The Wretched Straw Hat Pirates

"Damn Sengoku. He knew Luffy was my biological grandson, yet he didn't give him any special treatment at all."

"And he didn't even want me visiting Luffy. Next time, I'll clean out every last rice cracker in his office."

Garp spat out the saliva in his mouth, curled his lip as he complained about Sengoku's faults, then shamelessly picked his nose while looking at the heavily guarded Impel Down.

Come to think of it, he had not visited Impel Down in a long time.

He had originally been carrying out a mission in the New World when he suddenly received news that Luffy had been captured and imprisoned in the world's largest prison.

He had been completely stunned at the time.

Dragon had previously said he wanted to go see Luffy, yet not long afterward, the news reported that Dragon had fought fiercely with a Marine Vice Admiral in Loguetown.

The man seemed to be called Wilton. Back then, he had still been a Rear Admiral, known to the outside world as the Marine Tough Guy and one of Dalmatian's most capable officers.

Wilton had captured Luffy, and Dragon had fought him fiercely in order to save Luffy.

The result spoke for itself. His grandson had been rescued by his son, and Luffy had continued his pirate adventures. Garp had even been thinking of finding time to visit Luffy.

But soon afterward, he received news that Luffy had been captured by Wilton again in Alabasta and had even fought Ace.

This time, Dragon had not been there, and Luffy had been escorted to Impel Down by that brat Smoker.

He had been too far away in the New World and tied up with official duties at the time, so he had only managed to return now. He had even gone to Sengoku and received permission to visit.

He had also promised not to help Luffy escape, which was why Sengoku agreed.

There were some matters Sengoku could turn a blind eye to, but when certain things were laid out in the open, he could not show favoritism or pretend not to see them.

Garp understood this well. It was also the unspoken understanding among old friends like them.

More importantly, Garp had never planned to take Luffy away. He figured it was a good chance to let that idiot suffer a little, so he could understand how harsh the world was and give up on becoming the Pirate King.

After a few years, with a little maneuvering, Garp still had a way to get Luffy back into the Marines.

The first one, Dragon, was already a lost cause. The second, Ace, was beyond saving as well. Only the third, Luffy, still had the faintest shred of hope.

Hopefully, Luffy would learn something after this dangerous ordeal.

"Vice Admiral Garp."

The one who personally came to receive him was still Vice Warden Domino. Warden Magellan had sent her, and Magellan had clearly already received Sengoku's call.

He also knew why Garp had come to Impel Down this time.

Only then did he learn that one of the prisoners Smoker had delivered last time was actually Garp's biological grandson. He did not even know whether the boy was dead yet.

If he was dead, that would be troublesome.

"Yo~ Domino, you've become even more mature and sexy."

Garp knew Domino. More precisely, he knew several of Impel Down's chief administrators, since he had once been a frequent visitor to the prison.

Every so often, he would personally escort some major pirates here.

"Vice Admiral Garp, Warden Magellan is already waiting for you in his office."

"Ha ha ha~"

"I don't want to get poisoned, and I don't want to wear a gas mask either. Go tell Magellan that I'll take a look around myself. He'll agree."

Garp refused to meet Magellan.

He knew exactly what kind of place Impel Down was. He did not know whether Luffy was still alive, but even if he was, he was probably having a miserable time.

After all, no one in Impel Down knew that Luffy was his biological grandson.

"All right!"

Domino nodded, leaving behind a guard to guide him before turning to report to Magellan. In any case, Garp was extremely familiar with Impel Down.

He had visited even Infinite Hell many times.

After making a round through the level above sea, Garp did not find any trace of Luffy or Luffy's companions.

Before coming, he had looked through information on Luffy's companions and gotten a basic understanding of them.

Level One Underground.

Crimson Hell.

Outside the cells was a vast forest-like area. The trees were sword trees with leaves as sharp as blades, while the grass was needle grass that could pierce human bodies like needles.

At that moment, a huge crowd of prisoners ran back and forth under pursuit from giant venomous spiders and prison guards. Cries and screams filled the air.

Those leaves and grasses were like blades, easily cutting open flesh.

A closer look revealed it.

Among the crowd were the Straw Hat Pirates, Buggy, Bartholomew, Alvida, and the Baroque agents.

For now, they were only qualified to be imprisoned on Level One Underground.

Perhaps because these people were too resilient, several days had passed since they were thrown into Crimson Hell, yet not one of them had died.

On the contrary, they even seemed to be growing stronger.

Perhaps before long, they would be transferred to Beast Hell on Level Two Underground.

"I'm going to die."

Usopp wore prison clothes, his face pale and his body covered in wounds. His lower body in particular was riddled with injuries. He did not dare fall down, because if he did, the needle grass would pierce straight through him.

"Usopp, hold on a little longer. The guards and venomous spiders will stop driving us soon."

Zoro held Nami in his arms. Compared to everyone else, who was covered in injuries, Nami could be said to be completely unharmed.

Because someone carried her every time.

Either Zoro or Luffy.

"It's all you bastards' fault. Otherwise, I wouldn't be suffering in here."

Behind them.

Buggy, Alvida, and Bartholomew stuck out their tongues as they continuously cursed Luffy beside them. As for the Baroque agents nearby, they kept their heads down and sprinted forward.

Devil Fruit Users had it the worst here. Those who had not eaten Devil Fruits had it much easier.

"What's the point of blaming me? If you want to blame someone, blame that big Marine."

"Damn it."

"Damn Wilton! Once I get out, I'll cut him into eight pieces."

The moment Wilton was mentioned, there was not a single person present who did not hate him.

They had suffered such misfortune because of Wilton.

Before long.

Everyone was driven back into their cells. Today's torment was over, but next they would have to endure hunger until tomorrow morning, when they might get some thin soup. Then they would be driven back into the sword trees and needle grass.

There was no hope to be seen here at all.

The daily torture could drive people insane.

Meanwhile.

Garp had also arrived at Crimson Hell. With a sweep of Observation Haki, he located Luffy with absolute accuracy and headed straight for the cell.

Impel Down's cells were currently somewhat cramped, so the Straw Hat Pirates were imprisoned together.

Buggy, Bartholomew, and Alvida were also fortunate enough to be locked up together, while the Baroque agents were likewise grouped together.

Thus, the cells seemed somewhat crowded.

"Luffy."

"Luffy, wake up."

The moment they returned to their cells, everyone hurried to rest and conserve their strength. In this cold, hungry, wounded state, staying still, speaking less, and sleeping more were the only ways to survive longer.

Zoro narrowed his eyes, then suddenly opened them. At some point, a figure had appeared outside the cell. He had crushed the lock with his bare hand, then walked straight up to the soundly sleeping Luffy and stood there motionlessly.

In the faint light, they could make out that gloomy face filled with anger.

Without realizing it.

Zoro slowed his breathing and could hear his own heartbeat. The pressure inside the entire cell plummeted to freezing point, making it difficult for them to breathe.

Nami, Usopp, and Chopper also woke up, instinctively tensing their bodies and not daring to move in the slightest.

"At a time like this, you still have the nerve to sleep."

The muscles in Garp's face twitched. He was angry, but his heart also ached. Luffy wore Seastone handcuffs, his body covered in injuries and his face pale. It seemed he had not been doing well these past few days.

Love-Love Fist.

With one punch.

The sleeping Luffy sprang up at once, clutching his head with tears in his eyes. After hopping around in pain, he furiously raised his head.