Chapter 519: Entering
Because of a single wrong answer to a question, the Buggy Pirates crew was dragged along by Ian, and Cabaji almost cried in the bathroom...
However, when they were brought onto the ship, they suddenly realized that the vessel Ian and the others were riding was the same Marine warship they had seen earlier!
Not only that, but the people on board at the moment, as Cabaji and Alvida could tell, were definitely not Marines, yet they were all wearing Marine uniforms!
So, they immediately understood: Ian and his group were impersonating Marines to head to Impel Down!
Realizing this, Cabaji and Mohji's minds started racing.
Alvida had been right earlier—only Marine warships could safely navigate the Calm Belt, and neither Impel Down nor the Gates of Justice would open for anyone other than Marines. But Ian and his crew had seized on these two points: not only had they disguised themselves as Marines, but they had also obtained a warship. This made Cabaji and Mohji realize that this plan might actually work!
Admittedly, Cabaji and Mohji were essentially a bunch of cowards. They were pirates, so no one expected them to uphold any moral code. They followed Buggy only because of the "Captain John's Treasure" in his possession.
Earlier, fearing for their lives, they had dared not continue toward Impel Down. But now, after coincidentally meeting Ian, they immediately realized they had a powerful backer!
So, in an instant, Cabaji and Mohji tacitly agreed to follow Ian to rescue Captain Buggy!
However, besides Ian, Cabaji and the others also had acquaintances on this warship: the Straw Hat Pirates.
When Luffy suddenly recognized Cabaji and Alvida, he exclaimed in surprise, "Ah! It's you guys!?"
Zoro immediately drew his swords, and Sanji lit a cigarette, as the group stared intently at Cabaji and the others.
But then, Mohji and Cabaji dropped to their knees with a thud, crying out, "We're sorry, Straw Hat! We were wrong back then! But Captain Buggy is now locked up in Impel Down Prison! We'll risk our lives to save him! If you want revenge, please wait until we rescue our captain—then you can do whatever you want with us!"
"R-Really?" Luffy was stunned.
Mohji looked up at Luffy and said, "Yes! Captain Buggy is our benefactor. Without him, we'd still be a wandering circus performing on the streets to survive. Even if we die, we want to repay that debt first!"
It had to be said, Mohji and Cabaji were masters of performance. Their heartfelt, emotional explanation moved Luffy deeply.
"So you guys are loyal and righteous too!" Luffy said, tears welling up in his eyes, looking like he might cry from emotion.
And the most absurd part was that the iron man Franky also burst into loud sobs... He seemed to be getting into the act too...
Ian watched this scene helplessly, thinking, *These idiots...* Then he exchanged a knowing glance with the "Pirate Empress" Nami, both of them looking resigned...
Regardless, the warship continued sailing along the current toward Impel Down Prison. The Buggy Pirates crew had also changed into Marine uniforms, though they looked nothing like Marines.
It didn't matter—as long as they didn't blow their cover before arriving.
About forty minutes later, Impel Down Prison finally came into view.
What was called Impel Down Prison was, on the surface, just a small circular castle with a very limited footprint.
However, anyone familiar with Impel Down knew that the real prison was a massive tower buried deep beneath the sea. The castle above the water was merely the entrance and the top of the tower.
Below the surface, countless enormous creatures—ferocious carnivorous Sea Kings—swam around the prison tower. Anyone trying to escape from the seabed would be devoured by their sharp teeth.
The entire entrance was surrounded by layers of high walls, and outside these walls, a large number of Marine warships were permanently stationed, encircling the entrance. Anyone trying to escape or break in would face relentless attacks from these ships.
It could be said that the defenses of Impel Down Prison were as solid as an iron wall. No wonder so many pirates who attempted to break out over the years had met a grim fate...
However, when Ian counted the number of warships from a distance, he found only five. Through his telescope, he observed that the Marine soldiers on duty looked relaxed, without any signs of tension.
After a moment's thought, Ian understood: this time, there was no incident of Ace being captured and sent to Impel Down. Without such an important prisoner, the prison wasn't on high alert.
