Reflection in the Eyes

The Impel Down Great Prison, Level 6.

"Since when did this delicate-skinned guy become qualified to be locked up in Level 6? This place is where the most dangerous criminals in the world gather!"

"Heh heh, it seems the Marine Headquarters' control over this sea is getting weaker and weaker. Even the most worthless trash can have a bounty of over 100 million!"

For these thugs who are forever plunged into darkness, the only pleasure is to tease newcomers for amusement; otherwise, the boundless loneliness alone would drive them mad.

"Hahaha, you guys are really pathetic. You'd barely be considered someone on the open sea, but now you're proud of being imprisoned here. What a bunch of trash!" Ace said disdainfully.

"Kid, what did you say? Are you looking for death?"

"It seems I need to teach you, you arrogant brat, how to respect your elders!"

Several beams of Overlord's Haki shot into the sky, skillfully and in perfect unison, crushing towards that dark corner. Soon, an even more solid beam of Overlord's Haki suddenly exploded in a corner of the prison.

Boom!

Black lightning flickered in and out of sight, and dust swirled in the prison. The clash of their auras awakened some powerful figures from their slumber deep within, drawing many curious glances.

Although the contest of momentum between the two sides ended in a draw, the old man, after all, was a combination of many domineering auras, and he did not gain the upper hand, which made them lose face to some extent.

"Hmph, brat, I didn't realize you were so strong!"

"State your name, and you'll be worthy of being remembered by this great man."

However, that dark corner was deathly silent, as if it didn't care about them at all.

"You..." Before the prisoner could utter a word in his shame and anger, he was awakened by the sound of God of Death's footsteps and fell silent, burying his head in the sand like an ostrich.

Da da da!

Ace also raised his blood-stained face and looked in the direction from which the sound came with surprise and doubt. What a terrifying killing aura! Who could have scared this group of unruly thugs like this?

"This is getting a bit too lively. Are you planning to start the next round of purges?" The God of Death face, with a cigar in his mouth and a flight cap, that had appeared countless times in their dreams, reappeared in the prison, speaking in a cold and stern tone.

"Fire Fist Ace? The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, a descendant of the Pirate King Roger —these titles are truly legendary!"

Those who had previously mocked him stared wide-eyed. Even for the elderly who had been imprisoned in this jail for many years, those two names were impossible to forget.

"Who are you? I can sense that your power is no less than that of Magellan, the warden of Impel Down. Why have I never seen you before?" Ace stared intently at the terrifying man before him.

Ace's words jolted the Level 6 prisoners awake, causing them to stir instantly. Their eyes, filled with shock and anticipation, turned to Shiryu.

"He is Chief Warden of the Shiryu of the Rain Magellan, whose combat strength is no less than that of Marine Admiral."

"But I clearly remember that he was imprisoned by Magellan for wantonly killing prisoners, so why is he here?"

Shiryu the longsword from the shadows up to his eyes and gently wiped the blade. Only then did everyone notice that the blade was still dripping with blood.

"Isn't it obvious? Magellan, that idiot, thinks he has Impel Down under his control. But he doesn't even consider that a piece of trash who spends ten hours a day in the toilet could never have a better grasp of Impel Down Great Prison than I do."

The prisoners were initially terrified; the world in Impel Down was about to change! What followed were frantic screams and savage roars.

"Are you trying to defect from Impel Down? Take me with you! I'm Berserker Captain Sis of 300 million Beli!"

"You should take me with you! I'm the guy who once had a bounty of 420 million Beli and fought alongside Roger and Whitebeard for sea supremacy!"

"Take us with you, let's turn this world upside down!"

Ace's mind raced. He knew that the Marine Headquarters had publicly executed him in order to wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates' remaining forces in one fell swoop.

Although he knew his Old Man was strong, and his brothers were all very strong, their opponent was, after all, the Marine Headquarters, which suppressed the Grand Line. Even in his own opinion, this war had almost no chance of victory. It didn't matter if he died, but at least he shouldn't implicate his Old Man and the other brothers. If he could go out with this man, perhaps they could avert that disaster.

"Bringing you along? I don't mind, it's up to the captain," Shiryu said casually.

The noisy Level 6 suddenly fell silent; even a pin dropping on the ground would make a crisp sound.

"Are you kidding me? A man like you would actually follow someone else?"

"This is not funny at all."

"Could it be one of the Four Emperors?"

It was precisely because they knew just how strong this bloodthirsty Great Sword Master that they found it unbelievable—who could make him follow him so devotedly?

Suddenly, a burst of maniacal laughter erupted from the depths of level 6.

"Hahaha, he's a man even more terrifying than the Four Emperors, meow."

"Is that lord finally coming to keep his promise?"

"Heh, that's a real big shot!"

The prisoners turned around to look, their shock growing even stronger.

"'Evil King' Avalo Pizarro, 'Crescent Moon Hunter' Catarina Devon, 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World, these are all very famous figures in the pirate world. Did they also have a promise with the captain that Shiryu?"

"A powerful figure even more terrifying than the Four Emperors? I can't wait!"

"Damn it, why don't we know anything?"

Shiryu scoffed at this, "Someone who can't even resist the captain's 'conqueror's aura' has no right to know those things."

Upon hearing this, the prisoners' expressions changed slightly, as if they were recalling the mass dizziness incident three years ago.

Ace was also startled. For some reason, hearing this terrifyingly strong man speak so highly of the captain he mentioned always made him think of a certain frightening figure.

However, he quickly shook his head. The man had absolutely no connection with the rumored Impel Down Great Prison. He smiled to himself, realizing that the consequence of not being able to calm his mind was that he always liked to overthink.

Suddenly, a tall shadow loomed over Ace. When he looked up, he found the man with the cigar in his mouth standing right in front of him.

Just as Ace pondering the intentions of this man named Shiryu, he discovered that Shiryu had taken a mirror out of his pocket and placed it in front of him, pointing it at his eyes.

"???" Ace was completely dumbfounded. What's with showing me a mirror? Is this guy some kind of pervert?

"Wait, what is this..." In the depths of the pupils in the mirror, there seemed to be a dark figure walking from a distance.

Even Ace, who was used to seeing all kinds of storms, was terrified by this bizarre scene. Was there a monster living in his pupils?

Ace instinctively tried to turn his head away, but found that his body had already lost control. He could only watch in despair as the figure gradually filled his pupils and finally stepped out of the mirror.