Chapter 367: Sand Crocodile Escapes Predicament, Sword Points at Gao Wen!

All around was silence.

Every gaze converged on the emaciated yet still elegant old man in the cell, and even their breathing involuntarily halted.

Even though Rayleigh had not made a move nor deliberately exuded his Haki, the Haki that inadvertently leaked out made everyone present unable to breathe.

This was especially true after hearing about the mythical Observation Haki capable of directly reading others' memories.

"This isn't funny at all!"

Crocodile was drenched in sweat.

He was naturally a deep thinker and a master strategist, and for such a person, the thing most feared and most unacceptable is having one's inner thoughts seen through by others.

It was no different from standing naked before others.

If the fear Whitebeard once instilled in him stemmed from power so great it brought despair,

then the old man before him represented a sense of powerlessness where every single thought of yours was seen through at a glance.

Crocodile could not say which inspired more awe in him, but if possible, he just wished these two old fellows would never appear on this sea again!

However.

The only thing worth Crocodile's relief right now was that Rayleigh had not shown much interest in him, but instead focused his attention on Luffy, his gaze becoming increasingly gentle:

"So that's how it is..."

"Mr. Brook has become your companion?!"

"How nostalgic!"

"Brook?!"

Luffy paused, his eyes unusually serious:

"Old man, were you once Brook's companion?!"

"That guy drifted alone on the sea for over fifty years for the sake of a promise, enduring unimaginable loneliness."

"He is my companion now; although we were separated by an accident, I will definitely find him."

Luffy lowered his head to look at his fist, his eyes burning with intensity:

"The me of now is countless times stronger than I was back then!"

Rayleigh curled the corner of his mouth into a slight smile and explained:

"He once stayed in my hometown; I heard his songs and the adventures he recounted, so after that, I decided to set sail and become a pirate."

"In a certain sense, he was my guide."

"It was not long after I set sail that I heard news of the Rumbar Pirates' destruction."

"That was already fifty or sixty years ago."

Rayleigh couldn't help but feel a touch of nostalgia, even humming softly the ballad Brook had once made famous.

"Yo-hohoho~ Yo-hohoho~"

"Bring Binks' Sake~ to your side~ Like the sea wind, do as you please~ Riding the waves~"

The melody was melodious, echoing within the sunless Impel Down for a long time before finally stopping.

It was also at this moment that Rayleigh looked at Luffy, his eyes carrying approval:

"If it is you, I can make a move to help you save your brother; his name is Ace, is it?!"

"Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I last fought that monster Garp."

"Good!"

Luffy nodded heavily, lowered his head to look at the cell door lock, gestured with his hand a couple of times, his eyes lighting up slightly, before rushing hurriedly toward the cell on the other side.

Da!

Da!

Da!

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed within the quiet cell.

Everyone's gaze fixed tightly on the departing Luffy, feeling as if their heartbeats had slowed by a beat.

"I remember, the keys to the cells of Impel Down are all on Vice-Warden Hannibal."

"That guy only arrived here a dozen minutes ago, personally releasing that monster Shiryu."

"Perhaps..."

"Our chance to escape is really coming!"

At this moment.

Even Barrett began to breathe heavily.

He had been imprisoned for twenty years.

This period of time was almost as long as the time he had spent outside the cell; now that the chance for freedom was right before his eyes, how could he not be excited?

How could he not want to break out of prison to continue his unfinished path?

Crocodile likewise stared intently at the cell door; even though Luffy's figure had already disappeared, he still had not shifted his gaze even half a step.

Yet both of these men understood clearly that now the hope for everyone's escape rested in the hands of that straw-hat-wearing youth who bore some resemblance to Garp.

Moreover, with Rayleigh now standing behind that youth, everything had become subtle.

The crowd's anxious wait did not last long.

Very soon.

Luffy returned in a hurry, holding a string of blood-stained keys in his hand.

"That big guy is lying in a pool of blood, heavily injured, but there is no danger to his life."

"The key has been found!"

With a series of attempts, Luffy quickly unlocked the shackles binding Redfield.

Clatter-rattle-rattle—!

Amidst the sound of turning hinges, Redfield's body slowly straightened; he gripped the chains piercing his shoulder blades and forcibly yanked them out.

Hiss—!

Blood splattered.

Yet on his face, there was no trace of pain, only an indescribable excitement!

Gulp—!

A wild Conqueror's Haki radiated outward from Redfield as the center, surging into every corner of the cell, shaking even those chains infused with Seastone.

And shaken along with them were the restless hearts of the surrounding prisoners!

Freedom!

Freedom is right before our eyes!

Snap—!

Buster-Jotte grabbed the Seastone pillar of the cell, his gaze falling upon Luffy, making no attempt to hide his desire:

"Let me out!"

"Though my strength falls far short of that one's, I still bear a name renowned across these seas!"

"Since you intend to save Roger's son, you must assault Marineford!"

"Even with the power of a legend, it may not be enough; one more ally means one more chance of success."

"I can help you!"

"No!"

"We can all help you!"

As the words landed,

from the surrounding darkness, pairs of crimson eyes and imposing auras of varying sizes erupted forth in an instant!

Even Luffy, after his training, changed color in that very moment.

However,

merely an instant later, a stronger, more violent Conqueror's Haki crushed all the dissipated Haki of the crowd!

In the endless darkness, only the solitary crimson remained!

Redfield stood behind Luffy, his expression calm.

Compared to the heavy criminals of Impel Down, he was but one man, yet at this moment, he was the more dominant party!

"Luffy, whatever decision you make, I will support you; with me here, no one dares to lay a hand on you."

Redfield swept his gaze around, his eyes indifferent and his tone casual, exuding absolute confidence.

He had once stood at the world's pinnacle, beholding scenery unseen by others, naturally possessing a silent yet overwhelming presence capable of intimidating everyone present!

Luffy scanned the crowd, instinctively feeling displeasure at the auras emitted by them all.

He lowered his head to look at his hands, clenched his fists, crushed the air, and produced a loud bang.

Snap—!

"I will rely on my own strength to save Ace!"

Having said this,

Luffy turned without looking back and walked toward the exit, with Redfield following closely behind.

Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly appeared at the distant main gate; it was none other than Rayleigh, who had stayed behind alone to face Magellan.

Swish—!

Rayleigh swung his blade, flicking the blood from its surface; noticing the tall, slender Redfield beside Luffy, he paused slightly, then his pupils constricted sharply: