Black suit trousers, broad shoulders, neatly cropped black hair, and that familiar, effortlessly cocky smile on a handsome face... The man sitting in the warden's office was unmistakable.

For a moment, Magellan could hardly believe his eyes. It felt like he was dreaming.

How could Instructor Daren be here—in Impel Down!?

Had he somehow snuck in?

If so, what was he planning to do?

Wait—could he have come to take me away!?

As that thought hit him, a surge of emotion and warmth flooded Magellan's chest, making his eyes sting faintly red. He opened his mouth, ready to say something—only for another thought to strike him like lightning.

Hold on... where's the new warden?

Don't tell me... Instructor Daren killed him!?

A wave of anxiety washed over him. His young face twisted through a dozen expressions, unsure what to do.

"What are you just standing there for, Magellan? Come in and sit down."

Daren, cigar in hand, smiled faintly as he watched the conflicted look on Magellan's face.

Magellan frowned, staring intently at him. Then, as if steeling himself for death, he took a decisive step forward—purple venom gushing from his body as he shouted:

"Instructor Daren, you have to escape first!"

"I'll stay behind to cover you!"

His voice was resolute and grim, like a man making his final stand.

The sudden seriousness caught Daren completely off guard. He blinked, then sighed and rolled his eyes.

"What are you even thinking? I'm the new warden."

He could tell exactly what Magellan was imagining—and couldn't decide whether to laugh or groan.

Magellan: ???

He stood frozen, completely stunned.

One of the world's most dangerous "criminals."

The sworn enemy of the World Government.

The only man listed by Marine Headquarters under "Retreat Upon Encounter—Engagement Unnecessary."

And that Daren... was the new warden of Impel Down!?

That couldn't be possible!

But then, Daren casually pulled a folded document from his coat and tossed it to him.

Magellan, still in disbelief, fumbled to catch it and quickly unfolded it.

"By order of Admiral Sengoku of Marine Headquarters, Mr. Bruce Wayne is hereby appointed as the new Warden of Impel Down, effective immediately."

The Admiral's official seal was stamped clearly across the document—completely authentic.

Except...

"Bruce Wayne?"

Magellan's mouth twitched as he looked up at Daren.

"That's right."

Daren replied with a straight face as he reached into the desk drawer and pulled out a sleek black helmet.

It was forged from metal, its surface smooth and shadowy, with two sharp bat-like horns jutting from the top. Under the oil lamp's glow, its sheen flickered between light and darkness—strangely captivating.

Taking a deep breath, Daren slipped the helmet over his head, leaving only his strong, angular jaw exposed. His voice dropped low and gravelly as he declared,

"I am Batman."

Magellan: "..."

"I... don't understand what that means, Instructor Daren."

He raised his hand earnestly, puzzled.

Daren's eye twitched.

Great. A joke only he got. Not funny at all.

He sighed helplessly.

"That's not important. All you need to know is that my name is now Bruce Wayne—the bat-masked, bloodthirsty warden of Impel Down who delights in slaughter."

Of course, that was just his little personal amusement. In truth, all he needed was a mask to hide his face, something practical for moving around inside Impel Down without drawing suspicion. But when he was having the mask made, the idea simply came to him—why not have a little fun and live out the Batman fantasy?

What's that? You're wondering why just covering most of his face—while still leaving his chin exposed—was somehow enough to fool everyone? Come on. In this sea, that's hardly unusual.

Magellan nodded, then asked cautiously,

"But how did you even get that transfer order from Headquarters?"

Daren smiled faintly.

"I made a secret arrangement with Admiral Sengoku. I volunteered to stay in Impel Down for a while."

Magellan looked completely bewildered.

"But… but aren't you wanted by both the Government and Headquarters? How could you possibly—"

Daren waved his hand dismissively, his tone utterly casual.

"That was the work of Rogers Daren, the 'World's Most Dangerous Criminal.' What's that got to do with Bruce Wayne?"

Magellan: "..."

"Anyway," Daren said suddenly, tilting his head, "I remember you fought that night too, didn't you? So why didn't you leave with Zephyr-sensei and the others? What are you doing here in Impel Down?"

Magellan's expression stiffened.

"I… I did fight alongside Zephyr-sensei and Tokikake that night at Marineford," he stammered. "But when you showed up later, I had a bit of a… situation. So I left early..."

"I... didn't make it in time."

Daren frowned.

"What kind of situation?"

Magellan's face turned bright red. Before he could answer, a strange gurgling sound came from his stomach.

A second later, Daren saw a faint trail of purplish-black smoke waft up from behind him.

Magellan: "..."

Daren: "..."

Ah. So after the fight, he'd overused his Devil Fruit ability, his stomach had revolted, and he ended up glued to the toilet. Which meant, of course, he'd missed Zephyr's "last train."

Daren pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting to keep a straight face.

"...You've really had a rough time of it."

He sighed, looking up to see Magellan crouched on the floor, arms wrapped around his knees, murmuring miserably,

"When I finished, everything was already over. You were all gone."

"The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, a squad of Marines in full hazmat gear was waiting for me."

"Thankfully, Admiral Sengoku vouched for me and had me transferred here to Impel Down. That's the only reason I wasn't court-martialed."

Daren glanced at the poor man—his plain guard uniform, the toilet brush still tucked behind his belt—and couldn't stop the corner of his mouth from twitching. He had no idea what to say to console him.

Overnight, this once-promising academy graduate had gone from the Marines' bright future to the lowest-ranking guard in Impel Down—all because he'd missed the bus while taking a dump.

"It's fine," Daren said after a pause. "Once this mission's over, I'll get you out of here."

"Zephyr-sensei's already established the NEO Marines. They're growing fast in the New World, purging pirates and enforcing justice wherever they go. If you're interested, I can send you there. If not, you can always join the North Blue Fleet."

...

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