On a warship headed straight for Impel Down.
At this moment, Admiral Aokiji was holding a Den Den Mushi—Millet—and speaking with Fleet Admiral Sengoku, reporting everything that had just transpired.
After listening, even Sengoku, who was seated at Marineford's headquarters, looked puzzled.
"According to what you're saying… he allowed himself to be captured?" he asked.
"Yes," Aokiji confirmed with a nod.
Hearing this, Sengoku lightly tapped the table with his index finger, falling deep into thought.
"That would suggest he has a plan—and that plan can only be one of two things. First, he wants to escape from Impel Down to skyrocket his fame, instantly making a name for himself across the world. That way, once he enters the New World, his reputation will attract countless pirates to his side, helping him build a powerful fleet."
"Second… he's after something inside Impel Down."
Sengoku paused, his tone growing heavier. "But the second possibility seems unlikely."
As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku was very familiar with the contents of Impel Down. Besides the prisoners, there was nothing of note there.
Mio attempting to rescue anyone inside? Unlikely.
So far, no known prisoners in Impel Down had any connection to Kurokawa Mio. At least not the majority of them—those kept in the lower levels who had little to no impact on the outside world were another matter.
"Do you know what happened with the Celestial Dragons, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?" Aokiji changed the subject.
"I've investigated it," Sengoku replied. "This incident involves the Donquixote Family."
"The one from the North Blue?" Aokiji furrowed his brow.
"Yes. Although Doflamingo lost his official Celestial Dragon status, he still has deep ties within the World Government. Some Celestial Dragons are still in contact with him. On top of that, he's expanded his slave hunting operations recently, giving him favorable connections with several Celestial Dragons. This time, the issue arose from Doflamingo again—I've heard he had two fish-man slaves, which triggered the Celestial Dragons' change in behavior."
Aokiji's eyes narrowed as he processed this.
Under normal circumstances, Celestial Dragons wouldn't care about just two mermaid or fish-man slaves.
But this wasn't a normal time. In recent years, Princess Otohime had worked tirelessly to elevate Fishman Island's status. The World Government allowed this initiative and even gave strict orders for the Celestial Dragons to restrain themselves.
And now, Fishman Island's standing in the world had indeed improved. Thanks to Otohime's efforts and the building resentment between fish-men and humans, fish-man slaves had become scarce lately.
So the sudden appearance of fish-man slaves naturally attracted the attention of the Celestial Dragons—especially those eager to maintain face among their peers.
"That guy hunted fish-man slaves at a time like this, and the World Government isn't doing anything about it?" Aokiji asked with a frown.
Sengoku sneered, shaking his head. "Doflamingo has ties to more than one Celestial Dragon."
He didn't elaborate, but Aokiji understood perfectly.
Celestial Dragons…
The filth of this world.
Aokiji sighed and shifted topics again. "So, after I drop off Kurokawa Mio at Impel Down, I'll head back to the New World immediately?"
"Yes," Sengoku confirmed.
"Well, looks like my vacation's over." With a shrug, Aokiji ended the call and hung up Millet, the Den Den Mushi.
Then, he made his way toward the room where Mio was being held.
As for the Celestial Dragon they had rescued earlier—he had already been delivered to Enies Lobby, handed over to the CP agents stationed there, who would then escort him back to Mary Geoise.
Click.
The door creaked open as Aokiji entered.
This room was originally used to imprison criminals. Inside was a secure holding cell, where Mio sat chained up—both hands and feet restrained and locked in place.
Aokiji walked over and sat outside the cell, crossing his legs casually.
"Can you tell me what you're planning?" he asked calmly.
"Heh." Mio grinned from within the cell. "Why don't you take a guess?"
Aokiji's gaze remained calm, but his eyes didn't waver from Mio's face.
"Escaping Impel Down to boost your fame, then heading into the New World where you'll use that reputation to gain a foothold quickly?"
Honestly, Aokiji found this to be the most believable theory.
After all, every ambitious pirate dreamed of carving out a place in the New World. He believed the young man in front of him was no different.
But the New World wasn't a place where a rookie could survive on strength alone—not unless they had extraordinary power.
Mio was strong, sure, but not strong enough to dominate in the New World. So, other methods had to be considered.
That was likely why Mio had willingly been captured—to stage a daring escape that would instantly elevate his name.
Mio tilted his head, smiling faintly. "If that's what you believe."
And with that, he said nothing more.
Aokiji sat for a while longer before rising to leave.
But just as he turned, Mio's voice rang out. "Admiral Aokiji, can I ask you something?"
Aokiji paused and glanced back. "What is it?"
"I'm just curious…" Mio's grin widened. "Who's the current warden of Impel Down?"
"Magellan," Aokiji answered briefly, then exited the room.
Now alone in the dim cell, Mio narrowed his eyes and murmured to himself, "Magellan, huh…"
If memory served, Magellan used to be the Deputy Warden. The previous Warden must've been demoted or dismissed after the Golden Lion's infamous escape.
It wasn't surprising that Magellan got promoted—he was powerful and disciplined, and someone had to take the blame after a failure like that.
"Still… this is fine. Magellan… at least he's a familiar face."
…
With the warship cruising at full speed—
Two days passed.
Impel Down.
The massive prison fortress that loomed over the sea came into view as the warship docked at its entrance.
Aokiji and a team of Marine soldiers escorted Mio off the ship and toward the prison.
Before entering, everyone—including Mio—put on gas masks.
Inside Impel Down, the air was thick with poisonous fumes, especially now that its new Warden, Magellan, had fully embraced his Devil Fruit powers.
Mio soon spotted him—Warden Magellan, recently promoted and constantly releasing poison gas from his body thanks to the power of the Venom-Venom Fruit.
"Long time no see, Admiral Aokiji," Magellan greeted upon noticing the newcomers.
Aokiji gave a nod, then gestured toward Mio. "This is the latest capture—Kurokawa Mio, a supernova from the Grand Line. Please place him on Level Six."
"Level Six?" Magellan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"Yeah," Aokiji nodded. "He's a special case. His companions may try to break him out. They have… unusual abilities. Just in case, I think it's safest to keep him on Level Six for now."
Magellan paused for a moment, considering the suggestion, then nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I'll make the arrangements right away."