One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 284 On What Right? Akainu is Enraged!
Have you finally been accepted?

"From this day forward, I, and this sword in my hand, will all belong to you."

As if afraid that the hand would withdraw, Shiryu grabbed it tightly without hesitation, and was half-pulled to his feet by the latter.

"After spending twenty years in a place like this, I doubt you'd want to take on a position like Warden of the Fallen Ones again after you get out, would you?"

Xia Nuo turned around and walked slowly toward the stairwell, casually making a joke.

"Warden?"

Shiryu hurriedly followed, shaking his head while chewing on a cigar. "That kind of boring position should be left to someone else, like Magellan. If that guy is willing to come to you someday, then give it to him, sir."

"I knew it."

Xia Nuo was speechless. "In that case, you can be assigned to the combat regiment. The position of captain of the first squad is yours now."

The position of First Division Captain is the face of the combat regiment and is quite important. It must be held by an officer with sufficient strength.

Neither Luo nor Barto has the strength to qualify, so the position has remained vacant until now.

Now that Shiryu has joined, his strength is undeniable, but his personality doesn't mesh well with the boys and girls of the Fallen Ones headquarters.

Therefore, after careful consideration, assigning him the position of First Division Captain is the best option.

Isn't the combat corps the most important of the four corps, the one that charges to the front lines?

Captain of the First Division?
Why would someone be willing to take on such a heavy responsibility right from the start?
Shiryu paused for a moment, then grinned, exhaling a powerful smoke ring that drifted from between his teeth.
"I will certainly not fail in my mission, sir."

After passing through most of the passageway, the stairwell was already faintly visible. At this moment, Xia Nuo suddenly stopped and turned to look at a cell on the side.

He hadn't noticed it when he first entered the sixth floor, but now he realized how special this cell was.

Not only were the cells on both sides deliberately left empty, but the iron bars were also several times thicker than those in the other cells, and even sea stone was incorporated into them.

The prisoner inside was tall and disheveled, sitting cross-legged with his back to Shano.

Not only were his body bound tightly to the ground by iron chains, but there was also a huge iron block that occupied half of the room, which was tightly connected to the shackles.

Imprisoning a Devil Fruit user is usually very simple; just putting them in sea stone shackles is enough. But this guy in front of me has actually added so many extra restrictions.

There is only one explanation...

The opponent is not only an ability user, but also one of the world's top physical masters. Even when bound by Seastone, he can still unleash extremely terrifying power.

"At this point, are you still turning a deaf ear to what's going on outside and acting as if you don't care?"

Shiryu also noticed this scene and sneered:
"As expected, he's still as arrogant as ever, sir. That old man, Crimson Solitary, is the highest-bounty prisoner on the sixth level, but this guy is undoubtedly the most dangerous one, named..."

"Douglas Barrett."

Amidst Shiryu's astonished gaze, Shano's calm voice rang out, "No need for introductions, I know this guy."

He certainly remembered one of the most imposing final bosses in all the theatrical versions.

"Let's go."

After glancing at it only once, Xia Nuo looked away and continued towards the stairwell.

Shiryu followed behind, somewhat surprised:
"My lord, don't you... consider recruiting him into your ranks? With his strength, if he were to join, he would be an absolute force to be reckoned with for the Fallen Ones."

"We're not on the same path."

Xia Nuo said calmly, "There's no need for that."

Is Barrett strong enough?

Of course it's enough.

Back when he was still on Roger's crew, he was a world-renowned genius.

Only Roger could reliably defeat this guy; even Rayleigh and Jabba at their peak could only manage a draw against him.

But after Roger's death, like "Lone Red," he ventured out to sea alone, unwilling to be subordinate to anyone.

The other party clearly saw everything that happened on the sixth floor, but when I arrived here, they deliberately put on an aloof, cold, and ignoring-outsider demeanor.

Let him be.

In any case, all the most wicked and vicious pirates on the sixth floor have died at his hands.

As for the remaining great pirates, there's no need to bother distinguishing between good and evil.

Without Blackbeard's prison break, letting them continue to rot, age, and ultimately die of resentment in this dark and hopeless place is the best possible ending.

tread, tread, tread...

The two left the sixth floor one after the other, and as their footsteps faded into the distance, the heavy door closed again.

The disheveled, strong figure suddenly opened his eyes.

"Has the sea outside finally started to look interesting?"

Barrett turned his head, squinting at the tightly closed iron gate. "Only a teenager, and the bounty exceeds five billion Berries?"

When did such an amazing genius emerge?!
When he was a teenager, he couldn't even beat Captain Roger!

"Interesting... Hahaha, this is really interesting!"

Barrett grinned, clenched his fists, and the veins on his muscular arms bulged. The chains binding him creaked under the strain.

