Chapter 467: Escape from Impel Down (Part 1)
Tap. Tap. Tap!
Golden Lion Shiki returned, having retrieved his twin swords, Oto and Kogarashi.
"Charlotte, we should leave now. If we stay any longer, we'll likely be surrounded by Marines or World Government agents."
Shiki bit into a cigar he'd somehow found and glanced toward Charlotte, who was still speaking with Redfield.
For some reason, watching the two talk stirred a flicker of irritation within Shiki.
Charlotte turned to glance at him and gave a small nod.
"Time to leave."
Redfield also nodded in agreement.
The three of them strode swiftly toward the exit of the sixth level.
As they neared it, Shiki looked at the dozen or so prisoners trailing behind them.
"Bastards, you want out of here? Then swear loyalty to me!"
Shiki sneered at the crowd in tattered prison uniforms.
With this many men, he could easily rebuild the Flying Pirates the moment they were out.
But Charlotte stopped in his tracks.
"Oh, forgot to tell you—your territory was split up between me, Newgate, and Charlotte Linlin. You don't have a base anymore."
Charlotte's voice was calm as he looked at Shiki.
Shiki froze.
His expression blanked.
He had only been imprisoned for two years… and now his empire was gone?
"You bastard!"
Shiki couldn't help but curse.
No wonder none of his subordinates had come to rescue him.
They were likely struggling to survive themselves.
Charlotte didn't bother arguing. Time was running out, and he continued walking ahead.
"Damn it, Charlotte! You owe me an explanation!"
Shiki quickly dropped the idea of recruiting henchmen and rushed to catch up.
But Charlotte didn't answer.
Instead, Redfield stepped in with a mischievous grin.
"Little Lion, your turf was divided the moment your capture made headlines. The three powers in the New World gobbled it up. And guess who made the first move?"
He pointed casually at Charlotte.
"He took nearly half of it. Surprised? Shocked?"
Shiki stood frozen.
Rage surged through him.
He'd spent over a decade building his empire—just to lose it, and to the man he trusted most?
He raised his sword, about to confront Charlotte.
"You idiot. You really wanna brawl here? In Impel Down? You want the Marines to pick us off while we're at each other's throats?"
Redfield barked, stepping in to stop him.
Bitten once by the Navy, Redfield wasn't eager to give them another shot.
Shiki scowled and flung Redfield's hand off him.
Charlotte ignored them both.
It had already been three hours since the infiltration began.
By now, the Navy must've gotten word.
Earlier, Charlotte had pulled memories from a guard's mind—Impel Down regularly reported to Marine HQ and the World Government every three hours.
Who knew when the last check-in was?
Reinforcements could already be on their way.
Hopefully not an admiral…
They entered Level Five: Freezing Hell.
Icy winds immediately tore through the crowd, making the prisoners shiver uncontrollably.
"What the hell is this nightmare?"
Shiki muttered.
He'd once stormed Marineford solo and battled Sengoku and Garp for three days, only to be captured and chained in Level Six.
He had no idea how Impel Down was laid out.
Redfield didn't either—they had both been locked up while unconscious.
"This is Level Five: Freezing Hell. If you want a tour, wait until we're out."
Charlotte didn't care to explain.
This wasn't a sightseeing trip.
He quickened his pace toward the passage to Level Four.
Suddenly—
Clang! Clang!
The sound of swords clashing echoed ahead.
Everyone except Charlotte tensed instantly.
"A fight!"
Some prisoners grew anxious.
Shiki's eyes flashed with killing intent behind the smoke of his cigar.
Redfield, after an initial twinge of concern, regained his calm.
As they drew closer, they saw the source:
Esdeath, Charlotte's daughter, was engaged in a fierce duel with Shiryu of the Rain.
"Oho~! That's your eldest daughter, isn't it?" Shiki whistled.
"Not bad. Only twenty, and already near the threshold of a Great Swordsman. Her talent's comparable to yours."
"Indeed, very solid foundation. She walks the path of slaughter,"
Redfield noted with a nod, his trained eye picking up her swordsmanship immediately.
Charlotte's lips curled slightly in pride.
But then, Shiki's voice turned cold.
"This fight ends now. That guy's my prey."
His eyes locked onto Shiryu with murderous intent.
Charlotte frowned slightly, but before he could speak—
Slash!
A sudden wave of sword aura shot from Shiki's blade, aimed directly at Shiryu's back.
The whistling wind of death reached Shiryu's ears instantly.
"Shit—!"
He cursed and immediately pulled back from his duel with Esdeath.
He twisted his body just in time to avoid a fatal blow.
And when Shiryu turned—
His heart froze.
He saw the three worst figures he could've imagined:
Rockefeller Charlotte.
Golden Lion Shiki.
Red Count Redfield.
Behind them stood dozens of dangerous-looking prisoners.
All staring at him like a cat eyes a mouse.
Shiryu broke out in a cold sweat.
"Who the hell—?!"
Esdeath shouted, eyes sharp, glaring at whoever had interrupted her fight.
Then she saw him.
Golden Lion Shiki.
A legend, her father's equal.
"Jihahahaha! Shiryu! Surprised to see me? Bet you never thought I'd be out again!"
Shiki's wild laughter echoed as his golden mane flew wildly.
His body slowly rose into the air.
"You wanted to witness the strength of a true Great Swordsman, right?
I'll grant your wish."
Hovering midair, his twin blades, Oto and Kogarashi, shimmered in his hands.
"Wave Slash!"
Two devastating sword waves tore through the air toward Shiryu.
The sheer speed and force made the spectators' eyes widen in shock.
Shiryu's entire body went cold with panic.
He slashed forward with his sword Thunderstorm.
A blue wave of energy collided head-on with the twin slashes—
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