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"Were you blocking the door just now?"
"Yes, what's the problem?"
Akira, an outsider, spoke to the person in charge of Impel Down with the air of authority: Is there something wrong with me closing the door and not letting you in?
This attitude was nothing short of arrogant.
But Magellan didn't mind.
Not only did Akira hold a high position, but his strength was visibly greater than Magellan's. There was no need to fuss over minor details.
Magellan glanced past Akira and looked behind him. When he didn't see any other figures or smell any blood, he let out a long breath.
The worst-case scenario hadn't happened.
The entire Eternal Hell remained as it always was.
As for the powerful aura radiating from Akira, while it surprised Magellan, as long as a certain legendary pirate hadn't been released, everything would be fine.
How strong is a Fleet Admiral? Many people are curious about such information, but that doesn't concern Impel Down.
After all, Magellan didn't have to venture out to sea, and unless something drastic happened, he wouldn't leave Impel Down. So, after the initial shock, he quickly regained his composure.
"Fleet Admiral Akira, I came here to tell you something."
"Killing prisoners without reason is strictly prohibited here."
Magellan took a deep breath, straightened himself, and spoke with seriousness.
Akira raised his eyebrows and quickly understood.
It must be about the death of Hal Acheson.
He nodded and replied calmly:
"I understand. I'm sorry."
"If there are prisoners that need to be executed in the future, I'll let you know beforehand."
It was impossible not to kill the pirate prisoners.
First of all, aside from martial artists and swordsmen, the pirates locked away in Eternal Hell were almost always Devil Fruit users.
For those imprisoned because of their Devil Fruit powers, without exception, their abilities were extremely valuable and dangerous.
If one day, Akira decided to spar with them or drain their physical energy, and he found their powers to be useful while their lifespan was nearing its end, there would be two outcomes.
If the former was still in their prime, their physical energy could only fuel Akira's plans.
If the latter wasn't killed in time, it would be a waste.
Instead of letting a great pirate with only a short lifespan suddenly die, scattering their Devil Fruit to be eaten by some unknown person in the world, it would be better for Akira to take control and train his subordinates.
The pirate prisoners locked up in Impel Down, all with a history of evil deeds, were destined for execution. Generally speaking, if they were killed, no one would care.
They weren't going to leave alive anyway.
Not to mention that Akira, as Fleet Admiral of the Marines, held both the responsibility and authority to make decisions about them.
This was the system established by the World Government. People in high positions had no real restrictions or oversight, granting them unlimited authority over criminals.
So, when Akira said he'd notify Magellan, the Director of Impel Down, before executing anyone, it was more of a courtesy to save face.
But Magellan didn't see it that way.
"No, I think you misunderstood me."
Whether out of stubbornness or intentional defiance, Magellan made his stance clear, word by word, in a tone heavy with seriousness: "I mean…
You! Can't! Kill any prisoner in Impel Down."
"The only one here with authority over them..."
"Is the Director of Impel Down!"
"Just me!"
Magellan's low voice echoed through the corridors, each word deliberately pronounced with force.
Suddenly, the air around them grew heavy, and silence fell over the space.
Akira didn't say a word, just stared at Magellan.
Magellan, in turn, held his ground, staring back without giving an inch.
The tension was suffocating.
The atmosphere between the two became unbearable, thick with intensity. As the moments passed, Magellan began to feel an increasing weight on his body.
His heart raced. His instincts screamed at him—his words had truly angered Akira.
But he couldn't back down.
"I am the Director of Impel Down, not his subordinate," Magellan thought, clenching his teeth and summoning all his resolve.
Dangerous, poisonous venom began to seep from his body as he fought against Akira's Conqueror's Haki, which was already causing tangible pressure.
"Is it necessary? Over a few pirates?" Akira asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"No, it's very necessary," Magellan responded in a deep, resolute voice.
He knew they didn't need to escalate this situation into a full-blown conflict, but he had his principles.
The World Government was made up of three major organizations.
Impel Down, as one of them, stood equal to the Marines in terms of status.
Strength aside, in the established hierarchy, the Marines had no higher rank than the prison wardens. Even the Marine Fleet Admiral didn't outrank the Director of Impel Down.
Those who are not in a position of authority shouldn't overstep into others' governance.
As the Director of Impel Down, Magellan represented the dignity of the prison and its staff. He couldn't allow the Marines to override Impel Down's authority.
Otherwise, how could he face his subordinates?
This was why he stood firm, even knowing Akira's overwhelming strength.
"I will reclaim the respect that the previous Director lost," Magellan vowed to himself, his resolve hardening.
With this thought, his gaze became even more resolute.
The aura that had been suppressed now flared up with renewed strength, more powerful than before.
Akira, hands in his pockets, silently observed. He couldn't help but lick his lips.
A ticking time bomb, huh?
Magellan was dead serious.
This was truly unexpected.
Akira thought to himself, amused.
And at that moment—
"What happened, Director Magellan? Did the pirates escape?"
"Director, don't worry! We're here."
"No pirate can escape from Impel Down!"
A group of jailers, led by the chief warden, rushed down the corridor. Hearing the commotion, they assumed it was another prison break attempt and ran towards the scene, shouting loudly.
"Stop, don't come any closer!" Magellan shouted, trying to halt their advance.
The conflict between top figures wasn't something anyone could just get involved in.
For one, if the jailers entered the area covered by Akira's Conqueror's Haki, most would faint immediately.
And if a fight broke out between him and Akira, these unconscious subordinates would only become a burden.
For his own sake and for the safety of his men, Magellan knew they couldn't participate.
Magellan's authority was well respected among the jailers.
Hearing his command, they immediately halted and stood at a distance, watching the tense scene unfold.
In an instant, they realized what was happening.
Their Director was in a standoff with the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
And it could escalate into a fight at any moment.
The jailers exchanged quick glances, then without hesitation, they gripped their weapons tightly, standing at the ready.
They didn't need to understand the full story or the reasons behind it.
They only needed to know where their loyalty lay.
The corridor fell into an uneasy silence once more.
The tension thickened.
A clash was on the verge of erupting.