Voyage Name: What is Impel Down?
Location: Saobody Island
Participant(s): Solo
Description: Via the News Coo she has purchased, Lady Sofia will discover what Impel Down is. It seems to be an obstacle for her goal of reforming pirates, so she has to get a better idea what its all about. For this, she will take a visit to the Saboady Marine Station along her Marine friend, Anna Blue, so that they can both try to figure out what's going on via gossiping around that place.

Voyage Registration: https://strawhats.rpg-board.net/t1816-what-is-impel-down

“What are you reading?” Anna asked as Sofia was reading the News Coo as they had a cup of coffee together.

“The news.” she said, and took a sip. “Look at these people. Those are the Supernovas. Cool name. I wonder if it’s some some sort of propaganda to get the Government to pay less for their bounty, because it’s marketed more. Hm. Whatever is the most effective to get the job done, I guess.”

News Coo wrote:Impel Down: Ever since the Red King's prime time the WG has been at shock for their inability to handle such individuals. As time has passed there has been rumours about the Marines planning the world's biggest and most secure place to contain these inhuman pirates. It was until the recent events on Cactus Island that it has been revealed a large project at near end. The WG funded the marines to build the most secure prison for the world to see. With info leak it has confirmed the project is named Impel Down, a recreation of nether realm itself, a suiting place for vile pirates such as the Red King. It has been exactly one year since the Red King's end, and it seems like the Marines are planning a Grand Ceremony for their new prison, an anniversary of their biggest accomplishment

“And this. This is the interesting part.” Sofia then noted, putting her finger onto the part of the newspaper that talked about Impel Down. “A new facility. They’re going to send all of the new prisoners there, huh? What was so wrong about the old places?”

Anna shrugged. “I don’t see what’s the fuss either, but the more the better, no?”

Sofia rubbed her chin. She didn’t like this. More prisons meant that there was some sort of jail saturation, which meant that the amount of pirates has been increasing. Her quest to reform pirates and end the age of pirates peacefully seemed like it was going to be even more of an uphill battle, given this new evidence.

She sighed. She wouldn’t lose hope. Even if she changes even a bit of the world, it would be worth it, as long as the dream lives on somehow, in someone. She just had to make sure that it happened.

“It’s the wording here, Anna.” she then explained. ””Inhuman pirates”. And “vile” - I get that there are a couple of pirates that are pretty horrible, but this puts them all into the same bag! There has to be a way for those who can turn back and redeem themselves, to do so. Another chance. ”

The Marine shrugged. “Wouldn’t it just be abused, though?”

Sofia held her chin. “Probably. But it can be avoided with the right people - you just have to see through them and see what they have within. And let those who put real effort in to become better to be rewarded for it.”

Anna shrugged again. “I just hope it works out. I totally get your dream there, it’s just the…” the loli started to spin her hands in the air slowly as she looked for words “...logistics, which seem to be a bit difficult.”

The noble nodded. “Indeed. But we have to at least try.”

“Well, what should we do then?” Anna then asked. “What can we even do?”

“Investigate, for now.” Sofia replied. “I’m guessing that the Marine Station should know at least a bit about what’s going on, because they have to actually send people there now. They should be informed. I hope.”

“Hey. Sometimes us Marines can surprise you, and not in the good way.” Anna chuckled. “Sometimes it’s not the most efficient or well-communicated. Just warning you beforehand - they might just not know anything about it either.”

“Again, we should try at least.” Sofia insisted.

“I know, I know.” the short one chimed back.

---*---

Back at the Marine Station, they made their way to their cafeteria, after Anna got clearance for them. A few Marines were left in here, having lunch just like Anna and Sofia had taken recently.

“So, what are we going to do?” the loli then asked. “Just casually sit next to someone and start asking?”

“How did you know?” Sofia chuckled, and started to make her way towards one of the tables to do just that.

“Sheesh.” the little one hissed.

The noble was now seated next to a large man in a Marine uniform, eating a sandwich. He flinched for a moment as he saw the tall woman sit in front of him.

“Hello?” he asked, and then took another bite. “Can I help you with something…?”

