Aether drew his attention back and fixed his gaze on the Fish-Man inside the cell.
"Knight of the Sea Jinbe, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, are you interested in going to Marineford with us? If Whitebeard falls in battle, Fish-Man Island will lose its protector. Aside from Red Hair, the remaining Emperors are not easy to deal with. And more importantly, do you not want to rescue Ace?"
The direct invitation caught everyone off guard.
Jinbe fell silent for a brief mont, then his eyes hardened with resolve. There were always gains and losses in every decision. The reason he had been imprisoned on Level Six of Impel Down was because he refused to fight against the Whitebeard Pirates. Now, the ti had co to make his choice.
"Then I shall trouble you. I have made up my mind. I will join the battle, aid Pops, and rescue Ace."
The addition of a forr Warlord imdiately lifted the group's spirits. Jinbe's reputation spoke for itself. His character was beyond question, and the title Knight of the Sea was proof enough.
[An S-Class Figure has developed a positive emotion toward the Host: Elentary Friendliness. Experience increased by 1,000.]
To Aether, Level Six of Impel Down was nothing less than a massive reserve of experience. The talisman he gave Luffy had been prepared precisely for this mont.
"Ti to begin the harvest, you leeks."
Ivankov studied Aether with suspicion. He had never heard of this young man before, yet Aether had read Jinbe's thoughts with unsettling accuracy. Was he a scher?
Moreover, Luffy trusted him completely. From the mont Aether appeared, he carried himself with calm control, as if everything had already been planned.
Aether ignored the scrutiny and turned his gaze toward another cell.
"Crocodile, staying locked up here is not very pleasant, is it? Are you interested in making a deal?"
A figure stepped out from the shadows. The man had slicked-back hair and a long scar running across his face. Crocodile's eyes narrowed slightly with interest.
"I do not know who you are, but you seem confident. What makes you think I would agree? I have never heard your na on the seas."
"If you are unwilling, then forget it. There are plenty of others here. You are just a forr Warlord defeated by Luffy. It is not as if I have no alternatives."
The surrounding prisoners erupted instantly.
"Pick ! I will help you rescue Fire Fist Ace!"
"Choose instead! I am far stronger than a re Warlord!"
The noise grew louder with each passing second.
Crocodile's expression darkened as his past defeat was dragged into the open. However, he quickly realized the situation. If he missed this chance, he might remain imprisoned here forever.
"I agree. Let out, and I will help you reach Marineford and rescue Ace."
Aether remained calm and added another condition.
"During the war, you are not allowed to attack Whitebeard."
Crocodile paused briefly before nodding.
"Fine, I agree."
To him, such a condition ant little. Once they reached Marineford, this unknown man would have no power to restrain him.
[An S-Class Figure has developed a normal emotion toward the Host: Elentary Surprise. Experience increased by 1,000.]
Aether rubbed his chin slightly. There was no hostility from Crocodile. The surprise likely ca from Aether correctly predicting his intentions.
Footsteps echoed through the corridor. Ivankov and the others could only wait and watch as Aether continued to act.
Aether stopped in front of another cell. The massive figure inside trembled faintly, having heard everything.
"Byrnndi World, you heard the terms. Are you interested?"
A deep voice answered from the darkness.
"I agree. Until Fire Fist Ace is rescued, I will be your ally."
The surrounding prisoners grew even more frantic.
" too! Let out!"
"I will beco your subordinate!"
Their voices overlapped into chaos.
Aether's expression turned cold. He picked his ear with his finger and shouted.
"Shut up. I am not releasing trash like you. Rot here and die."
Silence fell for a brief second, then rage exploded.
"You brat, I will kill you!"
"Where did this rookie co from?"
"I will kill you!"
The curses ca in waves.
[S-Class Figures have developed negative emotions toward the Host: Elentary Hostility. Experience increased by 1,000 x 29.]
[S-Class Figures have developed negative emotions toward the Host: Interdiate Surprise. Experience increased by 2,000 x 11.]
[Level 59 (68,431/76,000)]
Just a little more.
A cruel smile spread across Aether's face. He moved instantly, closing the distance in a flash. His fist, coated in Armant Haki, smashed into the loudest prisoner's head, ending his life in a single blow.
Without stopping, he continued his assault. One after another, more than ten prisoners were struck down, their bodies collapsing into pools of blood.
These criminals were restrained with Sea Prism Stone chains and weakened by starvation. They could not resist at all.
[S-Class Figures have developed negative emotions toward the Host: Advanced Fear. Experience increased by 5,000 x 11.]
[S-Class Figures have developed negative emotions toward the Host: Elentary Surprise. Experience increased by 1,000 x 49.]
The dying generated fear, while the survivors watched in shock.
[Highly altered the destiny of S-Class Figures. Reward: 5,000 points x 11.]
Fifty-five thousand points. This was the greatest harvest so far.
[Level Up: Level 61 (13,539/90,000)]
Two consecutive level increases caused Aether's Observation Haki to break through once again. A familiar sensation surfaced in his mind.
[Host: Augustus D. Aether]
[Age: 26]
[Level: 61 (13,539/90,000)]
[Strength: Advanced (Vice Admiral)]
[Constitution: Advanced (Vice Admiral)]
[Agility: Advanced (Vice Admiral)]
[Fruit: None]
[Skill: Top-tier]
[Armant Haki: Advanced]
[Observation Haki: Top-tier (Voice of All Things)]
[Conqueror's Haki: Peak]
[Weapon: Ace]
[Points: 63,879]
His body had fully reached the level of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. With all three attributes nearing the peak and his Observation Haki improved, his overall strength had risen significantly.
After killing more than ten prisoners, the rest were completely subdued. Aether did not continue. Though the experience was tempting, ti was running out.
The guards had already noticed the disturbance. Magellan would arrive soon.
Without powerful wide-range attacks, clearing every cell would take too long. Aether chose efficiency over greed.
He turned back to the group and casually tossed a key into Douglas Bullet's cell. He did not even glance at the man. Bullet would escape sooner or later when Blackbeard arrived.
Doing him a small favor now might prove useful in the future.
As for the strongest prisoners, Aether had no intention of provoking them. Unknown abilities and hidden cards were not worth the risk at this mont.
They did not have ti to waste.
Luffy hesitated before finally speaking.
"Aether, why did you kill them?"
Aether t his gaze. Since setting out to sea, Luffy had never taken a life.
"These people are dangerous criminals. Our escape could allow them to break free as well. If they return to the outside world, countless innocent lives will be at risk."
____
Patreon = _Zeph
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