Rewind twenty minutes earlier...
"Huff... No wonder they call Level 4 the 'Blazing Hell.' This heat is unbearable!"
The moment Katie stepped into Level 4, a wave of scorching air assaulted her, making her feel like she was being roasted alive.
But the sight of residual purple venom splattered across the ground instantly sharpened her focus. Luffy had already clashed with Magellan.
Her eyes flickered as she quickly concealed herself, avoiding detection.
Scanning the surroundings, she vaguely recalled the layout from her memories and pinpointed the general direction leading to Level 5. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward it.
Though the prisoners in Level 4 could have provided a decent power boost, time was a luxury she didn't have. Besides, if she could break into Level 6, any losses here would be insignificant.
Luffy and Magellan's fight wouldn't last long. Once it ended, Magellan would regain full control of Impel Down, and her capture would only be a matter of time.
This small window was her only chance to descend further.
Then, she saw them—four figures blocking the passage ahead.
Her fists clenched and unclenched.
Three Jailer Beasts... and Chief Guard Sadi.
Frankly, against such a lineup, she wasn't entirely confident in victory.
But hesitation wasn't an option.
"Life's all about acting. Time to go all in!"
With that, she put on a panicked expression and rushed toward Sadi.
*"C-Chief Sadi! It's terrible! The escaped prisoners—Buggy the Clown and Mr. 3 from Baroque Works—have freed most of the prisoners on this level!"*
*"They're all attacking the passage to Level 3, where Vice-Warden Hannyabal is holding the line! He won't last much longer!"*
"What?! How did they get the keys?!"
The moment the words left her mouth, Sadi realized—*Mr. 3 was the Wax-Wax Fruit user. He could create keys out of thin air.*
Understanding the severity, Sadi immediately barked orders.
"Koala! Take the other two and reinforce Hannyabal! I'll handle things here—GO!"
"GROWL!"
With a grunt, the koala-like Jailer Beast led the rhinoceros and zebra away, rushing toward Hannyabal's position.
Sadi exhaled in relief. With their help, Hannyabal should be able to hold the line.
But then, her gaze lingered on the "guard" who had delivered the message. Something felt... off.
Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Katie.
Then it hit her—the uniform.
This "guard" was wearing a Level 1 uniform, but no Level 1 personnel were supposed to be on Level 4 right now.
A fake.
"What's wrong? Was Level 1's cell not to your liking, so you decided to move into Level 4's? Katie"
Her voice dripped with icy venom.
"Oh? How'd you figure me out?"
Katie raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected to be exposed so quickly. She was sure she hadn't slipped up.
"Wearing a Level 1 uniform while wandering around Level 4? Do you think I'm stupid?"
"Ah... Right. Guess I'll have to be more careful next time."
Katie facepalmed. So, it was the disguise. But it didn't matter—her goal was already achieved. Three Jailer Beasts had been lured away. Now, things were much simpler.
"Giggle~ You really think there'll be a next time?"
"You've fallen right into my hands. Did you really think you could escape? Last time was a mistake—locking you in Level 1. This time, you'll rot in the Blazing Hell and burn for your sins."
"Heh."
Katie smirked. Sadi, as the commander of the Jailer Beasts, was no pushover. But neither was she—not anymore.
"If you want to drag me back, you'll have to prove you're strong enough!"
Her gaze turned cold. Time was short—she needed to end this fast.
[Master-Level Martial Arts Lv.3 Acquired.]
Just as Katie was about to move, the system's mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
The sudden notification stunned her for a split second.
Master-Level Martial Arts.
This was only her second Master-level ability—after Luffy's Rubber-Rubber Fruit. The sheer value of it shocked her.
But for Sadi, that momentary distraction was the perfect opening.
"Hmph! Taste my whip!"
With a flick of her wrist, Sadi's whip lashed out like a venomous serpent.
Katie barely snapped back to reality in time, twisting her body to evade the strike.
"Tch."
Sadi's lips curled in annoyance as she unleashed a barrage of attacks—ten whip strikes in the blink of an eye.
The air howled as countless afterimages of the whip filled Katie's vision.
This was dangerous.
Had this fight happened just minutes ago, Kitty would've had no choice but to retreat.
But not anymore.
Despite the overwhelming assault, her eyes could now track every movement. Her brain instantly calculated the optimal counter—whether to dodge or strike back.
She hadn't awakened Observation Haki—this clarity came purely from the Master-Level Martial Arts she'd just acquired from Sadi herself.
"Heh. My turn."
After weaving through the storm of attacks, Katie finally spotted an opening.
"Soru!"
In an instant, she vanished—reappearing right in front of Sadi.
"Cross Slash!"
Her blade, Po Kong, flashed as a cruciform slash tore through the air—point-blank.
Sadi's entire body erupted in goosebumps.
Danger. Death.
Her instincts screamed as she desperately yanked her whip back to block while leaping backward.
Only now did Sadi realize the true extent of this "rookie's" strength.
She could use Geppo... and now Soru?
Not just basic proficiency—this was at the level of a Marine Vice Admiral.
Her combat skills and martial arts were on par with Sadi's own.
This wasn't some small-time escapee—this was a threat rivaling pirates with bounties over 100 million Berries!
If only Sadi knew... that Katie's newfound mastery had come from her.
The thought alone would've driven her mad.