From time immemorial, only the strong had endured. No matter the time or place, victors wrote the story. The Pirate World was no different. After Joy Boy and his comrades failed in their revolution, who still remembered him? The Celestial Dragons had sealed away every trace of them. Even that period of history had vanished.
Ryan thought they had gotten off lightly. At least the Celestial Dragons had not smeared Joy Boy and his comrades. Whether that was because they did not know how or because some other secret was involved, he could not say.
Ryan did not slow down. He looked ready to crush his way straight through, paying no mind to anyone else.
Hannibal was trembling all over, yet he stood firm in Ryan's path. It was his duty as Impel Down's deputy warden. Even if someone else had been coming, he would have done the same.
A mayfly trying to shake a tree. Admirable and tragic.
Ryan looked at Hannibal, whose clothes and appearance made him resemble an Egyptian pharaoh. "Move," he said flatly. "Or you'll die."
"I... I won't!" Hannibal's teeth chattered with fear and nerves.
Years ago, he had witnessed the great pirate Golden Lion escape. Back then, he had lacked the strength to stop him and had not even tried.
Now the same choice stood before him. In a matter of seconds, Hannibal decided to be a hero in others' eyes and a fool in his own. He would stand against Ryan and buy the others enough time.
But being a hero was not easy. As Ryan drew closer, Hannibal could almost see his own life coming to an end.
He did not regret it. Even if he had the chance to choose again, he would do the same.
He knew that if Ryan