"Aren't you afraid we'll just abandon you?"
Ace couldn't help but question Katie's unwavering trust. From start to finish, the man had never once doubted whether Ace might just turn and flee.
"Of course not. I believe in you—and I believe in Whitebeard too."
Seeing the confident grin on Katie's face, Ace found himself at a loss for words.
"Then take care. I'm leaving."
Without another word, Ace turned and departed.
Neither Rayleigh nor Bullet interfered with Katie's decision. This was his own affair—they were allies, not crewmates, and had no place dictating his choices.
"Let's move. It's time for the next step."
With the unconscious Magellan in tow, the two followed Katie to their next destination.
"How is he this strong?! It's a good thing we didn't attack earlier—who knows how that would've ended?"
Through the surveillance Den Den Mushi, Emporio Ivankov—hidden in Level 5.5—had witnessed Katie's battle with Shiryu. Against all odds, Katie hadn't just survived but had somehow emerged victorious.
Even now, long after the fight, Ivankov still couldn't believe it. When Katie had first arrived, she hadn't sensed any overwhelming aura from him.
"No kidding. We were even prepared to evacuate early. But now… it seems unnecessary."
The shock was no less for Inazuma. Having experienced the horrors of Level 6 firsthand, he knew better than anyone how despair-inducing that place was. For most, even standing there was impossible—let alone fighting.
"I wonder what's happening now? Magellan must've arrived by this point…"
Ivankov and Inazuma had no way of knowing the current situation. Many of the surveillance snails had been destroyed during Katie and Shiryu's clash—especially the final attack, which had ravaged all of Level 6.
Neither Ivankov nor Impel Down's control center had any idea what had transpired afterward.
Knock, knock, knock.
Before Ivankov could respond, the door swung open.
"Long time no see, Iva."
That familiar voice, paired with that familiar face, left Ivankov and Inazuma frozen. They never expected Katie to show up here—shouldn't he still be in Level 6?
But their surprise had only just begun.
One after another, figures emerged behind Katie.
With each new arrival, Ivankov's eyes widened further—until they nearly bulged out of her skull.
"The 'Red Count'—Reyleigh D. Shanks!"
"The 'Demon Heir'—Douglas Bullet!"
"Impel Down's strongest warden—Magellan!"
Titles that could strike terror into any heart flashed through Ivankov's mind. Having spent years in Impel Down, she knew well the legends imprisoned in Level 6. And these two were among the most infamous.
But what shocked her even more was Magellan's state. The man who had made prisoners tremble in fear had been defeated—and was now a captive himself.
"You… What is this?"
Faced with these figures, Ivankov couldn't stay calm. Any one of them possessed the power to annihilate her entire operation. That was why she only recruited prisoners from Level 5 and above—weaker, but controllable.
She knew full well: if these men escaped, the balance of the world would shift. After all, the Marines had once mobilized a third of their top forces just to capture one of them.
"Relax. I'm just here to ask for someone."
Sensing Ivankov's tension, Katie quickly explained. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—his two companions' reputations really were terrifying.
"W-Who are you looking for?"
Despite his reassurance, Ivankov only grew more nervous. Aside from Luffy, she couldn't think of anyone else worth Katie's personal visit.
"Don't worry, it's not Luffy. I'm looking for the person who came with him—could you bring him here?"
"Y-Yes."
Ivankov immediately understood: Mr. 2 Bon Clay. Though she admired him, she wasn't about to refuse Katie over it.
"Oh, and keep our presence here a secret. No one else can know—just the two of you. Understood?"
His finger pointed squarely at Ivankov and Inazuma.
"Don't worry. I know what to say."
Even as she spoke, Ivankov was puzzled. Her room was surrounded by people—how could they have entered unnoticed? Why the need for secrecy?
But when she stepped outside, she understood.
Every single person nearby lay unconscious on the ground.
"Such powerful Conqueror's Haki!"
Only Haoshoku Haki could knock out so many people instantly and silently. Thankfully, they were merely unconscious—otherwise, years of her work would've been ruined.
Experiencing their strength firsthand only deepened Ivankov's wariness. This level of power rivals Dragon's… No wonder they're legendary pirates.
What intrigued her more was the relationship between these two and Katie.
For two equally prideful men to coexist peacefully was strange enough—yet they seemed to get along with Katie as well. Ivankov began to question Katie's motives. Was his goal to free them? Or was there some deeper connection?
They weren't even from the same era—they might never have met before.
And then there was Katie's apparent bond with Luffy. What was Ace's role in all this?
Ivankov had no answers—only questions.
"GO! GO! GO, LUF-BOY!"
Before she even saw him, Mr. 2's voice echoed down the hall. His passionate cheers for Luffy left Ivankov speechless. No one cared for Luffy more than he did—this was friendship transcending life itself.
"Mr. 2, stop for a moment. Someone wants to see you."
Though reluctant, Ivankov had no choice but to interrupt. She couldn't refuse Katie's request.
"I'm not going anywhere! I'm cheering for Straw Hat!"
Unaware of the situation, Mr. 2 outright refused. At this point, he'd already thrown his life away—nothing else mattered.
"No. This person, you must meet. I'll have someone else take over here—you're coming with me."
Wasting no time, Ivankov scooped up Mr. 2 and assigned another to continue the cheers.
Even as he was carried away, Mr. 2's voice never faltered.
"GO! GO! GO, LUF-BOY!"
