Chaos Erupts

Faced with such overwhelming power, even Guard Captain Gol John felt his body grow heavy, as though an oppressive force was keeping him from daring to make a move.

Vice Officer Hicks Zachary, on the other hand, had often followed Cook over the past few months and was not overly afraid.

The other six were already drenched in cold sweat, their bodies beginning to disobey them.

"If you do not even have the courage to attack me, then you have truly disappointed me." Cook stood in the middle of the training ground and spoke calmly.

Vice Officer Hicks Zachary swiftly drew two pistols.

Bang! Bang!...

With a flick of Cook's hand, the two scorching bullets were caught in his palm.

The others immediately came to their senses as well, drawing swords, firearms, spiked clubs, and spears as they surrounded Cook.

However, the gap in strength between both sides was simply too great. Even though Cook was only using 5% of his cells, he was still powerful enough to drive them to despair.

He did not even use Observation Haki, Armament Haki, or any secret techniques. With nothing but ordinary fists and kicks, he suppressed Hicks Zachary and the others until they could barely breathe.

And that was with him not taking things seriously. If Cook had been serious, forget a few minutes—the guards would not have lasted even a few seconds.

Guard Banks Joseph panted like a bull as he dropped to one knee, using his longsword to support himself while his vision began to blur.

Too powerful!

This kind of strength was simply terrifying.

The others were no better off, sprawled all over the place, gasping for breath and soaked in sweat.

"You have disappointed me too much." Cook picked up the uniform beside him. There was not even a hint of sweat on his body.

Hicks Zachary panted as he replied bitterly, "Huff... huff... Forgive us, Lord Cook. You are simply too strong."

More than two hours later, after everyone had recovered and returned to the office, Cook looked at the dejected group. He took out a cigar and lightly rubbed his fingers together, instantly lighting it.

After taking a puff, he said calmly, "I have no need for weaklings under my command. If you are determined to become stronger, stay. If not, apply for a transfer to another Chief Jailer as soon as possible!"

"This..." After thinking it over, Hicks Zachary still chose to stay. "Lord Cook, I am willing to stay. I will definitely train hard from now on."

After an intense internal struggle, the others also chose to stay. They had caught the implication in Cook's words—he seemed to intend to cultivate a group of powerful subordinates.

Thinking of how Cook had become so powerful through just over four months of training, they believed he must possess some special training method capable of rapidly increasing one's strength.

"Very good." After exhaling a puff of smoke, Cook's lips curled upward. He then placed eight thumb-sized seeds on the table.

"These are Evolution Seeds. As long as you eat an Evolution Seed, you can gain endless potential..."

"Of course, this is my secret. If you try to leak it, the consequences..."

Though Cook did not spell it out, everyone understood in their hearts that once they knew such a secret, there would be no turning back.

Hicks Zachary was the first to rise. He picked up one of the Evolution Seeds and swallowed it directly. In an instant, the Evolution Seed took root and sprouted inside his body.

The so-called Evolution Seed was actually a simplified version of Cook's Evolution Mecha.

The others also ate the Evolution Seeds one after another.

Then they felt the changes within their bodies. First, their muscles, bones, and organs received preliminary reinforcement. Next, a Calorie Heart formed, followed by a sensation of hunger.

Finally came the information transmitted by the Evolution Seeds, including a language database, some combat techniques, as well as taboos and precautions.

As for the Human Reform League's secrets, it was not yet time for that. When the mecha fused with Ordinary People, there was a gradual assimilation process that took roughly three months.

If they did not find a way to break free from the mecha within those three months, the two would fuse completely. That would also mean that every secret of the mecha user would be laid completely bare before Lucifer.

In other words, during this three-month fusion period, the mecha remained under round-the-clock surveillance. The moment its user showed any abnormality, they would be completely erased by the mecha.

After three months, they would be considered one of their own. The restrictions in the mecha database could then be lifted, allowing them to learn higher-level information.

Including the existence of the Human Reform League, various Taijutsu secret techniques, the virtual network system, and the like.

Cook instructed, "You are still adapting to the power of the Evolution Seeds. They will not fully take effect until three months from now. For now, increase your daily training and eat a little more, but do not make it too obvious."

"Understood, Lord Cook." Everyone saluted.

Unknowingly, another month or so passed. It was now May 17th, Grand Line Era 1499.

Cook resumed his usual work, and Hannibal no longer complained. The preparations made earlier were finally about to take effect.

Scorching Hell.

Yesterday, Columbus had left Impel Down with Torresd, the wizard from the guard unit, for Marine Headquarters Marineford.

According to intelligence from the listening Den Den Mushi, their purpose in going to Marineford was, on one hand, to escort the newly captured "Devil's Heir" Douglas Bullet; on the other, the Navy hoped to make use of Torresd's Devil Fruit Ability.

To be safe, Magellan and Shiryu of the Rain, who was atoning for his crimes, were personally stationed in Infinite Hell.

Meanwhile, only Sacodra the Butcher and Benson Martin the Executioner remained in Scorching Hell. The Chief Jailers of the other levels had not been reassigned.

Beside the enormous blood pool, prisoners trudged forward one after another, carrying timber toward the furnaces. Suddenly, one of them swung his timber and knocked several jailers to the ground, then seized the key to their shackles.

Crack!

Once the shackles were opened, the man's body rapidly expanded. He was clearly a Zoan Devil Fruit user. He tossed the key to the others and revealed a savage expression.

"Die!"

His massive hand transformed into a bear paw and slashed out over a dozen blade-like streams of air, instantly cutting the onrushing jailers into several pieces.

Aahhh...

"Quick, notify..."

"Captain Martin! Prisoners are attempting to escape!"

The guard had barely finished speaking when his head was smashed apart. By then, the Bear Man prisoner who had eaten the Bear-Bear Fruit had already slaughtered every guard in the area.

"Ha ha! We're free!" one prisoner laughed hysterically.

"Let's raise hell!"

"Go for it! Even death is better than this."

"Charge out!"

The prisoners who had broken free of their shackles picked up the guards' weapons while continuously releasing other prisoners, increasing the chaos and their chances of escape.

In an instant, the entire Scorching Hell descended into chaos.

Sacodra and Benson Martin, who were in the Warden's office, both darkened upon hearing news of the prison riot.

Martin picked up his long blade and rushed out.

Dra, however, did not act so impulsively. He picked up a Den Den Mushi and notified Vice Warden Magellan, then ordered the passage gates to the third level, Hunger Hell, to be sealed.

Elsewhere, the Bear Man charged into the elevator chamber leading to Extreme Cold Hell and Infinite Hell, directly destroying the elevator cable mechanism and temporarily trapping Magellan, Shiryu of the Rain, and Dagama on the two levels below.

"Bastard! I'll cut off your head!"

A fierce slash shot toward the Bear Man's head the moment the voice rang out.

Thank you all for your support (ω｀)