The Marines had launched an all-out assault on Impel Down's towering walls, but in the end, they still failed to eliminate the key figure, Jaya.
Maud stood near Impel Down, seemingly like a great mountain, blocking all hope the Marines had left.
Even Kizaru was powerless to cross the great mountain that was Maud.
The scales of victory in the war began to tip toward the Maud Pirates.
Maud controlled a massive number of assimilated shadows, gathering them into a pitch-black curtain that stood silently before Impel Down, side by side with its towering walls.
The Straw Hat Pirates, who had been fighting desperately just moments ago, along with Jinbe and Cavendish, now wore looks of astonishment as they stared blankly at the enemies sent flying into the distance by the shadows.
They knew this was Maud's Shadow ability, but...
The Shadow ability's elastic force had such a vast range, yet it had not affected them at all. Instead, it had precisely targeted every enemy.
Overwhelmed by the incredible precision of that control, everyone could not help looking toward Maud.
The aura radiating from this man faintly gave them a suffocating feeling of immense oppression.
"You, go up."
Facing the astonished gazes directed at him, Maud slowly rose, bent his arm, and pointed toward the top of Impel Down.
Under his mental control, the Shadow Screen formed a shadow staircase leading to the top of Impel Down.
That commanding tone, combined with his intimidating aura, caused the Straw Hat Pirates to obey Maud instinctively and head toward the shadow staircase.
"Tch!"
Hearing Maud's words, Cavendish snorted, but obediently sheathed his sword and strode toward the shadow staircase.
He knew what Jaya's ability was, and had more or less guessed how they would leave the battlefield next.
"I'm not helping after