At the same time.
Blackbeard escorted Oronbus slowly through the deathly silent, empty court.
Their footsteps echoed around them, as if adding a touch of unease to this silent place.
Blackbeard's eyes were full of cruelty and ambition, while Oronbus's face was filled with helplessness and resentment.
Gradually, a cold, massive steel gate appeared in their sight, a gate that seemed particularly majestic and inviolable in this solemn environment.
This gate was called the 'Gate of Justice,' a symbol of absolute justice for the World Government.
The criminals who passed through this gate would invariably be sent to an inescapable abyss of fate, a one-way road where endless darkness and terror awaited them.
Blackbeard stopped in front of the gate, looking up at the magnificent giant door, a trace of complex emotion in his eyes.
His usual cunning and frivolousness seemed to be infected by this solemn atmosphere, replaced by a rare moment of contemplation.
"The Gate of Justice?" he muttered to himself, his voice carrying a hint of undisguised sigh and mockery.
For him, this gate not only symbolized the World Government's declaration of justice but was also one of the goals he would conquer.
His eyes flashed with ambition as deep as a black hole, as if he intended to devour everything.
Beyond this gate, there were only two paths: one leading to the Marine Headquarters, the center of the World Government's main combat power, which controlled one of the three major forces of the Grand Line; the other leading to Impel Down, the great underwater prison, a hell of torture and execution where countless heinous prisoners were held, a place that terrified countless pirates.
Blackbeard smirked, his signature 'Ze ha ha ha ha' laughter echoing in the air, as if mocking the justice and power behind the gate.
He raised his glass and waved to his men, then gave the order in a confident voice.
"Let's go, men," he said in a deep voice, with an unquestionable domineering aura, "Escort the prisoner through this journey and head to Impel Down."
His men responded one after another, letting out a neat roar, as if echoing their captain's arrogant declaration.
With Blackbeard's order, they began to move, pushing Oronbus towards the gate of fate that symbolized endless darkness and despair.
Oronbus was escorted, his eyes full of despair and helplessness.
He knew that once he passed through this gate, endless torment and despair awaited him.
But he still stubbornly raised his head, using his last bit of dignity to look at Blackbeard, and said coldly, "Blackbeard, what do you think this gate can bring you? I will not yield to you."
Blackbeard laughed loudly at these words, his laughter full of disdain and mockery, as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world.
"The Gate of Justice?" Blackbeard grinned, revealing a row of jagged teeth. "Ze ha ha ha ha! Justice is just the history written by the victors, Oronbus. When you have tasted all the pain in Impel Down, come and tell me what the truth of this world is."
His words were cold and piercing, like a sharp blade piercing Oronbus's heart.
Then, Blackbeard led his men forward and re-boarded their pirate ship.
The cold steel gate slowly opened.
Behind the gate was an unknown terror, but Blackbeard's heart was already filled with anticipation and desire for the goal he was about to reach.
"Ze ha ha ha ha!"
He laughed again, the laughter echoing in the corridors of the Gate of Justice, as if declaring his ambition and indomitable will.
The world's order might be completely overturned in his hands.
Although Oronbus was just an insignificant shrimp in Blackbeard's eyes, unable to compare with the greater ambition in his heart, he was a fierce pirate.
His hands were stained with the blood of countless civilians, and the crimes he committed were even more appalling than those of many notorious pirates.
This was why Blackbeard chose Oronbus and thus obtained the qualification to escort him to Impel Down.
It was also because the World Government officials and those guys on Enies Lobby were too stupid that he was able to achieve his goal so easily.
Blackbeard stood at the bow of the ship, his eyes coldly sweeping over the bound Oronbus.
At this moment, Oronbus no longer had his former arrogance and complacency, and the eyes that once flashed with arrogance had now become dim.
Blackbeard sneered in his heart. He understood that if this pirate continued to develop according to his previous momentum, he was destined to meet a miserable fate in Impel Down.
It was precisely because Oronbus's evil deeds were so obvious that Blackbeard was able to send him to Enies Lobby in a logical manner, in exchange for more bargaining chips.
And now, his goal of going to Impel Down had been achieved, and the other party's morale was getting lower and lower.
Everything he was doing now was to subdue the other party and make this guy his dog.
What he needed was a 'good dog' that would bite but obey its master.
The Gate of Justice slowly closed behind them, making a dull and solemn sound, as if announcing that this journey of fate was coming to an end.
The moment the giant gate closed, it seemed to completely isolate everything from the past, and ahead, the gloomy and terrifying Impel Down was opening its cold embrace to them.
"Impel Down..."
Blackbeard murmured, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
This prison was the end for many pirates. Countless strong men had lost their dignity and freedom here and became prisoners of the World Government.
However, Blackbeard had even greater ambitions and plans in his heart. He knew that this operation was not just about escorting an Oronbus, but an important step for him to approach his goal.
Oronbus's mood was complex and heavy at this moment. He lowered his head and could almost feel the hellish prison approaching.
His heart was filled with endless remorse and despair, but even more so with fear of the unknown that was about to come.
The name of that prison was like thunder, and it was rumored that countless pirates lived a life worse than death in it, never able to see the sunlight.
He knew clearly what fate he was about to face.
"Impel Down... Ze ha ha ha ha..."
Blackbeard suddenly laughed, his signature 'Ze ha ha ha ha' laughter echoing around the ship, breaking the silence of this sea area.
The laughter was full of anticipation and arrogant confidence for the future, as if declaring that he was sure to win this gamble.
"Don't worry, Oronbus," Blackbeard said in a mocking tone. "The dungeons of Impel Down will soon open their arms to you, and your past evil deeds will receive their due reward in that darkness."
He would make good use of this 'vicious dog'.
Oronbus did not respond, he just quietly looked at the huge prison that was gradually approaching, and he already knew that this time, he had no chance of turning over.
As the ship sailed, the grim outline of Impel Down became clearer and clearer.
It was a prison isolated from the world, imprisoning countless villains, and it was rumored that no one could escape from there.
Blackbeard stood at the bow of the ship, his hands on his hips, looking at the approaching Impel Down, a sneer on his lips.
He had already figured out his next plan, and this operation was an important step for him to seize power.
The strict prison in front of him was just a small obstacle on his road to ambition, and he would eventually surpass all of this and climb to the pinnacle of power that belonged to him.
"Impel Down... Ze ha ha ha ha! We'll be there soon."
Blackbeard's arrogant laughter sounded again, as if drawing an expectant conclusion to this upcoming operation.
The ship continued to sail, taking them to the deep-sea hell full of darkness and despair, and Blackbeard's ambition was growing stronger and stronger on this sea, constantly approaching the goal he was pursuing.
...
...
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!!
