Awakening: Split Apart

"Your teacher disappeared from this world many years ago."

"Most people have no idea where he is."

"It took a lot of asking around, and every connection I had, to find out."

Simboo took a deep breath and lowered his voice.

Kuina listened intently.

"He's in Impel Down!"

Kuina froze. Then her expression changed, and she jerked her head toward the grim prison shrouded in mist.

"That's right. In there!"

"So if you want to see him, you'll have to enter the world's greatest prison!"

Simboo's voice was grave, his eyes flickering.

He was trying to work out how to get his old friend's student into Impel Down and grant her wish.

"Enter the world's greatest prison?"

Kuina murmured the words.

A sudden rush of fear and nerves seized her. She had heard plenty about Impel Down, but she had never imagined it would have anything to do with her.

It was where the world's criminals were locked away, a place full of brutality and filth. It might even be more dangerous than the world outside.

"I'll find a way for you!"

"But first, I need to know one thing. Do you have the courage to face the world's greatest prison?"

Simboo turned to her, his voice solemn.

Impel Down was no place for the fainthearted. The murderous aura of criminals imprisoned there for years could drive anyone without a firm will to madness—or break them altogether.

"I do!"

Kuina nodded firmly.

She had left the West Blue and come here alone for one reason: to meet the teacher she had never seen.

"Good!"

Simboo nodded in satisfaction.

Just what he would expect of Xia Le's student. She was so young, yet her resolve and courage were already this strong.

A short while later, the warship reached Impel Down.

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