This was probably just routine vigilance. The last major prison break had been over twenty years ago, when Golden Lion Shiki escaped. Since then, nothing significant had happened at Impel Down for more than two decades. It was natural for the soldiers on the guard ships to be relaxed.
Moreover, this time, even Marine Headquarters probably wouldn't expect Ian to launch a surprise attack on Impel Down, right?
Even better—this increased the chances of success!
Thinking this, Ian instructed everyone, "It's starting! Get ready!"
Hearing his words, everyone on board immediately became serious. The Heart Pirates and the Fallen Monk Pirates straightened their backs and gripped their weapons tightly, trying their best to look like elite Marine soldiers.
Meanwhile, Luffy, Law, and Urouge either went into the cabins, pulled down their hat brims, or lowered their heads as much as possible to minimize the risk of exposure.
As for the main actors of this operation, the okama Bon Clay and Nami, they took a deep breath and prepared their acting skills.
When Ian's warship appeared on the sea surface, Impel Down had already spotted them. As their ship approached, a call came through to Ian's vessel.
"I am Vice Admiral Momonga!" Bon Clay answered the ringing Den Den Mushi with a serious tone, using the exact voice of the real Vice Admiral Momonga. "I am under orders to bring the Seven Warlord Boa Hancock for a prison visit. I assume you've received notification from Marine Headquarters?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral!" The Impel Down staff member on the other end quickly replied. "We have received the notice. We will open the drawbridge for you."
As Ian's warship neared Impel Down, the drawbridge was lowered, and the ship docked beside it.
"Let's go. Follow the plan—disembark in formation!"
Ian also pulled down his Marine hat brim. He was playing the role of a Marine Rear Admiral, acting as Vice Admiral Momonga's deputy, so he followed closely behind Bon Clay. Nami walked side by side with Bon Clay, holding her head high with an elegant demeanor.
After they disembarked, the others disguised as Marine soldiers also followed, walking across the drawbridge toward the main gate alongside Ian.
At the top of Impel Down's castle, a unique flag flew—the special insignia of the Impel Down prison guard force.
The prison guards who came out to greet them had the same symbol on their hat brims and arms. Their uniforms, unlike the white of the Marines, were dark gray and black, reflecting the prison's ominous nature...
"We've been waiting for you, Vice Admiral Momonga!" A strange man holding a trident-like weapon appeared before the group, addressing Bon Clay. "Welcome to my Impel Down Prison..."
He immediately corrected himself, "Ah, I misspoke—that reveals my ambition a bit... I am Hannyabal, the temporary Deputy Head Jailer!"
This odd man was Hannyabal, the Deputy Head Jailer of Impel Down. Behind him stood many prison guards, all staring wide-eyed at Nami, the "Pirate Empress."
"Is that... Boa Hancock?"
"She's beautiful! Just like the legends say—a real beauty!"
The guards whispered among themselves, but Ian noticed that while they were captivated by Nami's portrayal of Boa Hancock, they hadn't reached the point of being completely entranced...
This was unavoidable. Boa Hancock's allure was partly due to her Devil Fruit. The Mero Mero no Mi (Love-Love Fruit) could be called a fruit of temptation, granting a special boost to feminine charm. Nami looked very similar to Boa Hancock, but she lacked the enhancement provided by the Devil Fruit.
"Vice Admiral, Head Jailer Magellan is waiting for you in his office on the fourth level," Hannyabal said, gesturing for Bon Clay and Nami to follow. "Next, you two will undergo inspection in a private room before being granted permission to enter the prison... I'm sorry, but it's the rules. Also, your deputy and soldiers should not enter—please wait outside!"
In other words, Ian and the others couldn't go in...
However, Ian had anticipated this. If only Bon Clay and Nami went in, it wouldn't accomplish much. At best, they could fool Magellan, take a look at Jinbe, and then have to return.
So, Ian suddenly spoke up from behind, "And what if we insist on going in?"
Hearing this, Law, Luffy, and the others behind Ian tensed up. They knew it was time to act...