One Piece: Blue Scale Admiral

Rorschach was ordered to Impel Down to escort Fire Fist Ace and Blackbeard Teach, who were temporarily imprisoned in Infinite Hell, back to Marineford.

With the day of their public execution drawing ever closer, Ace and Teach will be transferred to the fortified prison in Marineford to prevent the Whitebeard Pirates from storming Impel Down instead of heading to Marineford for the final battle.

At the bow of the Kirin, Luo Xia leaned against the dragon's horn, closed his eyes to rest, and pondered the possible variables that might arise in this war.

First up is the Red-Haired Pirates.

If Kaido had no intention of encroaching on Whitebeard's territory, and no one stopped Shanks, would he choose to join forces with Whitebeard and come to Marine Headquarters to rescue people?

Secondly, a smile.

Although Issho is just one person, with his powerful combat strength that is no less than that of a Navy Admiral, if he were to be parachuted into the battlefield of Marineford, he would definitely add extra variables to this great battle that the Navy originally had a sure thing of winning.

Finally, there's the revolutionary army.

Rorschach knew that Sabo had reunited with Ace and regained his memories.

If he saw the news that Ace was going to be publicly executed, given his impetuous nature—he was the type to storm the Holy Land to save Kuma—he couldn't possibly resist coming.

But if Sabo comes, what about Dragon? What about the Revolutionary Army?

All of these are issues that Rorschach has to consider.

He analyzed all these potential additional variables and explained them to Sengoku, Tsuru no Chūjō, and others.

In recent days, the General Staff at headquarters has been conducting detailed tactical discussions on Luo Xia's concerns in order to make the most comprehensive war response and avoid the worst-case scenario.

The worst-case scenario is that all of the above-mentioned potential participants appear simultaneously.

If things really come to that, then headquarters will face a super war that is even more dangerous and difficult than the G1 naval battle.

The G5 members noticed Luo Xia's annoyance and didn't bother him.

However, on the deck of the Kirin, some people were still making a racket.

After being captured on the Golden Ship, and temporarily imprisoned in the Marineford fortress prison, Apoo, Uluki, Capone Bege, and the others, who were to be sent to Impel Down along with Rorschach, were glaring angrily at Drake, who had put on his new Major General uniform.

"Drake! You spineless coward, you actually betrayed us and joined the Navy! You've disgraced the pirates!"

"We agreed to go to the New World together and compete for the title of one of the Four Emperors, to see who can become the Pirate King!"

Looking at Ap, who was furious and spitting at him, Drake calmly took off his military cap and smoothed his shiny slicked-back hair.

“Apu, a wise man submits to circumstances. If you lose, you lose. Look at Bege and Urouge, they don’t act like you, still not accepting defeat and barking like a defeated dog. Besides, I’ve explained three times already, I’m originally a Marine. I was just an undercover agent assigned to me by my superiors before.”

Apoo turned to look at Capone Bege and Urouge, who were sprawled out like rag dolls, his cheeks twitching slightly as he glared hatefully at Drake, leaving Drake completely bewildered.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Even if I'm spineless and defect to the Navy, it has nothing to do with you, right? If you're so tough, why don't you defect too and see if Rorschach will take you in?"

Drake chuckled, ignoring the incessant chatter of Ap, and turned to look at the people on the Kirin, satisfied.

After several days of persistent pleading, he finally gained the approval of the impatient Sengoku and joined G5 as he wished, becoming a member of Rorschach's team.

Moreover, because of his undercover mission, he had worked hard even if he hadn't achieved any great success, and Sengoku promised that he would be promoted to lieutenant general after the war.

This is a vice admiral, a high-ranking officer in the Navy Headquarters.

Currently, in the entire G5 branch, only Rorschach is a lieutenant general.

Drake couldn't help but feel a surge of pride whenever he thought about how he would eventually surpass Smoker and Rorschach to become the highest-ranking officer in G5, above everyone else, and outrank Smoker and Rorschach.

The only downside was that his former loyal pirate crew had all been dismissed and sent back to their hometowns to farm.

Drake couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he thought of the bearded pirate who had always followed his lead.

