Midday Break

In the evening, Fleet Admiral Aokiji arrived at Impel Down aboard a warship for the first time.

Figo, who had received word, waited outside to greet him. It was the second time he had seen the old man, who stood only five foot three and lacked the bearing of a Marine Admiral or Fleet Admiral.

Like Doug, the seven years had left their mark on him. The wrinkles on his old face were deep enough to trap a mosquito with ease.

"What, are you waiting here to throw me in prison too?" Aokiji asked, putting on a stern face when he saw Figo.

"Not at all." Figo said, "Sorry for the trouble this time, sir."

Aokiji looked up at Figo. Suddenly, his stern expression relaxed, and he smiled. "It's no trouble. You did well, Figo! Raul didn't grow into the person I'd hoped he would, and that's always disappointed me. I never expected you to come along!

"The righteous Navy can't be made up entirely of men like you, but it absolutely needs men like you! Someone has to hold the line when it comes to the limits of justice!"

"You're too kind." Figo knew the outcome of this incident was probably going to be all right.

As they walked into Impel Down, Aokiji stressed, "The Revolutionary Army must be dismantled."

"I understand," Figo replied.

Aokiji nodded. "From what I've heard, the Revolutionary Army's Saintess, Sapphire, probably started out wanting only to rescue slaves who might suffer the same fate she had. But many of the slaves she rescued had been pirates, and they wouldn't be content to remain selfless rescuers of slaves.

"The Revolutionary Army sprang up very suddenly. I suspect Sapphire was pushed into the position of leader against her will, at least to some extent. So no matter what, we can't let the Revolutionary Army keep growing like this!"

"I know," Figo replied. "I'd considered that possibility. My suggestion to the Five Elders was that I take over from Teacher Doug and lead the campaign to wipe out the Revolutionary Army, rather than leave it alone."

"That won't work." Aokiji shook his head. "You can't go."

Figo froze.

"This is the Five Elders' bottom line. Your stance on the Jellal and Sapphire incident was too forceful, and they're worried that if you lead the campaign, things could spiral even further out of control. In short, they're afraid you won't just fail to wipe out the Revolutionary Army—you'll join them."

Aokiji didn't mince words with Figo. "I believe you wouldn't do that, but the Five Elders aren't willing to trust you. Refusing to resolve this incident entirely on your terms is also the Five Elders' last stand for the sake of their pride!"

"Then what happens now...?"

"Jellal's Public Execution is canceled. He'll remain imprisoned in Impel Down.

"Doug is removed as the person in charge of the campaign against the Revolutionary Army. The World Government's CP0 will take over.

"And you're not to leave Impel Down without permission for the remainder of your three-year term as Director!"

Figo furrowed his brow. He'd wanted to take on the campaign against the Revolutionary Army because Jellal's Character Event 2 pointed to Sapphire. No matter where she was in the pirate world, Figo would be able to find her.

That would give him plenty of time to assess the Revolutionary Army's true situation and ensure that everyone involved got a reasonable, even favorable, outcome.

But now...

"What, are you really thinking of leaving the Navy?" Aokiji asked. "I've been Fleet Admiral for nearly thirty years. The Five Elders have always pressured me into one compromise after another. Sometimes I've wanted to resign on the spot and walk away, but in the end, I've kept going, day after day.

"As long as I'm in office, even if I win just one fight or help just one or two people, all that perseverance is worth it. That's my justice. What about you, Figo?"

Figo shook his head and said nothing.

Aokiji, who had grown up in the pirate world, wouldn't understand Figo's way of thinking. The World Government was supreme, and the Five Elders held the highest authority. That belief was etched into Aokiji's bones, so he dared to fight back, but not to rebel.

As someone from another world, Figo had no such reverence. If he saw something wrong, why not rebel against it?

Aokiji seemed to read Figo's thoughts. Looking troubled and wistful, he said, "No wonder you've managed to do what I never could. You have more conviction and courage than I imagined. I only hope you'll hold fast to your sense of justice, and at the very least, never use your power to do evil, Figo!"

"Don't worry. I won't."

"But it hasn't come to that yet." After a pause, Aokiji continued, "CP0 specializes in undercover operations and intelligence investigations. They can't do anything about Sapphire now that she's grown powerful. Even if they find the Revolutionary Army's location, they'll still need the Navy to plan an operation. When that happens, I'll let you know the details. You can decide for yourself what to do and how to act!

"Whether you leave Impel Down to pursue your own justice or do something else will be up to you!

"This will probably be my last stand against the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons during my time as Fleet Admiral. I'll have to rely on you to see it through.

"You won't let me down. You'll handle everything, won't you, Figo?"

"Don't worry. I will." Figo hesitated, then smiled. "All right, I'll wait here for word from you."

Aokiji's old face creased into a smile. "You can count on me not to let you down, either!"

Aokiji took Doug and Raul away.

Kinch, baffled that the Director's position had slipped through his fingers yet again, announced in the monitoring room that the incident was over.

The guards cheered and celebrated their great Director Figo. Impel Down gradually returned to peace, as if nothing had happened. But Figo knew this was only the midday break!

After wolfing down a ton of food in the cafeteria, he went down to Level 6 of Impel Down through the guard passage.

Raul had crashed into the outer wall of Level 6 earlier, so the tremors there had been the strongest. The prisoners on Level 6 had no idea what had happened; some even thought someone had come to break them out.

When they saw Figo, they were all disappointed. Someone called out, "Which idiot attacked Impel Down? Why hasn't Laughing Jellal come back? You bastard, don't tell me someone rescued Jellal while you were out!"

"No. I had a bit of a disagreement with the World Government and fought a Marine Admiral. It's all settled now." Figo smiled. "Thanks for your concern."

The Great Pirates on Level 6 all froze. Soon, one of them let out a hearty laugh.

"Director Figo, I knew you weren't the sort to follow the rules! How about breaking out? I'll follow you!"

The other prisoners were tempted.

"Yeah, if you break out, I'll follow you too..."

"Me too! Me too!"

"Ha ha ha ha! If you became Captain of a pirate crew and we all sailed out together, we'd instantly become the strongest pirate crew in history! Gaston Figo!"

"Ha ha ha, now that sounds great!"

"Come on, Director Figo!"

Figo raised one finger.

"I need ten men."

The prisoners fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a clamor. "I'm in! I'm in!"

"I used to be a navigator!"

"I was a shipwright!"

"I'm a sniper! Ha ha ha, my blood's boiling, Captain Figo!"

"What Captain?" Figo chuckled. "I meant I didn't get enough of a fight against the Admiral. This time, I'm taking on ten."

It was as if someone had hit the mute button. The noisy voices stopped all at once. The Great Pirates' faces stiffened as they glanced at one another.

"Who wants to come?"

The Great Pirates exchanged glances.

'You go?'

'Why don't you go?'

'I haven't recovered from my injuries. You go.'

Figo chuckled under his breath.

There were still a few men with some fight in them. Hearing that low chuckle, several of them surged with anger and roared, "Don't get too cocky! I'll do it!"

Figo looked around. "Five short."

No one said another word. After seven years, they wouldn't even break out if given the chance. In the end, Figo could only toss the keys in front of the cells of the five men who'd volunteered.

"Then the five of you will do."

The five stared in disbelief. You—you cowards... You're scared out of your wits... Damn it!

"Make it quick."

Figo's voice sounded like a death sentence.

Shock and fury spread across the five men's faces.

No, don't come any closer!

I really don't want to break out!