“Yes.” Sofia replied with a smile. “I was just wondering about a thing - you’ve read the newest Coo?”

“Yeah.” he replied. “What about it, Miss?”

“Ah, I was just wondering if you knew about Impel Down.” she then asked with a chipper tone. “It seems like a new place where they’re going to send off criminals. Seems quite interesting.”

“Oh, that place.” the large man then replied. “Yeah. Uh, we got to send the criminals there now. In boats and stuff. I don’t know what they’re going to do with the old jails though, I think they’re going to just let the criminals that are there rot for now. Probably.”

He then shrugged. “But all of the new goes got to go to Impel Down for sure. Even if they came from all the damn way from the other side of the Red Line. They got to go to Impel Down. Everything single one. A bit excessive in my opinion, because hey. We got jails on the islands already too, you know?”

“Weird, isn’t it?” Sofia then asked, realizing what he was saying, It was indeed pretty weird.


“Definitely, but who am I to say anything about it? It’s business of those who are higher up, not me. However, I am a bit worried about my pals over at the Blues. They work at the old jails, you see. What’s going to happen to them? They’re going to lose their jobs? Or they’ll have to be relocated all the way to Impel? I don’t know. I just hope it all works out in the end. Just got to trust the World Government on this one, I guess.”

“I guess there will be more boat jobs though, to transport all of the criminals.” she then said.

“Of course.” the guy replied. “But who wants a boat job? It’s a lot better to be on land, in my opinion. Being for months at sea? Away from your family? Not the sort of life I’d like to live. Heck, with all of the money going into sending all of the bastards to Impel - shipping isn’t free you know - couldn’t they just make more prisons instead? It pisses me off. It seems like such a waste.”

Sofia shrugged. She didn’t know how much Marines could criticize the Government, and honestly, she didn’t want to get involved. Apparently this big Marine had a lot bottled up in him and it was all coming out now. She looked to a side to see Anna seated next to her, quietly, listening to this Marine’s ranting.

“But yeah.” the big man then said. “It’s orders, so we got to follow them.”

“Do you know what’s inside Impel?” she then asked. “How it’s like?”

“Not really.” he replied. “And I doubt anyone would tell you, because of safety reasons, you know? I just know about what we got to do, which is to transport these blokes to that place, always. It’s the new way of doing things. And it’s pretty obvious, anyways.”

The man then took another bite from his sandwich and looked at the clock on the wall, before looking back at the two with relief. Apparently, they still have lunch time left.

Sofia was hoping to get some exclusive sort of information, but this was better than nothing, really. Plus, it helped her realize something important.


Why would they send normal criminals half way across the globe, just to send them to prison? Why not just send them to a local prison instead? It was just too weird. Plus, they’d have to cross the Red Line pretty often, right? Wasn’t that very dangerous? And most pirates were in the Grand Line - what sort of operation did they have to pull off to get them between the insanely dangerous islands of Paradise and New World, all the way back to Impel Down? Why did the Government even consider it worthwhile? If it was just for the most dangerous criminals, sure, she could get it.

But everyone? What was the point of that, besides being a massive waste of money and Marine resources?

It was insane. There had to be something behind it.

Something was up. But, she didn’t think that she would be able to research more about it here - it was just a Marine Station, and she was just a guest in here, and not even a Marine herself.

“So, we’re done?” Anna asked, looking to her. “Figured out what you wanted to?”

“Yeah.” she then replied. At least for now, and here. Then, she looked at the Marine man and shook his hand. “Thank you so much for explaining, sir. I appreciate the time.”

“Ah, shucks, no problem.” the large man mentioned with a chuckle. “Anytime. Plus, it’s lunch hour anyways. It’s not like we’re not supposed to have cool chats with people, heh.”

Sofia then made a short curtsy. “See you soon, sir! I’m lady Sofia, by the way.”

“Oh! Timothy.” he replied. “Or just Tim.”

---*---

She then went back a cafeteria outside with Anna, and pulled out one of the old contract papers she had, and started to draw on the back of it.

"What are you doing?" the little Marine asked.

"A map." Sofia explained, as she drew in the Lines and some islands.


"So, Impel Down is pretty close to us, huh?" Anna then pointed out.

