A True Man Lives Between Heaven and Earth! (Seeking Follow-ups! Seeking Monthly Votes!)

The moment Edward Teach's words fell.

It was as if a sudden gale had swept through Newkama Land.

Faint dark red arcs of electricity flickered through the air, an invisible pressure blanketing the entire scene.

Even those at the very edge of the crowd, the okamas, felt a heavy, suffocating weight pressing down on them.

'Con—Conqueror's Haki!?'

Ivankov, being the closest, was the first to sense this overwhelming force.

Even the Okama King, who had weathered countless storms, found beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

'Such terrifying spirit! Such a grand ambition!'

Ivankov stood speechless, staring at Edward Teach with a mix of shock and awe.

'Only the son of Whitebeard could possess this!'

From this moment on.

Ivankov no longer harbored any doubt about Edward Teach's identity.

He was definitely "Whitebeard the Third" without a doubt!

Emotionally, Ivankov greatly admired the plan Edward Teach had just proposed.

"Carefully selecting the strongest subordinates from the most terrifying Infinite Hell"!

A plan that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to imagine, and Teach had laid it out so boldly!

But rationally, Ivankov held little hope for Edward Teach's future.

Infinite Hell—what kind of place was that?

The criminals imprisoned there were almost all monsters so vicious that the World Government had deliberately erased them from history.

Every single prisoner in Infinite Hell could be considered a legendary figure if released into the outside world!

Could Edward Teach really recruit subordinates from Infinite Hell?

The answer to that question, Ivankov did not know.

Yet at that moment, he voiced no negative opinions about Teach's words, only calmly pressing further.

"Teach, what exactly do you need me to do?"

If Edward Teach wanted Ivankov to help build upon this "Infinite Hell recruitment plan"—

For instance, handling the aftermath, helping Edward Teach and his potential future subordinates escape Impel Down in secret...

Then Ivankov could grit his teeth and agree.

A little-known fact.

Newkama Land was connected to all the major and minor secret passages within Impel Down.

From the first level, Crimson Lotus Hell, to the fifth level, Extreme Cold Hell.

Every one of the first five levels of Impel Down had dedicated secret tunnels leading to Newkama Land.

Even the Jailers of Impel Down were unaware of these hidden passages.

Ivankov was fully capable of helping a group move freely and undetected through the first five levels of Impel Down.

Edward Teach seemed to be a little distracted.

But upon hearing the Okama King's words, he quickly refocused.

"Didn't I just say it?

"My goal is Infinite Hell!

"Ivankov, come with me to Infinite Hell!"

Edward Teach once again extended a "hand of friendship" to the Okama King.

"We're friends, aren't we?

"If we can't go through fire and water together, what kind of friends would we be?

"Okama King, you'll go to hell with me, right?"

Whether he himself would go to hell after death, Ivankov wasn't sure.

But the invitation Edward Teach extended at this moment—

To Ivankov's ears, it sounded no different from a call from the abyss itself!

In an instant.

Ivankov was drenched in sweat.

He had originally wanted to repay Edward Teach for saving Lightning's life.

But how had the situation turned into this...

Was he supposed to pay Edward Teach back with his own life?!

"I, you, friend, that... ahaha."

Ivankov wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, let out a chuckle, and asked vaguely.

"Teach, if you really entered Infinite Hell, how would you go about recruiting those heinous criminals?"

"What would I do? Gurarara..."

Edward Teach burst into laughter, the booming sound echoing endlessly within the cave.

"I would unlock the shackles of every prisoner in Infinite Hell!

"I would unleash an unprecedented battle royale in Infinite Hell!

"Only those who survive the endless slaughter would be worthy of becoming my subordinates!"

In the future of the normal timeline.

There really was a "Teach" who did just that.

But that man was called "Blackbeard Teach."

And what "Whitebeard Teach" said now—

selecting subordinates through a culling-style recruitment in Infinite Hell—

was a complete lie!

Edward Teach—or rather, Storm.

Everything Storm had said to Ivankov before was the truth.

He wanted to enter Infinite Hell!

He wanted to form the most fearsome pirate crew in history!

He wanted to defeat Whitebeard, defeat all competitors, and become the world's strongest pirate!

He also wanted to pick the most elite, most powerful subordinates from among the world's most evil, most terrifying criminals!

But.

Who said the world's most evil and most powerful criminals only existed in Infinite Hell?

Look at this "Edward Teach"—wasn't he just as lawless and overbearing?

To be fair.

Storm wasn't Blackbeard.

He had zero interest in recruiting the trash of Infinite Hell.

