Michael followed silently behind Garp, his eyes darting around with curiosity at the massive underwater super-prison.
In the past eighteen years, he had never actually visited Impel Down.
As the saying goes 'Seeing is believing.'
Garp, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease as if he visited often. Inside the elevator, he casually asked the nervous Hannyabal.
"So where's that Magellan guy? Don't tell me he's in the bathroom again?"
"Ah, yes, Magellan is indeed in the bathroom. With such an unreliable Devil Fruit ability, he might as well just hand over the Vice-Warden position to me… Oh no! I said too much again!"
"BWAHAHAHA! You're as hilarious as ever!"
Garp burst into laughter at Hannyabal slip-up.
Meanwhile, Michael could only stare at Hannyabal with a deadpan expression.
So this guy has always been eyeing Magellan position all this time?
Some things never change—he doesn't want to overthrow the system, just Magellan spot, huh?
Amid Hannyabal mix of ambition and nervous excuses, the elevator quickly descended to Level 6—the Eternal Hell.
"Vice Admiral Garp, this way, please." Hannyabal eagerly led the way.
"Shiki the Golden Lion cell is ready."
"No need to rush there. We're also here to take Roger. Take us to him first" Garp refused, shaking his head.
"Shiki and Roger… have things to discuss."
"Ah… very well."
Hannyabal naturally complied with Garp request.
After all, one was shackled with Seastone cuffs and the other was already rotting here—what harm could a conversation do?
Without further questions, he guided them straight to Roger cell.
"Vice Admiral Garp, please go ahead."
With that, he quickly retreated outside—even running farther away.
Hannyabal had no intention of overhearing anything he shouldn't. Staying far away was the safest option.
Glancing back at the distant cell door, he wiped his forehead—drenched in cold sweat.
'Garp, Roger, and Shiki, all gathered in one tiny cell… The pressure is unbearable!'
Meanwhile, inside the cell, the atmosphere was tense as a drawn bow…
Or Not.
"WAHAHAHA! Garp, where's your dog-head hat today?"
The moment Roger saw Garp, he burst into merciless laughter, as if greeting an old friend.
"That gray hair of yours really makes you look old… Oh wait, you were always older than me!"
"Roger you bastard, show some respect to the old man! It's not like he chose to become old!"
"You brat!" Garp gnashed his teeth and swung a fist of love at Michael, who effortlessly dodged.
"You're the one who disrespects me the most!"
"Ah, whatever."
Michael lazily brushed off Garp complaints, but his eyes remained sharp, observing everything.
So, Roger really had reached somekind of agreement with the Marines, ready to give up what little life he had left.
This cell… Had no restraints at all.
It was practically no different from a regular jail in some small town.
Roger watched the playful banter between Garp and Michael—the old and the young—with amusement before finally shifting his gaze to Shiki.
"Yo, Shiki, you got caught by Garp too? That shouldn't be possible. With your Devil Fruit ability, if you wanted to escape, not even Garp—no, not even if Garp and I teamed up—could catch you. What exactly happened?"
His eyes were filled with scrutiny and curiosity.
But Shiki remained silent and so did Garp.
Michael had no choice but to break the awkward silence.
"It's all your fault!"
"Huh? Me?" Roger pointed at himself comically. "I surrendered ages ago. How can you blame me for this?"
"He attacked Marine HQ in a rage because he thought you got captured by us."
"Like a complete idiot, he fought to the death and refused to retreat. Garp and Sengoku seized the chance to gang up on him—two against one, all in the name of 'justice.'"
"And now he's reunited with you in Impel Down." Michael smirked. "What a strange bond you two have."
After saying this, Michael stepped aside to enjoy the show.
Sure enough, the playful grin on Roger face gradually faded, replaced by calm.
"Shiki..."
"Roger!" Golden Lion cut him off. Even weighed down by heavy Seastone shackles, he strained to straighten his back, glaring into Roger eyes.
"Tell me—did you actually got captured by the marines?"
"No... I'm willingly surrendering myself because I'm sick. I don't have long to live. So isn't it worth it to trade my worthless life for my friends' safety?" Roger responded calmly to Shiki challenge.
"I needed to protect... the people important to me."
"What nonsense! What could possibly be more important than the freedom we prided ourselves on?!"
"You're the Pirate King! You said it yourself—the freest man on the seas is the Pirate King!"
"But now, you're lying in this cramped cell, waiting for your execution in seven days!"
"What kind of freedom is that, you bastard!"
Shiki hair and beard bristled, his eyes bloodshot, truly resembling a furious bloodthirsty lion.
With great effort, he raised his hand and grabbed Roger by the collar.
Dragging that calm face right in front of his own.
Only then did Michael realize—
Shiki composed demeanor this whole time had been nothing but a forced suppression of his volcanic rage.
That pent-up fury had been simmering in his chest all along and now, it erupted completely.
"You're wrong, Shiki. I am the freest—I was before and I still am now!"
Roger brushed off Shiki hands, his smile radiating unshakable pride, as if he weren't a prisoner but still the Pirate King who once ruled the seas.
"Choosing to protect those important to me—that's my freedom."
"Surrendering—that's my freedom."
"In this life of mine, why should I have to explain to anyone what freedom means?"
Shiki spat in disdain. "Seems like you've learned how to twist words after getting sick."
"You're too arrogant. You never trusted anyone, so you only have subordinates—no real comrades."
"I trusted you, Roger! You were the only one I trusted!" Shiki gaze grew colder.
"But you betrayed that trust."
"Cut the crap, Shiki. You didn't trust me—you didn't even trust yourself." Roger no longer looked at Shiki.
"Garp and this young Marine here—I assume you're taking me away now?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Garp, who had stayed silent the whole time, nodded and stepped aside, waiting for Roger to exit the cell.
Roger walked out calmly, his expression serene.
"The old era of the Pirate King has ended. I'm going to usher in a new age."
"I am Shiki the Golden Lion! My era will never end!"
Their figures clashed.
These were the last words ever exchanged between the Roger and Shiki in this lifetime.
The conviction of the strong knows no compromise.
Even when facing the only man he ever acknowledged!