In the Eternal Hell, time was irrelevant.
Everything here was detached from the outside world, like a different, frozen dimension.
Unlike the other levels, where harsh environments physically tortured prisoners, the sixth level primarily eroded the spirit. The world seemed to banish you, gradually wearing down your edge and sharpness in the long, lonely hours.
A violent cough broke the silence in the cold, dark cell where no sunlight penetrated.
Evan lay on the ground, his body trembling violently as he coughed weakly, feeling like he was hacking up his lungs. His face was pale, devoid of any color.
He had been in Eternal Hell for over a month, confident in his ability to endure any torment or hardship.
But something unexpected happened—his severely injured body was deteriorating.
The cold and heat within him collided, violently ravaging his body, scraping his bones like they were being harshly shaved over and over.
In a month, he had brushed against death countless times.
The lingering effects of Kuzan’s and Sakazuki’s powers were devastating for his current condition.
“If this continues, I’ll die…”
Evan sighed quietly and slipped back into unconsciousness.
In the dark prison, a faint green light suddenly glowed from Evan’s chest, then quickly dimmed.
An old prisoner in the opposite cell opened his sleepy eyes, glanced over, thought he was seeing things, and soon fell back asleep. Sleeping was the best way to pass the time in Eternal Hell.
Meanwhile, Evan’s body was undergoing a miraculous change.
A rich vitality, like a refreshing rain, poured into his exhausted body, beginning to heal the accumulated internal injuries and trauma.
He had a long, vivid dream.
In the dream, Robin, now grown into a graceful beauty, sat on a seaside cliff, her deep blue hair flowing elegantly in the sea breeze.
She gazed at the sea, where the blue sky and blue ocean merged seamlessly.
“Evan, you liar.”
She pouted her pink lips, looking a bit helpless, a bit sad, but still smiling.
The blue sky suddenly turned red, scorching hot, just like the sky over Ohara during the Buster Call. Sakazuki appeared, stepping through the air with Moonwalk, his stern face and massive red magma fist aiming at Robin’s elegant figure…
“Stop!!!”
Evan woke up with a start, his face twisted, drenched in cold sweat, his chest heaving.
“Little girl…” he muttered, clenching his fist instinctively.
Thin and weak, a surge of strength rose from his muscles, yet much better than his previous endless weakness.
“What is this…”
Evan was stunned. He used his legs to slowly rise, his shackles clinking as his weak, injured body stood up. He clenched his fists, feeling an unreal, dreamlike sensation.
His body still felt the tearing pain, but his chest was filled with a gentle, soothing warmth, and his vitality was slowly but steadily returning.
Curious, Evan pulled off his torn shirt, revealing a green vine tattoo on his chest, starting from his navel and winding around his limbs and back, vibrant and full of life.
A plant tattoo?
Evan’s expression was odd. He didn’t recall getting such a tattoo.
But anything magical or strange in this bizarre world of pirates was plausible.
Most importantly, he could clearly sense this vine tattoo healing his body!
A surge of vitality flowed into his crippled body, gradually soothing the cold and heat wounds within.
Like a withered tree reviving.
Suppressing his excitement, Evan sat back down.
“With this rate of healing, I’ll be back to normal in a few days.” His eyes sparkled with renewed hope.
In his peak condition, with the power of his spatial fruit, no prison in this world could hold him forever!
“Robin, wait for me. I will keep my promise and find you.”
He murmured, his eyes shining with determination.
In the following days, Evan’s condition improved daily.
His wounds began to scab and peel, and the gaping hole in his right abdomen was about sixty percent healed.
The internal cold and heat injuries had been fully suppressed and eliminated.
Although weakened by the Seastone shackles, his energy and spirit were steadily recovering, banishing his earlier lethargy.
He even started doing light exercises to get his rusty body moving again.
Creak—
“Clack, clack, clack…”
The sound of boots echoed on the hard floor.
“Hmm? Not the food deliverer…” Evan listened closely, quickly realizing, “It must be a new prisoner.”
He wasn’t the only one attracted by the footsteps. Other prisoners in the cells woke up, curious about the new arrival.
“Hey! Isn’t that a Vice Admiral? Infighting? Hahaha.”
“It really is! This is rare. It’s great, watching dogs eat dogs!”
Prisoners near the gate laughed mockingly.
Evan stood and leaned against the iron bars, seeing the new prisoner being escorted in, head down, wearing a black shirt and a Marine coat, definitely a Vice Admiral.
(Marine regulations dictate that soldiers below ensign wear standard Marine uniforms and hats. After promotion to sergeant, they can choose various outfits, even casual clothes, but must avoid attire inappropriate for the Marine image. Officers are allowed to wear Marine coats with “Justice” on the back with their standard uniforms.)
(Only captains and above can pair Marine coats with casual wear. Of course, the rank insignia on their coats differ, making it easy to distinguish ranks.)
(Generally, Marines without coats are considered minor characters or cannon fodder in the One Piece world. Vice Admirals and above are major characters.)
Evan watched as the Marines brought the prisoner closer, stopping in front of his cell. The leader unlocked the iron gate.
They’re putting him in my cell…
Evan had already retreated, leaning against the wall, squinting at the incoming former Vice Admiral.
The prisoner was a strong man with a beard and dark eyes. He glared coldly at Evan, who was half-lying on the floor.
The leader chained the man’s limbs, securing the chains to the walls.
There were no Seastone cuffs, just chains locking his bones, indicating he wasn’t a Devil Fruit user but excelled in physical combat.
“Beast, repent in there!”
The leader spat at the man before hurriedly leaving with the soldiers.
The Marines were gone, and the prison buzzed with chatter. After all, a Vice Admiral being imprisoned was a rare event.
“Hey, newbie! What did you do to end up here?”
“Haha, did you sleep with an Admiral’s wife? Hahaha.”
The prisoners were eager to know.
“Shut up! I’m not like you scum!” The bearded man yanked his chains, spitting angrily.
“What nonsense. Once you’re in here, it doesn’t matter who you were. You’re all spending the rest of your life here.”
A prisoner retorted with a sneer.
“Hmph! No matter what, you people are trash!” the bearded man said coldly.
Little did he know, he had insulted every Eternal Hell prisoner.
“Hehe, young and foolish.” The old man in the opposite cell shook his head and went back to sleep.
“Hey, if we were outside, I’d twist your head off!”
“That wouldn’t be enough. I’d carve your flesh off piece by piece.”
The prisoners jeered, their laughter chilling.
The bearded man snorted and fell silent.
Evan remained quiet. This new, particularly hostile prisoner could significantly hinder his plans.
He needed to find a way to deal with him.
But not yet. The bearded man, though restricted, was still incredibly strong, and Evan’s body, while improving, was not fully healed. The Seastone shackles also weakened him…
Evan thought for a while and then closed his eyes. This matter could wait.
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