"Aren't you afraid we'll just abandon you?"
Ace couldn't help but question Katie's unwavering trust. From start to finish, the man had never once doubted whether Ace might just turn and flee.
"Of course not. I believe in you—and I believe in Whitebeard too."
Seeing the confident grin on Katie's face, Ace found himself at a loss for words.
"Then take care. I'm leaving."
Without another word, Ace turned and departed.
Neither Rayleigh nor Bullet interfered with Katie's decision. This was his own affair—they were allies, not crewmates, and had no place dictating his choices.
"Let's move. It's time for the next step."
With the unconscious Magellan in tow, the two followed Katie to their next destination.
"How is he this strong?! It's a good thing we didn't attack earlier—who knows how that would've ended?"
Through the surveillance Den Den Mushi, Emporio Ivankov—hidden in Level 5.5—had witnessed Katie's battle with Shiryu. Against all odds, Katie hadn't just survived but had somehow emerged victorious.
Even now, long after the fight, Ivankov still couldn't believe it. When Katie had first arrived, she hadn't sensed any overwhelming aura from him.
"No kidding. We were even prepared to evacuate early. But now… it seems unnecessary."
The shock was no less for Inazuma. Having experienced the horrors of Level 6 firsthand, he knew better than anyone how despair-inducing that place was. For most, even standing there was impossible—let alone fighting.
"I wonder what's happening now? Magellan must've arrived by this point…"
Ivankov and Inazuma had no way of knowing the current situation. Many of the surveillance snails had been destroyed during Katie and Shiryu's clash—especially the final attack, which had ravaged all of Level 6.
Neither Ivankov nor Impel Down's control center had any idea what had transpired afterward.
Knock, knock, knock.
Before Ivankov could respond, the door swung open.
"Long time no see, Iva."
That familiar voice, paired with that familiar face, left Ivankov and Inazuma frozen. They never expected Katie to show up here—shouldn't he still be in Level 6?
But their surprise had only just begun.
One after another, figures emerged behind Katie.
With each new arrival, Ivankov's eyes widened further—until they nearly bulged out of her skull.
"The 'Red Count'—Reyleigh D. Shanks!"
"The 'Demon Heir'—Douglas Bullet!"
"Impel Down's strongest warden—Magellan!"
Titles that could strike terror into any heart flashed through Ivankov's mind. Having spent years in Impel Down, she knew well the legends imprisoned in Level 6. And these two were among the most infamous.
But what shocked her even more was Magellan's state. The man who had made prisoners tremble in fear had been defeated—and was now a captive himself.
"You… What is this?"
Faced with these figures, Ivankov couldn't stay calm. Any one of them possessed the power to annihilate her entire operation. That was why she only recruited prisoners from Level 5 and above—weaker, but controllable.
She knew full well: if these men escaped, the balance of the world would shift. After all, the Marines had once mobilized a third of their top forces just to capture one of them.
"Relax. I'm just here to ask for someone."
Sensing Ivankov's tension, Katie quickly explained. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—his two companions' reputations really were terrifying.
"W-Who are you looking for?"
Despite his reassurance, Ivankov only grew more nervous. Aside from Luffy, she couldn't think of anyone else worth Katie's personal visit.
"Don't worry, it's not Luffy. I'm looking for the person who came with him—could you bring him here?"
"Y-Yes."
Ivankov immediately understood: Mr. 2 Bon Clay. Though she admired him, she wasn't about to refuse Katie over it.
"Oh, and keep our presence here a secret. No one else can know—just the two of you. Understood?"
His finger pointed squarely at Ivankov and Inazuma.
"Don't worry. I know what to say."
Even as she spoke, Ivankov was puzzled. Her room was surrounded by people—how could they have entered unnoticed? Why the need for secrecy?
But when she stepped outside, she understood.
Every single person nearby lay unconscious on the ground.
"Such powerful Conqueror's Haki!"
Only Haoshoku Haki could knock out so many people instantly and silently. Thankfully, they were merely unconscious—otherwise, years of her work would've been ruined.
Experiencing their strength firsthand only deepened Ivankov's wariness. This level of power rivals Dragon's… No wonder they're legendary pirates.
What intrigued her more was the relationship between these two and Katie.
For two equally prideful men to coexist peacefully was strange enough—yet they seemed to get along with Katie as well. Ivankov began to question Katie's motives. Was his goal to free them? Or was there some deeper connection?
They weren't even from the same era—they might never have met before.
And then there was Katie's apparent bond with Luffy. What was Ace's role in all this?
Ivankov had no answers—only questions.
"GO! GO! GO, LUF-BOY!"
Before she even saw him, Mr. 2's voice echoed down the hall. His passionate cheers for Luffy left Ivankov speechless. No one cared for Luffy more than he did—this was friendship transcending life itself.
"Mr. 2, stop for a moment. Someone wants to see you."
Though reluctant, Ivankov had no choice but to interrupt. She couldn't refuse Katie's request.
"I'm not going anywhere! I'm cheering for Straw Hat!"
Unaware of the situation, Mr. 2 outright refused. At this point, he'd already thrown his life away—nothing else mattered.
"No. This person, you must meet. I'll have someone else take over here—you're coming with me."
Wasting no time, Ivankov scooped up Mr. 2 and assigned another to continue the cheers.
Even as he was carried away, Mr. 2's voice never faltered.
"GO! GO! GO, LUF-BOY!"