Nor was he the Sun God Nika.

Causing a mass prison break from Impel Down for personal gain.

Storm's goal had always been only one—

the [Big Trophy] of those legendary-level powerhouses in Infinite Hell!

Back then, Storm had voluntarily applied to come to Impel Down.

It was all for the Big Trophies on the countless prisoners locked up here!

He didn't come to Impel Down to be a jailer and work for the World Government for life!

Now, after continuously adding points with [Big Trophy], Storm's overall strength had reached five-star level!

The [Clay Fruit] he possessed had even reached the awakening level!

Even the four-star [Golden Trophy]

had lost its appeal to Storm by now.

In other words.

Impel Down was no longer a "leveling paradise"!

Under these circumstances, Storm naturally had to start planning his departure from Impel Down.

Inside Impel Down, seven levels of hell.

Storm had fought his way from the first level, Crimson Lotus Hell, all the way to Level 5.5, Newkama Land.

Now only the prisoners in Infinite Hell remained, still un-"visited" by him.

Storm had long wanted to make a big move in Infinite Hell, harvest one last batch of [Big Trophy], and then leave Impel Down for the freer seas.

A true man born between heaven and earth—how could he languish forever under another's thumb!

Today, by chance, he ran into Lightning, which unexpectedly dragged out Ivankov behind him, and the "hidden map" of Newkama Land.

Storm naturally came up with the idea of making these not-weak Newkama his allies for his plan.

Now it all depends on Ivankov's reply!

Even though the Okama King had long since realized that "Edward Teach" was no ordinary man.

After hearing his plan, he still couldn't help but feel shaken to his core.

"Make all the prisoners in Infinite Hell fight each other to the death, and pick the ultimate criminal who survives in the end"!

Just hearing that, anyone would know it was something Teach would do!

However...

"Teach, Infinite Hell isn't Extreme Cold Hell."

Ivankov advised him earnestly.

"The guard force in Infinite Hell is extremely powerful, and it's crawling with surveillance Den Den Mushi everywhere.

"Without a direct order from Warden Magellan, even the Jailers can't freely enter or leave Infinite Hell.

"And if there's the slightest disturbance in Infinite Hell, the Surveillance Room will get word immediately.

"When that happens, the full force of Impel Down will be mobilized in no time!

"You'll be facing the true, terrifying power of hell!

"Especially the Warden of Impel Down—Magellan!"

Ivankov wasn't some rookie new to the seas.

As the Grand Line Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army.

Ivankov knew very well just how terrifying the monsters at the top of the sea's power pyramid really were!

Whitebeard, Red-Haired, Beasts, Big Mom...

Even just saying those names would send chills down an ordinary person's spine.

On the open sea, not many people knew about Magellan.

But Ivankov, who had lived in Impel Down for a while, knew exactly how powerful that "Poison Human" was!

No exaggeration.

Within Impel Down, the strength Magellan could unleash was no less than the World Government's top combat power!

Ivankov didn't want to face an enemy that terrifying.

"Gurarara..."

Edward Teach chuckled, then suddenly stood up and walked toward the exit of Newkama Land.

"Hold on, allow me to introduce a new friend."

None of the okamas dared to stop Whitebeard the Third.

Even Ivankov didn't move.

He just sat quietly in his chair, watching Edward Teach turn and leave.

Before long.

Edward Teach returned to Newkama Land.

And beside his tall, imposing figure, there was now a slender silhouette.

"Vongola Storm!?"

Ivankov's face instantly twisted in shock.

He leaped up from his chair, instinctively dropping into a defensive stance.

"How did you get here!?"

Newkama Land had always existed outside Impel Down's surveillance system.

No prison personnel knew about the existence of "Level 5.5."

Now, suddenly seeing Vongola Storm here—

That terrifying Jailer Chief who had only been in the prison a short while and could already beat Shiryu senseless.

How could the Okama King not be horrified!?

"Teach? Why are you just standing there watching!"

"Calm down, Ivankov."

Edward Teach said in a deep, rumbling voice.

"Storm is my partner."

Whether it was an illusion or not.

Ivankov felt that the Teach before him now seemed less sharp-edged and arrogant than before...

But he still heard Teach's words clearly.

"Vongola Storm, you're actually Teach's partner?"

"No. You're wrong, Okama King."

Storm's smile was wild and unrestrained.

"I'm not Whitebeard the Third's partner!

"I am Whitebeard the Third's Captain!"

Today is Tuesday, the day the editorial team arranges recommendations.

Everyone, please keep reading diligently!

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