Everyone immediately calmed down, watching the sunlight filter through their fingers and cast dappled patterns of light on the boy's face.
At that moment, he was like a god.
Navy Headquarters, tea room.
Two elderly figures, both over fifty, sat facing each other. On the table were two teacups filled with emerald-green tea.
Chief Instructor Zephyr, unfamiliar with the delicate art of tea tasting, downed his cup in one gulp. He slammed the cup down heavily on the table with his broad, bear-like hands, saying:
"Tsuru, it's just as you said. That kid Damon would rather go to the deep-sea prison to complete his graduation exam than stay at the Naval Academy."
Opposite Zephyr, a weathered woman sat cross-legged on a soft couch. Despite her advanced age, one could still vaguely see the dashing spirit of her youth in the contours of her face. Her gray hair was styled in a neat ponytail, revealing a smooth forehead marked by sharp wrinkles. She wore emerald-green jade earrings, two gold bracelets, and a Navy cloak over a light blue shirt.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was a Marine from the same generation as Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr. The four had fought side by side for many years, developing a deep friendship that transcended romance.
Upon hearing this, Vice Admiral Tsuru lowered her head, took a small sip of tea, and said meaningfully:
"That child has unlimited potential. One day, the fledgling eagle will spread its wings and soar. For ordinary people, Impel Down is a hellish place, but for some, it is a treasure trove where countless riches are buried."
Chief Instructor Zephyr scratched his head, completely unable to grasp her meaning.
I hate riddle-tellers!
The protagonist, whom Zephyr was so eager to see, suddenly sneezed. Damon shuddered and looked around. At this moment, he was sailing toward Impel Down on the warship of Admiral Aokiji Kuzan, cutting through the waves.
Such treatment was rare. Kuzan clearly doted on his Junior Brother, and his personal escort was intended to leave a deep impression on the officers and soldiers stationed at the prison.
"Who's talking about me behind my back?" Damon murmured, then turned his attention to his system.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host, for reciting a classic line. You have been awarded one chance to draw a prize. Would you like to start the prize wheel?"
A lottery wheel, invisible to others, appeared with two categories: armaments and special moves.
[Fire Cloud Technique]: Increases fire affinity and fire-type slash power, allowing the user to condense fire elements into a massive fireball with astonishing destructive power.
The moment the results were announced, an ancient incantation appeared in Damon's mind. The prismatic gemstone at his waist—his Vision—trembled in resonance. Damon's body spontaneously ignited with harmless flames that danced as if in celebration. When he opened his eyes, the phenomena vanished.
He raised an index finger. Whoosh! A flame spontaneously ignited on his fingertip.
Damon's expression turned strange. If I keep developing like this, won't I steal Ace's title of "Fire Fist"? Does everyone playing with fire make the Flame-Flame Fruit useless?
The warship cut through white waves and entered a thick fog. As they reached the island of Impel Down, the clear sky was replaced by a gloomy haze and mist, reducing visibility. After thirty minutes, the outline of a magnificent, massive structure appeared. Bright searchlights pierced the fog like swords, guiding them to the anchorage. Any ship not moored in designated spots would be attacked by Sea Kings and piranhas or blasted by the fortress's massive cannons.
The gates opened, and the mysterious veil of the world's greatest prison was finally lifted for Damon. Impel Down is a massive structure over 100 meters high above sea level, but its true depth lies beneath. The fortress featured three layers of walls and a network of blackened muzzles ready for battle.
As they docked, they were greeted by soldiers led by an elegant young woman. She wore a black military cap slung across her head, covering her right eye, and reddish-brown sunglasses. Her blonde hair flowed over her shoulders. She wore a brown jacket and shorts that outlined her developed figure, looking both serious and charming.
As Kuzan led Damon off the ship, the girl and her officers saluted. "Welcome, Admiral!"
Kuzan recognized her as Domino, the newly promoted Head Guard. He looked around but couldn't find the Warden. Domino blushed slightly and whispered, "The Warden, Magellan, has food poisoning again and is... in the toilet."
Kuzan nodded, enlightened. "Since Magellan isn't here, let's get to it." He put his arm around Damon's neck. "This is my Junior Brother, Damon. He will be breaking into Impel Down all the way down to Level 6 to complete his graduation exam. Take good care of him."
The soldiers understood the underlying meaning: this boy was protected by an Admiral. Domino looked at Damon behind her glasses in disbelief. This child is so young, yet he's graduating early? She knew how difficult that was; Kuzan himself was one of the few prodigies to ever do it.
After entrusting Damon to her, Kuzan boarded his ship and left. Domino led the way, her slender waist swaying as she explained the prison's structure.
"The prisoners in each level are determined by their bounties. The higher the bounty, the deeper the level. Each level has a unique form of torture, earning them the name 'Hell.' The deeper you go, the more the torture intensifies."
She opened the iron gate on the first floor. A wave of heat hit them.
"Stop! Stop it right now!" a prisoner screamed. Two jailers were locking a prisoner in a "Baptismal Room," suddenly opening a valve. 100-degree Celsius water poured down. Steam billowed out, mixed with a foul stench and screams.
Seeing Damon's calm expression, Domino said, "This is the baptismal room, used for sterilization and disinfection."
Good guy! Damon thought. This isn't disinfection; it's murder! However, the prisoners here were not ordinary; boiling water only made them scream rather than killing them instantly.
They passed through the first floor, filled with torture rooms and bloodstained instruments. They reached a massive elevator—reserved for the Warden—and continued down a long, deserted corridor. At the end stood a huge steel gate.
Domino inserted the key. Click. The door opened. She gave Damon a meaningful smile.
"Welcome to the Crimson Lotus Hell! Next, you're on your own, Junior. Be careful—the jailers won't care about your background. If they catch you, they might beat you to death."
___________
Enies Lobby, medical clinic.
A young man who looked like Spandam entered the ward and placed a box on the table. Sunlight fell on his sinister face. He opened the box to reveal a Devil Fruit. He turned to the man on the bed, who was completely wrapped in bandages.
"Rob Lucci, this is the Zoan-type Devil Fruit, the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Leopard. If you serve me and help me become the new CP9 commander, it is yours."