Ap was furious that Drake was ignoring him.

He glanced at Luo Xia, who was resting with his eyes closed against the dragon's horn not far away, and suddenly his eyes lit up as he thought of a good idea.

“Drake, I’ve thought about it carefully, and I think you’re right.”

"Huh? What did I say?" Drake, who was daydreaming about a bright future, turned around blankly.

Apoo said seriously, "You're right, I can also join the Navy."

"Huh?" Drake's mouth dropped open.

Apoo ignored him, turned to Rorschach, and shouted in the most sincere tone, "Powerful Vice Admiral Bluescale! I want to join you, I want to join the Navy, I want to become a G5 warrior, and go with you to the New World, to shed blood and sacrifice my life for the cause of justice!"

Bege and Urouge, who had been beaten the worst on the golden ship, struggled to lift their heads and looked at Apoo, who was giving a passionate speech, with bewildered expressions.

Enel, Law, Hibari, and the others, who were diligently standing guard, couldn't help but turn around and look at Apoo as if he were an idiot.

Unexpectedly, Apu, noticing the gazes of the others, thought his words had worked and spoke even more enthusiastically.

His eyes burned with emotion, and a few tears of regret welled up as he sobbed, "Vice Admiral Lan Lin, and all the heroes of G5, I too am a poor man who set sail because I had nowhere else to turn. Since we set sail, my Broadcast Pirates have never committed a single heinous act that would anger the heavens and the people. We are good pirates, unlike that bastard Kid, who wreaks havoc and slaughters civilians everywhere. I..."

With a crack, a bolt of silver lightning struck Apu's head, scattering his messy hair like a bird's nest, emitting black smoke. His mouth twisted and his eyes swayed, his face showing confusion and grievance, before he collapsed headfirst, hitting the deck heavily.

Drake's mouth remained half-open the entire time, still reeling from the series of changes, when he saw Rorschach impatiently open his eyes.

Rorschach glanced at Ap, who was covered in smoke from the electric shock.

"Scratchmen Apoo, you're quite the actor. If I hadn't found out beforehand that you were the captain of a pirate crew under Kaido's command, I might have taken you in and made you a musician in G5. But now, forget about it. Just stay in Impel Down and live your life. Maybe you'll run into your boss Kaido in Impel Down someday."

"Is Apoo the captain of a pirate crew affiliated with Kaido?"

Drake's eyes widened, almost unable to believe his ears.

Urki's lips moved, and he spat on the face of the unconscious Ap.

"Pah! So Apoo, you bastard, is Kaido's subordinate. No wonder you kept trying to persuade us to form an alliance and bring Kaido down. You were trying to drag us into this mess, you damned bastard."

The G5 players showed no surprise, clearly already knowing the inside story.

"Alright, Enel, you two stay here and watch the ship. Palmer, Bepo, take the prisoner down and send him to the cell. I'll go get him."

Rorschach looked at Impel Down, which was right in front of him, and gestured for the two escorting warships on either side to stop.

Two of the warships, along with the Kirin, approached the port on the first level of Impel Down, carrying many prisoners, including a large number of pirates and criminals captured during the Gold Ship incident.

"Yes, Lieutenant General!"

Palmer and Bepo, following orders, stepped forward and grabbed Apoo, Bege, and Urouge like chickens. They then jumped off the Kirin with Rorschach and headed towards Hannibal and his men, who had appeared at the port.

Upon seeing Rorschach leap from the Kirin, Hannibal excitedly rushed forward.

"Lieutenant General Rorschach! Welcome back to Impel Down! I'll go prepare a welcome feast for you right away!"

"I'm not here as a guest of Impel Down, Hannibal. Where's Warden Magellan?"

Rorschach looked at Hannibal, whose physique had completely changed. He was no longer the obese man he once was, but had become burly and strong, even bearing a hint of the demeanor of the Impel Down warden. A smile appeared on his face.

"The director is still in the toilet, saying he'll try to get out of quarantine by the time you arrive at the scorching hell."

