Chương 145: Starvation Hell: An Old Friend and a New Enemy

The atmosphere of Impel Down's third level, Starvation Hell, was one of scorching heat and suffocating despair. Luffy, Buggy, and Mr. 3 had barely caught their breath when they felt the full force of the oppressive conditions here. The air was thick with dryness, and the ground beneath them radiated an unbearable heat. Mr. 3, wiping sweat from his brow, explained, "This level is reserved for prisoners with bounties above 50 million Beli. They're starved, deprived of water, and slowly wither away."

Buggy glanced around nervously. "All the more reason to get out of here! What are we even doing, Luffy?"

"I'm here for Ace," Luffy responded, his gaze unwavering as he scanned the prison corridors. "I'm not stopping till I find him."

The three moved cautiously, with Luffy charging forward and the other two lagging behind, too preoccupied with survival. But as they bickered over their next course of action, an alarm blared. From every corner, guards and Blugori with Seastone nets sprang into action.

"Luffy, look out!" Buggy cried, but it was too late. The net descended, entangling them. The weight of the Seastone sapped their energy, rendering Luffy's Devil Fruit abilities useless as they were hoisted into the air.

Above them, Chief Guard Saldeath appeared, sneering down. "Continuing forward is futile. You'll meet our Jailer Beasts if you try."

Suddenly, a deep, guttural growl echoed through the room. The Sphinx, another of the Jailer Beasts, trapped in the same net, let out an enraged roar, thrashing and writhing with incredible force. With a powerful twist, it broke free from the net, sending Luffy, Buggy, and Mr. 3 plummeting to the ground below. Luffy wasted no time, taking advantage of the chaos.

"Thanks!" he shouted, charging forward. The Blugori tried to close in, but Luffy unleashed a barrage of punches, his Gomu Gomu no Gatling tearing through them. Buggy and Mr. 3, still dazed, climbed up to a rafter, watching Luffy fight.

"He's nuts," Buggy muttered, shaking his head. But before they could dwell on it, Saldeath ordered his forces to pursue Luffy, and the Sphinx, now free, turned its sights on him, chasing him down with a relentless fury.

Meanwhile, Buggy and Mr. 3 found themselves near a cell where a voice echoed in song. They peered through the bars to find Bon Kurei, also known as Bentham, performing a ballet dance. The other prisoners, weakened by starvation, collapsed around him. Mr. 3 recognized him immediately. "Bon Kurei? What's he doing here?"

Bon stopped mid-twirl, noticing his old companion. "Mr. 3!" he exclaimed. "And... who is that?" he added, looking at Buggy, who was still recovering from the eccentric sight before him.

"What strange creature is this?" Buggy stammered.

Bon Kurei chuckled. "How rude!" But before they could exchange more words, the group heard distant footsteps – the Marines were closing in. With little choice, Mr. 3 and Buggy unlocked the cell, releasing Bon Kurei, who grinned, excited to join the escape.

Back at the entrance, the Marines stationed outside Impel Down began preparing to reinforce the prison. Chief Guard Sadi, however, barred them from entry. "This is Impel Down's pride at stake! Stay back and guard the entrance!"

To ensure no one entered or exited, Sadi raised the drawbridges, sealing the fortress. But as she did, a peculiar sight caught the attention of the guards—a giant koala poked its head out, its black eyes staring blankly at them. The guards whispered in confusion as Minokoala, one of the Jailer Beasts and an awakened Zoan user, retreated back into the shadows.

Hancock's Meeting with Ace

Deep within Impel Down, Boa Hancock and her guards reached Ace's cell. Hancock gazed through the bars, taking in the sight of Luffy's brother, bound in Seastone and exhausted. The prisoners nearby began to leer, making crude remarks about Hancock. The Chief Warden Magellan, watching from the corner, bristled with anger, raising his hand. With a swift motion, he summoned a hydra-like creature from the poison that dripped from his body.

The prisoners fell silent, terrified as the venomous creature loomed over them. "Any more disrespect," Magellan growled, "and I will silence you permanently."

In the ensuing silence, Hancock leaned closer to Ace, using the opportunity to whisper urgently, "Luffy has come to rescue you."

Ace's eyes widened in shock. His brother was here, risking everything.

With a final nod, Hancock exited, blending into the chaos Magellan had created as she left.

While Luffy battled his way through the guards on Level 3, he was suddenly pinned down by the Sphinx's massive paw. But before it could crush him, a familiar figure appeared, performing a swift pirouette followed by a powerful kick. It was Bon Kurei, who struck the Sphinx with a spinning kick, knocking it back.

Luffy, grinning widely, embraced his old friend. "Bon Kurei! I thought you were Zoro for a second!"

