Out for Karma: One Piece

Chapter 75: I want you!

With warmer clothes Rick and Jimbei moved more easily and a bit less of an hour later 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 place look like a resort and any chance of being sent the wrong way died.
“You do know he’s going to get himself killed in less than a minute?”

“Of course. It’s going to be a bloodbath just to own that fur.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“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.”

“That’s awfully cold but then again you’re a pirate yourself.”

“Not by choice.”

“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?”

“ 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.”

“None of them ever said anything? Isn’t humiliating a superior against the rule? And how did you do that anyway? “

“Well he didn’t have his guard up and I was around seven, so Sengoku let it slide.”

“You knew personally the Fleet Admiral at seven? Intimately enough to not punish you?”

“Well… he’s kinda my adoptive uncle.”

“Then how did Akainu…”

“He caught Sengoku in a rare moment of weakness. That’s all I’m going to say about this matter.”

“Alright.”
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 Magellan’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 plan to pull through. However didn’t have the luxury of choice, so he’ll have to improvise.

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 voice coming from behind them. They immediately turned around ready to fight whoever ambushed them.
“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 glasses and bowtie were two tone colored too. Everything seemed vertically symmetrical with him, colour aside, except the wine glass held in his left hand.
“Who the heck is that guy?!” thought Rick while Jimbei was more vocal.

“Who are you?” he asked with a demanding and slightly threatening tone.

“My name is Inazuma.”

“Nice to meet you Inazuma, despite ambushing us like that. Though since we’re still alive, I gather you want something from us?”

“Me? No, not at all. My boss on the other hand does.”

“And who’s your boss?” asked Rick.

“Emporio Ivankov.”

“Holy shit…” Rick began thinking before voicing the end of his thought.

“The Miracle Person?!”

“The what?” asked Jimbei

“Yes, that’s my boss.”

“What does he… she… What pronoun should I use?”

“Whatever you wish.” replied Inazuma

“Oh, alright. What does he want from us then? Because we’re a bit in a hurry right now.”

“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.”

“And how does my business matter to him?”

“Directly? It doesn’t. Indirectly? A lot; he’s very interested in you.”

“How so?”

“Your stance against the world government. Now if you’d please follow me, time is of the essence I believe.”
Rick nodded and followed after him then Jimbei who was still out of the loop about the matter of their discussion.

“Not that I’m ungrateful for your help, even though it's for Rick but can you explain 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’s coming, the world government and you, Rick? ”

“Well the miracle person’s real name is Emporio Ivankov, commander 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.”

“ What you did at Enies Lobby was incredible! Passing yourself as a member of the CP-0 to infiltrate the island and the CP-9, saving Nico Robin, stopping the World Government from getting their hands on the plans of one of the ancient weapons and stealing and using the buster call to destroy the island itself before sinking the fleet. When we heard the news we celebrated like no tomorrow.” cut in Inazuma making Jimbei’s jaw drop.

“You did what?! I thought your crew just did a raid on the island to get Nico Robin back.”

“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 access to the greatest fire power of the marine? Their faith in them would drop radically.”

“True, and that would bolster the ranks of the Liberation army, which is growing day by day.”

“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.

“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 access to the surveillance room. That’s how we knew you two were free. We had a direct feed of it.”

“Well, shit they know we’re on the loose then.”

“Actually no they do not because we may have or not have tempered with their direct feed.”

“You know I find it pretty hilarious 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.

“I understand more about the situation, thank you for answering my questions.”
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.

Rick didn’t want to go to this place. 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.
Rick let out a long sigh as Ivankov’s introduction began to play out.

“We’re pressed by time and he’s playing around…”

He sprouted arms around the newkama Queen and restrained her while using his gravity to bring him/her before him.
“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?”
Ivankov looked at him, pouting for ruining her fun but Rick was right.

“I like straightforward men.”

“And I’m taken and happy in my relationship. Now; which way do we have to go to get back to the surface without being seen ?”

“Oh! I’ll do more than tell you, I’ll show you myself.”

“And what do you want in return?”

“You take me and my people out with you and join us.”

“... I can do the former but not the latter.”

“Oh I’m sure that I could convince you.” said Ivankov with a wink.

“I doubt that.”

“If you know the way out, why are you still here?” cut in Jimbei.

“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.”

“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.” declared Rick.

“Yes and without much, if any, casualties on our side.”

“I can’t deal with Magellan. My powers… they can’t deal well if at all with his.”

“It’s fine, the plan was never to confront him anyway.”

“There is something you probably already know but…”

“Your captain is here to save Ace, yes, we are aware but we can’t make a stop and go search for him.”

“I thought you taped the surveillance?”

“We did and he’s on his way to Level 4.”

“He’s close, then…”

“He got every high ranking jailer after him.”

“So?”

“So Magellan is there too and that’s not the end of our troubles.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, Blackbeard has broken in.”

“Shit. I thought it would take him longer.”

“You knew he would come here?”
“Oh shit, it slipped!” thought Rick.

“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.”

“I told you we can’t!”
Rick leaned close to Ivankov’s ear and whispered something making the later eyes go wide.

“Are you serious?!”

“Yes, I heard it from Garp himself. What, never knew your boss’ last name?”

“I only knew him under the name Dragon. He’s not the most talkative and open man.”

“So unlike the other two… Anyway he won’t be happy if we leave Luffy behind, so we’re going to get him.”

“What about Magellan?”

“I can’t defeat him, but I can deal with his liquid poison. It’s the gas ones I can’t deal with.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to deal with him before he uses that type.”