bookbashuk Chapter 397 The Warden and the Sinner
Chapter 397 The Warden and the Sinner
Chapter 397 The Warden and the Sinner
In fact.
Everyone has more or less overlooked the fact that there has always been a member of the Zodiac within Impel Down—to be precise, he is the first known member of the Zodiac.
That was Alan.
This boy was the provider of Roy's most crucial fruit slice.
Although almost all of his own fragments died in the previous battle in the Sabaody Archipelago, his Devil Fruit ability was essentially crippled.
The only exception is this slice-like clone that is currently located inside Impel Down.
Despite being a prisoner confined in the LV5 extreme cold hell, his original physical condition meant that this clone should not have survived for long.
But coincidentally, Roy had entered Impel Down after the military exercises and subtly informed Ivankov and others hiding there that the Twelve Constellations had cooperated with the Revolutionary Army.
Therefore, without the knowledge of the Impel Down guards, Ivankov and others often brought food and hot water to Alan, and even helped Alan fake his death and escape before this "re-education" of Impel Down prisoners.
That's how we got this scene.
"Buzz!"
On Alan's body, the "Star Mark" belonging to Roy was shining brightly. As one of the "Star Constellations" cadres, Alan was qualified to bear this mark.
The sliced clone is essentially no different from the original.
Therefore, with the help of this mark, Roy... or rather, the "Ox of the Twelve Zodiacs" can descend here.
"call..."
After arriving, the Ox let out a slight breath.
He turned his head and looked at Ivankov and the others, who were now staring in astonishment: "Thank you."
"No...you're welcome!"
At this moment, Ivankov and Lightning were clearly stunned.
They couldn't understand how the Ugly Ox had descended—was it a Devil Fruit ability?
However, Ivankov, a veteran cadre of the revolutionary army who had participated in countless major events, quickly realized what was going on.
"Um... Mr. Ugly Ox, right?"
"You saw the situation at LV6; it's extremely dangerous. I think we should..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ugly Ox waved his hand, interrupting him: "It's not us."
"The path ahead is not something you can interfere with—I will go to LV7 myself."
"As for you..."
He glanced at Ivankov and the others: "Let's wait here."
"...but..."
Ivankov and Lightning were naturally taken aback upon hearing this, and then they obviously intended to say something more.
But before they could speak, they saw Ugly Ox stride out and head towards the twisted, dark entrance to LV6.
"Buzz!"
Upon sensing the presence of the Ugly Ox, the invisible energy, which appeared to be dark purple and pitch black, instantly attacked the Ugly Ox.
"The deadly poison of the Venom-Venom Fruit," and... the power of the abyss?
Beneath the ox mask, his eyes remained calm, yet he immediately discerned the source of that invisible energy.
Then...
He gently reached out and took something out of his pocket.
It was a rather small fan that emitted a green glow.
But as soon as he took it out of his hand, the fan grew longer in the wind.
In just a moment, it transformed into a giant fan several meters in size.
On the fan, there were red and black overlord-colored lightning bolts, and a gale that almost became a tangible force swirling around it.
[Banana Leaf Fan]
"boom!"
The next moment, the Ugly Ox waved its enormous fan.
then...
Endless gales and thunder roared in an instant.
At this moment, the entire fifth floor of Impel Down felt as if it were situated on a vast, terrifying, and endlessly stormy ocean.
Amidst the raging winds and thunder, one could even see streaks of starlight flowing with the wind.
In mere moments, they blasted away all the countless poisons and abyssal power, instantly reducing the entire LV6 gate to dust.
""
Ivankov and Lightning stared wide-eyed, their jaws almost dropping to the ground.
As long-time holdouts in Impel Down, no one knows better than them how sturdy the gates of Level 6 are.
But at this moment, the Ox's expression remained unchanged; he simply stepped onto the massive staircase leading to LV6.
"...Should we follow them?"
Seeing this, Lightning looked at Ivankov with some hesitation.
"No."
After a moment's thought, Ivankov shook his head.
He didn't actually know what the Twelve Constellations were supposed to do, and the reason he was here to help Alan was only because of the orders conveyed by Dorrag.
However, after witnessing the power of the Ox, he already had a vague premonition in his heart.
What the twelve zodiac signs are meant to do is something extremely important, something that will change the world.
He was curious about this.
But he also knew that he shouldn't pry into the details.
"We'll just wait here."
Revolutionary army cadres are always good at waiting.
Meanwhile...
The ugly ox, stepping down the stairs, soon arrived at "LV6 Infinite Hell".
Unlike when Roy last came here—all the prisoners here have left Impelton as "scavengers," so most of the cages are empty.
However, they are not completely empty.
Because here, there is one last, and only, prisoner.
Magellan.
"The Ugly Ox saw the prisoner from afar."
Its tall body, its body dripping with venom, and its ugly, terrifying face.
That's right.
That was none other than Magellan, the warden of Impel Down.
But at this moment, the warden was not as stern and fierce as usual.
Quite the opposite.
At this moment, crimson and purple venom clung to his body, enveloping him like a self-imposed prisoner.
Ugly Ox could tell the nature of the venom at a glance—just like the power in front of the LV6 gate above, it was a deadly poison that could only be used after the Venom-Venom Fruit had been awakened.
And that's precisely what makes it interesting.
"It seems you've had a major falling out with the World Government? It's gotten to the point where you're being held here as a prisoner?"
""
The Ox's tone wasn't cold, but it was serious.
Yes.
The encyclopedia of fruits also contains information about the "Poison-Poison Fruit," so he knew it very well.
Magellan, though a user of the Poison-Poison Fruit, is a poison man who embodies all the world's toxins.
However, just like his habit of frequently having diarrhea, the toxins themselves are actually effective for the user of the Poison-Poison Fruit, only the effect is weakened.
This is why Magellan, despite his power, rarely participated in battles.
Especially the awakened ability of the Venom-Venom Fruit, "Death Poison"—Ugly Ox can confirm that this absolute poison after awakening could be fatal even to Magellan.
But now, Magellan is using this ability to imprison himself at LV6.
With the appearance of the "Scavengers" and "Shiryu of the Rain" leading the Scavengers, the actual situation is not hard to guess.
Magellan likely became what he is today because he was dissatisfied with the World Government's orders, and may even have refused to carry them out.
And that is indeed the case.
"The twelve constellations?"
At this moment, the poisoned man inside the iron cage also opened his eyes.
He looked at the ugly ox, especially at the mask on its face.
"Ugly Ox".
Ugly Ox made no attempt to conceal its identity.
"I see."
Magellan nodded.
Then, he spoke softly: "I do not agree with the government's order—Impelton's existence is a 'ruler' to make prisoners realize their mistakes; those who have been punished can be tried, can be executed."
"But to be controlled by that...that kind of power, to be used as an army...I think that's wrong," is a betrayal of order.
He spoke calmly, his words carrying a cold, numb quality.
Without needing an explanation, Ugly Ox knew what the power he was referring to was: "It must be the power of the abyss of Im, the power of the Black Transformation."
obviously.
As the warden of Impel Down, Magellan, who adhered to his principles, could not accept such "re-education" and "treatment" of the prisoners.
"I am the Warden of Impel Down, and I am responsible for upholding the principles and laws of Impel Down."
"But the government symbolizes the world's 'order,' and I cannot disobey it."
Magellan spoke calmly.
"I am unable to carry out government orders, unable to uphold the principles of Impel Down, and unable to manage the prisoners..."
"They are the most heinous sinners."
"So, I locked myself in here."
"I will stand guard until my last shift, until the end of my life."