With Bartholomew's barrier escorting her, Jaya safely reached the vicinity of Impel Down.
The elite Marines who had pursued them all the way had never given up trying to break through the barrier.
But no matter how hard they tried, they could not shake Bartholomew's barrier. All they could do was watch helplessly as Bartholomew sent Jaya onto Impel Down.
Once they reached this point, they were forced to stop pursuing them.
Because—
Jinbe, rescued from the prison by Maud, stood before them like a towering wall too high to climb.
"Damn it..."
A Marine Major General in a coat of justice stared grimly at Jinbe, who stood atop the high wall.
The other Marines likewise watched Jinbe with solemn expressions.
They knew very well that Jinbe had become a Shichibukai not because of his reputation, but because of his utterly genuine strength.
He was one of the few great powerhouses among the Fish-Man Race, and not someone they could contend with.
Jinbe stared expressionlessly down at the elite Marines who had stopped below.
After leaving the prison, Maud had not asked him to do anything, nor had he told him anything about the battle plan.
But after seeing wounded Luo, Urouge, and Jaya board Impel Down one after another, Jinbe understood what he had to do.
As long as he could remain standing, he would never allow any Marine to threaten the safety of the Maud Pirates' members.
Jinbe slowly assumed a karate stance and said in a deep voice, "With me here, I won't let you pass."
"!!!"
The elite Marines' expressions stiffened slightly.
Standing beside Jinbe, Bartholomew let out a long breath and raised a hand to wipe nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
Then he looked down at the Marines standing ready below and sneered, "You bunch