The massive iron block that occupied most of the room, along with the floor of the sixth floor, trembled.

Eighteen years!

Eighteen years have passed since the Navy launched the Buster Call, and Sengoku and Garp joined forces to imprison Douglas Barrett here!

Unlike those old folks who were getting weaker and weaker, Barrett never stopped training and cultivating even when he was in prison.

Therefore, their strength has not declined at all!
But one thing has always bothered him...

Back then, he always worked hard to become stronger in order to defeat Roger and surpass him.

But Roger was already dead.

He lost his purpose, became confused and paranoid, and became indifferent and apathetic to everything around him.

But now, things are different...

It’s different!
The terrifying strength displayed by that junior named Xia Nuo just now undoubtedly ignited his long-dormant fighting spirit!
“Xia Nuo…”

Barrett murmured the name, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

This man is absolutely worth fighting!
But not now. He has to wait until he becomes stronger and escapes the prison entirely on his own!
Even a crippled old man like Golden Lion can do it, so why can't he?!

"Then we'll see who is truly the strongest in the world!"

Barrett clenched his fist and laughed wildly, his voice echoing through the empty sixth floor.

Hey!
Roger, did you see that?

Today, I have finally found a new path and a new goal!

Let's start with this Xia Nuo...

Kill all the Four Emperors, kill all the Admirals, kill the Fleet Admiral! Become the true, strongest Pirate King in history, surpassing you in every way!!!
……

at the same time.

Lv 4, Scorching Hell.

In the deputy warden's office, Chief Warden Sadi Jr. and Deputy Warden Domino huddled together in a corner, trembling with fear.

The reason was simple: on the office sofa, a young man wearing a black cloak was sitting with his legs crossed, casually flipping through the prison's internal publications.

He is clearly handsome and has such a warm and gentle temperament, just like a friendly older brother next door.

But when they thought about the other person's identity and what was happening in Impel Down, the two were so frightened that tears almost welled up in their eyes, and they didn't dare to breathe.

"Nothing particularly noteworthy."

Tossing the newspaper aside, Xia Nuo turned to the bedroom door. "Are you done tidying up, Shiryu?"

"It's all done, sir."

The bedroom door was pushed open, and Shiryu strode out, a cigar dangling from his lips. He had changed out of his deputy director's uniform and casually picked up a black package, placing it on his shoulder.

Inside was all the valuables he could take with him. "Pretty fast."

Xia Nuo looked at the size of the package and was speechless for a moment. "Isn't it a bit too much stuff for you to carry?"

Shiryu is 3.4 meters tall, taller than the admirals, and this black package is even taller than him, so you can imagine its size.

"It's just my private collection that I've accumulated over the years."

Shiryu grinned and patted the bulging bundle. "Pirates brought in as prisoners naturally can't use their weapons anymore. Most of the decent ones are here with me."

"There are hundreds of different kinds of weapons, including several famous swords of the finest quality. When we arrive in your territory, sir, I can take these out and give them to the Fallen Ones as a small gift."

Tsk, this middle-aged man who lost his job is already figuring out how to reintegrate as quickly as possible?

Xia Nuo smiled and didn't seem to mind.

"Then, let's go. It's time to leave. This cage can no longer hold you."

"Yes, my lord."

Shiliu followed Shano to the office door, took one last look around the place where he had spent half his life, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute expression.

As the two figures disappeared at the end of the corridor, Domino and Little Sadie looked at each other, hugged each other tightly, and burst into tears.

We finally made it through this disaster!

anyway.

They contacted Marine Headquarters immediately after Impel Down was invaded, so why haven't reinforcements arrived yet after all this time?!

…………

Lv1, Crimson Lotus Hell.

This is the top level of the underwater section; going any higher means leaving Impel Down.

At this moment, the two arrived at the center. The midday sun was high in the sky, and the blazing sunlight was streaming in through the huge hole that Xia Nuo had blasted, forming a dazzling pillar of light on the ground.

Shiryu squinted slightly, somewhat uneasy, and shielded his forehead with one hand. Looking up at the hole, tens of meters in diameter, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly:

"What a brutal way to get in."

Look at the whole world.

There are probably only two or three people who dare to come alone and openly storm Impel Down.

Ahead, Xia Nuo flashed and leaped out of the cave entrance.

Shiryu hurriedly clutched the package and followed.

With a few leaps and bounds using Moonwalk, he stood atop the central tower of Impel Down. The sea breeze rushed towards him, and the long-lost feeling of freedom made him open his left arm and take a deep breath.

Ok?
Shiryu's gaze suddenly sharpened as he noticed the unusual activity in the distance.

In the distance, outside the circular wall of Impel Down, the massive Gate of Justice had opened, and in front of the gate, seven large warships from headquarters could be seen.

