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Arthur held the shimmering lightning blade, its light reflecting in his eyes.
"I don't know any fancy sword techniques. I just know that if this blade touches you, you die. Still want to try me?" His voice was cold, flat.
Arthur's lightning blade, formed from highly compressed, vibrating electricity, possessed incredible cutting power—rivaling even the finest blades. Its sharpness surpassed even that of a swordsman who had mastered the Art of Cutting steel.
Shiryu didn't respond, his answer a slash of razor-sharp sword energy.
Arthur didn't flinch, meeting the attack head-on with his lightning blade.
Speed was power. Unconstrained by traditional swordsmanship—Arthur's lightning-fast reflexes made his attacks practically unstoppable.
The clash of sword energy against lightning resonated with the sound of metal striking metal.
The best way to subdue an opponent wasn't to defeat them—but to make them realize their utter helplessness against your power, no matter their skill or technique.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Shiryu, his bloodlust ignited, his excitement growing, increased his attack speed, each slash followed by another before the first had even landed.
A whirlwind of sword energy, a deadly net of flashing steel—descended upon Arthur.
The sheer intensity of the attack, the layers of razor-sharp sword energy, created an illusion of invincibility.
Shiryu was clearly a swordsman of exceptional talent, Given the right training, exposure to other powerful swordsmen, the challenges of the open sea instead of the confines of Impel Down—he might even rival the future Dracule Mihawk.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Shiryu roared, his eyes bloodshot, his killing intent palpable. The aura of violence radiating from him would have broken a lesser man's spirit.
His sword slashes rained down like a furious storm.
Arthur's lightning blade flashed, a crescent of pure electrical energy erupting from it, shattering Shiryu's attack in an instant.
He didn't press his advantage.
Arthur wanted Shiryu to follow him willingly, out of respect, not fear. And respect was earned through demonstrations of overwhelming power. A subordinate who didn't respect their captain wouldn't be loyal.
Shiryu, in his battle frenzy, was like a wild beast—his ferocity matching Arthur's own excitement, a stark contrast to his quiet, composed demeanor from moments before.
His cigar lay forgotten on the floor, his eyes blazing with bloodlust as he swung his Nodachi—Raiu—with savage abandon, the air around him screaming under the force of his attack. Even Arthur felt a flicker of respect, forced to gather his strength to meet the onslaught.
The clash of Nodachi Raiu against the lightning blade echoed through Level 2, the sound drawing the attention of the awakened Jailer Beasts—the Basilisk and the Manticore.
Arthur, even while facing Shiryu's furious assault, didn't miss a beat. Two bolts of high-voltage lightning shot from his fingertips, piercing the Jailer Beasts' thick skulls.
The beasts collapsed, dead before they could even scream.
The prisoners of Level 2, the Beast Hell, were mostly fodder for these creatures, weak and demoralized, lacking the will to even resist.
Arthur, having dealt with the Jailer Beasts, turned his attention back to Shiryu's relentless attack.
Their blades clashed, sparks of lightning flying as Shiryu pressed his attack, but to no avail. He couldn't break through Arthur's defenses.
The frantic assault continued for ten minutes, the sounds of battle echoing through the prison. As the cheers of the escaping prisoners grew louder, drawing closer to Level 2, Shiryu finally sheathed his sword, his chest heaving.
His battle frenzy subsided, replaced by his usual quiet demeanor.
"Only a man like you is worth waiting for. How should I address you, Captain?" Shiryu adjusted his pilot's cap, lighting a cigar, a smile playing on his lips.
Arthur grinned, genuinely pleased. "The honor is mine, First Division Commander Shiryu. Just call me Captain."
Recruiting a skilled swordsman, a rising star with immense potential, lifted his spirits. World's refusal, though expected, had been a blow to his pride.
"Captain, if you plan to escape Impel Down, I can arrange a ship. But I can't leave with you…yet."
"Oh?" Arthur paused. "Why not?"
"There's someone I have to kill myself. I won't let anyone else do it. He's my mentor—the Head Jailer of Impel Down…" Shiryu's eyes flickered with a familiar bloodlust as he tapped the ash from his cigar.
Everyone had their secrets. Arthur respected his crew's privacy. He wouldn't pry.
"You don't need to arrange a ship for me. I don't need one. I'll be waiting for you in the New World—the grandest stage of all."
"I'll be there." Shiryu's voice was firm.
Their fists met—a solemn promise.
Arthur and Shiryu parted ways on Level 2, their paths diverging for now, but destined to cross again in the New World.
The prison shook, tremors growing stronger, dust raining down from the ceiling.
"Break out! Freedom!"
The escaped prisoners roared, their voices fueled by rage and a thirst for revenge, the sounds of battle growing louder.
"Attention, prisoners! Lay down your arms and return to your cells, and your lives will be spared!" A Marine's voice boomed through the Transponder Snails.
Outside Impel Down, ten warships, under the command of Vice Admiral Akainu and Vice Admiral Tsuru, docked, disgorging Marines, who swarmed into the prison.
As more and more prisoners escaped, the Warden, Deputy Warden, Head Jailer, and the remaining guards were overwhelmed.
The situation spiraled out of control, prisoners pouring onto Level 1, clashing with the Marines in a desperate, chaotic battle.
Arthur, cloaked in invisibility, watched from the Level 1 entrance, enjoying the spectacle while devouring food he'd "acquired" from the guards' mess hall.
In the Calm Belt, all food came from Sea Kings, high in nutrients and far tastier than the slop they served in Eternal Hell.
His priority was to replenish his stamina, flush out the poison, and escape Impel Down at full strength.
His Observation Haki, scanning like radar, identified the major players—Akainu, Tsuru, Warden Ferdinand, the Head Jailer, and the Awakened Zoan Jailer Beasts. Escape would be easy.
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