"Yeah. But the only way in is to be captured, or to work there." she then said.

And it looked insane to try to transport all pirates there. Imagine if they had to capture someone that was very far into the New World - would they then go in reverse to bring them all the way back to Impel Down? Wasn't the trip to get there in the first place crazy enough? Why not make Impel Down in the New World, where all of the most dangerous criminals are in the first place, instead of Paradise?

"You want to work as a Marine then?" the short one asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"No, not really... I've got other things to do. Plus, I don't think I'd make a good fit."

"So, you want to become captured? A criminal?"

Sofia remained silent and looked at the other with a meek smile.

"No no no, Sofia. None of that, Okay!?" the loli barked back. "It's a stupid idea. Do you know how severe the courts have been lately? If you're getting in there, you're not getting back out, mark my words. Forget about it."

The noble then shrugged. "Maybe we could ask around to see how many people have gotten out, legitimately."

"Probably nil." Anna replied. "Plus, the place is so new that I doubt anyone would've finished their sentence by now. It's the sort of questions we've got to ask later, so you better come up with a different idea."

"Hrmmm." Sofia then stared at the map and held her chin.

That was when it hit her. The Warlords! Those were also in the news. She pulled out the News Coo again and read the uppermost part again:

News Coo wrote:BIG BIG NEWS
Third Power Lotan a well known Pirate that aimed his rage at Marines renowned for slaying countless Rear Admirals. The assault on Water 7 by hordes of Sea Kings. The uprising of Piracy and criminal acts on Sandy Isle. All these acts were stopped by the Marines in some way. But, credit is not solely theirs. Through the efforts of a unexpected ally they have gained a position that collectively can rival the might of a Yonko and the force of the Marines Admirals. They have made the balance of power into three parts. They are known as the Shichibukai. Seven pirates turned privateers in the service of the World Government.

How could've she have missed this! The Shichibukai! Her face brightened up with hope.

"What is it now, Sofia?" the little Marine asked.

"Look at this. The Warlords." she mentioned, and pointed to the topmost part of the newspaper. "See? These are part of balance of the world. Sounds pretty elite, huh? But most importantly: they're allied with the World Government, despite being pirates. Although these two here don't seem to have a bounty at all... Maybe they're not pirates. Just good privateers."

"So?"

"So, if I became a Shichibukai, I'd be really close to the World Government's elite!"

"Why does that related to Impel Down?" the little one insisted. "Really. Get to the point."

"Political power." Sofia mentioned with a grin. "It's all I'd need to be able to snoop around Impel Down. I get to snoop around the Marine Station here, right? Because of my influence here - I even got you."

"Yeah."

"Imagine that, but times ten. That would be being a Shichibukai."

"I see."

"So, how would you get around to becoming a Shichibukai? It's not like you're going to become one anytime soon, right?" Anna asked. "That would be crazy."

"Right." Sofia then replied. "It would take a while to get there. But it's a plan, for now. There's at least 3 vacancies, right? We've got time until then to opt for the position."

"That sounds pretty ambitious." the Marine then chuckled. "Even if we do have time, it's not like it's going to be enough for someone as average as you to become a 'World Power'."

"You just got to believe." Sofia chuckled. "We're never going to make it unless we try it, right?"

"...Right." the other replied, laced with skepticism. "So, the plan is that then? To become a Shichibukai?"

"Yes."

"Just to see Impel Down?"

"No, not really." Sofia then replied. "It's part of the bigger picture. Political influence will always come good for what I'm trying to do here, for that big dream. The Impel Down part just makes it all the more appealing to approach it via being a Shichibukai."

"Hey, wait. But being a Shichibukai would also mean that you'd have to go after pirates, right? And kill them? Wouldn't that go against your "big dream" of reforming pirates?"

The noble then smiled and rose a finger. "That's where persuasion comes in!"

"I knew it. Always the same with you."

"Shichibukai are such so that they can get rid of pirates, right? I also am trying to get rid of pirates. So, I'd still fulfill that goal . But in my own way. Hopefully, we can arrange a deal with the World Government with that."

"Well, I sure hope it works."