Chapter 56: Marvel 56
"So, this is Impel Down," Max murmured, taking in the sight of the massive prison fortress looming before him.
"Well, let's start the stealth operation," he mumbled to himself, activating his Shadow Realm mode using his Dark Magician abilities. With a quick incantation, his form melted into shadow, merging seamlessly with the water as he dove beneath the waves, invisible to the guards and sensors patrolling the facility's perimeter.
The eerie silence of the depths surrounded him as he moved toward the underwater entrance of Impel Down, his dark energy concealing him from the watchful eyes above.
Impel Down, the infamous underwater prison of the Grand Line, is a colossal, terrifying fortress constructed in the depths of the Calm Belt, away from prying eyes and known to house the most dangerous criminals. The prison is structured like an inverted tower descending below sea level, with each descending level growing harsher in punishment and isolation. There are six known levels, each uniquely designed to torment prisoners in increasingly brutal ways:
Level 1: Crimson Hell – A blood-red forest with razor-sharp foliage, where prisoners are forced to run through thorn-covered plants that slice their skin with every move. Blood stains the floor, creating a haunting atmosphere.
Level 2: Wild Beast Hell – Home to ferocious beasts and monstrous animals trained to attack prisoners, forcing them to fight for survival every day.
Level 3: Starvation Hell – A scorching desert where prisoners suffer from intense heat and hunger, leaving them emaciated and weak.
Level 4: Blazing Hell – This level is filled with boiling pools of blood and extreme heat from furnaces, where prisoners endure unbearable temperatures.
Level 5: Freezing Hell – A frozen wasteland with brutal temperatures below freezing, where prisoners shiver in constant cold, stalked by hungry wolves that hunt them down.
Level 6: Eternal Hell – The bottom level, reserved for the worst criminals who are hidden from the world, forgotten by history. Here, prisoners are left in complete darkness and isolation, awaiting an eternity of confinement.
The prison is surrounded by massive Sea Kings in the Calm Belt, deterring escape and infiltration. Inside, it's heavily guarded by brutal jailers and wardens who oversee everything with unwavering discipline. Impel Down is a place no one ever expects to leave.
"Well, unlike Shiki, who was mad enough to cut off his own legs to escape," Max thought as he reached the 5th level. In this layer lay Wald, a powerful Devil Fruit user with abilities potent enough to earn him the title of "World Destroyer."
Max placed his hand on the walls and bypassed them, moving effortlessly in his Shadow World mode, which allowed him to pass through physical barriers. Once inside, he looked around and noticed the entire area coated in thick layers of ice. He carefully moved forward, searching for the Devil Fruit users held here.
Most of the prisoners were Zoan users, but Max made quick work of them, taking their Devil Fruits as he moved through. Finally, he reached Wald, a massive figure frozen in a state that kept him dormant. On the way to Wald, he got more than 13 Zoan fruits, including four Ancient Zoans: the Saber-Tooth, Velociraptor, T-Rex, and Spinosaurus.
Max melted the ice just enough to expose Wald's head. With his magic at work, he stimulated and awakened the slumbering giant. "Byrnndi Wald," Max said.
Wald's eyes snapped open, looking slightly dazed and alarmed. "Who are you, brat?" he growled, glaring at Max.
"Be my servant, and I'll grant you your freedom," Max replied directly, ignoring any polite gestures.
"Bororororo!" Wald laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the chamber, but Max simply waited patiently. When Wald finally stopped, Max asked, "Are you done?"
"And what makes you think I would serve you?" Wald sneered. "Maybe because you've been locked up for over 20 years with no hope of getting out of here," Max countered, his gaze unwavering.
Just then, a howl echoed through the ice-coated hall. Max turned to see a pack of wolves, their eyes fierce, approaching to attack. In an instant, Max summoned dark spikes from the ground, swiftly impaling the wolves and ending them without mercy.
Up above, Magellan, who had been working in his office, froze as he sensed a strange disturbance. "What on earth is happening?" he muttered, feeling the ominous presence emanating from Level 5. He quickly headed toward the elevator to investigate.
As Wald observed the scene before him, he finally asked, "What will I gain if I agree to follow you?" His eyes studied Max, especially after witnessing how easily he'd dealt with the wolves.
Max looked back at Wald, a small grin forming as he saw the flicker of interest in his eyes.
"I can make you young again. How does that sound?" Max offered, his tone confident.
Wald raised an eyebrow. "You're not lying, are you?" he asked, skeptical but intrigued.
Max shook his head. "What would I gain from lying to someone like you? I want you as an ally, not an enemy."
Wald nodded, finally relenting. "Very well, I'll follow you, but I have my own conditions," he added. "My freedom and a chance to settle a few scores."
"Done," Max replied with a smirk. He began the ritual to transform Wald into a Night Apostle, explaining briefly, "This process will make you stronger, faster, and give you new abilities. Are you willing?"
Wald scoffed. "What the hell is this Devil fruit? Just get it over with," he said, though he was clearly curious.
As Max activated the spell, a dark magic circle formed around them, cloaking Wald in shadows. After a few moments, the transformation was complete. Wald emerged, looking like a young man in his mid-twenties, power radiating from his new form.
"Borororo… you were right," Wald chuckled, dropping to one knee in respect. "Captain," he acknowledged.
Max placed a hand on Wald's shoulder, allowing him access to Stealth Mode as well. "Let's get to work," Max said, and Wald nodded, ready to follow his captain into whatever chaos awaited them.
Now, Max got another guy from rogers time, a guy with more more fruit allowing him to increase any two parameters at a time of anything by hundred times.
***
Support me so that I can buy a Laptop and update faster, at...
patreon.com/boring_world
It's 22 chaps ahead