Chapter 9

With an exhalation of puffs, puffs, puffs, puffs, a captivating scene unfolded before us!

The venom danced through the air, its malevolence glistening, as it splashed in every direction. A poisonous appendage forcefully emerged from the insidious crevice it had penetrated.

"It's useless!" Magellan scoffed, the venom cascading from his body while the gap swiftly closed, sealing the wound with eerie efficiency.

Undeterred, the hand, brimming with potent venom, reached out once more, refusing to relent.

Observing this spectacle, the black dragon's pupils quivered ever so slightly, its majestic wings soaring to great heights.

Boom! The venomous cascade crashed upon the earth, accompanied by the palpable stench of corrosion and the ashen scorching of the ground, leaving behind a hauntingly charred tapestry.

"What, does trepidation overwhelm you?" Magellan's gaze fixed upon the draconic silhouette dominating the sky, his eyes radiating an unabashed provocation.

"..." Xilan paid Magellan no heed, instead casting an introspective gaze towards the distant heavens. The eradication of this menace was crucial to restoring the sky's former radiance.

"Magellan, I find myself disinterested in this frivolous play," declared the black dragon abruptly, its soaring halted as it suspended in mid-air, as if time itself were frozen.

From the dragon's maw, a thick veil of inky mist billowed ceaselessly, pervading the atmosphere with an icy aura, shrouding the world in a chilling presence.

For reasons unbeknownst to him, Magellan's right eyelid fluttered with increasing frequency, a foreboding sense of impending calamity gnawing at his core.

While his vigilance heightened, his vitriolic tongue remained relentless: "You are nothing but a bastard!"

"Indeed?" The black dragon's sonorous voice reverberated, elongated, as its fangs were bared in a menacing display, unleashing a jet of high-purity black energy.

"Roar of the Black Dragon!!!" An immense beam of obsidian light, born of the chilling friction between air and energy, descended from the celestial expanse, detonating with a bone-chilling force.

Rumble! The colossal venomous entity encompassing Magellan's being suffered a devastating blow, resulting in myriad glass-like fractures that resonated with a resounding shatter.

"Waaaaah!" A portion of the cataclysmic force engulfed Magellan, eliciting a harrowing cry that reverberated through his lungs, leaving him trembling in agony.

His throat, a veritable maelstrom of torment, struggled to contain the torrent of blood that spewed forth repeatedly.

Swift as an arrow, the black dragon swooped, capitalizing on Magellan's anguish, its talons poised for action.

Pooh! The keen-edged claws mercilessly cleaved flesh, tearing asunder the chest in a violent display of devastation.

And with that, Magellan was unceremoniously cast into the unforgiving embrace of the sea.

"The meddlesome souls persist, forever seeking affliction," the black dragon proclaimed, its transformation complete as it assumed its draconic-human hybrid form, boldly breaching the formidable walls of Impel Down.

Of course, Magellan was not the sole guardian within these prison walls; others stood in his defense. Alas, their efforts were futile, as they were effortlessly vanquished.

Even the deputy director, Hannyabal, although dedicated to his duties, succumbed to his own frailty, meeting his untimely demise in a futile face-to-face.

As the black dragon continued his audacious expedition through the treacherous depths of Impel Down, his piercing gaze swept over the multitude of incarcerated souls, his draconic visage adorned with a gleeful smile. Each prisoner he laid eyes upon was a testament to his handiwork, a product of his nefarious dealings.

The lucrative business of selling these legendary pirates on the black market promised immense profits, a tantalizing opportunity that beckoned.

"Come forth and allow Laozi to tear you asunder!" bellowed a vengeful voice, echoing through the corridors.

[AN: I'll just leave Laozi, I like it haha.]

"Is he the infamous black dragon of the underworld?"

"Damn him! He was the one who sold me into slavery, that son of a bitch!"

The air crackled with animosity as numerous prisoners recognized the black dragon, their faces etched with fury. Clearly, he had been deeply entrenched in the pirate trade for years.

Unperturbed by their ire, the black dragon paid little heed to this indignant assembly, his focus fixated on a specific cell nestled in the northeastern corner.

