Among all those affected by Buggy the Clown, the unluckiest wasn't the small nations of the East Blue—but a man imprisoned deep beneath the sea.
A former crewmate of the Pirate King and a Paramecia-type user of the Fusion-Fusion Fruit—Douglas Bullet—was currently locked away on Level 6 of Impel Down.
This underwater prison was considered inescapable. The only known exception was Shiki, the "Golden Lion," who severed his own legs to escape. Aside from that extreme case, no pirate had ever broken out—once inside, even with wings, escape was impossible.
The guards of Impel Down once believed they had done their job well.
But the information revealed by the mysterious "screen" showed a grim future: not only would Buggy make contact with Bullet, he would even break out—indirectly leading to a devastating war that would wipe out large numbers of Marines.
The World Government dispatched two CP0 agents to Level 6, joining forces with Shiryu to interrogate Bullet. Their goal: uncover why Buggy was so desperate to find him.
"What incredible willpower… even now, you refuse to speak."
"The more you hide, the more interested I become."
The unlucky Bullet had his tendons severed by Shiryu. His powerful body was covered in wounds, subjected to relentless torture.
And yet—he didn't scream once.
Every answer was the same:
"I don't know."
That only enraged his interrogators further.
Bullet's strange behavior in prison had already drawn suspicion. While other inmates languished in despair, he trained his body daily—as if preparing for an inevitable escape.
Because of him, even the other Level 6 prisoners suffered stricter restraints—additional chains, including high-concentration Seastone shackles to suppress Devil Fruit abilities.
The already weakened prisoners grew even more helpless.
And all of them blamed Buggy.
Soon, Shiryu received new orders from the World Government: he was to personally guard Level 6 every day, preventing Buggy from infiltrating Impel Down and meeting Bullet.
Meanwhile, the prison's chief warden, Magellan, couldn't leave his post—his Poison-Poison Fruit came with… digestive side effects, keeping him occupied for hours daily.
Thus, the responsibility fell to Shiryu, who was even promoted to the same level as Hannyabal.
To him, this was a delight.
Killing powerful pirates in Level 6 was far more satisfying than dealing with weaklings above.
"This stubborn type… maybe we should just kill him."
But the World Government had other plans. CP0 made it clear: Bullet must not die.
Even the Five Elders were interested in the secret Buggy sought.
What kind of secret could make someone as powerful as Buggy act submissive before the Marines—yet still risk infiltrating Impel Down?
If they could uncover it first, it would greatly benefit their rule.
The mysterious "screen" appeared again—visible even deep underwater, piercing through the walls of Impel Down.
Prisoners and guards alike watched.
For the inmates, who had no access to newspapers or outside information, this was their only connection to the world—a spark in their otherwise lifeless existence.
They cheered whenever the Marines suffered.
They chatted, cursed, joked—briefly tasting freedom through information.
"Something's changed—we can't chat anymore!"
"There's a new scene… a winter island!"
"Shut up, you scum!"
Even as guards whipped them into silence, the prisoners endured—refusing to move, desperate to keep watching.
Even CP0 and Shiryu paused the interrogation, turning their attention to the screen.
Unlike the prisoners, CP0 agents immediately recognized the location.
"That's Drum Island."
"What secrets could such a small kingdom possibly hold?"
Once famous for its doctors, Drum Island had declined after its king, Wapol, expelled most of them.
If not for his consistent Heavenly Tribute payments, the World Government would have removed his nation long ago.
To make matters worse, Wapol had even formed a pirate crew—the Bliking Pirates—abandoning his duties as a king.
Now, the screen returned once more.
Across the world, all eyes were fixed upon it.
The last time it appeared, it revealed a terrifying pirate—one with a bounty of 3 billion Berries.
This second revelation drew even greater attention.
Because the unknown future… was becoming known.
Neither Marines, pirates, nor the World Government could afford to ignore it.
Every detail had to be analyzed.
Every clue recorded.
And at the center of it all—
Was that being, hailed as a "god among Zoan users"…
What kind of existence would he become on the seas?
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