This is not surprising.

After all, there is a triangular ocean current between the three major agencies of the World Government: Marine Headquarters, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down. Opening the Gates of Justice would allow them to support each other in a very short time.

The strange thing is that, despite sending such a large fleet, none of them moved. They just stayed there far away, and not a single one dared to approach.

"Have you recognized your identity, sir?"

Shiliu, cigar in hand, sneered, "Judging from this, they plan to clean up the mess after we leave."

This is the power and intimidation of the Four Emperors!

"No fun, let's go."

Standing at the edge of the tower, his black cloak fluttering in the wind, Shano withdrew his Observation Haki from the fleet and shook his head, saying:
"I didn't sense any familiar faces, and not even a single general was sent. It seems someone has given up."

He had no interest in making things difficult for these lower-ranking naval officers; the matter was already settled, and there was no need to waste any more time here.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Opposite, on the naval fleet, on the flagship in the very center.

"Lieutenant General! They're leaving. Are we just going to do nothing and watch them go?"

A young naval commodore gritted his teeth and looked at his superior, who was also the commander of the fleet, with great resentment—Vice Admiral Huoshaoshan, a veteran naval officer.

"Don't be silly, kid."

Huoshaoshan, sipping his cigar, said calmly, "My orders were only to come and help with the cleanup, not to stop it. In fact, I don't have the qualifications to do so in front of that man. At least a general would have to come in person."

"Then why aren't the generals mobilized!"

The young brigadier was even more puzzled. "If I remember correctly, Mr. Akainu has been at headquarters lately, so why didn't he come along?"

"Who knows."

Huoshaoshan raised his head, watching the two figures gradually disappear from sight:

"Given Sakazuki's personality, he would definitely have come no matter what. The reason he didn't show up is probably because he was stopped by someone higher up..."

"The people above?"

"Yes, not Marineford, but something higher up."

Huoshaoshan exhaled a puff of smoke and said quietly, "What those people are thinking is beyond our comprehension..."

……

Holy Land, Marie Gioia.

In the top-floor room called "Between Powers," the five elders gathered together.

"I don't know!"

Akainu's face was grim, and he clenched his fists. "I demand an explanation from everyone. Impel Down is clearly an important institution of the World Government. Now that it has been invaded by pirates, why do you stand idly by!"

He had even arrived at the dock, ready to board the warship and set sail, when Sengoku personally called him back. And the ones who made this decision were these five people in front of him.

The five elders all looked up, their gazes coldly fixed on Akainu.

"Watch your attitude, Sakazuki. You're just a mere general; it's not your place to question us."

The blond Elder spoke slowly, a hint of displeasure in his voice, "What good would sending you do? With that man's current strength, if he wanted to leave, could you stop him by yourself?"

"We have the situation in Impel Down under control. It seems that they came quickly and retreated quickly, and have not yet done anything too outrageous."

The five white-bearded elders picked up their teacups, took a sip, and calmly said:
"This small loss is perfectly acceptable. Just put it on the books and settle it later. If you and that man were to fight in Impel Down, the losses would be much greater, and the entire prison could even be destroyed. You should understand this."

I should... understand?
I don't know!

What kind of utter nonsense is this?!

Akainu was so angry that he laughed instead.

If it were any other pirate who went to Impel Down and killed a group of serious criminals without permission, and also kidnapped the deputy warden of Impel Down, these five old men would have been furious and launched a siege!
But after changing the name to "Xia Nuo"...

But he calmed down immediately and even regarded it as a "completely acceptable minor loss"?
Are you picking on the weak and bullying the strong?
Sakazuki despises people like this the most in his life!
Akainu's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, veins bulging on his forehead. He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said in a low voice:

"If even the highest authority of the World Government is so fond of cowering and yielding to pirates, where is justice? Where is fairness? What is the meaning of the Marines' bloody battles on the front lines?!"

That's a really harsh way to put it.

The atmosphere between those in power seemed to freeze for a moment.

“If you say that again, you’ll be sent to Impel Down.”

Saturn's Satan Saint, leaning on his cane, suddenly sneered: "Sakazuki, you've crossed the line. Do you think we don't want to get rid of that Shano?"

"But the time is not right."

Holding the kimono of the Onikiri, the Five Elders closed their eyes and said, "At least for now, I can't free up any time. That matter was officially approved yesterday. Sakazuki, since Sengoku has nominated you as the person in charge, you shouldn't waste your energy on other things now. What you should focus on is how to do a good job of clearing the area and providing security."

"The amusement park plan has been approved?"

Akainu was taken aback at first, then sneered:

"You're really causing trouble for others, Five Elders. Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land, are your young comrades already unable to hold back so quickly?"

(End of this chapter)