Super Card System

Chapter 549: Where Are the Rescuing Ships?

Sea water gushed out from the breach, not only flooding the floor of the third level of the prison but also some of it passing through the hole in the third level and falling down to the fourth level below.

On the fourth level, there was a huge magma furnace, where boiling magma churned year-round. Now, with the sea water pouring down, the furnace couldn’t be extinguished in a short time. Instead, it caused a sudden surge of steam, which rose up. Upon reaching the third level, the steam immediately took effect.

Originally, Crocodile’s sandstorm had dispersed much of the poisonous gas pervading the third level, but it couldn’t completely clear it. Now, with the steam rising, the remaining poison dissolved into the steam, reverting back to toxic droplets.

As for the poison on the ground, it was directly diluted by the surging sea water!

Originally, this poison was created by Magellan’s ability, so its concentration was high. Even if it touched the skin, it would cause excruciating pain. Now, diluted by the sea water, everyone knew that as long as they didn’t foolishly drink this mixture of poisoned water, they would be completely fine.

Upon seeing the sea water rushing in, Crocodile had already turned into sand and flew away. Being a user of the Sand-Sand Fruit, he detested water, so he absolutely refused to touch this sea water.

As for Jinbe, being a Fish-Man, he felt no pressure from the sea water at all. However, he immediately had the prisoners waiting on the fourth level come up. While the sea water on the third level was still relatively shallow, he had everyone wade through it.

Magellan’s feet were now submerged in seawater. As a Devil Fruit user, seawater was his greatest nemesis. Even without being fully immersed, it would drain some of his stamina, leaving Magellan weaker than before…

As the prisoners ascended to the third level, this was the scene that greeted them, prompting uncontrollable laughter directed at Magellan.

However, with the third level flooded, Devil Fruit users like Luffy and the others were no better off than Magellan at the moment. So, they paid no attention to him. Non-Devil Fruit users hurriedly carried the Devil Fruit users on their backs, wading through the water towards the staircase leading to the second level.

Freedom was just within reach, igniting a fiery passion within the hearts of the prisoners…

Crocodile led the way, having no intention of staying a moment longer on the waterlogged third level. Ian understood his sentiment and let him go.

Once everyone had ascended, only Jinbe, Ian, and Eva stood before Magellan.

At this moment, Magellan lacked the strength to activate his abilities, rendering him powerless even in the presence of the three masterminds.

“What do we do?” Eva turned to Ian. “The seawater will continue to rise, filling up the sixth level, then the fifth, spreading upward floor by floor. Before long, the entire Impel Down will be submerged, except for the layer exposed to the sea surface. Ian, if we leave Magellan here, he’ll drown!”

Ian thought for a moment, then said, “Bring him along!”

Jinbe didn’t hesitate and walked over, lifting Magellan’s massive body onto his back.

Magellan was somewhat bewildered. “Do you… do you know what you’re doing?”

“Of course I do!” Ian glanced at him and continued walking. “One of our comrades might have been captured by Vice-Admiral Gion. Taking you as a hostage exchange is all. Don’t overthink it!”

Magellan fell silent, contemplating whether to attack Ian and the others again after leaving the third level.

Being rescued twice in a row, even someone as principled as Magellan didn’t know what to do at this moment…

However, just then, Ian suddenly added, “Also, although I’ve released many prisoners, I still believe that Impel Down has its purpose. It’s submerged, not destroyed. As the warden, you may still have a role to play in the future. Dying here would be a waste!”

Ian didn’t turn back as he spoke, so Magellan couldn’t see his expression, unsure if Ian’s words were sincere.

In truth, Ian’s words came from the heart. This time, he forcibly infiltrated Impel Down. The prisoners on the sixth level fell by his hand, and those in the fifth level’s Freezing Hell probably couldn’t escape either. Most of the irredeemable criminals perished. As for the prisoners he took from the first to fourth levels, they weren’t as heinous. Ian could manage them, so he decided to take them along.

But if they lost Impel Down, there would be nowhere to detain the even more dangerous pirates the Marines might capture in the future…

Ian’s mind was clear, and he wasn’t an extremist. He understood that both the Marines and Impel Down, despite their dark sides, also had their positive aspects. Magellan was no exception. Although he was an adversary, he had his principles and could be considered loyal to his duty. Having someone like him as the warden served as a deterrent to the criminals.

“Obstruct me, and I’ll take you down.” It was just a matter of differing perspectives. In Ian’s eyes, Magellan wasn’t someone beyond redemption, someone who had to be killed. So, he didn’t mind saving him again.

Even Marines could turn into pirates one day. Who knew what the future held?

After ascending to the second level, the trio found no guards, which struck them as odd. However, seeing Crocodile and the others heading towards the first level, Ian’s group didn’t dwell on it and hurried to catch up.

Yet, upon reaching the first level and finding no guards or prison guards, Ian’s group couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“Weren’t they supposed to ambush us?” Trafalgar Law, carrying his nodachi, looked puzzled. “Why is no one here? And not a single prison guard in sight.”

“Going up further, we’ll reach the entrance to Impel Down!” Nami chimed in. “Maybe they’re waiting for us there!”

“No, that’s not it!” Ian frowned. “They’re most likely not on the entrance level!”

Turning his head, Ian looked at Magellan and said, “If I’m not mistaken, Magellan, when you were guarding the third level, you weren’t trying to stop us but rather to delay us to allow the guards of Impel Down and the Marines to retreat, right?”

“…,” Magellan remained expressionless, unwilling to speak.

“Got it!” Nami clapped her hands. “There must be Den Den Mushi in the third level. They probably saw that even Magellan couldn’t stop us, so they all retreated!”

“Hahaha!” Crocodile burst into laughter. “So, when we step out, we’ll probably be greeted by the Navy’s bombardment, huh?”

Ivankov nodded. “They probably saw the prison damaged and water pouring in, realizing it’s futile to stay, so they simply returned to the warships… It seems the Navy intends to abandon Impel Down and destroy it!”

“Destroying it can only mean destroying the entrance layer on the sea surface!” Ian remarked. “But with water flooding in, we’ll eventually have to go to the entrance layer to take cover, which means we can’t avoid the bombardment!”

Jinbe asked, “Ian, my friend, what about your retreat plan? Are there ships waiting for us? If not, we’ll have to figure out a way to seize Navy ships!”

“Of course, there are ships waiting, but it might be crowded!” Ian chuckled. “In fact, the number of people who ultimately escaped has exceeded my expectations a bit…”

“In that case, we might have to seize Navy ships after all…” Jinbe suggested.

“No!” Ian shook his head. “Why seize Navy ships? Navy ships can only move along the World Government’s designated sea routes. Not to mention whether the Gates of Justice will open. Even if they do, are we going to willingly walk into Marine Headquarters?”

This war wasn’t taking place at Marineford. Even if Ian and the others went to Marine Headquarters, it would be futile. So, Ian had actually abandoned the idea of seizing Navy ships from the beginning.

This included the ship guarded by Enel, the one Vice-Admiral Gion sunk. Ian had never considered using that ship to escape.

His words piqued the curiosity of Jinbe, Ivankov, and the prisoners, prompting them to inquire about Ian’s evacuation plan.

However, Ian just smiled mysteriously and said, “You’ll find out when the time comes…”

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM