Chapter 15: Level 6: Eternal Hell
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An ocean of astounded murmurs ran through the room, as everybody around Luffy stood with wide, unfazed eyes because of the pirate that, till a few seconds earlier, had been balancing on the thin line of death. Ivankov was speechless, though he had been made for this kind of situation, while Luffy stretched, yawned, and rubbed his tummy as if fully recovered-and much faster than anybody in the room expected.
"Impossible…," Ivankov muttered, staring in his wide eyes at Luffy's perfectly healthy form. "Not even a day has passed, and here you are. bouncing back as if nothing happened!" He flung his arms to the side with drama and an incredulous expression. "This boy. isn't normal. Hee-haa! Not by a long shot."
Ivankov then faced Kai, shock still etched on his features. "You were right about him, but…" he squinted, "is this the one you said would come? The one of value to Dragon?"
Kai nodded, resolution stamped on his face. "Yes, it's him. And now we have to move. Time's running out."
Ivankov stood there, his face painted with strange makeup, his eyes staring into space as the reality sunk in. He had seen many things in his time, but this boy Straw Hat was a different story altogether. He scratched his head with an extremely slow, exaggerated movement, his lips pursed. Then, wordless once more, Ivankov walked back toward Luffy.
Already at this time, Luffy received his signature straw hat, which was handed over to him by Mr. 2—Bon Clay with courteousness. Luffy put the hat on his head, widely grinning in gratitude, before he sat up, determination already sparkling in his eyes.
Like a hammer hitting steel, the memory clicked into place in his mind as the last threads of sleep fell away from him. Even his heart skipped a beat as, in brutal clarity, the reason he had come here crashed back into his mind. "Ace!" Luffy shouted, his voice frantic. He whirled around to Bon Clay. "How long have I been out, Bon-chan?!
Mr. 2 furrowed his brow, deep in thought, rubbing his chin. "I think we still have time, mugi-chan. Ace. should still be—"
Before he could finish, Ivankov stepped forward, raising a hand to interrupt. "Wait, Straw Hat boy, I need to know something first before we do anything rash," Ivankov said in a serious yet curious tone. "We can't just abandon our post here. Of course, a war will happen, but I really do not believe that we, the revolutionaries should intervene. The World Government is brave-fooolish, even-to square off against Whitebeard. But… He narrowed his eyes and peered to the side, his voice taking on a much quieter tone. "My partner, Dragon, hasn't made his move yet in this world…"
Luffy, nudging his hat, spoke nonchalantly: "Oh, my old man?
First, Ivankov didn't bat an eye and just nodded in agreement. "Yes, your dad, is silently awaiting the right time to strike. These pirate conflicts are meaningless to us. In fact, it's better for your father if the Marines and pirates destroy each o—"
Ivankov's body suddenly seized up, words catching in his throat. His head jerked back to Luffy, eyes wide with pure disbelief. His jaw fell as realization dawned. "Wait… your DAD?! "
Kai couldn't help himself this time but he burst out laughing before stepped forward with a grin, "Bingo. Now let's fucking move! I've seen this shit before!"
Ivankov's entire body shook with his brain trying to process Luffy's nonchalant revelation. "You're telling me. this kid is Dragon's son?!"," he squealed, with the oversized eyes darting left and right between Kai and Luffy. "And you've known this the whole time?!"
Luffy, still oblivious to the shock he did, tilted his head slightly. "Uh, yeah? Is that a big deal?"
Ivankov was still piecing it together. Slapping a hand to his forehead, he almost shouted, "Yes, your dad-Dragon, the most dangerous revolutionary in the world! The man the World Government fears most! And you just drop that like it's nothing, he never mentioned anything regarding having a kid?!
Kai waved his hand impatiently, already moving toward the exit. "Yes, yes. It is a huge deal. But now is not the time to discuss that. Let's move. There's a war coming, and we can save his brother if we go to level 6 faster, but if we don't move, it is going to be too late."
Kai stepped up to Luffy, his strides rapid and meaningful. He stared at Luffy for a few seconds before speaking in a measured yet urgent tone, "I know why you're here. And I want to help you save your brother."
His mind, though, was near screaming on the inside: 'Wow. I am actually in front of the GOAT himself. Talking casual to him. Sure, I may be the Elden Lord, but this one right here? He is the actual deal!' Kai's eyes had widened, and without thinking, he reached out and grasped Luffy's cheek, tugging it.
He's actually stretching!" Kai exclaimed as a part of Luffy's skin appeared like rubber in his hands.
Luffy blinked at him confusedly, "You're ?"
Kai snapped out and let go of Luffy's cheek, clearing his throat. "Oh, right! Uh, you can call me Kai. And listen, we gotta go, fast! We need to save your brother, like now!"
Luffy tilted his head for a moment, then nodded in his usual determined expression. "Yeah! Let's go KAI!"
Kai almost moved to tears "he actually said my name correctly, this can only mean one thing!"
Meanwhile, Ivankov still clutching his enormous head in disbelief, mumbled to himself, "Right! It all makes sense now… Dragon's son. The East Blue trips… I knew he was hiding something all this time. And now Ace boy…" His voice trailed off as his eyes suddenly flared open in realization.