Bon Kurei laughed, pulling Luffy to his feet. "I'm here to help you reach Level 5," he said with determination.

As they prepared to move, Bon Kurei noticed Luffy's bracelet. "Where's Raja?" he asked.

Bon Kurei asking about Raja this confuses Luffy, But Bon-chan explains that Raja gave him a magic Tatoo of Straw Hat before he was caught, because of that Prisons Harsh environment is nothing to him and also Raja Gave Him a invincible ring which only seen by him and it contains food, Breathing Method called Serpent Breathing Technique and a Note.

Note Say's " Train and Master the Breathing method and use it with your Fighting Style, No Straw Hat friend will be left behind –Vice captain of Straw Hat".

Bon Kurei beamed. "From that day onwards I am training and waiting for the crew for Resuce.'"

As they hurried forward, a shadow loomed over them. The Minotaurus, a massive figure wielding a spiked club, charged at them. It struck Bon Kurei with a brutal blow, slamming him into the wall. Luffy, dodging, realized this opponent was tougher than the rest.

Bon Kurei shook off the blow, steadying himself. "Let's show him our strength!" With a shout, he started Breathing and engaged the Minotaurus, using the breathing technique Raja had instructed him on. Each spin and kick was precise, his movements infused with newfound power.

Seeing the opportunity, Luffy activated Gear 2, charging forward with a Gomu Gomu no Bazooka that sent Minotaurus flying back. The beast crashed against the wall, temporarily incapacitated.

Elsewhere, Buggy and Mr. 3 encountered the Minotaurus again, now weakened but still furious. Buggy tossed a Muggy Ball, an explosive that detonated in Minotaurus's face. The creature stumbled, but before it could recover, Luffy landed a powerful blow—a Gomu Gomu no Sun Tonkachi Rifle—finishing it off. The group let out a triumphant cheer as the Minotaurus collapsed.

As they celebrated, the ground beneath them gave way, weakened by their battle. With a loud crash, they plummeted down to Level 4, the Blazing Hell. The intense heat hit them instantly. They landed near the boiling Lake of Blood, a cauldron of fire and blood where prisoners screamed as they were thrown in as punishment.

"Careful!" Bon Kurei warned, "Stepping on the wrong spots could burn us alive!"

Luffy's new enchanted shoes seemed to adapt to the heat, making his path slightly easier, but he was still visibly sweating. Determined, he pressed on, eager to continue his rescue mission.

As they moved through Level 4, Bon Kurei shared his own goal: rescuing Emporio Ivankov, the queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom, and his idol. "If we find Iva, it'll be an honor. I'd do anything for him!"

Meanwhile, Magellan gathered his guards, preparing them to intercept Luffy's group. "Hannyabal, guard Level 3. Sadi, guard the entrance to Level 5. The rest of you, pursue Luffy with lethal force." But Sadi, eager for torture, protested, preferring to capture them alive.

In a stroke of luck, Luffy caught the scent of food wafting from the prison's kitchen. Ignoring his companions' warnings, he dashed toward it, ignoring the guards attempting to stop him. In mere seconds, they were defeated, allowing Luffy to gorge himself on the prison's rations.

But as Luffy and Bon Kurei left the kitchen, a dark figure dropped from above. Magellan, the Chief Warden himself, towered over them, his body emitting toxic fumes that caused the guards nearby to flee.

"Get out of here!" Bon Kurei warned, explaining that Magellan's poison could kill within minutes. But the exits were sealed, and Luffy's only choice was to fight.

Luffy charged in with Gear 2, striking Magellan with a powerful Gomu Gomu no Sun Bazooka. Protected by Raja's enchanted gloves, he managed to knock Magellan back, shocking the warden.

But Magellan retaliated with a deadly Poison Hydra attack. Luffy dodged, using his agility to maneuver around the deadly poison.

Bon Kurei, unable to match Magellan's might, fled. "Don't be a distraction!" he yelled, leaving Luffy to face the warden alone.

Luffy, poisoned but undeterred, fought with all he had. Even with the enchanted gloves, the poison began to take a toll. His punches grew weaker, his vision blurred. Magellan unleashed a Poison Cloud, filling the room with toxic mist that rendered Luffy nearly blind and deaf.

With his last ounce of strength, Luffy swung, but Magellan countered, enveloping Luffy completely in poison. His body went still as Magellan declared, "You'll die within 24 hours. Take him to Level 5."

As Magellan left, the runes Raja had embedded in Luffy's enchanted wear began to glow. The poison slowly absorbed into the fabric, converting into a healing energy that placed Luffy into a stasis, giving his body a chance to recover.

In the depths of Impel Down, hope still flickered. The journey wasn't over. Luffy's friends were still out there, and with Raja's protective magic, the battle for freedom and family would continue.