Chapter 396: Warden and Sinner
In fact.
Everyone had actually more or less overlooked that there had always been a member of The Zodiac within Impel Down—to be precise, he was the first known member of The Zodiac.
That was Alan.
This young boy was the provider of Roy's most crucial fruit, the "Slice-Slice Fruit".
Even though his sliced clones had almost all died in the previous battle at the Sabaody Archipelago, rendering the fruit ability virtually crippled.
But the only exception was this sliced clone currently located inside Impel Down.
Even though as a prisoner held in LV5 Freezing Hell, his original physical constitution meant this clone shouldn't have survived for long.
But the coincidence was that Roy had previously entered Impel Down after the Three Armies Joint Drill ended, and through hints, informed Ivankov and the others hidden within Impel Down about the intelligence that "The Zodiac has allied with the Revolutionary Army".
Therefore, completely unbeknownst to the jailers of Impel Down, Ivankov and the others had actually been frequently delivering food and hot water to Alan, and even helped him feign death to escape before this "modification" of Impel Down's prisoners.
Only then did this scene occur at this moment.
VMMM!
On Alan's body, the "Mark of the Stars" belonging to Roy was flashing with light. As one of the "Constellation" executives of The Zodiac, Alan had the qualification to bear this mark.
And there was essentially no difference between the sliced clone and the main body.
So relying on this mark, Roy... or rather the "Ox" of The Zodiac, could descend here.
"Phew..."
And after descending, Ox let out a slight breath.
He turned his head, his gaze looking at Ivankov and the others who were currently wearing expressions of shock: "Thanks."
"N-No... you're welcome!"
And right now, Ivankov and Inazuma were clearly also stunned on the spot.
They completely couldn't understand Ox's method of descent—is this a fruit ability?
However, as a veteran executive of the Revolutionary Army who had participated in an unknown number of "major events", Ivankov still reacted quickly.
"Um... well, Mr. Ox, right?"
"You've also seen the situation in LV6, it's very dangerous. I think we should..."
Before he could finish his words, Ox waved his hand, interrupting him: "There is no 'we'."
"The path ahead is not a domain you can interfere in—I will head to LV7 myself."
"As for you guys..."
He glanced at Ivankov and the others: "Just wait here."
"...But..."
Ivankov and Inazuma were naturally stunned after hearing this, and then clearly intended to say something else.
But before they could speak, they saw Ox had already taken large strides, heading towards that distorted and pitch-black entrance of LV6.
VMMM!
And upon perceiving Ox's existence, that invisible energy presenting a dim purple and pitch-black color instantly attacked towards Ox.
"The 'Venom Demon' of the Venom-Venom Fruit, and... Abyssal Power?"
The eyes beneath Ox's mask remained calm, recognizing the source of that invisible energy at a glance.
Then...
He gently reached out and took out an item from his coat.
That was a rather small, delicate fan emanating a green radiance.
But the moment he took it out of his hand, that fan grew against the wind.
In just a moment, it turned into a massive fan a full several meters in size.
And on the fan, there was red-black Conqueror's Haki lightning, and fierce winds that had almost taken physical form circulating on it.
[Banana Leaf Fan]
BOOM!
The next moment, Ox swung that massive fan.
Thus...
Endless fierce winds and lightning roared in an instant.
The entire Fifth Level of Impel Down, at this moment, seemed to be situated on a vast and terrifying ocean with ceaseless storms.
And amidst that fierce wind and lightning, one could even see wisps of starlight circulating along with the wind.
In just a moment, they blasted away all those countless toxins and Abyssal Power, and even the massive doors of LV6 were instantly blown away and turned into dust.
"..."
Ivankov and Inazuma widened their eyes, their jaws almost dropping to the ground.
As veteran holdouts of Impel Down, no one knew better than them how sturdy the doors of LV6 were.
But right now, Ox's expression didn't change in the slightest, merely taking steps and walking onto the massive stairs leading to LV6.
"...Should we follow?"
