Chapter 75: I want you!
<b>Chapter 75: I want you!</b>
<span style="font-weight:400">With warmer clothes Rick and Jimbei moved more easily and a bit less of an hourter arrived in front of a cell. In normal times, asking directions to a pirate was not the sanest of ideas, especially one locked up in a freezing hell when you''re wearing really thick fur on you. Fortunately one ex-marine was thoughtful and negotiated the information they wanted against one of the extra they had. Add to that a threat that made this ce look like a resort and any chance of being sent the wrong way died.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You do know he’s going to get himself killed in less than a minute?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course. It’s going to be a bloodbath just to own that fur.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And you’re okay with that?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, but Ace is more important, it was the fastest way and it’s not like he’s an innocent man. So even though I don’t like it, I won’t cry over the death of a guilty pirate.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s awfully cold but then again you’re a pirate yourself.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not by choice.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I always wonder how one of the most promising members of the marines, from what I heard, ended up one of the most wanted men. You said you were framed by Akainu? Why? He was already an Admiral, why would he bother with you?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“ Because the first time we met, he may have been very rude and I may have humiliated him in front of Aokiji, Kizaru and Sengoku.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“None of them ever said anything? Isn’t humiliating a superior against the rule? And how did you do that anyway? “<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well he didn’t have his guard up and I was around seven, so Sengoku let it slide.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You knew personally the Fleet Admiral at seven? Intimately enough to not punish you?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well… he’s kinda my adoptive uncle.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then how did Akainu…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He caught Sengoku in a rare moment of weakness. That’s all I’m going to say about this matter.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">In no time they reach the stairs leading out of floor 5 to floor 4. Now that’s where things began to get serious as behind the gigantic door were guards. They had to be swift when dealing with them; with the prison in lockdown and high alert it wouldn’t be easy. Especially since level 4 was the floor where Magen’s office was. Rick wasn’t sure about how to deal with his powers, notably the gas part. He couldn’t use his gravity on it and any sprouts would be useless as making a giant hand out of a thousand arms could be an easy target for the liquid poison. He was in a bind and for once didn’t have any n to pull through. However didn’t have the luxury of choice, so he’ll have to improvise.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked at Jimbei who sharply nodded that he was ready. Just as they were about to break the door in, they were interrupted by a voiceing from behind them. They immediately turned around ready to fight whoever ambushed them.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hello.” said the man. He had an interesting get up. He was wearing a very nice and warm coat colored like his hair. And just like his hair it was white on the right side and orange on the left. His sses and bowtie were two tone colored too. Everything seemed vertically symmetrical with him, colour aside, except the wine ss held in his left hand.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Who the heck is that guy?!”</i><span style="font-weight:400"> thought Rick while Jimbei was more vocal.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Who are you?” he asked with a demanding and slightly threatening tone.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“My name is Inazuma.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nice to meet you Inazuma, despite ambushing us like that. Though since we’re still alive, I gather you want something from us?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Me? No, not at all. My boss on the other hand does.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And who’s your boss?” asked Rick.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Emporio Ivankov.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Holy shit…” </i><span style="font-weight:400">Rick began thinking before voicing the end of his thought.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The Miracle Person?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The what?” asked Jimbei<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, that’s my boss.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What does he… she… What pronoun should I use?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Whatever you wish.” replied Inazuma<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, alright. What does he want from us then? Because we’re a bit in a hurry right now.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He knows, that’s why he sent me to you before you started something foolish, like going up and beating down everyone on your way. Right now nobody knows you escaped, well except us, it’s an advantage you can’t waste.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And how does my business matter to him?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Directly? It doesn’t. Indirectly? A lot; he’s very interested in you.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How so?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Your stance against the world government. Now if you’d please follow me, time is of the essence I believe.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick nodded and followed after him then Jimbei who was still out of the loop about the matter of their discussion.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not that I’m ungrateful for your help, even though it''s for Rick but can you exin to me what this is about? Who’s that miracle person? Where are you taking us? And how does it have anything to do with saving Ace, stopping the war that’sing, the world government and you, Rick? ”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well the miracle person’s real name is Emporio Ivankov,mander of the Liberation army who’s fighting against the world government because it’s corrupt to the core. Why he’s interested in me is obvious. Every single one of my crimes, true or not, are directly against the government.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“ What you did at Enies Lobby was incredible! Passing yourself as a member of the CP-0 to infiltrate the ind and the CP-9, saving Nico Robin, stopping the World Government from getting their hands on the ns of one of the ancient weapons and stealing and using the buster call to destroy the ind itself before sinking the fleet. When we heard the news we celebrated like no tomorrow.” cut in Inazuma making Jimbei’s jaw drop.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You did what?! I thought your crew just did a raid on the ind to get Nico Robin back.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, in the grand lines, yes. I’m not surprised they covered it up, I mean can you imagine the shit storm the government would face if the knowledge of an assassination unit within the marine existed? And that’s the least of it, my entire existence and deeds is much worse. I mean, I stole a freaking buster call! Only 4 people officially hold the ability to call one, the Fleet admiral and the three admirals. Some people receive permission but it’s a very exceptional situation and it’s only for the highest in the hierarchy. Now what would people say of the government if one of the most wanted men of the marines, just walks up leisurely among ten thousands of government agents, steals ess to the greatest fire power of the marine? Their faith in them would drop radically.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“True, and that would bolster the ranks of the Liberation army, which is growing day by day.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How are you so knowledgeable about that? Even I, a shichibukai, was not aware and you’ve been here for who knows how long?” asked Jimbei.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Years ago a prisoner escaped and used his devil fruit power to create a floor between level 6 and level 5. He also built secret passages all around Impel Down. From there we begin to spin a web so big we have fresh food, drinks, clothes, information from the outside; we even have ess to the surveince room. That’s how we knew you two were free. We had a direct feed of it.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, shit they know we’re on the loose then.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Actually no they do not because we may have or not have tempered with their direct feed.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You know I find it pretty hrious that the greatest prison in the world has more holes than a cheese and that it was taken over by its prisoners while the staff is none the wiser. That too wouldn’t bode well for the World government’s reputation.” said Rick.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I understand more about the situation, thank you for answering my questions.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Inuzuma just nodded to him as acknowledgement. Soon enough they entered a secret passage in a wall which was hidden by trees. It didn’t take long for them to reach level 5.5 as its inhabitants call it. The two colored member of the liberation army led them to some kind of very spacious bar with a scene at the other end of the room. People here were merrily partying. Be it drinking, dancing, eating everyone was having fun. With just a look, you wouldn’t be able to tell that all those people were actually prisoners still inside their cage.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick didn’t want to go to this ce. Not because of some non-existent bigotry from his part but because it was a detour he wasn’t sure he could afford. That and the contact with Ivankov could potentially offer more troubles than solutions. There were many members of the liberation army here and it would be difficult and time consuming to get them out, furthermore, with just him, Luffy and Jimbei they could escape undetected but with a good hundred people ? That wasn’t possible anymore.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick let out a long sigh as Ivankov’s introduction began to y out.<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“We’re pressed by time and he’s ying around…”</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">He sprouted arms around the newkama Queen and restrained her while using his gravity to bring him/her before him.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Look, I don’t have the time for your little show so let’s get right to it. You help me, I help you deal?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Ivankov looked at him, pouting for ruining her fun but Rick was right.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I like straightforward men.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And I’m taken and happy in my rtionship. Now; which way do we have to go to get back to the surface without being seen ?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh! I’ll do more than tell you, I’ll show you myself.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And what do you want in return?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You take me and my people out with you and join us.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“... I can do the former but not thetter.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh I’m sure that I could convince you.” said Ivankov with a wink.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I doubt that.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you know the way out, why are you still here?” cut in Jimbei.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because we don’t have the strength. Once we reach Level 1 we still have to fight to get out, and steal one of the ships docked. Ships that are fully manned.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“But with me here that problem is no more, as I can sink them all and deal probably with every single one of the marines alone.” dered Rick.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes and without much, if any, casualties on our side.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I can’t deal with Magen. My powers… they can’t deal well if at all with his.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s fine, the n was never to confront him anyway.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There is something you probably already know but…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Your captain is here to save Ace, yes, we are aware but we can’t make a stop and go search for him.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I thought you taped the surveince?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“We did and he’s on his way to Level 4.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s close, then…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He got every high ranking jailer after him.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“So?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“So Magen is there too and that’s not the end of our troubles.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, ckbeard has broken in.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shit. I thought it would take him longer.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You knew he woulde here?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Oh shit, it slipped!” </i><span style="font-weight:400">thought Rick.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, that kind of man is not one to be subservient to someone else. My guess is, he came here to recruit for his crew and tell the government they can put their shichibukai title where the sun doesn’t shine. Anyway, I can deal with him, but we need to get my captain.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I told you we can’t!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick leaned close to Ivankov’s ear and whispered something making theter eyes go wide.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are you serious?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, I heard it from Garp himself. What, never knew your boss’st name?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I only knew him under the name Dragon. He’s not the most talkative and open man.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“So unlike the other two… Anyway he won’t be happy if we leave Luffy behind, so we’re going to get him.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What about Magen?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I can’t defeat him, but I can deal with his liquid poison. It’s the gas ones I can’t deal with.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then I guess we’ll have to deal with him before he uses that type.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">