Hannibal, with a smirk, sidled up behind Rorschach, massaging and pounding his shoulders as he chuckled, “Look at that bastard, he’s completely unreliable. Escorting Fire Fist Ace and Blackbeard Teach is such an important task, and he’s been holed up in the toilet all day. I strongly suggest that Lieutenant General Rorschach remove him from his post as warden and let the dutiful me take over as the new warden!”

"I don't have the authority to dismiss an Impel Down warden."

Rorschach chuckled, ignoring Hannibal's antics, and walked straight into Impel Down.

Hannibal was about to catch up with Rorschach to ask how long it would take before he could replace Magellan as the new commissioner when he suddenly heard a familiar sneer coming from behind him.

"Hehehe, isn't this Hannibal? I never expected a fool like you could turn out like this. It's really beyond my expectations. What? Feeling down? Where's your usual stupid self?"

Hannibal frowned and turned around, then shrank back in fright, nearly screaming out loud.

"Shi...Shiryu!"

Behind him, Shiryu, puffing on a cigar, grinned as he surveyed the familiar surroundings, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.

He ignored Hannibal's fearful expression and strode into Impel Down, sneering arrogantly, "Years have passed, and this godforsaken place, Impel Down, is still as stinking as ever. Magellan! Don't you think this is because you're constantly suffering from diarrhea? Hehehe..."

"Shiliu, you stay up there and watch the ship. You are not allowed to come down without my permission."

Before Shiryu's cold laughter had even faded, Rorschach's calm, unwavering voice rang out from Impel Down.

Shiryu's cold smile froze on his face, and he stopped in his tracks.

Hannibal, who was standing behind him, was just getting angry at Shiliu for mocking Magellan and was about to yell at him when he heard Rorschach's voice.

When Hannibal saw Shiryu, whose eyes were filled with anger but who dared not move forward, a gloating smile immediately appeared on his face.

"As expected of Lieutenant General Rorschach, even the warden Shiryu, whom the director couldn't subdue, was intimidated by a single sentence from him."

Hannibal was in high spirits. He hurriedly took the half-dead Apoo from Bepo's hands and loudly called to Palmer as they headed toward the entrance to Impel Down, completely ignoring Shiryu's sour face.

Shiliu no longer dares to act recklessly in front of Rorschach.

Not to mention that Rorschach is the commander-in-chief of this mission, Shiryu, who is responsible for escorting him, must obey all of Rorschach's orders.

After the Golden Ship incident, Rorschach's status in the Marine Headquarters is now completely equivalent to that of the three Marine Admirals, and he has gained the recognition of the entire Marine Corps with his absolute strength.

Shiryu's strength is among the best of the lieutenants in the headquarters, but he is no match for Rorschach.

He now wants to challenge Rorschach, but Rorschach is too lazy to even acknowledge him.

Let's get past Enel first.

Chapter 650 Ace's Regret

Advance into the city.

Rorschach and the guards, including Palmer, split up and went alone to Magellan's scorching hell.

When he arrived at the scorching hell, Magellan was already standing in the corridor, clutching his stomach.

Seeing his furrowed brows, Luo Xia couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

At the same time, I was also a little curious.

"Uncle Magellan, are the side effects of the Venom-Venom Fruit really that severe? I think you might want to try using Armament Haki to nourish your stomach and bones, making your body stronger. That might alleviate your diarrhea symptoms."

As the two walked side by side toward the elevator that led directly to the frigid hell, Rorschach told Magellan about the method Garp had taught him for tempering the body with Haki.

In fact, according to Garp, Armament Haki can not only temper the human skeleton, but also transform the skeleton into a different kind of 'black sword'.

Muscles, internal organs, blood vessels, and tendons can all be tempered with Armament Haki.

Why are the bodies of those top-tier warriors on the high seas all inhumanly strong?

Aside from naturally monstrous physiques like the old lady, most of them are actually tougher and stronger because their bodies have been tempered by their own Armament Haki over the years.

However, because human cells automatically undergo metabolism, constantly dying and being reborn, the physical tempering effect will not be completely solidified.

Therefore, no one in the world has ever trained their flesh and blood to the level of "Black Knife".