And seeing this scene, Inazuma also looked somewhat hesitantly at Ivankov.
"...No."
After pondering for a moment, Ivankov shook his head.
He actually didn't know what The Zodiac was going to do. The reason he appeared here to help Alan this time was only because of an order conveyed by Dragon.
However, after seeing Ox's power, he already had a faint premonition in his heart.
What The Zodiac was going to do must definitely be something extremely momentous that would change the world.
Regarding this, although he was curious.
But he also knew that he shouldn't probe to the bottom of it.
"We just need to wait here."
Executives of the Revolutionary Army are always good at waiting.
And at the same time...
Stepping down the stairs, Ox quickly arrived at LV6 "Eternal Hell".
Unlike the last time Roy came here—the prisoners here had all left Impel Down as "Scavengers", so the vast majority of the cages were empty.
However, they weren't completely empty either.
Because here, there was still the last, and also the only "prisoner".
"...Magellan."
Ox saw that "prisoner" from afar.
That tall body, the venom flowing all over, the ugly and terrifying face.
Yes.
That was strikingly exactly the Warden of Impel Down, the "Poison Man" Magellan.
But right now, this Warden didn't seem imposing and ferocious like usual.
Quite the contrary.
Right now on his body, crimson and purple venom wrapped around him, enveloping him, like a self-bound prisoner.
The essence of that venom, Ox could tell at a glance—it was the same as the power in front of the LV6 doors above, also the "Venom Demon" that could only be used after the Venom-Venom Fruit awakened.
And this was exactly the interesting part.
"It seems you had a very unpleasant fallout with the World Government? To the point of being locked up here as a prisoner?"
Ox's tone wasn't cold, but it was serious.
Yes.
Within the Fruit Encyclopedia, there was also information about the "Venom-Venom Fruit", so he knew very well.
Although Magellan was the user of the Venom-Venom Fruit, a "Poison Man" who gathered all the toxins in the world in his body.
But just like his habit of getting frequent diarrhea, toxins themselves are actually effective on the user of the Venom-Venom Fruit too, it's just that the effect is weakened.
This is also the reason why although Magellan is powerful, he rarely participates in battles.
Especially the awakening ability of the Venom-Venom Fruit, "Venom Demon"—Ox could be certain that this absolute toxin after awakening was highly likely lethal even to Magellan.
But now, Magellan was actually using this ability to imprison himself in LV6.
Combining the appearance of the "Scavengers" and "Shiryu of the Rain" leading the Scavengers, the actual situation was not hard to guess.
Magellan was highly likely dissatisfied with the World Government's order, and very likely even refused to execute the order, ultimately ending up in his current state.
And the fact was indeed so.
"The Zodiac?"
At this time, the Poison Man inside that iron cage also opened his eyes.
He looked at Ox, especially the mask on Ox's face.
"Ox."
And Ox had no intention of hiding his identity either.
"I see."
Magellan nodded.
Then, he finally spoke softly: "I indeed disapprove of the Government's order—the existence of Impel Down is the 'ruler' to make prisoners recognize their mistakes. Having received judgment, they can be judged, they can be executed."
"But uniquely being manipulated by that... that kind of power, being used as an army... I think that is a 'mistake', a betrayal of order."
He spoke calmly, his words carrying a cold numbness.
And without needing his explanation, Ox also knew what "that kind of power" he was talking about was—that must definitely be Imu's Abyssal Power, "Black Turn Domination".
Clearly.
As the Warden of Impel Down, Magellan, who adhered to his principles, could not accept conducting that kind of "modification" and "handling" on the prisoners.
"I am the Warden of Impel Down, the 'principles' and 'laws' of Impel Down should be guarded by me."
"But the Government symbolizes the 'order' of the world, I cannot disobey that either."
Magellan spoke calmly.
"Unable to execute the Government's orders, unable to guard the 'principles' of Impel Down, unable to manage the prisoners well..."
"I am a 'sinner' guilty of terrible crimes."
"So, I locked myself here."
"I will stand the final guard until my life ends here."