Chapter 466: The Rescue
Impel Down.
Charlotte walked through the freezing Hell of the Fifth Level.
The surrounding wolves instinctively avoided him the moment they sensed his presence.
Their innate sense for danger had saved them.
He arrived at a massive stone gate—the passage between the fifth and sixth floors stood before him.
Without hesitation, Charlotte stepped inside.
In the dim corridor, the flickering flame of a kerosene lamp swayed from side to side.
Charlotte walked ahead, flanked by the two children, Klein and Slude.
Truthfully, neither Klein nor Slude had been of much use.
Charlotte had underestimated his own strength.
He hadn't expected to break through Impel Down so effortlessly.
The resistance had been almost nonexistent.
Years of peace and comfort had dulled the prison's sense of crisis.
Then again, it had stood for over 800 years without incident—who would have imagined someone would dare to invade Impel Down?
And who could've guessed that the invaders would be the Rockefeller Pirates, personally led by Rockefeller Charlotte?
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Charlotte's footsteps echoed sharply off the stone floor.
The sound carried, drifting steadily into the Sixth Floor—Eternal Hell.
Inside the quiet sixth level, all the imprisoned pirates turned to look toward the entrance.
The clear, steady footsteps approached.
Tension rose.
A suffocating pressure swept through the area.
At the very center of the prison, Golden Lion Shiki and Red Count Patrick Redfield suddenly lifted their heads to look toward the dark entrance.
Shock filled their eyes—they could hardly believe who they were seeing.
"Hahahahaha! Are you welcoming me?"
A deep laugh echoed through the level.
Charlotte's figure stepped out from the corridor, clad in a regal platinum coat, his hands behind his back as he came into full view.
"R-R-R-Rockefeller Charlotte!"
Upon seeing him, nearly every prisoner cried out in disbelief.
It had been twenty years since Charlotte debuted in Sea Circle Calendar Year 1480.
From the very beginning, he'd been a legend.
He'd joined the Rocks Pirates as an Eighth Division Commander, stunning the world.
After Rocks' death, he founded one of the Four Great Pirate Crews—the Rockefeller Pirates.
He was the world's greatest swordsman and one of the strongest beings alive.
His reputation, strength, and wealth were the envy of the seas.
"Jihahahaha! I knew it! I knew you'd come to rescue me!"
From within his cell, Golden Lion Shiki stood up abruptly, gripping the bars and shouting.
"Hahaha! Shiki, you're looking a little ragged,"
Charlotte replied with a meaningful glance.
Shiki didn't mind. He beamed.
"Charlotte! My brother! I knew you wouldn't forget me! Jihahaha! Hurry, break open this damned cage—I can't wait to show the world how terrifying Golden Lion Shiki still is!"
His wild laughter echoed throughout the sixth level.
Other prisoners, hearing Shiki's words, immediately rushed to their cell bars, eyes filled with hope.
"Captain Rockefeller! I'm willing to serve under you—please free me!"
"Mr. Rockefeller, I'll gladly join the Rockefeller Pirates!"
"Captain! I'll be your dog—just let me out! I'll remove any obstacle in your path!"
Dozens of voices cried out desperately, hoping to catch Charlotte's attention.
But Charlotte ignored them.
Instead, the Seven Star Sword appeared in his hand as he walked straight toward Golden Lion Shiki and Red Count Patrick Redfield.
Redfield, ever calm, hadn't yelled or looked overly excited.
A slight smile curled on his lips as he watched Charlotte approach.
Stopping before their cells, Charlotte raised his sword and casually sliced through the bars.
Notably, he freed Redfield first, then Shiki.
Shiki would likely never know—Charlotte had only come to free Redfield. Saving Shiki was just a bonus.
"Jihahaha! Brother, I'll remember this favor forever!"
Shiki rushed to Charlotte's side, arms wide for a hug.
But Charlotte immediately sidestepped.
"Ugh—your stench is unbearable. I'd rather not get too close."
Charlotte smiled as he spoke.
Shiki paused in awkward embarrassment.
Charlotte turned to Redfield and extended a hand.
"I heard Garp defeated you? Hard to believe."
"Hmph. He just got lucky,"
Redfield said, his proud expression returning.
"Jihaha! Charlotte, you might not know—this guy claims he beat Fleet Admiral Kong but got taken out by Garp! Big talker who doesn't know when to shut up!"
Shiki pointed at Redfield and laughed.
"Hmph. I'm not wasting my breath on you,"
Redfield said coldly, turning away.
"Shiki," Charlotte interrupted, "he's not lying. Redfield did beat Kong—but Garp showed up afterward and finished the job."
Shiki froze.
He turned to look at Redfield, stunned.
"Very few know about it. I learned it through… special channels,"
Charlotte explained.
Shiki stood in silence for a moment.
Then slowly smiled again.
"Jihaha! So what? Just a Fleet Admiral. I could take him down if I wanted. I've got things to do—see you later."
He turned away, his face darkening as soon as his back was to them. A trace of bitterness flashed across his features.
Charlotte watched his retreating figure and, for some reason, felt a pang of melancholy.
Though Shiki still stood tall, he suddenly seemed… hunched. Worn.
Charlotte continued unlocking the other cells.
There weren't many real powerhouses left in Eternal Hell—perhaps forty to fifty prisoners total.
Most lacked combat ability.
Why they were imprisoned here, Charlotte didn't know—perhaps they'd offended the World Government.
Among the rest, a few had strength, but they were at Vice Admiral-level at best—hardly a concern for Charlotte.
---
Read up to 35 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*