Where had that enormous rabbit gone?
How had it just vanished?
Just then, a voice carrying an inexplicable hint of amusement came from inside the tunnel entrance.
"Heh, so this is the famous Level 5.5 of Impel Down. How disappointing."
Tap, tap!
Those eerie, steady footsteps set everyone's nerves on edge.
Then a figure appeared, dressed in a ragged white prison uniform, his hair slicked back and a wicked grin on his lips.
Roy had arrived at Level 5.5 of Impel Down.
His arrival first stunned Emporio Ivankov and the others. Once they recovered, they all cried out in alarm.
"Ah! Am I seeing things? Doesn't this guy look like the one who broke out of Level 1?"
"Boo-hoo, you're not mistaken! He's Roy, the one who broke out of Level 1! But can someone tell me why he's here in Newkama Paradise on Level 5.5, which only we know about?"
"We're done for! Completely done for! This guy kills without blinking. No matter how he got here, we're all in danger!"
They had never imagined that instead of Inazuma, this murderous fiend would arrive.
Roy frowned, seemingly disturbed by the crowd's clamor.
"So this is Newkama Paradise? It's a little too noisy."
He looked straight at Ivankov, whose expression had likewise changed drastically, and spoke calmly.
"Ivankov, I'd like everyone uninvolved to keep their distance."
As he spoke, he stepped out of the tunnel entrance, officially setting foot on Level 5.5.
He looked around.
There was nothing special about the place, just an open area with a series of caves.
Of course, this was only a gap between Level 5 and Level 6 to begin with.
Having this much space was already quite good.
"Sir Roy, this is my territory."
Ivankov forced down the shock in his heart, stood in front of the other newkamas, and said gravely:
"You barge in here, then demand that my people leave. Aren't you showing me far too little respect?"
Roy looked at her and suddenly smiled.
"Ivankov, you've misunderstood. I'm not here to negotiate with you."
"I'm informing you."
He walked toward Ivankov, step by step.
Even the slightest trace of his presence made everyone there turn pale.
Only by witnessing it firsthand could they understand how terrifying this man's oppressive presence was.
Still, there was always someone stubborn enough to try.
Among the crowd, a tall, burly newkama could no longer bear the pressure and suddenly charged out.
"What are you all afraid of? However strong he is, he's just a fugitive who failed to escape! He comes onto our turf and dares disrespect the queen..."
"Newkama Kenpo!"
He roared as he charged at Roy.
Ivankov wanted to stop him, but it was already too late.
Roy's expression instantly turned cold.
"Sure enough, the moment I show even a hint of weakness, countless people want to attack me."
"It seems reason has never worked in this world."
The newkama's fist hurtled toward his face, but Roy evaded it with a slight turn of his body.
The next instant, he seized the man's wrist with one hand while his other hand closed around his throat.
"Don't!"
Ivankov shouted in alarm.
Roy paused.
He glanced back at Ivankov, then flung the newkama away like a piece of trash.
That massive body slammed into the rock wall, knocking him unconscious on the spot, but not killing him.
"Consider this your warning."
Roy released his grip, his voice utterly devoid of warmth. "Next time, I won't hold back."
All of Newkama Paradise fell deathly silent in an instant.
There were no cheers, no anger, only boundless fear.
Ivankov's face was livid, but she said nothing more.
She knew Roy had done it deliberately.
He had told her in the most direct way possible that he could kill everyone here; he simply did not feel like dirtying his hands for now.
Only then, amid the murderous atmosphere, did a familiar voice come from the tunnel. "Your Majesty, I'm back!"
Inazuma hurried out of the tunnel, but when he saw his fellow newkama lying beside the rock wall, his expression changed drastically.
"What... what happened here?"
Ivankov gave him a long look, then looked at Roy before finally saying gravely, "Everyone, withdraw."
"Inazuma, you stay."
The newkamas exchanged looks. Though unwilling, they still silently retreated.
They knew better than anyone that opposing this monster really would get them killed.
A short while later, only Roy, Ivankov, and Inazuma remained in the open area.
Ivankov stopped beating around the bush and stared straight at Roy. "Sir Roy, can we talk now?"
Roy curled his lips in satisfaction. "Of course. I have a deal involving the Revolutionary Army behind you."
During the conversation that followed, Ivankov's and Inazuma's expressions grew increasingly grave.
Roy mentioned a second prison break, releasing the monsters on Level 6, and even things about Dragon that she did not know.
When Roy said, "Dragon has quite a few secrets in the East Blue," Ivankov's expression changed again.
"You... just how much more do you know?"
Roy did not answer. He merely confirmed the answer he wanted from her words.
The year was 1519. (After much thought, I decided to use the familiar timeline.)
There was still one year before Luffy set sail.
The timing was just right.
"All right."
Roy stood and loosened his shoulders and neck. "We've discussed everything we needed to."
"Give me somewhere quiet to recuperate. I need a few days to recover."
Ivankov fell silent for a moment, then nodded to Inazuma.
With a complicated expression, Inazuma led Roy farther inside.
"Roy."
Ivankov suddenly called after him. "I'll give your terms serious consideration."
"But I hope you understand that the Revolutionary Army isn't something just anyone can use."
Roy did not stop walking, leaving only a casual remark behind. "By the time you've finished considering it, the Jailers of Impel Down might find this place before long."
Conflict showed on Ivankov's face!
A short while later, Roy was settled into a separate cave in the deepest part of Level 5.5.
He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began sensing the thin cursed energy lingering in the air.
It was power converted by the negative-emotion collection orbs he had deployed.
This battle had drained him too much. He had to recover as quickly as possible.
His Rabbit Escape had suffered considerable losses in the battle with Kuzan, but Piercing Ox and Totality had not died, so there was no problem for now.
But if he faced Kuzan again, he would need stronger means.
He had to keep honing his Haki and raise his template synchronization rate as quickly as possible.
"Then let this storm rage even harder!"
Roy did not open his eyes, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Time was still on his side.
Early the next morning, on the sea outside Impel Down, a warship broke through the morning mist and slowly approached.
Three elderly figures stood at the very front of the warship.
At their head, Sengoku's face was livid. Garp stood with his arms folded, his gaze somber.
Staff Officer Tsuru wore a solemn expression, her bearing undiminished.
Impel Down welcomed three heavyweights.
Before you continue