Chapter Twenty-Six: Arrival at Impel Down! [First Update]

The Navy warship departed from Loguetown, bypassing Reverse Mountain and sailing straight through the vast Calm Belt toward the Grand Line. This method of navigation was only possible for warships equipped with Seastone at their hulls, allowing them to evade the detection of the Sea Kings. No pirate crew, except for those of extraordinary strength—like Rayleigh, the Pirate King’s first mate, who could traverse the Calm Belt relying solely on his formidable body—could travel so brazenly through this region.

For many new recruits heading to the Grand Line for the first time, the journey was an eye-opener. They saw colossal Sea Kings whose teeth alone dwarfed the warship, and gigantic creatures resembling land animals yet thriving in the depths of the sea. The weather was ever-changing—one moment clear skies, the next a violent storm.

The legendary wonders of the Grand Line unfolded vividly throughout the voyage. Yet fortune favored them: not once did the warship encounter an attacking Sea King or a pirate crew from the Grand Line. Otherwise, a single warship commanded by a headquarters colonel would hardly have the right to traverse the Grand Line with impunity.

The journey from Loguetown in the East Blue to the Deep-Sea Prison, Impel Down, was relentless; it took a full month to reach their destination.

Upon the vast ocean, an enormous gateway pierced the sky, as if splitting the sea in two. While the surface remained calm, beneath the waves a hidden current flowed along a secret channel to an unknown place. This naval vortex stream was a closely guarded secret; if any other force or pirate arrived without the gate opening, they could only circle helplessly outside its whirlpool.

“This... Is this the legendary Gate of Justice? After passing through, will we reach the fabled Impel Down where tens of thousands of pirates are imprisoned?”

“What astonishing technology to construct such a colossal gateway! Only the World Government could possess the means to build structures deep within the sea.”

On deck, countless navy personnel marveled, but none dared speak loudly—this was the nesting ground of massive Sea Kings. Any misstep could spell doom for the ship and its crew.

Inside the communications room:

“This is Smoker, Navy Headquarters Colonel, ID: G100800. I have escorted pirates from East Blue to the Gate of Justice. Proceeding along the current, prepare to open the gate.”

The warship floated before the Gate of Justice, dwarfed by its immense presence.

Click, click, click...

Some unknown force began to operate, and the gate slowly cracked open, transforming the tranquil sea into a churning tempest. The warship passed through the opening, revealing a monumental structure before them.

Impel Down!

The most dangerous place in the world! Housing ten permanently stationed warships! This massive facility stretched from the infinite depths of the sea up to the surface, incarcerating tens of thousands of the most vicious pirates.

The warship arrived via a designated waterway, flanked by navy soldiers standing at attention in salute.

“Colonel Smoker, thank you for your arduous escort. It must have been exhausting!”

“Ah, it was a good chance to stretch my legs, and I’ll return to Navy Headquarters soon. Aside from that Straw Hat kid, Luffy, who managed to escape, all the notable East Blue pirates are here, including the highest bounty, Ghost Hunter Monki D. Shu Mingyuan. The rest are just small fry, nothing worth mentioning.”

The officer smiled at his words.

“Colonel, which level of the prison do you think suits these pirates?”

“Whatever you deem fit. They’re just rookies who haven’t even entered the Grand Line yet. Do as you see appropriate. All right, I’ll leave them to you. I’m heading back to headquarters.” Smoker yawned, two cigars clenched in his mouth, and strode off to his quarters.

All the pirates aboard the warship were escorted by navy soldiers toward the prison. Two among them wore Seastone handcuffs, catching the officer’s attention.

“Devil Fruit users, are they?”

Tashigi personally escorted Shu Mingyuan to the prison. Shu Mingyuan tilted his head, eyeing her teasingly: “Such a cute and clueless little lady, why do you look at me so fiercely? I haven’t done anything bad to you.”

Tashigi glared at him. Though she hadn’t found Shu Mingyuan to be a vicious criminal during their month together, Smoker had declared him an extremely dangerous terrorist, so she had no reason to doubt it.

“Men like you have done plenty of evil! Attacking navy soldiers, wanted globally, bounty of fifty million Berries—you’ll soon be locked in the world’s largest prison. That’ll keep you from harming anyone!”

Shu Mingyuan pursed his lips, and seeing her bite her lip in irritation, he suddenly leaned in and kissed her.

The unexpected kiss struck Tashigi like lightning, leaving her frozen in place. Slow to react, she finally realized what had happened after a moment, her face flushed red all the way to her ears. “You bastard! How dare you... I’ll kill you!”

Shu Mingyuan laughed carelessly: “Didn’t you say I was a villain? Just showing you what that means. Since I’ll soon be locked up in Impel Down, wouldn’t it be a waste not to seize a little advantage?”

Tashigi was both embarrassed and angry. “Killing you would be too easy. Enjoy your torment in the prison.”

Shu Mingyuan suddenly whispered in her ear: “Little lady, do you believe this prison can hold me? I can come and go as I please. Honestly, if it weren’t for wanting to use the navy’s hand to get into Impel Down, Smoker couldn’t have caught me.”

Tashigi trembled, staring at him in disbelief. Did he have some purpose for coming to Impel Down? Wasn’t this prison said to be impossible to escape, like an impenetrable fortress? What gave him such confidence?

“All right, clueless little lady, I’m heading in. Thanks for the escort this month. Without the navy, I couldn’t have reached Impel Down so quickly and easily.”

The iron gate slowly rose. Shu Mingyuan laughed heartily, handcuffed and shackled, striding forward without looking back, stepping into the entrance of Impel Down.

Watching his retreating figure, Tashigi punched the wall outside the prison gate. “Damn it, what do you take the navy for—your personal bodyguards?”

She wiped her lips, still feeling his warmth and scent, and was overcome with disgust.

“Ghost Hunter Monki D. Shu Mingyuan, I don’t believe you can escape so easily. Enjoy every torment inside, and don’t die too quickly.”

PS: Thanks to xm for the generous reward of 588 book coins, I’m lost for words. Thanks to Xi* and Shu Soft for their recommendation votes! Dear readers, the protagonist has arrived at Impel Down—the first major climax is about to begin! Collect, vote, and shower me with rewards!