Chapter contains more descriptive violence
"Hey! No fair. Thats my fight." Luffy whined as he struggled in the arms that had snagged him from the air. "Let go. I've gotta kick his ass."
Benn tightened his grip on the wriggling brat and dragged him back away from the battle to the other side of the floor. "Monkey D. Luffy! Enough! You are done." Luffy froze at the familiar voice behind him. When he was growing up Benn had frequently been the one who would enforce rules and would lecture him when he caused trouble. His stern voice and use of his full name still made Luffy freeze automatically.
Suddenly another guy jumped up next to them shouting and Benn immediately turned Luffy away from the threat and swung his pistol at his head.
"Wait!" Shouted Luffy and Benn pulled back on his blow. Unfortunately it was too late to stop all together but instead of dropping unconscious, the man yelped as he fell over dazed. "Thats 3! He made me too awesome. Look!" Luffy cheered shoving a giant hand and foot in Benn's face. "Wait what?" Luffy gasped, seeing his boot sizzling and slowly changing colour.
"Shit!" Benn swore dropping Luffy and trying to pull off whatever substance the kid had around his leg. It didn't move at all and he watched horrified as the poison inched up the boot.
"Wax release!" Came a shout from the ground and Benn sighed in relief when the boots and mitts disappeared before the poison reached Luffy's skin. He took the opportunity to quickly check over the kid, tensing at the injuries that littered his skin. "Tried to warn you.." Galdino whimpered clutching his aching head.
"Shishishi sorry 3. You were awesome." Luffy said happily. "Did you see me knock him over?" He started squirming again, trying to get a good look past Benn at the battle.
"Sit still." Benn snapped, lightly cuffing the kid on the head. He knew Lucky was next to them, guarding their backs and his observation haki couldn't pick out anymore living people on their level. "Lucky, you good?" He asked curious about the man's delay.
"I ran into a few more escapees on the way including Jinbe. He mentioned an ally who went to control centre to open the gate for us. Since we are heading towards the calm belt someone should grab him. I sent the rest of them to the ship."
"Right. Lucky, take Anchor and 3 here back to the ship. Get him to Hongo. I'll stay with the captain and we'll hit command centre after he's done. We'll join you after."
"Hey, no way! I'm staying here. I wanna help fight!" Luffy yelled, pushing away the older men's hands.
Benn turned the full force of his glare onto their brat. A glare he had perfected maintaining order on his crew of idiots lead by the biggest man child of all. He felt a burst of satisfaction, watching as Luffy deflated back into the ground with a pout. Who needs conquerers haki when you have the ability to channel parental anger and annoyance in one look. Lucky helped Luffy to his feet and clasped the back of his neck as he led them back towards the exit, sternly lecturing the kid as they went. Knowing his kid was finally safe and being escorted to their doctor, Benn allowed his focus to switch to Shanks.
Shanks haki was laser focused on the warden who was struggling to match the fury attacking him. Benn noted the pool of poison had receded back to surround Magellan and the floor where it had covered was pitted and sizzling from the acidic liquid. There was some poison splattered on Shanks but his haki was holding up to the attack. Magellan meanwhile had severe slices down his chest that were oozing blood and Benn could see his poison beasts were becoming smaller and less agile. Looks like the boss was playing with him, dragging out the fight and ensuring maximum pain but it wouldn't be much longer. He watched as gryphon swiped through the air, slicing through Magellan's left leg without any resistance and the warden screamed as he collapsed. Shanks coldly stabbed down through the fallen mans stomach and impassively stared at the writhing form, pinned to the ground. "I always despised you but knew that you had a purpose, keeping this hell hole under control. I knew an alternative warden could be worse with less morals than you. But you fucked up. You went after the wrong person and now you have all of my attention. You touched MY SON! And that means death." He smiled darkly as his haki increased its pressure so that even Benn had trouble breathing before Shanks twisted gryphon cruelly and pulled out. There was a scream of agony and then Magellan's head was separated from his neck and silence fell.
Shanks grimaced and looked at the blood and poison on his body and sword. Benn immediately stepping up with a handkerchief and wetting it with his water bottle. He carefully swiped at the poison, ensuring it was all wiped away so Shanks could drop his armament haki. "Thanks Benn." Shanks said gratefully before looking back towards the stairs and sheathing Gryphon. "Is Luffy ok? Did I get to him on time?"
