Summary:
Emporio Ivankov, Inazuma and Luffy descend the stairs to level 6, break the traps and defeat all the guards. When they enter level 6, they find Ace’s cell empty and Inazuma remarks that they came too late. Recognizing Luffy by the straw hat, Jinbe marvels that not only did Hancock not lie about Luffy entering Impel Down, but the pirate in question made it all the way to the lowest and most restricted level of the Great Prison. Jinbe insists that Luffy rush after Ace, who had just recently taken the elevator. However, prison staff are watching them, and as the trio look up to the elevator, a giant spiked mat falls down, preventing them from climbing the elevator cables. A metal cage then surrounds the stairs, preventing them from going up, and a sleeping gas erupts, putting Luffy to sleep.
At level 1, Magellan has to forcefully restrain Ace. Magellan says that everyone has heard the message and that resistance is useless. Magellan claims that Luffy as a pirate was doomed the moment he set foot in Impel Down. Ace is silently despairing as he hoped Boa was lying and asks why Luffy came.
As the dormant gas begins to fill the entire level 6 room, Inazuma transforms his hands into scissors, cutting the stone floor into strips and then folding the strips over the staircase, blocking the gas from passing through the metal cage. Ivankov explains to the prisoners about Inazuma’s ability, Choki Choki no Mi. Luffy wakes up and complains that the stairs are now closed, to which Inazuma replies that it was the only way to stop the gas. With no option to leave, Ivankov knocks out the visual Den Den Mushi.
Since Ace’s Vivre card was no longer pointing straight up, indicating that he had already been handed over to the Marines, Ivankov says that they will help Luffy escape, but leave Ace’s rescue to Whitebeard. However, Luffy decides to follow Ace to Marine HQ. Ivankov warns him that the coming war will have incredibly stronger fighters, such as Whitebeard, Admirals, Vice Admirals, and the Seven Warriors of the Sea. Luffy says that if he were to give up now, he would regret it and that he is going. Ivankov remembers what it’s like to talk to Dragon.
The crocodile then offers to make a hole in the ceiling for them to escape if they free him. Crocodile points out that this would be to both of their advantages, as it would give him the opportunity to escape and challenge Whitebeard while allowing Luffy to continue his pursuit of Ace. Although Ivankov is reluctant to let the Crocodile out, he reveals that he has known the Crocodile for a long time and states that he knows his weakness but will keep it a secret until the Crocodile betrays them. Some of the other prisoners scream to be released as well, but Ivankov silences them with a Death Wink.
Jinbe then begs to be released, admitting that he has known Ace since he joined the Whitebeard Pirates and that he himself wants to save Ace. Ivankov is amazed that another person with immense power has joined Luffy’s entourage. Luffy agrees and dismisses Inazuma’s warning. More prisoners shout to be released, but Ivankov silences them as well.
Ivankov states that they are to go immediately. Jinbe and Crocodile scowl at each other as they leave the cells. Jinbe warns the Crocodile that he won’t let the Crocodile hurt Whitebeard, to which the Crocodile responds by calling for a fight to the death. Inazuma states that they now have two newly recruited Level 6 warriors fighting for their side, surprising Luffy who is unaware of Jinbe’s condition.