Ivankov threw his arms to the air, making a drama out of it. "INAZUMA! It's time for us to SHINE! Heehaa!!"
Kai grinned at the sudden shift, while Luffy looked at him starry-eyed with the same wide-eyed energy. Ivankov, now fully onboard with the plan, marched forward with a grand gesture-a determined look across his face.
Our mission is clear! To save Ace boy! We will never let my partner down!" Ivankov loudly said. "I don't want to see Dragon if things go wrong! We go to LEVEL 6 IMMEDIATELY!!"
The urgency given to everyone; they finally started to rush knowing full well that time was running out.
****
The group of people rushed through the prison towards level 6, Ivankov fell into step beside Kai, his large face still carrying a tinge of doubt. Several long moments of silence passed until Ivankov finally spoke to him, "I'm sorry I doubted you back there Kai. I had no idea you knew so much already."
Kai glanced sideways and nodded shortly. "It's not important anymore. What matters is we get out of here with our lives." His tone was so even, but still intent; his gaze scanned the surroundings for a threat.
Though they were advancing, within Kai's mind, he was thinking only, 'Honestly, I don't really want to go to Level 6. It's far too risky and we could all get caught or worse.but certain prisoners that we need are waiting there to help us, and I think it is already too late for Ace.I wish that I could go back in time and save him right here, right now, but I'm not even close to as strong as Inazuma or Mr. 2, right now.'
*****
As they descended down into the darkness of Level 6, not a single peep came to greet them. There were no guards in their usual stations, and the usual miasma of oppression felt oddly vacated. At the clearly empty hallways, Luffy, Kai, Ivankov, and Inazuma all stopped, scanning around them in confusion.
Luffy scrunched up his face. "There's nobody here, except prisoners."
Ivankov's big head swiveled back and forth, peering down the empty hallways. "What is this? Not a single guard anywhere? Heehaa! Something smells really wrong here."
Inazuma crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "It should be swarming with security around here. It's too quiet, don't you think?
Kai looked around, his senses picking up nothing but the distant sounds of prisoners stirring in their cells. A grim realization dawned on him, and his stomach just about sank. 'Yeah, it's too fucking late.,' he thought bitterly. He turned to Ivankov and said, "We should consider releasing some prisoners to aid us if we want to push through the likes of Magellan."
Ivankov's eyes widened in incredulousness. "Are you insane?! These are some of the most dangerous criminals in the world!!"
Kai stared right back at him, smirking. "Aren't we literally the same thing?"
Ivankov was left standing there, dumbfounded and wordless, with no comeback to that. Inazuma chuckled quietly beside them while Luffy continued his search of the cells.
As they walked further, a voice suddenly called out from a nearby cell. "If you're looking for Ace, they took him up already!"
Luffy stopped and faced in the voice's direction, as did the rest. Inside the cell stood a big fishman, his sharp eyes glaring through the bars. "PLEASE FREE ME, AND I'LL AID YOU!"
Kai's eyes widened, and he instantly recognized the figure. "Oh, it's Jinbe," he muttered in surprise. Turning to Luffy he said, "We have to free him."
Luffy looked back at Kai with a raised eyebrow. "You know him?"
"Yeah, everyone does," Kai said. "He's a Warlord of the sea and also a good friend of Ace."
Ivankov looked at Jinbe with interest, then turned to Luffy and waited for his decision. "It's your choice, Straw Hat boy. What'll it be?"
Luffy nodded without hesitation. "Let him go, it's alright."
Inazuma quickly picked the lock of Jinbe's cell and undid his chains. Stepping forward, Jinbe nodded in appreciation. "Thank you."
As Jinbe stood to join them, Kai's attention shifted to another cell where a figure sat cross-armed, in calm indifference. "Sir Crocodile in the flesh," Kai said, astonishment not quite hidden in his voice.
The cold eyes of Crocodile narrowed and he gave Kai a calculating look. "And who might you be?"
Kai approached the cell bars and met eyes with Crocodile. "Someone who's going to release you. With your abilities, you'll help us escape this place."
A slow, menacing smile oozed onto his face. "Smart fellow." His gaze turned to Luffy. "And you, Straw Hat… it's been a while."
The anger lit Luffy's eyes, clenching his fists. To Kai, he turned and said, "Crocodile!, we can't release this guy!"
Kai exhaled and knew this wasn't going to be an easy thing to explain. " Yes we can, without him, we aren't going to leave this place, and Ace won't be saved.".
Ivankov stepped forward toward the cell, the corner of her lip curling knowingly as she faced Crocodile. "Let him go," she told Inazuma. This time turning to Crocodile with a feral smile, she said, "After all, he is harmless as long as I am around, isn't that right, Croco boy?"
Crocodile scowled, his eyes flicking across to Ivankov annoyed. "Ivankov….".
Inazuma didn't waste anymore time and opened the cell of Crocodile. The door burst open, as he stepped outside, as if he already knew they'd let him out, he scanned everyone with his cold eye and a smirk
Luffy remained tense, his eyes on Crocodile, but Kai laid a hand on his shoulder. "We'll need him, trust me."
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