Beginning the Prison Break

Prison break.

At last, this day had arrived. Ye Qiong's heart, usually as calm as still water, now churned like raging waves.

He had come to the world of pirates ten years ago and had always been trapped by the shackles of fate!

For the first five years, because of his strength, he had been trapped on Ohara Island. In the end, he had exhausted everything he had to let those he wanted to protect escape.

For the latter five years, still because of his strength, he had been trapped in Impel Down, constantly training for no other reason than to grow stronger.

How could he not want to see this world's seas with an ordinary heart—to see how magnificent and free they were? Unfortunately, there were too many obstacles before him, driving him time and again into desperate situations that seemed impossible to break.

"Robin, are you all right?"

Ye Qiong clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resolve. This time, he would definitely shatter the cage that bound him and truly set foot upon this world's seas!

By a normal estimate, his current combat strength had just reached the ordinary level of a Shichibukai. If he had possessed such strength back then, he might even have been able to contend with Sakazuki.

Of course, more than five years had passed. Sakazuki could not possibly have stood still waiting for him. By now, Sakazuki might already possess the status and strength of an admiral.

"No matter who dares stand in my way this time, I will leave this place!"

Ye Qiong's tone was icy. This time, he truly had to risk everything and fight for a future of his own!

"Brother Ye, everything is more or less ready."

Crow King and White Snow walked over, both of them seemingly fully equipped as well.

Crow King handed him a longsword and a white robe. They were supplies he had stolen from the prison guards of Freezing Hell before.

"Thinking about leaving this place, I really am a little reluctant," Crow King said with some emotion.

"Then stay here," White Snow said flatly, casting him a sidelong glance.

"Hey, hey, how could I do that? I'm going to follow Brother Ye from now on," Crow King hurriedly refused, shaking his head wildly.

"All right, stop fooling around. Go carry Master. We're getting ready to leave!" Ye Qiong urged. As though receiving an order, Crow King ran off.

Ye Qiong's gaze fell upon White Snow. "White Snow, you..."

He suddenly stopped, recalling the first time he had met her. Her exquisite body upon the snow had been fair and crystalline, just like her name.

"One day, I will tear you to pieces."

The girl's savage words from years ago still rang in his ears.

White Snow said nothing. Her silver eyes stared directly at him without revealing the slightest trace of emotion. She herself was an incomparably proud Army Wolf Leader.

"Go make the final preparations. You still can't beat me, so you're still my subordinate!"

Ye Qiong grinned and reached out to stroke her smooth, silver-white hair.

White Snow's body trembled slightly, but she did not resist. She merely lowered her head a little and narrowed her eyes, quietly biting her lip.

Perhaps the leader's will could not be resisted. White Snow sighed inwardly. Only this could convince her restless heart.

Ye Qiong fastened the longsword to his belt and draped the white robe over himself, looking imposing and majestic.

"Let's go."

He strode toward the cave entrance.

"Yes!"

White Snow watched his back and followed without hesitation.

At the exit of Freezing Hell, the prison gate of the steel-and-concrete structure stood as grand and majestic as a city gate. Dense iron studs lined it as it stretched across the exit, sealing off everything.

It even contained Seastone, preventing ability users from passing through with their various powers.

Several prison guards in padded jackets stood beside the gate, yawning lazily.

"Do you think the warden has a problem? He has people guarding this place all year round, but nothing has ever happened."

"Shut up! If the warden hears that, do you want to be poisoned to death?"

"Hehe, he's probably still in the bathroom detoxing right now."

"All right, whatever the warden does must have its reasons. It doesn't hurt for us to cooperate."

They chatted for a moment, then boredly dropped the subject.

Just then, the tightly shut steel gate let out a BANG. The tremendous sound was like thunder exploding from the ground, startling them.

"What was that?!" They were alarmed and uncertain.

"A few years ago, something extremely strange happened in Freezing Hell. The seniors said there was a monster inside. It can't be such a coincidence, can it..."

The prison guards stared at the magnificent gate before them, utterly terrified.

BANG!

Another deafening blow struck the gate, making the entire steel door tremble violently.

"Could that monster be trying to come out?"

"Quick, inform the warden!"

"How could anyone possibly break through this prison gate..."

The prison guards were just about to take out a Den Den Mushi when the prison gate before them began to roar.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A terrifying force assaulted it. The prison gate seemed to be bearing an enormous weight, trembling uncontrollably as the surrounding walls cracked apart. At last, before the horrified eyes of the prison guards, it crashed down!

BOOM!

The prison gate slammed downward, crushing toward the many prison guards.

"Fall back!!!"

The prison guards desperately fled, but more than half were still crushed beneath the enormous steel gate, reduced directly to mangled heaps of flesh.

The freezing winds and snow of Freezing Hell immediately poured in, and the temperature plummeted.

Three figures emerged from the gateway.

"You are...!"

The remaining prison guards stared at them in terror, unable even to connect the Den Den Mushi in their hands.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

White Snow shot forward. Her left hand transformed into a wolf claw, and before the prison guards could react, sprays of blood blossomed as their bodies were torn apart one after another, all collapsing into pools of blood.

Crow King carried the Night Emperor on his back and shook his head helplessly. "What a terrifying woman."

"R!"

Ye Qiong swept his eyes over the surrounding buildings and leaped through space with the three of them.

In the next instant, they appeared beneath the enormous hole on the fifth floor of Impel Down. The opening above was pitch-black, while countless prison guards surrounded them.

The opening above their heads was clearly the only passage to the outside world! Mixed with Seastone, it hindered the use of spatial movement abilities.

"Prisoners!"

The prison guards looked at Ye Qiong and the others, who had suddenly appeared, and were terrified beyond measure.

"Ignore them!"

Ye Qiong charged toward the hole overhead, as Space Cubes condensed into invisible steps.

"Charge! Keep charging until we get out of Impel Down!"

The three of them stepped on the Space Cubes—solidified blocks of space that could be sensed with Observation Haki—and rushed upward.

"Prisoners are trying to escape! Stop them! Notify the warden!"

The fifth-floor prison guards watched the three step through the air and leave, their faces turning pale.

Ye Qiong took the lead. Crow King carried the Night Emperor slightly behind him, while White Snow brought up the rear.

The three leaped upward at top speed, charging higher and higher.

Just as Ye Qiong was about to collide with the elevator ahead, he drew the longsword from his waist. Before its cold gleam could emerge, it was coated in Armament Haki, its jet-black blade gleaming brightly.

"Break!"

Ye Qiong swung his sword. A blade light like black lightning tore through the air and struck upward.

BANG!

The enormous elevator shattered into pieces. The prison guards on it fell crashing down along with countless parts.

"R!"

Ye Qiong pressed forward without pause, using space to force aside the falling obstacles.

"Disciple, there are people above!"

The Night Emperor suddenly spoke from behind, warning him. His mastery of Observation Haki was unfathomable, allowing him to sense the obstacle ahead even faster than Ye Qiong.

And those people were not mere cannon fodder like prison guards. They had to be strong!

"Who could it be?"

Ye Qiong frowned, stepping on Space Cubes as he continued charging upward. A faint light already shone above his head. The fourth floor, Burning Hell, was close at hand!