I Want to Go Back to Impel Down

His blood was boiling, and yet you chose none of the three options, wanting to return to Impel Down. I suspect you're insulting my Inspire-Inspire Fruit, but I have no proof.

Vice Admiral Doug pushed up his glasses, staring straight at Figo.

Figo explained, "A real man doesn't necessarily have to set his sights on the sea. If everyone yearned for the vast ocean, who would do the work of a jailer? For the past eight years, I truly feared the loneliness and solitude of Impel Down. I was a deserter from Impel Down, and I think that's not right."

This speech sounds a bit familiar? Doug showed slight confusion: "So..."

"That captain of the Laughing Pirates couldn't even be transported to Impel Down. The title of the world's greatest underwater prison doesn't quite live up to its name anymore. I'm more familiar and suited for the guard duty there, and Impel Down is also a good place to quietly improve my strength. So after careful consideration, I've decided to go back for a few more years!"

Doug was speechless.

Figo's desire to return to Impel Down was indeed the result of careful consideration, but the reason was certainly not what he told Doug.

On Huoyu Island, when he captured the escaped Giant and discovered that a second capture in the Prison Archives could earn participation points, Figo started to entertain the idea of going back. He felt there was a lot of room for manipulation in Impel Down in this regard. His previous perspective had been too narrow; it was still the most convenient place for him to increase his strength.

But eight years in Impel Down had truly been stifling. With his current strength, catching pirates outside wouldn't be too dangerous, and his improvement wouldn't be too slow, so he had been hesitating before.

At dawn, when he discovered that the Celestial Dragons were each a 'Pirate Emperor,' a treasure waiting for Figo to unearth, it solidified his resolve to return.

Figo wasn't someone who couldn't tolerate a speck of dust in his eyes. All three CP9 agents had Crime Indexes of over a dozen points, but he didn't think they necessarily had to die. After all, given their positions, even Figo, who had served as an Impel Down jailer for eight years, couldn't guarantee he had no Crime Index himself.

Unless he personally saw them doing something disgusting, he might step in.

It was a bit of an 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude.

But the Celestial Dragons were different. Their existence violated Figo's bottom line of values. Whether it was their own brutal stupidity or the slave trade that flourished because of them, countless Sapphires appeared in the pirate world every single day!

If he struck out of anger once, there would always be a second time. And since they happened to carry enormous benefits, Figo knew it would be hard for him to break the habit of targeting them.

If you keep hunting geese, one day a goose will peck your eye out.

Once or twice, no one might find him. His disguise, his alibi, and his unique Fish-Man Power could all help him hide well.

But when an organization like the World Government mobilized fully, its power was immense.

The Celestial Dragons, who had maintained their supreme status for seven hundred years, couldn't be without aces in the hole. Otherwise, they would have been secretly killed off long ago by lawless pirates.

Figo couldn't even guarantee that he could defeat the slave squad around every Celestial Dragon with his current strength.

If he made a single mistake, for Figo as he was now, it would almost certainly be a death sentence! Going directly to the Holy Land to dig for treasure was even more absurd!

Figo needed greater power!

Power at the Admiral level! Power that would let him kill Celestial Dragons in secret without too many worries! Power that would let him escape smoothly even if exposed!

And Impel Down was the fastest place to help Figo cross the huge gap between Vice Admiral and Admiral!

Anyway, the Giant Power he gained from this outing had extended his life by at least ten years. Even if he threw all ten years into Impel Down, so what?

Figo could afford to wait, and this couldn't be rushed.

How could Doug know Figo's thoughts? He wanted to persuade him but stopped, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Figo, is it because of what Xiaoya said yesterday..."

Figo shook his head: "No, Teacher. I was indeed very angry about that little girl's experience, but it's not to the point of being disheartened and transferring back to Impel Down. At worst, I could choose to go to the New World or the Four Seas, far away from those disgusting Celestial Dragons."

"She wasn't just some little girl. If she were still alive, she'd be as old as you." Vice Admiral Doug corrected him first, then added, "I can see this isn't a decision made on impulse. As your teacher, I can only choose to support you and trust you. When you walk out of Impel Down again, you will surely become an even stronger Marine soldier, carving your name into the history of the Marines! I, Doug, firmly believe that!"

After his habitual words of encouragement, the old man's expression drooped again: "Won't you reconsider?"

The next morning, Doug arrived at Marshal O's office with a heavy heart.

"O, what did you call me about?"

Marshal O, who had just returned from the Holy Land not long ago, asked Doug, "Doug, the afternoon before last, you inexplicably mobilized a warship, prepared to set sail, but ultimately didn't. What were you doing?"

"You have to worry about this kind of thing too? I was just practicing my departure preparations. What's wrong with that?"

"Good thing you didn't actually set sail." O said, "Late that night, the Celestial Dragon Saint Cassilia was killed while returning to the Holy Land. The culprit has yet to be found. The World Government is furious!"

Doug's eyes widened, and he suddenly burst into laughter: "Good riddance! Was it the Laughing Pirates? Good riddance!"

