Chapter 36 : Magellan Can't Stop Us!!

"Energy Hormones!"

After Ivankov confirmed that World was still alive, he cleared the ice covering World's body and inserted a needle that transformed into a syringe into World!

With the injection of Energy Hormones, World's previously faint vitality surged dramatically. His heart started pounding fiercely, and he opened his eyes!

"World Government!!"

World smashed through the ice with a loud crash, his eyes glowing red as he roared!

It seemed like his consciousness was still stuck in the moment when he was captured.

"Ho ho, Mr. World, please calm down!"

Ivankov grinned and took a couple of steps back, avoiding the wrath of the enraged World!

World panted heavily, surveying his surroundings. His eyes' rage diminished slightly upon realizing there were no Navy or World Government agents around.

World looked at Ivankov and asked, "Who are you? Where am I?"

Ivankov responded, "This is the sixth level, Eternal Hell in Impel Down. You've been imprisoned by the Navy for thirty years!"

"Thirty years?!" World was momentarily stunned, then his expression hardened. "Damn the Navy, damn them all!"

World's eyes burned with hatred as he recalled the moment he was captured—hatred for the Navy, for the World Government, and for the crews who had betrayed him. 

Ivankov pointed behind him and said, "Now that we're escaping from prison, do you want to join us?"

World looked in the direction Ivankov was pointing and saw that Inazuma had formed a spiral staircase that reached from the cut floor up to the ceiling. 

"Just woke up and already escaping from prison—of course!"

For World, it felt like time had stood still, and escaping from prison seemed like a distant dream.

"The safest way is to make a hole in the ceiling!" World suggested.

"But how can we make it?" 

Buggy spotted Crocodile in the crowd and called out, "Crocodile, it's time to make our move!"

While Buggy himself could use his Chop-Chop Fruit powers to create a path, it was beneath him, as the 'boss', to do it himself. He let his 'little brother' handle it.

Luffy, following Buggy's gaze, saw Crocodile and his eyes widened in shock. 

"You stinking crocodile! What are you doing here?"

Luffy's eyes blazed with hostility as he pointed at Crocodile and shouted.

Crocodile glared back at Luffy and said, "Straw Hat, you're still as annoying as ever! Isn't it because of you that I'm here?"

Luffy clenched his fists and said, "You're not going to harm Vivi's country again! I won't allow it!"

Crocodile sneered and said, "Even though I have no interest in that country anymore, your attitude is really irritating! Without me, you wouldn't even be able to reach the Navy Headquarters, let alone escape from here!"

Luffy, fuming, replied, "I don't need your help! I can get out on my own!"

Crocodile remained unfazed and said casually, "Oh really?"

Luffy was frustrated with Crocodile's lackluster response and turned to Buggy, "Do we really need to create a hole? Why not use the stairs?"

Buggy shrugged and explained, "The staircase is rigged with traps and fog-release mechanisms, which is why I had Inazuma seal it off before."

"And the elevator can't hold everyone at once. If the enemy shuts it down from the control room, we'll be trapped."

Luffy's face darkened upon hearing this, and he silently stepped aside.

Though Luffy would normally rather die than compromise, this time, with Ace's rescue on the line, he gritted his teeth and held back his frustration.

With a self-satisfied smirk, Crocodile ascended the stairs and placed his hand against the ceiling.

"Sand Erosion!"

With Crocodile's palm as the epicenter, the hard ceiling around him rapidly dried up and began to crumble into sand. 

Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit was proving to be extremely effective in this situation. At this rate, it wouldn't take more than a few minutes to break through to the fifth underground floor!

Inazuma approached Buggy and said, "The guards on the fifth underground floor have reported through the surveillance transponder that Magellan has reinforced the defenses on the fourth underground floor!"

"Most of the jailers from other floors have also been dispatched to the fourth underground floor, preparing for a fierce battle there!"

Buggy nodded, already anticipating this scenario. There were no surveillance Den Den Mushi installed on the fifth underground floor, and the one on the sixth floor had been destroyed by Ivankov and his group. 

This meant that the guards in Impel Down had lost all visual on the fifth and sixth underground floors!

Without knowing the situation, they risked being ambushed. Plus, the fifth underground floor was shrouded in poisonous fog, making it an unsuitable battleground. 

Therefore, the safest strategy was to hold their ground on the fourth underground floor. 

By placing their defenses at the staircase leading to the fourth basement floor, they would have a strategic advantage and increase their chances of victory!

After a moment of thought, Buggy said to Inazuma, "Here's the plan: I'll handle the situation on the fourth floor. You'll need to..."

Inazuma listened intently, nodding vigorously, his eyes gleaming with determination.

At that moment, Shiryu approached and said, "Captain, you go ahead. I'll take the elevator up by myself."

Buggy raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you think they'll believe you?"

Shiryu responded, "Who knows? But Magellan is short on combatants right now. I need to retrieve my sword first!"

Buggy smiled and said, "Do what you need to. You might end up doing something unexpected!"

Shiryu nodded and headed towards the elevator.

After a brief wait, Crocodile on the stairs finally released his control over the weathered sand, allowing it to scatter.

"Alright, we're clear!" Crocodile announced and then leaped directly toward the fifth underground floor!

"Yo-ho-ho, Ace!! I'm here to save you!!" Luffy shouted as he dashed up the stairs!

"Luffy, wait for me!"

Boa Hancock hurried after Luffy, her voice urgent.

"Inazuma, go ahead and lead the way!" 

Buggy, feeling a bit helpless, quickly directed Inazuma to follow Luffy to prevent any interference with his plans.

Inazuma leaped down the stairs and said to Buggy, "Alright!"

Inazuma nodded and descended the stairs after Luffy.

Once Buggy turned his attention to the remaining prisoners, he announced, "The level five is now filled with poisonous gas. We can't stay here for long! Magellan and his forces have concentrated all their efforts on the fourth underground level!"

"Remember, if we simply try to escape without a plan, even if we manage to break out, we won't be able to leave this place without a ship!"

"So, our strategy is to confront them on the fourth level! We need to eliminate them all on that floor and seize control of the entire Impel Down!"

"And that's just the beginning! Magellan won't be able to stop us!"

"Our ultimate goal is Whitebeard! We're heading straight for the Navy Headquarters!"

"Our journey is a voyage through a sea of stars!"

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