The Marines in Uproar! A Massive Manhunt

Red mist had already filled the entire area, completely enveloping Naito in poison gas.

The transparent barrier he had created was being steadily corroded, and he could only keep projecting material to repair it.

At this rate, the air would run out sooner or later.

But.

Naito tilted his head back and sensed his hubs.

"In that case, it's time to say goodbye."

The corners of Naito's mouth rose.

"Don't think you're getting away!!"

Magellan roared.

Compared to the other prisoners, this guy was far too dangerous. He absolutely could not be allowed to leave!

More dragons of venom came roaring toward him.

"That's not for you to decide."

Naito projected arms to strike back as he raised his right hand.

A drill—a massive, transparent drill-took shape above Naito's palm.

Armament Haki coated the drill, and then it began to spin.

Magellan's pupils contracted.

But it was too late.

Naito had already shot upward like a phantom.

More-More Fruit, accelerate!

Several Poison Dragons attacking Naito were blown apart in midair, and then Naito plunged headfirst into the ceiling.

The solid ceiling could not withstand the drill, spinning at tremendous speed with the More-More Fruit's enhancement. It bored an incredibly smooth path straight through.

Almost a second later, Naito had already reached the third level.

Then he kicked off the air.

Geppo!

The More-More Fruit increased his speed again.

He was moving so fast that the air exploded into a ring of sonic vapor, and Naito appeared to stretch into a black line.

Whoosh!

The next instant, he came to an abrupt stop. Invisible arms caught him, forcibly canceling his momentum.

In front of him, two figures were locked in a fierce battle.

"What?"

Shiryu instantly disengaged and retreated, pointing his blade at Naito.

Magellan couldn't stop this guy?

Naito looked him up and down. "Shiryu, don't you find staying in Impel Down a little too boring?"

"What?"

Shiryu frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

He's not attacking right away?

Good.

Stall for time until Magellan gets here.

"I mean, do you want to come with me?"

Naito extended the invitation. "Come with us and turn this world upside down."

"Turn it upside down?"

Shiryu was slightly stirred. Then he smiled with interest. "Sounds interesting. Why don't you tell me more?"

"Oh?"

Naito raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you haven't realized who you really are yet."

"Hm?"

Shiryu was taken aback.

"I'll be back. I look forward to seeing you next time."

Naito grabbed Weevil by the shoulder and shot upward once more.

Shiryu watched as the two broke through the ceiling and continued upward.

"That guy-"

The blade in his hand dropped.

He could not catch up to them at all.

But what did he mean by his true self?

At Impel Down's port above the sea, the bodies of guards and Marines lay scattered across the ground.

Aboard a small warship in the port, the prisoners watched the dark prison gates with desperate anticipation.

Almost in the next instant, the top of Impel Down exploded, and two figures shot into the sky.

After changing direction in midair, the two figures hurtled toward the warship.

Holding Weevil, Naito landed lightly on the deck.

"Let's go. It's time to leave."

He spoke.

A giant, invisible palm lifted the small warship, sending it quickly into the air.

For now, they would get away from Impel Down first. Otherwise, the Marines might come after them.

Chapter 12: The Marines in Uproar! A Massive Manhunt (Please keep reading!)

The time returned to a little earlier.

Marineford, Marine Headquarters.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku's residence.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku was fast asleep when the urgent ringing of a Den Den Mushi woke him.

It took him only a second to become fully alert.

Anything that warranted a direct call to him at this hour could not be a small matter.

Sengoku immediately reached for the Den Den Mushi and answered. "It's me. What happened?"

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

A panicked voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi. "An urgent message from Impel Down! The prisoners have rioted! A lot of the monsters held on the sixth level have escaped!"

"What!!"

Sengoku's expression abruptly changed.

Although the vast majority of those held in Impel Down were insignificant small fry, two terrifying monsters were also imprisoned there!

"Have Douglas Bullet and Patrick Redfield escaped?"

Sengoku asked urgently.

"We're not sure yet. Impel Down is in chaos right now,"

the person on the other end said. "Warden Magellan is mobilizing forces to suppress the prisoners."

"Contact Impel Down immediately and confirm the situation."

Sengoku spoke bluntly, then immediately added, "Also, have a warship prepared and open the Gate of Justice!"

"Finally, notify Kuzan, Zephyr, and Tsuru. Tell them to come to my office."

"Yes, sir!"

The call ended.

Sengoku took a deep breath.

Hopefully, it won't be the worst possible outcome.

However, Impel Down called back sooner than he had expected. Sengoku had only just reached his office when Magellan's call came through.

After hanging up, Sengoku could not help rubbing the spot between his eyebrows.

Something like that actually happened?

"Sengoku, is there trouble at Impel Down?"

The office door opened, and three figures entered together.

A tall man with fluffy, curly hair and a sleep mask on his forehead: Aokiji, an Admiral of Marine Headquarters.

A thin, white-haired elderly woman with a vigorous bearing: Tsuru, a Vice Admiral and the Marines' chief staff officer.

The last was naturally Zephyr, Marine Headquarters' chief instructor.

"Sit down first."

Sengoku motioned for the three to sit.

"Has the riot at Impel Down been put down?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru sat down and, seeing that Sengoku no longer seemed too anxious, asked the question.

"Quite the opposite. Magellan failed to stop them, and the escaped prisoners got away."

Sengoku spoke.

"What?"

Zephyr had barely touched the sofa when he sprang back up. "Is this really the time to sit around at ease, Sengoku?!"

"What exactly happened? Did Red and Bullet escape too?"

"Things are bad, but not as bad as you might think."

Sengoku sighed. "The other prisoners on the sixth level all escaped, but Red and Bullet alone are still safely locked up in Impel Down."

"Well, well, the two strongest ones ended up staying behind?"

Aokiji yawned and spoke lazily. "Whoa, poor guys. They got left out."