The Marine warship cut steadily through the waves as it sailed toward the Marine-controlled waters surrounding Impel Down.
Inside the captain's cabin, the warm glow of a kerosene lamp illuminated stacks of documents piled across a large wooden desk.
Saint Roselith Seraphina sat behind it, carefully reviewing report after report.
"Your Highness, I have a feeling that Tuli is not as simple as he appears."
Bruce suddenly broke the silence.
Seraphina did not immediately raise her head.
Her delicate brows remained slightly furrowed as she reviewed a lengthy financial report detailing the expenditures for various construction projects.
Fortunately, the enormous shipment of gold obtained from Skypiea had solved many of her immediate funding problems.
The gold had already been transported through the banking network controlled by the Roselith Family and converted into construction funds for her growing number of projects.
Only after finishing the page in front of her did she finally respond.
"Indeed."
Her answer was calm.
Of course, she had never fully trusted a man she had known for less than a day.
Especially someone like Tuli.
The man concealed far more than he revealed.
Although Seraphina had chosen not to pry into every secret he possessed, she could sense countless thoughts buried deep within his heart.
What lingered most in her memory was the strange feeling she had experienced during their conversation.
It was almost as though Tuli had seen through her personality.
As though he had accurately judged the kind of person she was.
The flame inside the lamp flickered softly.
The shadows cast upon the walls danced and shifted.
"So why did you let him go?"
Bruce folded his arms.
Since Seraphina clearly understood the dangers involved, he wanted to know why she had shown mercy.
One document after another passed through her hands.
Each received her approval before being stamped and placed neatly aside.
Red seals gradually accumulated atop the growing stack.
"He gave himself a reason to survive."
A soft sound echoed as another stamp landed on paper.
"And he also gave me a reason not to arrest him."
Bruce remained silent.
Seraphina continued.
"His thoughts run very deep."
"Far deeper than most people realize."
Bruce nodded in agreement.
"I sensed something similar."
"He answered every question honestly, yet somehow I still feel that he should never be trusted completely."
"The way he handled the human trafficking issue in Queen Town was extremely decisive."
"Too decisive."
"People like that are dangerous."
His expression became serious.
"We should remain vigilant."
"If he has ulterior motives, let him reveal them."
Seraphina finally set down her stamp.
Her expression remained indifferent.
At present, she was already walking a dangerous path.
She had no desire to openly oppose either the World Government or the Celestial Dragons before she was prepared.
Even now, she constantly restrained herself.
Change inevitably required sacrifice.
That much she understood.
However, if possible, she wished to reduce the amount of bloodshed required to bring about that change.
She wanted innocent people to survive long enough to see a better future.
"When he finally reveals his true intentions…"
A faint chill entered her silver eyes.
"I will personally deal with him."
The room seemed noticeably colder.
Bruce merely nodded.
He knew she was serious.
After finishing the final document, Seraphina organized the paperwork into neat stacks.
Then she rose from her chair and stretched her stiff shoulders.
A glance toward the clock hanging upon the wall made her sigh.
"It's already midnight."
A small yawn escaped her lips.
She rubbed her tired eyes before walking toward the door.
"I'm going to sleep."
Then she paused briefly.
"Bruce."
"You're worrying too much."
"Get some rest as well."
Bruce immediately straightened.
"Understood, Your Highness."
…
One month later.
Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1517.
January 13th.
A Marine officer hurried toward the bridge.
"Rear Admiral Seraphina!"
"The number of pirates currently being transported has exceeded the ship's holding capacity."
Seraphina stood at the bow of the vessel, gazing toward the distant horizon.
"Then we'll return after this delivery."
She paused.
"By the way, what day is it today?"
"January 13th, Rear Admiral."
"I see."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"After delivering this batch of prisoners, set a course for Alabasta."
The officer nodded immediately.
"Yes, Rear Admiral."
Seraphina remembered a certain blue-haired girl she had met during the previous year's Levely.
Princess Vivi.
A strong-willed child with kind eyes.
The memory brought a faint smile to her lips.
Soon afterward, the warship approached the massive Gates of Justice leading toward Impel Down.
Because Marine manpower had been stretched thin in recent months, Seraphina had chosen not to burden either Marine Headquarters or Impel Down with additional arrangements.
Instead, she personally escorted the captured pirates.
"This is Marine Warship 6838."
"We request authorization to enter Impel Down."
The Den Den Mushi immediately responded.
"Authorization confirmed."
"Permission granted."
The colossal Gates of Justice slowly opened.
The warship sailed forward.
Although Marines frequently transferred prisoners to Impel Down, entering the prison itself was not always straightforward.
Impel Down operated independently under the authority of the World Government.
While it worked closely with the Marines, it remained its own institution.
The relationship between the two organizations had always been complicated.
Many prison staff originally came from Marine training programs.
Yet professional rivalry remained common.
After docking within the enormous underground harbor, Seraphina stepped onto the pier.
Waiting there was a towering figure.
His enormous frame dwarfed nearly everyone around him.
Two curved black horns protruded from his head.
A heavy black coat hung over his broad shoulders.
The imposing man resembled a demon straight out of myth.
Warden Magellan.
The chief authority of Impel Down.
And the user of the Paramecia-type Doku Doku no Mi.
A man feared throughout the world.
Several prison officers stood behind him.
One of them approached Bruce while carrying a small container.
"Sir, you'll need these."
Inside were several gas masks.
Bruce immediately understood why.
After all, Magellan's poison abilities made safety precautions a necessity.
Meanwhile, Seraphina observed the famous prison warden with visible curiosity.
"Warden Magellan."
Her voice was polite.
"Would it be possible for me to tour Impel Down?"
Magellan froze.
His enormous body stiffened.
Before her arrival, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had personally informed him of Seraphina's identity.
Technically speaking, he had little authority to refuse her request.
However, Impel Down possessed strict regulations.
Visitors were usually subject to extensive inspections and restrictions.
Yet none of those procedures realistically applied to someone like Saint Roselith Seraphina.
For several seconds, Magellan visibly struggled.
"This…"
His expression became increasingly conflicted.
Seraphina blinked.
"Is there a problem?"
"No!"
Magellan practically shouted.
"Of course not!"
Then, realizing his outburst, he quickly lowered his voice.
"Forgive me."
He coughed awkwardly.
"You are welcome to tour Impel Down."
His expression became surprisingly sincere.
"I was merely worried that such a filthy place might tarnish your pure spirit."
The surrounding guards immediately looked away.
Several of them struggled not to laugh.
Seraphina herself seemed amused.
Prior to her arrival, Magellan had been extremely nervous.
The words "Celestial Dragon inspection" had nearly given him a headache.
Like many high-ranking officials within the World Government, he knew exactly how troublesome most Celestial Dragons could be.
Thankfully, reality had proven very different.
The young woman standing before him was nothing like the stories he had heard.
Instead, she appeared calm, intelligent, and surprisingly easy to speak with.
"You are quite an interesting person, Warden."
A small smile appeared on Seraphina's face.
The sight instantly made Magellan even more awkward.
His enormous arms suddenly seemed unsure of where they belonged.
Before he could embarrass himself further, a sharp voice sounded from behind him.
"Warden."
A woman wearing the uniform of Impel Down stepped forward.
It was Domino.
Magellan's trusted subordinate.
Her expression immediately became exasperated.
"Please conduct yourself with a little dignity."
"You are the Chief Warden of Impel Down."
The surrounding guards quickly lowered their heads.
Several shoulders visibly trembled.
Everyone knew exactly what was happening.
Once again, Domino was cleaning up after Magellan.
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