#400 - Chapter 400: Deepening the City
The Blackbeard Pirates' ship slowly approached the shore, the sea breeze carrying a slightly salty and fishy scent that brushed against everyone's faces.
The atmosphere in Impel Down suddenly became heavy, with dozens of jailers standing ready, their hands gripping long spears, their eyes as sharp as a hawk's, staring intently at Blackbeard and his men as they disembarked from the pirate ship.
Hannyabal stood at the forefront, his hands resting on his trident, his face heavy and solemn.
As the Vice Warden of Impel Down, he knew that the people who had come this time were not easy to deal with.
"Blackbeard Pirates..." His voice was cold and authoritative, carrying an unquestionable aura, like a drawn sword pointing directly at the other party, "Show the documents issued by Enies Lobby and accept inspection!"
However, the reaction of Blackbeard and his men caused a surge of displeasure and anger in Hannyabal's heart.
Blackbeard and his pirates erupted in bursts of arrogant laughter, as if they didn't take the threat before them seriously at all.
The laughter was filled with endless mockery and contempt, like a silent provocation, stinging the nerves of all the Impel Down guards present.
Hannyabal's gaze was as sharp as a knife as he coldly scanned these arrogant pirates.
Having long been responsible for the affairs of all levels of Impel Down's prisons, his methods were not to be underestimated.
"Present the documents, or be killed on the spot!"
As his command fell, the jailers acted swiftly, long spears raised in unison, the cold muzzles aimed mercilessly at the Blackbeard Pirates.
The air seemed to freeze instantly, and a repressive atmosphere enveloped the area.
Everyone's heartbeat quickened, and the long spears in their hands felt heavier.
"So temperamental?"
The members of the Blackbeard Pirates exchanged glances and smiled, their faces wearing contemptuous expressions, as if everything before them was just child's play.
Blackbeard stood among the crowd, a playful smile on his face.
He slowly reached into his coat, the movement leisurely, as if completely ignoring the extremely tense atmosphere around him.
The jailers' eyes followed his movements, their nerves taut, their fingers trembling slightly on the triggers, waiting for any possible change.
However, as Blackbeard slowly pulled out the documents from his coat, the jailers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although they remained highly vigilant, the tension in their hearts eased slightly.
"Don't be so nervous, I'm a Warlord of the Sea, your steadfast ally." Blackbeard's laughter was particularly jarring in the silence as he casually handed over the documents, as if he were truly just a friendly envoy here to fulfill his duties.
Hannyabal took the documents and examined them carefully. Although he appeared calm, he did not dare to relax his vigilance in the slightest.
He knew how much treacherous scheming was hidden behind this seemingly casual action.
Even so, the formality of inspection was still necessary.
The members of the Blackbeard Pirates watched this scene, the disdain in their eyes even more obvious.
To them, these jailers were nothing more than ants, and no matter how nervous or how hard they tried, they could not stop what was about to happen.
A hint of coldness flashed in Blackbeard's playful smile. To make the upcoming plan smoother, he didn't mind giving these jailers some face first.
He chuckled inwardly, knowing that this face would be washed away with these people's blood sooner or later.
After the inspection, Hannyabal returned the documents to Blackbeard, his face still as cold as ice.
He knew that the man before him was far more dangerous than he appeared to be.
He raised his head and met Blackbeard's eyes for a moment, and the eyes filled with ambition and desire sent a chill down his spine.
Blackbeard smiled slightly, as if mocking Hannyabal's vigilance.
He didn't say much, turned around, and led his pirates slowly towards the depths of Impel Down.
As their footsteps faded away, the jailers' hearts finally calmed down a little, but the invisible pressure still hung over everyone's heads.
Hannyabal silently watched the backs of the Blackbeard Pirates, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
"This storm, I'm afraid, will be more violent than any before..."
He prayed silently in his heart, praying that Impel Down could successfully weather this event.
However, he also knew that Blackbeard's arrival would never be just a simple visit.
As for what the other party was going to do, he would keep a close eye on it.
"......"
As soon as the Blackbeard Pirates entered Impel Down, the dark and humid air rushed towards them, mixed with a strong smell of blood and decay.
The mottled rust on the walls and the cold gazes of the jailers along the way seemed to silently declare the cruelty and despair of this place.
However, for the Blackbeard Pirates, all of this was a feast, an evil feast they had long awaited.
"Is this the world's number one prison that no one ever leaves?"
One of the pirates looked around with interest, his voice revealing a hint of undisguised excitement.
They walked along the dim corridor, and the faint screams constantly echoed in their ears, the sound sharp and piercing, as if coming from the depths of hell.
Each sound was like an invisible needle, piercing the hearts of these pirates, giving them a morbid pleasure.
Blackbeard walked at the front, his ambitious eyes flickering in the dim light, like a beast entrenched in the darkness.
A sly smile hung on the corner of his mouth, and he lowered his head slightly, as if listening to the fear and despair surging in this prison.
"What a great place..."
He said, his voice revealing a hint of admiration.
His men showed approving smiles when they heard this.
They had never seen such a gloomy and terrifying place, and this was the starting point for the chaos and destruction they were about to unleash.
The jailers led the way in front, holding their weapons, their steps steady, but their eyes revealed a hint of unease.
Facing the Blackbeard Pirates, this group of lawless guys, their hearts were full of vigilance, but they could only bite the bullet and continue to move forward, because they knew the reputation of these pirates, and they knew what kind of conspiracy was hidden behind this "cooperation".
"This place... really makes me happy."
One of the pirates licked his lips, his tone full of戲谑.
His eyes wandered around, as if admiring a priceless treasure.
The prisoners locked behind the iron bars, some widened their bloodshot eyes, some covered their ears in pain, and some had even lost their minds, letting out low roars and cries.
Such a scene might be endless fear and nightmare for ordinary people, but for these pirates who were already accustomed to killing and violence, it was a distorted satisfaction.
Blackbeard stopped, tilted his head slightly, and pressed his ear close to the wall, as if listening to the faint whispers.
An evil smile appeared on his face, a smile full of anticipation and excitement, like a beast smelling its prey.
"These cries are really pleasant to hear."
He murmured to himself, as if talking to himself, or as if communicating with some force in this prison.
Then, he looked back at his men, his eyes full of secret hints and unspoken commands.
"This place is great, it's simply a paradise tailor-made for us."
He laughed loudly, his voice echoing in the narrow corridor, carrying an endless arrogance and confidence.
They knew that they had entered openly, and they would leave calmly, taking with them the chaos and blood of this prison.
"Let's go, our destination is not on these upper floors."
Blackbeard waved his hand, signaling everyone to continue moving forward.
Under the leadership of the jailers, they walked with light steps, as if these gloomy and terrifying corridors had no effect on them.
Everyone's face was filled with a relaxed smile, a smile that revealed anticipation, as if they had already outlined a picture of hell on earth in their hearts.
As their footsteps gradually faded away, the corridors of Impel Down seemed to become even darker.
Those souls imprisoned in the cells felt the dangerous aura permeating the air, and they huddled in the corners in fear, as if they had a premonition of the coming disaster.
The Blackbeard Pirates were not affected by any of this, their eyes fixed on the abyss - the sixth level of Impel Down.
That was their true destination, and the stage where they were about to unleash a bloody storm.
...