Seated upon the cold ground, Ace, a young man of great fortitude, remained motionless, even in the presence of the black dragon.

"Fire Fist Ace," the black dragon spoke, breaking the silence. "I struck a bargain with Whitebeard. I am here to save you."

Hearing this revelation, Ace lifted his head. He was well aware of the black dragon's motives and inquired immediately, "How much did you demand from Dad?"

"Not much," the black dragon chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. "You and Jinbei combined amount to a mere 101.5 billion."

"What?!" Ace exclaimed, his excitement giving way to anger. "You're taking advantage of our situation!"

Furrowing his brow, the black dragon responded, "I have also assumed substantial risk. This is a job that no one else in the world dares to undertake. Even this old man is risking his life for compensation. Don't be ungrateful, kid."

"Remember, no matter how much wealth you possess, it pales in comparison to the value of your life."

Upon uttering these words, the black dragon couldn't help but sneer. This reckless young man, Ace, had no one to blame but himself. If he hadn't foolishly challenged Blackbeard, he wouldn't have ended up incarcerated. Individuals like Ace, who possessed an inherent recklessness, were the catalysts for events such as the Summit War.

Boom! The black dragon's fist struck with formidable force, shattering the seastone barrier that confined Ace.

Dragon Claw clenched the chain that bound Ace, and Armament Haki coursed through their union.

Bang! In an instant, a cascade of black particles dispersed, and Ace could feel strength surging back into his body.

Unconcerned with Ace's gratitude, the black dragon sought out Jinbei and rescued him as well.

"Very well, you may depart now," the black dragon motioned, waving his hand dismissively. "Warships await you outside. Hurry, or the Marine Admiral will arrive."

Ace cast a lingering glance at the black dragon, his eyes brimming with complex emotions. Jinbei, too, stared intently for a moment before both men wordlessly left.

Thanks? What a jest! Having been extorted for over 100 billion berries, the two pirates were hardly inclined to express their gratitude toward the black dragon.

"Black Dragon, save us as well! I shall give you all my treasures!"

"I have billions of berries stashed away in Greenland!"

"I, too, possess considerable wealth!"

...

In the wake of witnessing Ace and Jinbei's liberation, a wave of hopeful anticipation surged among the remaining pirates imprisoned within Impel Down. Emboldened by the black dragon's actions, they, too, stepped forward and began to negotiate their freedom.

The black dragon met their pleas with a knowing smile, fully aware that this gathering of legendary pirates was not lacking in financial resources. He had no desire to make their salvation arduous. With a genial demeanor, he set the terms: a mere 2 billion berries per person, a nominal fee considering their wealth and stature. However, for those who genuinely found themselves without the means to pay, a reduced sum of 1 billion berries would suffice.

Yet, for those who remained destitute, the black dragon's expression subtly shifted. With a regretful tone, he made his stance clear, "I'm afraid, in that case, I will have no choice but to sell you on the black market."

A somber realization washed over the prisoners. They understood the implications of their predicament. To surrender their freedom for the sake of their reputation was a steep price indeed, surpassing the value of a billion berries.

Whispers and murmurs permeated the air as the pirates weighed their options. Some reluctantly resigned themselves to their fate, unwilling to part with their hard-earned fortunes. Others deliberated, contemplating the true worth of their freedom and the potential consequences of being sold as slaves.

In this moment of contemplation, the black dragon observed them with a hint of sympathy in his eyes. He understood the weight of their decisions, recognizing that even the most exalted pirates were not immune to the vulnerability that arose from the loss of liberty.

Ultimately, each prisoner faced an indomitable choice—a choice that would define their future and the legacy they would leave behind. And as the seconds ticked away, the black dragon remained a silent observer, ready to accommodate whichever path they would ultimately embark upon.

...

—

If you want to read the next 15 chapters right away, visit my Patreon. 

Link: Patreon.com/penfu

1st tier: 5 chaps ahead 2.50€

2nd tier: 10 chaps ahead 5€

3rd tier: 15 chaps ahead 10€

PS. Please comment and donate your Power Stones.