"Is that kind of thing important?" Mio grinned, his expression relaxed and confident.
"Hmph. High-ranking officials of the World Governnt, a Den Den Mushi that ate a Devil Fruit, and an ability unaffected by seastone—you ca well-prepared. What I'm more curious about is your real purpose for coming to Impel Down," said the Red Earl calmly.
"To save soone?" Bullett opened his eyes and looked at Mio, a trace of curiosity flickering across his face.
Such elaborate preparations clearly pointed to a purpose beyond simple survival.
"Isn't it normal to be well-prepared? I'm not planning on rotting in this ghost place forever," Mio shrugged nonchalantly. With a single thought, he took a step and vanished from his own cell—only to reappear inside Bullett's.
This bizarre ability made Bullett's pupils contract slightly. But after a brief mont, he regained his calm and continued observing Mio.
Mio sat cross-legged in front of Bullett, speaking with a calm and composed tone. "As for my purpose, it's quite simple—but I'll need your help."
As his words fell, all eyes in the Infinite Hell turned to him.
Everyone was now listening intently, waiting for what this mysterious young man would say next.
Mio grinned and looked around the prison floor. After scanning the crowd, he spoke slowly, "You're all pirates who have ruled the seas, past or present. So of you are strong, others stronger—it doesn't matter to . The point is, if you want to escape, if you want to get out of here, you'll need my help."
He paused briefly, letting his words settle in. "I alone can't get you out. Even if you made it to the first level, you'd never escape Impel Down's waters. So, if you really want to leave, it'll take all of us working together."
"I can open your cells anyti I want," Mio continued with a calm smile. "But unfortunately, it's not ti yet. If you want out, you'll have to wait."
Mio raised a finger. "One year. You must work with for one year. Otherwise, I don't mind staying locked up longer."
"I've just been imprisoned—I can handle another ten years if I must. I'm still young, after all." Mio chuckled, deliberately teasing. "But you're different. So of you are already old, and others have been here far too long. If you stay much longer, even if you do escape, your pri will be gone. And what will you do then?"
"Tch."
A pirate curled his lips in annoyance, then spoke flatly, "No need for this roundabout talk. Just tell us your goal. What do you want us to do?"
No one here was stupid. With all the preparation Mio had made, it was obvious his true target was them.
Even if Mio wanted to take a few lives among them, it didn't matter to most. If it wasn't their life on the line, so were even willing to help him take others down.
But that seed unlikely.
After all, none of them could move freely right now. While so might retain combat abilities, they were far from their peak. Facing soone with such strange powers, resistance would be aningless.
If this kid wanted to kill anyone, they'd be like fish on the chopping board—completely at his rcy.
"Speak your purpose, kid," the Red Earl said plainly.
Mio had piqued his interest. He was old now, and his strength was in decline. Even if he could wait for another opportunity to escape one day, who knew what condition he'd be in when that chance ca?
"What I want is quite simple," Mio said, standing up and facing the gathered prisoners with a grin. "You're all strong. I'm sure each of you has achieved mastery in Haki, and developed your own training thods, haven't you?"
"As a newcor to the seas, I've realized my own Haki is still far too weak. And I want to correct that before heading to the New World."
"So," Mio raised his finger once more, "I ca to Impel Down to ask you all to help improve my Haki."
"One year. You have one year. How about it?"
"If I'm not satisfied with the results, I don't mind extending my stay a few more years."
His voice fell.
A long silence followed.
The Infinite Hell was quiet.
The Red Earl narrowed his eyes, staring at Mio with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.
Then—
"Hahahahaha!" The Red Earl burst into laughter. "Kid, you... you've got guts!"
"I accept your deal."
For the sake of learning Haki, this boy had ventured alone to the sixth level of Impel Down and asked the monsters imprisoned here to teach him. If that wasn't boldness, what was?
Most people trained Haki through self-discipline or through battle. So sought teachers.
But who would be crazy enough to co to Impel Down and ask these monsters to teach them?
Even Bullett now had a gleam in his eye and smiled. "That's so courage."
Not even Red-Haired Shanks would dare such a thing.
If the Marines ever discovered this plan, Mio could be imprisoned forever. This place could beco his grave.
And yet, he was fully prepared. Not only that—he held the keys to everyone's survival.
That took guts.
Even Bullett now looked at Mio with newfound respect.
"Kid," said a grinning old pirate, "I thought today's seas had beco dull. I was ready to rot in here. But I never expected soone as interesting as you to show up. Hehehe... You've made want to see the sea again. I'll accept your terms."
This pirate, though unfamiliar to the newer generation, was a monster from Roger's and Rocks' era—his long white hair now betraying his age.
"Hahahaha! I'm curious now. With so many of us training your Haki, how strong will you be in a year?"
"Hehehe, I suddenly look forward to seeing it."
Mio's eyes sparkled with confidence as he responded with a light smile. "To avoid chaos, I'll only remove the shackles on your hands for now."
"That's good enough."
Bullett rolled his shoulders and leaned back against the wall, a self-assured smile spreading across his face. "I may not be as old as the others, and my Observation Haki may not be as refined—but as for Armant Haki... hehe."
He raised his chained hands, the tal cuffs clinking.
"Just unlock these hands," Bullett said in a low voice. "That's all I need to teach you Haki."
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