Storyline
Impel Down, Ace’s Cell: Garp is still talking to the battered Ace, raving to him about how he always dreamed of seeing Luffy and him in the Navy. The fact that they both chose the wrong side would amount to tragedy. In passing, Garp mentions that he told Luffy about the latter’s father. Ace only counters that the Navy was never an option for him because half of his and Luffy’s blood comes from the worst criminals in the world. Further, he elaborates that he took his mother’s name, “Portgas,” because he calls his father useless. Ace also has no memories of his father, then remembers Whitebeard, who took him in when Ace was down and out and willingly embraced him. For Ace, there is only one father in the world: Whitebeard.
Navy Ship: A pirate ship is spotted on Momonga’s ship. Momonga wants to know who the pirate flag belongs to, but the crew can’t match it up right away, so the Vice Admiral thinks the pirates are meaningless.
Grand Line, just before the Calm Belt: The buggy pirate gang (with Alvida, without the buggy) sight a Sea King and summon their end should the beast look their way. Alvida tells them to stop whining, after all, the crew spent all their money on an Eternal port for Impel Down. The howling crew confesses that they’re only doing all this for the sake of their captain, because Buggy is in Impel Down. Alvida explains that there is only the way through the Calm Belt, as the other way is only allowed for naval vessels. She deprives the crew of any hope by elaborating that no pirate ship has ever made it to Impel Down. The crew despairs, as they must assume that their captain – just like Ace, whom they had befriended – will be executed. Alvida insists that Impel Down is the prison that can neither be infiltrated nor broken out of. The crew is told to face the reality that the days of Buggy the Clown are coming to an end. She now claims the Big Top for herself, as it would be outright suicide to continue sailing. She offers the crew a dinghy to sail to Impel Down. After much deliberation, however, the crew bids Buggy farewell and mutinies. They wish him a painless death and thank him for everything.
Navy Ship: Momonga gives orders to open the gates to navigate the Tarai Current and reach Impel Down.
Impel Down: Some prisoners are subjected to torture and beg for death. In one of the cells the hierarchy is clear, newcomers have to give their food to the cell boss. That’s how it’s supposed to be handled here. The latter revolts and a fight breaks out between him and the cell leader, but a guard – a bull-like creature – unemoniously settles it by force. They are taken to a solitary cell where they are tortured by a being.
Time Jump: Four and a half days have passed since Amazon Lily’s departure before the Navy ship reaches Momonga’s Impel Down. Due to headwinds, the ship is not quite on schedule. He demands that Hancock come out of her cabin immediately to get this over with quickly. Meanwhile, Luffy looks out a cabin window at the scene before him. He is more than surprised to see more naval vessels guarding Impel Down than are present at a Buster Call. Hancock suggests that this is a dangerous place, which is why it is necessary. She inquires if Luffy has ever seen a Buster Call, she herself only knows it from stories. Luffy remembers Enie’s lobby, where Momonga was also involved in the Buster Call. Hancock asks him to slip under her robe. The Vice Admiral and Hancock then leave the Navy ship. He is respectfully saluted, she as always revered. Momonga explains again why they are here: Hancock wanted to look at the reason for enlisting as a samurai single-handedly: Portgas D. Ace. Momonga tells her she must wear sea stone handcuffs and undergo a cavity search, only then can she enter the prison. Luffy, hiding under Hancock’s robe, tries to come up with a plan.
Entrance Hall: Hannyabal, the vice-principal of the prison, has just been told by Den-den Mushi that Buggy the Clown has escaped. He asks if he has devil powers when he is told that Momonga and Hancock have arrived. Outside the gate, the guards immediately open the gate to let the two visitors pass. Hannyabal receives Hancock and Momonga. He then introduces the deputy commander of the prison guards Domino, who will conduct the strip search. Afterwards, Hannyabal wants to introduce them to the leader Magellan, who is on level 4. On the way to the cavity search room, Domino tells them about the procedure of the new arrivals in the Impel Down. These are dipped into a cauldron 100 times hotter than hell to be disinfected. This is where you can already excel and prove your toughness. For example, Ace, Jinbe, and Crocodile didn’t make a face when they were dipped into the water.
Once in the room, Domino explains that she has to take off the coat because it is good for hiding something. Also, there are video snails installed all over the prison to monitor everything, including this room. Domino now wants to put sea stone handcuffs on her.
There are 33 hours left before Ace’s execution.
| TV Episode Guide | Impel Down Arc (Anime) |
