#717 - Chapter 517 Dark Gathering

Eve of the Storm, Darkness Gathers

The sea churned, and a gale raged on the distant horizon. Dark clouds hung low, as if the entire world foreshadowed the impending, devastating conflict.

Under the control of the World Government, warships crisscrossed the seas of the Grand Line. Yet, upon these warships stood not the World Government's forces, but rather the great pirates who had been re-enlisted.

They were once villains who struck terror into the hearts of the world, monsters formerly imprisoned in Impel Down. Now, however, they wore the shackles of the World Government, forced to march towards the battlefield.

Impel Down · LEVEL 6

Deep within the sea, a nightmare-like prison stood silently.

The lowest level, LEVEL 6, was known as "Infinite Hell," imprisoning the most heinous criminals who had once nearly toppled the world.

However, at this moment, the gates of this hell had been flung open. Crimson alarm lights flashed in the dim corridors, illuminating a series of savage faces.

Several CP agents, cloaked in black trench coats, stood at the end of the corridor, their faces impassive. Before them was a group of pirates emerging from their cells, their eyes gleaming with dangerous light.

"Heh... Has the World Government finally deigned to release us?"

A man wrapped in chains licked his lips, revealing a bloodthirsty smile.

Another man, massive in size and covered in scars, laughed wildly, lightly tapping the sea-stone shackles on his wrists, producing a crisp sound:

"Let us attack the New Navy?

Ha... These guys are probably itching to be torn to pieces!"

The CP agent's gaze was as cold as stagnant water, his voice devoid of emotion:

"Do not forget that you are alive and out of here because of the World Government's grace.

Now, you will fulfill your mission."

After a brief silence, the great pirates exchanged glances, then erupted in deafening laughter.

"Hahahahaha! Fulfill a mission? We are pirates, after all!"

"Hmph, it's just using your opportunity to once again take control of this sea."

Regardless of what they thought in their hearts, they understood that they had no choice at the moment.

The iron gates of Impel Down had been flung open, and the vast, magnificent sea outside beckoned to them. All they had to do was bring destruction and death back to the world.

At sea, the great pirates gathered.

One after another, massive warships advanced through the waves, their decks filled with villains released from Impel Down.

They were either former kings, or great pirates who had once dominated their respective regions. Now they gathered together again, but this time, they were marching in the name of the World Government.

On the deck of the leading flagship, a burly man stood, draped in a tattered cloak, arms crossed, a mocking smile on his lips.

"What an irony..."

He said in a low voice, as if it came from the depths of hell,

"That the World Government would actually hire us, those who once wanted to destroy them."

Another pirate licked his blade, grinning:

"Whatever, as long as there's war, we can slaughter to our heart's content... I'm just curious, what exactly is it about that brat named Jin-An that makes them so wary?"

"Hmph, no matter who he is, we only have one goal—destroy the New Navy!"

There was one more thing they didn't say: they wouldn't let the World Government go either.

At this moment, the entire sea was filled with suffocating killing intent.

These demons returning from Impel Down, these once-mighty madmen, were now sailing against the wind and waves, heading towards the New Navy's base.

Their arrival would add more bloodshed and destruction to this war.

Darkness was rapidly approaching.

The iron ground was illuminated by the scorching sun, emitting faint heat waves, and that empty area was Jin-An's training ground.

At this moment, Jin-An was training at a rhythm that could almost be described as insane, each of his blows shaking the air like thunder.

Each time he swung his fist, a deafening roar echoed through the air, as if the entire world was trembling with each of his strikes.

Every movement was extremely precise, and every moment was full of pressure.

He never stopped, whether the sun was scorching or the feeling of fatigue gradually invaded, his body was still like a tireless machine, constantly honing himself.

Jin-An's eyes were as hot as fire, and his inner determination and desire for power had almost reached their limit.

"This kid's talent is too terrifying."

Jabba, who was standing not far away, watched Jin-An's training intently, his face full of amazement and admiration.

Although he had experienced countless battles, the potential of this young man still deeply shocked him.

Jin-An's strength, his speed, his aura were simply an uncontrollable wild horse, releasing all his energy without reservation.

He could see that every move and style of Jin-An's was carefully polished, with almost no waste.

Although it seemed like just ordinary exercise, in his eyes, it had far exceeded simple physical exercise—

Jin-An was practicing a combat art centered on destructive power, a power style designed for combat.

"Hey, Jabba, you guy, I didn't expect you to come to the New Navy."

Garp strolled over lazily, his voice with a bit of teasing and sarcasm.

Seeing Jabba's serious look, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth and joked:

"I really didn't expect that Roger's right-hand man would appear here.

Are you also planning to do something big with this kid?"

Jabba smiled lightly and said calmly:

"I just came to see the little guy that Roger liked. I didn't expect him to have some potential. He suits my taste."

Garp narrowed his eyes, seemingly trying to figure out what Jabba meant.

He slowed down and quietly observed Jin-An, feeling the pressure emanating from him.

"Well, it's really not simple."

"He is born with the potential to change the entire pirate world."

Jabba's words were a bit dignified,

"Isn't this kind of talent worth our attention?"

Garp stopped talking and just watched Jin-An continue training.

He could feel that Jin-An's body seemed to contain some kind of endless power, and that powerful aura was no longer something that could be explained by pure physical fitness.

Jin-An gradually lost all consciousness in the extreme training, and every movement of his was driven by deep combat instincts.

In his heart, there were not too many thoughts, only one goal, which was to become stronger, until he could control everything.

His body was bleeding, his muscles and bones were tearing, but he still had no reason to stop—because he knew that only by constantly surpassing himself could he truly face that powerful and unknown enemy.

Jabba and Garp stood aside, silently watching all this, and couldn't help but feel a trace of awe in their hearts.

This young man, although they had seen countless strong men, they had never seen such a fully committed existence.

He was growing, and growing rapidly.

"Do you know, Garp?"

Jabba suddenly spoke, his voice low but full of power,

"This kid is destined not to stop."

Garp didn't respond, just quietly looked at Jin-An's increasingly violent training, seemingly thinking about something.

Then, he slowly said: "Maybe, it's really time."

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