"Keep your voice down." O frowned in warning, then said, "It wasn't the Laughing Pirates. They've already been crushed. If this matter isn't resolved, it probably won't end anytime soon. To be able to attack a Celestial Dragon once without a trace means they can do it a second and third time. In the short term, every Celestial Dragon's outing will be monitored by CP0 intelligence agents, and we'll have to waste Marine forces protecting them openly and covertly!"

"Tch." Doug grunted in dissatisfaction, but soon couldn't help laughing again, tears almost streaming down his face. He took off his glasses to wipe them and said, "O, you don't know what that Celestial Dragon did. To tell you the truth, O, the reason I mobilized that warship that day was to go and kill him myself!"

O was shocked: "Are you insane?!"

"Almost." Doug pulled over a chair and sat down. "I never thought that what I ultimately didn't have the courage to do, someone else did for me. If I knew who it was, I'd definitely thank them properly!"

O frowned deeply, glanced at the tightly shut door, and studied Doug's expression.

"What did that Celestial Dragon do?"

"I don't want to relive it again. It took all my courage, barely calming myself with my Inspire-Inspire Fruit, reminding myself of my identity as a Marine Vice Admiral." Doug said.

"So that's why you looked so troubled just now?" O asked again.

"No, that's not it." Doug said. "It's about my student who just came out of Impel Down. He actually wants to go back inside."

"Figo?" Aokiji was taken aback.

"Mm." Doug recounted the reason Figo had given for returning to Impel Down, then sighed. "That kid really has grown a lot. His resolve is so firm that my Inspire-Inspire Fruit can barely affect him. I can't talk him out of it. You should persuade him for me, Aokiji. With his talent, staying in Impel Down is such a waste."

"No." Aokiji, however, smiled. "Actually, I was just wondering how to convince Figo to stay and guard Impel Down for a few more years..."

He told Doug about Impel Down's impending independence from the Marine system and the establishment of the Director position. "This position is crucial. We can't let the World Government take it, or Impel Down will turn into a market for the Celestial Dragons to pick slaves!"

Doug hissed through his teeth, his face showing difficulty, and finally waved his hand as he turned to leave. "Forget it, forget it. I can't persuade him anyway. You talk to him."

"In a few days. First, you mention the changes coming to Impel Down. For now, even if it's just for show, I have to fully cooperate with the investigation into Saint Cassilia's death."

"Ah, don't take the investigation too seriously." Doug paused at the door. "I'm counting on you!"

Counting on me? Aokiji's brow furrowed.

What's wrong with this old man?

A few days later, Holy Land Mary Geoise.

"Still no leads?"

"The diving units have thoroughly searched the possible locations of Cassilia's attack, but they still haven't pinpointed the exact site of his death."

"No suspicious targets."

"This isn't worth deploying the Divine Army yet."

"Is Marine Headquarters really cooperating fully with the investigation, Saint Mendsbin? Are you being too lenient with Aokiji?"

"I've said it before: when choosing a Fleet Admiral, you can't just look at ability; you also need obedience!"

Because of Saint Cassilia's death, the Five Elders had gathered for the third time, but in the end, they reached no conclusions and dispersed hastily.

In truth, they didn't place much importance on the death of a single Celestial Dragon. Such things happened once or twice every few decades. What bothered them more was the lack of any trace of the culprit.

Saint Mendsbin, having been questioned for his attitude toward Aokiji, flicked his sleeves and returned to his residence.

Four idiots. What the hell do you know?

He retained the arrogance of a Celestial Dragon and held little regard for his four fellow Elders.

What use are obedient fools?

Only the disobedient have vitality. And when faced with the disobedient, using our minds to make them obey—or even unknowingly cooperate with us—is what makes it interesting.

At the entrance to his residence, Peslo and the other two CP9 agents who had failed their mission were finally granted an audience. They knelt on one knee, awaiting Saint Mendsbin's judgment.

"Five Elders-sama!"

Saint Mendsbin gestured for them to rise.

"In this mission, the Giant race never knew your true identities. Only Figo and that Lieutenant Colonel knew, correct?"

"Yes!"

Saint Mendsbin pondered for a moment. "From today onward, the World Government will erase all traces of you. You are no longer CP9!"

"...Five Elders-sama?"

"You were formerly human friends of the Giant race. After failing to rescue them, you were captured. To save seven lives, you had no choice but to join the World Government. Only after two years of training did you become CP9!"

The three were stunned. Another two years of training? Peslo was the first to catch on. "You mean for us to replace Yamauba's role?"

"Not a complete replacement. The details need gradual refinement. I need you to become honored guests of the Giant race in two years." Saint Mendsbin said. "This operation is top secret. Gaston Figo and that Lieutenant Colonel will keep it quiet."

As he finished speaking, the miniature Den Den Mushi attached to his arm began to ring with a buru buru sound.

After answering, a faint smile appeared on his face.

I knew it. Once you heard about Impel Down's independence, Aokiji, you'd persuade Gaston Figo to return as Director. Now, I just need to transfer that Marine Lieutenant Colonel to the World Government.

The Giant race won't escape my grasp!

5500 words. Also, my bad. Fan fiction has no rights. Even if Figo's star rating goes up, there won't be any birthday events or anything. So if you want to tip, just tip me directly. And throw in some monthly tickets too. Thanks, everyone.