“This is the first level, the Crimson Hell, where pirates with bounties just over 10 million berries are usually held,” explained Domino, a beautiful prison guard leading Hailan and Tina.
She had long, wavy blonde hair and wore a brown, ultra-short dress jacket, exuding a sensual aura.
From Domino’s introduction, Hailan learned that the pirates in levels two to five are categorized based on their bounties: 20 million berries, 30 million berries, 50 million berries, and 100 million, respectively. The sixth level, Infinite Hell, holds the most notorious pirates of the sea.
“Take us directly to the fourth level, the Blazing Hell,” Hailan instructed.
Though Domino was somewhat surprised, she didn’t object as she was only responsible for guiding them.
In Tina’s view, the pirates here were all confined in cells; no matter how strong they were, they couldn’t exhibit their full strength. Since Hailan showed no fear, she couldn’t back down either. It was merely a matter of maintaining a solid presence.
Yet Tina felt Hailan’s motives weren’t as straightforward as he claimed.
“What exactly does he want to do?” she wondered, following him silently.
After descending two more levels, Domino kindly reminded them, “We are now in the third level, the Starvation Hell. It doesn’t affect us much. But the next level is the Blazing Hell, filled with boiling magma pools and unbearable heat. Are you sure you’re ready?”
Hailan turned to Tina, “Maybe you should stay behind.”
Tina stared into Hailan’s eyes, her voice full of implication, “What are you planning?”
Hailan chuckled, “Didn’t Miss Domino say it’s unbearably hot down there? Look at how much you’re wearing today. Aren’t you afraid of heatstroke?”
Her eyes narrowed, “Tina knows what she’s doing. You don’t need to pretend to be concerned.”
“Hey, I suggest you stop learning those cutting remarks from Gion. Or you might end up unmarried.”
After a light-hearted joke, they soon reached the fourth level.
“Salute!”
Domino reflexively stood at attention because they encountered the Warden of Impel Down, Shiryu of the Rain.
“Who are you people?” Shiryu, who wore both a warden’s hat and an aviator cap and had a cigar in his mouth, eyed Hailan and Tina.
“Report, Warden. They are here for a tour.”
“This isn’t their backyard. Why is anyone allowed in here?”
“Report, Warden. These two are top students from the 14th Elite Training Camp of Marine Headquarters, and their mentors are Vice Admirals Akainu and Gion.”
Understanding their identities, Shiryu smiled with interest.
“Now that’s interesting. I was getting bored. Come, I’ll show you around!”
Hailan didn’t salute Shiryu but asked directly, “Warden, do you know where a pirate named Friedrich is held?”
“So that’s your real motive, Hailan!” Tina interjected before Shiryu could respond.
Hailan didn’t explain, instead asking, “What about you, Miss Tina? Are you planning to stop me in the name of marine justice, or are you going to run back to inform the Vice Admirals?”
Friedrich was a pirate with a bounty of 80 million berries. Although not particularly noteworthy, he had killed Zephyr’s wife. Despite the gravity of the situation, Zephyr, known for his mercy, didn’t kill Friedrich, who was eventually imprisoned in Impel Down.
Zephyr had never imposed his “no-kill” principle on his students, perhaps distinguishing him from hypocritical saints.
Tina responded as Hailan expected, “Tina won’t do anything because she can’t.”
She was unable to stop him and knew reporting it would be too late.
Now, she could only hope the Warden would intervene, “But Hailan, understand that this violates marine principles, and you will be punished. I won’t stop you now, but I will report everything to Instructor Zephyr.”
Hailan seemed unconcerned, “I’d expect nothing less.”
Shiryu, being astute, quickly grasped the situation. “Of course, I know where he is. But as information, you’ll have to exchange something for it.”
Shiryu’s demand shattered Tina’s last hope.
Hailan was surprised, “What do you want to know?”
Shiryu slowly asked, “What powers does that pirate Magellan took to the fifth level have?”
Hailan laughed, looking at Shiryu’s sword, then into his eyes, “He’s a Barrier-Barrier Fruit user with absolute defense. Your sword would only scratch him.”
“A brazen little brat,” Shiryu puffed smoke, then smiled, “But you suit my taste! Follow me.”
“Stop, Domino! Don’t do anything unnecessary!” Shiryu commanded as Domino, sensing trouble, tried to leave.
Domino froze, intimidated by Shiryu’s murderous aura developed from years of killing.
“Who… are you… why are you doing this to me…” Friedrich, limbs broken by Hailan, weakly stared at him, unable to comprehend why a marine wanted to kill him after surviving the sadistic warden’s deadly games.
“Friedrich, have you forgotten why you were captured 13 years ago?” Hailan, standing on the stone bridge of the Blazing Hell, his face illuminated by the magma’s glow, looked like a vengeful demon.
Tina didn’t look away despite her discomfort. She was determined to witness whatever happened next.
Friedrich, now desperate, muttered, “Is it… you’ve grown this much?”
“Let the flames answer your last question.”
Amid Domino’s screams and Shiryu’s excited gaze, Hailan casually tossed the crippled Friedrich into the real Blazing Hell.
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