Despite the chaos and clamor outside, Katie's body remained as still as a statue.
The reason for this wasn't that Katie didn't want to move—it was that her body simply wouldn't allow it.
Though the battle with Shiryu had ended, the toll it had taken on Katie's body was immense.
Her final victory wasn't due to overwhelming offensive power but rather the effect of the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit).
The natural immunity of a Logia-type Devil Fruit to physical attacks had allowed Katie to evade Shiryu's strikes unscathed.
Using Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), Katie had predicted Shiryu's attack trajectory and transformed her body into flames at the last moment, successfully dodging his slash.
In contrast, the sudden change in Katie's form had left Shiryu momentarily stunned, making it impossible for him to evade her counterattack.
With the combined power of her Slash-Slash Fruit abilities and Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), Katie tore through Shiryu's defensive Haki, leaving a deep gash across his chest with a fierce sword strike.
It was precisely this unexpected turn of events that had drawn Shiryu's shocked exclamation.
Though he had known that Katie could acquire abilities from others, he never imagined that included the powers granted by Devil Fruits.
This was something he simply couldn't accept. Devil Fruits were treasures of the sea, each one a unique and rare marvel.
Yet Katie could obtain them without restriction—even a powerful Logia-type ability. If not for the searing pain in his chest constantly reminding him of reality, Shiryu might have wondered if he was dreaming. How else could something so absurd happen?
Realizing this, Shiryu decisively chose to retreat.
Not only was he severely injured, but Katie's newfound Mera Mera no Mi abilities already put her on equal footing with him. Logia's natural defenses drastically weakened his offensive capabilities.
Had he been in peak condition, he might have stood a chance—but now, discretion was the better part of valor.
"I'm Magellan. What is it?"
The warden of Impel Down, Magellan, impatiently answered the Den Den Mushi while investigating Luffy's disappearance in Level 5.
But the message that came through left him frozen in place, as if a bomb had detonated in his mind. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"What did you say?! Shiryu lost?!"
Even as his subordinate repeated the confirmation, Magellan refused to accept it.
Though he despised Shiryu, he acknowledged the man's strength. The only reason he had been able to capture Shiryu in the first place was due to Impel Down's unique environment.
His Doku Doku no Mi (Venom-Venom Fruit) abilities were especially effective in confined spaces, maximizing their lethality.
Within Impel Down's walls, any opponent—Shiryu included—was at a disadvantage. Had their battle taken place outside, Magellan might have won, but capturing Shiryu would have been impossible. If Shiryu had chosen to flee, there would have been no stopping him.
And yet, that very same Shiryu had been defeated—by Katie, another swordsman. This was something Magellan could never have anticipated.
Instantly, Magellan reassessed Katie's threat level, elevating her to a position equal to his own.
Without hesitation, he vanished, rushing straight for Level 6. He knew there was no time to waste. If even one prisoner from the lowest level escaped, it would spell disaster. Compared to that, the mystery of Luffy's disappearance no longer mattered.
Right now, Level 6 was completely unguarded. If Katie decided to act, there would be nothing stopping her—and there was no telling what kind of madness she might unleash.
Though he still didn't know the true purpose behind her jailbreak, Level 6 was the deepest part of Impel Down. It was clear that her target lay there.
As this thought crossed his mind, an ominous premonition took root in Magellan's heart.
Meanwhile, after a brief rest, Katie finally regained the ability to move freely.
Ignoring the pleas of the surrounding prisoners, she strode directly toward the cells holding Barret and Red.
Having defeated Shiryu, she now had the right to speak to them as equals.
"So? Do I meet your standards for an alliance now?"
Though her words were addressed to both, her gaze lingered more on Barret.
Katie hadn't forgotten his earlier condition—that if she defeated Shiryu, he would agree to ally with her. Now that she had accomplished that, it was time for Barret to honor his word.
Faced with Katie's challenge, Barret fell silent, his expression complicated as he stared at her.
His earlier demand had been made in anger—partly provoked by Shiryu, but also because he never truly believed Katie could win.
Yet now, the impossible had happened.
He had no rebuttal. Though he didn't know how this young woman had achieved victory, the result was undeniable.
He had the pride to accept defeat, but agreeing outright felt like a blow to his dignity. For a moment, he was at a loss.
"Little Katie, if Barret won't agree, then I will."
To Katie's surprise, it was Red who unexpectedly spoke up first.
"After decades in here, I could use a guide. Otherwise, I might not even find my way home."
Katie stared at Red in shock. She had never expected him to be the first to yield.
Her original plan had been to secure Barret's cooperation first, then pressure Red into joining. But as they say, no plan survives contact with the enemy—now, Red has taken the initiative.
Barret was just as stunned.
The man known as the "Lone Crimson" had always been too proud to seek alliances. Had the sun risen from the west today?
Thoughts raced through Barret's mind—until, at last, his expression hardened with resolve.
"Kid, I keep my word. You beat Shiryu, so I'll honor our deal. Let's form this alliance."
The moment Barret finished speaking, the system's notification echoed in Katie's mind.
[Mission Complete. Rewards Distributed.]
One pleasant surprise after another left Katie momentarily dazed.
She had never expected things to go so smoothly. She had braced herself for lengthy negotiations—even outright rejection.
Yet here they were, agreeing without her needing to say another word.
"Perfect! From now on, we're allies. Let me get you out of here!"
In an instant, her blade, Pōku (Break Sky), flashed out, coated in pitch-black Busoshoku Haki.
With a single slash, she severed the bars, shackles, and chains binding Barrett and Red.
Snap! Crack!
Every restraint holding the two legendary prisoners shattered at once.