A secret between us

"Did you say River?!"

Sitting across from Sengoku, Garp looked surprised. His hair was white, but his build was still powerfully muscular.

"What happened to him? Isn't he in Impel Down?"

Garp asked in confusion.

"He is in Impel Down, but can we really leave him there for the rest of his life?"

"A man like him probably won't tolerate another twenty years!"

Sengoku spoke gravely.

"Besides, his strength would be a tremendous help in dealing with the world situation ahead!"

Garp scratched his head. "That kid isn't malicious. He just made some mistakes."

"So why not let him out of Impel Down?"

Sengoku rolled his eyes. Asking the man in front of him had been a complete waste of time.

"The work he's done in Impel Down and the time he's spent there are enough to make up for his past mistakes."

"We could indeed get him out. But, Garp..."

"You and I both know how dangerous he is!"

Sengoku stood, leaned forward, and stared at Garp with a serious expression.

"Dangerous? Hahahaha! Sengoku, no matter how dangerous he is, surely the two of us can keep him under control?"

"Besides, haven't those three youngsters, Kuzan, Borsalino, and the other one, all grown into their own now?"

"Would they really be any weaker than River was back then?"

Garp's words made Sengoku pause briefly before sitting back down.

"You have a point."

"It's been twenty years. Those three have kept growing and become Admirals, while River has effectively been imprisoned in Impel Down."

"He's had almost no room to improve."

As he spoke, Sengoku slowly exhaled.

"Then let him leave Impel Down—as a Marine Intern!"

"Hasn't your grandson been causing quite a stir lately?"

"Send that kid to look for him."

Garp's expression changed dramatically. "Hey, hey, hey, hey! Are you kidding me?"

"It's just an excuse to let him get some fresh air."

"With his temperament, he won't stay in one place after getting out of there."

Sengoku spoke helplessly.

They had all once been close friends. But after twenty years, even that youthful face had grown hazy in his memory.

Sengoku couldn't help reflecting on how completely the world had changed, how fleeting everything was.

A short while later, after reviewing the merits River had accumulated over more than a decade in Impel Down, Sengoku hesitated briefly, then stamped the document with his seal.

"Permission granted for the Impel Down jailer's personnel file to be transferred to Marine Headquarters, where he will serve as a Marine trainee!"

That simple sentence meant that, from this moment onward, River's status had changed. He was once again a Marine.

"Promotion will be difficult. After all, some people in the World Government see that man as a thorn in their side!"

Looking at the document on his desk, Sengoku shook his head again.

His expression was complicated. He felt deep regret for the young man River had been back then.

Perhaps this man's prospects would end with being an ordinary Marine for the rest of his life.

At the same time, Sengoku felt a faint unease.

"With his strength and temperament, would he really be happy being an ordinary Marine?"

Judging by his past actions, River was anything but obedient.

"Being an ordinary Marine is good enough. He can do whatever he likes!"

"It's better than spending his whole life in Impel Down. He should be content and grateful."

Soon, Impel Down received the document and appointment letter from headquarters.

The document was brief, but when it was placed in River's hands, it made him smile.

"A Marine Intern?"

"That's enough!"

"Leaving this place means everything will be different!"

It also meant that his agreement with Sengoku and Garp had been fulfilled and was now dissolved. From this point on, that burden was gone.

After all, River was a man who kept his promises.

"Congratulations, Admiral River!"

"Once you're out, you're sure to become an Admiral again in no time!"

Hannyabal spoke with excited enthusiasm.

River paused briefly, then smiled. "Hannyabal, I may never become an Admiral again in this lifetime!"

The appointment letter had made that perfectly clear.

The Marines had never issued an appointment letter for a Marine Intern. That alone revealed headquarters' attitude toward him.

He could be a Marine, but he could not be promoted.

His career in the Marines had essentially reached its end.

"Huh? How could that be? With your strength!"

Hannyabal sounded bewildered.

River smiled and prepared to pack up and leave this sunless prison.

Just then, a jailer hurried over.

"Admiral River, Crocodile asked me to pass on a message."

River glanced at Hannyabal. The latter showed no intention of stepping away to avoid suspicion; instead, he leaned in to listen.

"Go ahead!"

River smiled as he spoke.

After nearly twenty years of life in Impel Down, Hannyabal certainly counted as one of his trusted men.

"He said he agreed!"

A smile spread across River's face.

"A wise choice!"

Hannyabal looked puzzled. "Agreed to what?"

"Do you have some connection with a man like Crocodile?"

"He's a dangerous man!"

River was unconcerned. He merely smiled faintly. "Is he more dangerous than me?"

A chill ran through Hannyabal. "Of course not!"

"Hand him over to me, Hannyabal!"

River's voice was perfectly level, unmistakably carrying the tone of an order.

"What do you mean by handing him over to you?"

Hannyabal asked cautiously.

The jailer beside them realized something and immediately turned and hurried away, not daring to listen.

Compared with the outside world, Impel Down truly was a sunless hell. Its darkness and corruption were beyond anything outsiders could imagine.

"I'm taking him with me!"

River said it bluntly.

"Huh?!"

Hannyabal shuddered, his face turning green.

"Are... are you joking?"

"I never joke!"

River said.

"Then... then how should I report this?"

Hannyabal was trembling all over.

This was a serious matter! Admiral River actually intended to take a prisoner from Infinite Hell on Level Six out without authorization.

If anyone discovered it, the consequences were unimaginable!

How could Admiral River be so brazen? How could he dare do this!

Even more miserably, Hannyabal didn't dare refuse his order either.

"Don't report it. Just pretend you know nothing about this!"

River said calmly.

"As your reward, I'll increase your strength!"

As he spoke, River extended his right hand and pressed it against Hannyabal's body.

The next second, Hannyabal's body jolted violently. Excitement and exhilaration filled his eyes, and he nearly howled aloud.

A series of notification chimes also rang out in River's mind.

"You are enhancing the target's swordsmanship. Rank: intermediate. Enhancement complete. Successfully advanced to advanced rank. Further evolution available. Evolution complete. The target has mastered Flying Slash."

"You are enhancing the target's body. Enhancement complete. Evolution in progress. Evolution complete. The target has mastered Armament Haki!"

In just a few breaths, Hannyabal's strength had risen by more than a single level.

Withdrawing his right hand, River watched Hannyabal wave his arms and stamp his feet in delight, then smiled faintly.

"Don't tell anyone, Hannyabal."

"This is a secret between us!"

Hannyabal nodded vigorously in excitement.

The man wanted to take a world-class criminal away. Of course it was a secret! If it came to light, Hannyabal would be dead!

He was even already plotting how to shift the blame for this onto Magellan.