Impel Down—
also known as Impel, or more infamously, the Great Underwater Prison.
The world's most secure prison.
It was located in the Calm Belt of the first half of the Grand Line, only about two days' sailing from Amazon Lily.
"So this is Impel Down at last…"
Karl looked at the massive structure ahead and couldn't help but sigh.
"This place really is… creepy."
The portion of Impel Down above sea level resembled a medieval fortress—thick stone walls, tightly guarded watch posts, and a single entrance: a suspended drawbridge leading to a massive iron gate reinforced with dense steel mesh.
"This is your first time here?" Smoker glanced sideways at Karl, clearly suspicious.
"That's hard to believe."
Karl shrugged casually.
"It really is my first time. You know how it is—of all the pirates I capture, about one percent are sent here alive."
"The rest?" Smoker asked.
"Dead," Karl replied calmly.
"So I usually hand the survivors over to nearby branches and let them handle the transfer."
Smoker suddenly understood.
"That explains it… We're docked. Should we head down?"
"No need," Karl replied. "I'll handle things alone—ah, no, you come with me."
Then he turned toward Ain.
"From now on, you're in command. Your task is to safely return the warship to Marineford."
Ain nodded sharply.
"Yes! Nelson, let's go."
Karl and Smoker disembarked as the Seastone warship slowly pulled away from Impel Down.
Entering the World's Worst Prison
"Halt! Identify yourselves!"
Karl took out the document Kizaru had given him and handed it over.
"I'm Marine Headquarters Major General Karl. This is Headquarters Captain Smoker. Here's my authorization. I need to see Warden Magellan."
The guard examined the papers carefully. His expression immediately turned respectful.
"Major General Karl, please wait a moment. I'll notify Warden Magellan right away!"
Three minutes later, the guard hurried back.
"Major General Karl, Captain Smoker—please follow me. Warden Magellan is waiting."
"Oh, right—don't forget these."
He handed them two gas masks.
Click—clang.
Passing through the reinforced iron gate, Karl officially entered Impel Down.
Magellan Appears
"Welcome, Major General Karl, Captain Smoker."
A deep, heavy voice greeted them.
"I am Warden Magellan. This is Vice Warden Domino."
The man standing before them was massive—nearly five meters tall.
He wore an all-black uniform, sported horns on his head and wings on his back, and looked like a demon straight out of legend.
As he spoke, faint purple poison mist leaked from his mouth—clearly the reason the gas masks were mandatory.
Seeing Magellan, Karl felt a twinge of emotion.
This guy… took on three 'Emperors' by himself back then.
If not for the traitor Shiryu, Blackbeard wouldn't have gotten nearly as far during the Summit War.
And judging by Domino's presence beside him, Shiryu was probably already rotting in Level Six—the guy was never the obedient type.
"Nice to meet you, Warden Magellan," Karl said politely.
"My task is simple. Everything's clearly stated in the document."
Magellan was about to respond when his face suddenly changed.
"Ah—Domino, please entertain Major General Karl for me. I have… an urgent matter to attend to!"
Pffft—brrp—bap…
A suspicious series of noises followed.
Judging by the sound, his glutes were clenched for dear life.
Karl instinctively glanced at Magellan.
Yep. He's about to lose the battle.
Domino's face instantly darkened.
She felt utterly humiliated.
This was the world's most handsome man, Karl himself—
and Warden Magellan dared to do this in front of him?!
Unforgivable.
"Cough—well then, Miss Domino," Karl said tactfully,
"Shall we head inside?"
Domino quickly opened the elevator doors and said shyly,
"P-please come in, Major General Karl… and, um… the other one."
Smoker: "???"
Touring Impel Down
Inside the elevator, Karl removed his gas mask without hesitation.
With Magellan gone, there was no need for it.
Domino nearly spaced out on the spot.
Is this really something I'm allowed to see for free?!
Smoker snorted disdainfully.
Tch. So what if he's slightly better looking?
"Miss Domino," Karl asked politely,
"how long will it take to prepare the five hundred prisoners?"
Domino snapped back to attention, flustered.
"Ah—sorry! I didn't catch that just now."
Karl repeated the question.
"Oh, that's no problem at all. Vice Warden Hannyabal already began preparations when you arrived. The prisoners are being escorted to the transport ship."
"It should take about an hour."
"An hour…" Karl nodded.
"If that's the case, would you mind giving me a quick tour of Impel Down? I'm rather curious about the place."
Looking at Karl's handsome face and gentle smile, Domino found herself completely unable to refuse.
"O-of course! I'll be your guide!"
The elevator stopped, and the three stepped out.
What greeted them was a crimson forest of steel, accompanied by distant screams and wails.
"This is Level One—Crimson Hell."
They had entered the sea-level floor earlier, which didn't house prisoners.
Every inmate, however, underwent a "cleansing" there—
a polite term meaning they were dumped into boiling water for sterilization.
Level One was the true beginning of Impel Down as a prison.
"The inmates here committed relatively minor crimes and are generally weak," Domino explained.
"That iron forest in the center is what gives Crimson Hell its name. It's used to punish disobedient prisoners."
Smoker lit a cigar and muttered,
"Crimson… as in their blood, I assume."
"Correct."
Karl clicked his tongue softly.
Miserable.
Compared to this, the pirates he cut down were practically lucky—at least they got to enjoy eternal, baby-like sleep.
Walking along the cell corridor, Karl noticed most prisoners were pale and barely alive.
The moment they saw Domino, they visibly shuddered.
"They seem to be quite afraid of you, Miss Domino."
"That's only natural," she replied indifferently.
"When they first arrived, they weren't nearly this well-behaved. Only firm methods keep scum like this in line."
Suddenly—
Clang!
A large, shackled man suddenly rushed the bars, gripping them tightly.
"Let me out if you've got the guts!" he roared at Domino.
"I'll show you what happens when you mess with me, you vicious woman!"
Domino's eyes instantly turned icy.
She glanced at the cell number, then spoke into her communicator.
"Cell 1024. Bring a team."
A few minutes later, several guards arrived, opened the cell, and dragged the shouting brute out.
"Break his jaw," Domino said coolly,
"then send him over there for some fun."
"Yes, ma'am!"
After a savage beating, the tough-mouthed—now boneless everywhere except his stubborn lips—prisoner was tossed into the central iron forest.
Domino then turned back to Karl with a sweet smile.
"He's new and hasn't learned the rules yet. Sorry you had to see that."
Karl nodded solemnly.
Indeed.
After all, just look at his cellmates—
lying motionless on the floor, not even breathing.
Such well-behaved prisoners.
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