed into the ground, and enormous vines surged forward, wrapping up every prisoner in the 5.5 level space.

There weren't many—just a few dozen. They seemed to be of lower levels, the strongest only comparable to a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral.

"These guys seem to be living quite comfortably here…" The prisoners, dressed as though they were living freely in society, looked nothing like inmates. Some wore suits and ties, others were smoking, and they all looked well-fed and healthy, clearly not suffering from malnutrition.

Moss and the others exchanged surprised glances. "It's like they're not even in prison."

"I'll see if any of them are Devil Fruit users." El calmly grasped the head of the strongest-looking prisoner and effortlessly began reading his memories. However, he was soon disappointed—none of the prisoners here had Devil Fruit abilities.

"Dispose of them all and throw the bodies to feed the jail wolves outside," El commanded coolly.

"Leave it to me," Gerd replied, donning her grim reaper mask as she approached the frightened, struggling prisoners.

"Life or Death?"

In mere moments, all their souls were harvested, and the group continued deeper into the wide, brightly-lit hall, which was well-stocked with food, fruits, and even wine. Comfortable sofas and chairs filled the room.

"Alright, everyone, take a break. It's been a long day," El stretched, gesturing toward a hallway. "There are plenty of rooms down there, so if you get tired, feel free to grab one and rest."

"Tomorrow, Sally will acquire the prisoner records from Impel Down. Then, we'll hunt down the Devil Fruit users first, and only afterward start harvesting the other prisoners' souls."

"Anyone worth recruiting," he added, "can be taken with us if they show potential."

With his strength, El was confident he could subdue even the most unruly prisoners. However, he wasn't interested in recruiting just anyone. Though he wasn't overly strict, he didn't want unworthy individuals in the Fallen Angels Pirate Crew. After all, he knew it would take time and strategic growth to challenge the immense World Government.

"These guys live so well here, I'm tempted to stay locked up myself!" Uthan plopped down on a sofa, happily munching on a bunch of grapes.

"It's true. They don't have to do anything, just sneak around and steal food now and then," Ryan laughed. "What a perfect retirement lifestyle!"

"Ha! Dream on," Barry sneered. "Impel Down has tens of thousands of prisoners, right? How many of them do you think are as lucky as the few Boss El captured here? You'd probably be tossed into the starvation hell on the third floor or burned alive in the fourth!"

The crew laughed, exchanging banter as they sat down and relaxed.

"El, I…" Sally began to speak, a mischievous smile on her face, but Gerd cut her off, swooping in with a bold move.

"I'm tired, El. Let's go rest!" Without giving Sally a chance, Gerd firmly took El by the arm and led him down the hall. "See you all in the morning!"

"Gerd…" El sighed with a hint of amusement, though he didn't resist her.

"Zeus, Prometheus… you two keep an eye here. Don't let Sally sneak in, or you'll pay for it tomorrow!" Gerd called over her shoulder.

"Yes, Gerd-sama!" Zeus and Prometheus, her loyal homies, promptly took position at the hallway entrance, glaring at Sally with a fierce, protective stance.

"Too much, Gerd!" Sally fumed, ready to chase after them. "El isn't yours alone, you know!"

"Not sharing—too bad!" Gerd stuck out her tongue, smirking as she clung to El's arm. "Try to have a baby with El first, and maybe I'll reconsider!"

With that, she whisked El away into the distance.

"Ugh, Gerd! I hope you get exactly what you wish for and end up waddling around with a big belly all the time," Sally muttered under her breath, frustrated. "Then you'll be watching from the sidelines!"

Uthan, Barry, Ryan, and Moss all exchanged nervous glances, silently wiping away sweat. The battles between the women of the crew were intense, and they'd rather stay out of it.

~~~

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