Benn smiled at his friend. "You got him, Shanks. He looks like hell and I won't relax until Hongo looks him over but he is safe and acting like our anchor."
The tension in Shanks' body dropped and he ran his hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face and collapsing into Benn's side. "Seeing him going after Magellan… I've never been so scared in my life. Please tell me I was hearing things and Luffy was not still planning on fighting."
Benn sighed wearily. "Wish I could. Apparently he takes after you, which is exactly what I need. You guys are going to give me a heart attack."
Shanks groaned. "He's grounded."
"mmhmm. For forever. With a babysitter." Benn agreed, pushing his captain back to stand on his own. "Luffy and Buggy are safe, was there anything else we needed to do or shall we get the hell out of this dump?"
Shanks hesitated. Part of him really wanted to destroy everything and show the marines exactly why they shouldn't touch what was his but he knew that there were some people in the world who needed to be kept locked up. He also wondered about Jailbird but they didn't have time to waste. By now Marineford would have realized that Ace's transport was missing and they needed to put some distance between themselves and the army that would come looking. Besides there were no living guards in the area they'd already covered and it looked like the prisoners had done a pretty good job wreaking havoc already. Impressive really. Shanks had been ready to decimate the prison but he had expected it to be a hell of a long fight with the limited people he'd brought. It was lucky that so many guards had been down before they arrived or he might not have made it to Luffy in time.
Shanks snarled, but turned back to the exit, letting a final burst of haki shoot down through the prison, causing cell bars to shatter and the walkways and inner walls to collapse, blocking access to the lower levels. "Lets go see our Anchor."
Benn nodded and filled him in on what Lucky shared. Thankfully Jailbird had sent them the prisons blueprints when he had first infiltrated so they knew where the command centre was located. As they approached, Shanks smiled. "Looks like there is still some guards to take out after all. I count 15 men inside."
Benn rolled his eyes. "Captain we both know that's not a fight. I'll take these ones."
Shanks gasped. "But Benn! I want to play. Why do you get to have all the fun."
"You already got to play with the only real challenge in this dump. Now this will take but a moment." With that Benn strode through the door and Shanks sighed before following his friend in. Already there were more bodies on the ground than upright but Shank's eyes caught on the hulking form of Magellan in disbelief.
"You!" He snarled diving forward. The warden squealed and spun away in a twirl. The action unusual enough to make Shanks slow his attack and stare at the man. "Who are you?" He growled out.
"Oh how did you know? Couldn't fool you. Un, deux, trios!" With that the man tapped his face and suddenly Shanks was staring at someone new, a man twirling and singing to himself. "Now what brings a yonko to see my little show?"
"Who are you and why were you pretending to be the warden. Answer fast." Warned Shanks, Benn cocking his gun beside him. The rest of the guards having fallen to the blunt force of his gun.
"Why for Straw Boy." He twirls around the duo. "My dear friend is in trouble and I couldn't let Straw Boy get stuck in this dreadful prison. If I can lay down my life for a friend, then death is a small price to pay! Go Straw Boy! I'm doing this for you!"
Shanks menacing smile instantly became sunny. "Ah the ally! Change of plans, we're all going to the ship."
"I have to open the gates. So Straw Boy can save his brother!" Protests Bon Clay as Shanks gestured to the door.
"We've already got Ace on board and we're going through the calm belt. So no sacrifice needed." Shanks winked and pushed the still dancing man out the door. "Uh Benn, deal with this." He said gesturing to the command centre. Benn casually shot at the gate controls, sparks flying, before turning and shooting the screens and control panel. He hesitated for a second and then plucked up a couple of the video Den Dens before moving to catch up to his captain.
They were stalking through the entry level when there was a crack and something shot up through the floor in front of them. Shanks cocked an eyebrow and looked at the giant head in front of them. "Right… This has Anchor written all over it. I guess we should help them to the ship."
"Iva-San!" Bon Clay said throwing himself at the giant man in front of them.
"Why is that Red Head Shanks? Well now isn't this a party. Hee Haw!" Iva's voice boomed. "Bon Boy, where is Straw Hat Boy?"
"Everyone is on the ship and ready to get out of here. Are you able to move or do you need some help?" Benn asked, pulling Bon Clay back to his feet
"Oh I've used up a little too much energy. I'm feeling weak… Or not! Though it's tempting to get carried by such a strong man." Benn sighed wearily, asking the world how he managed to be surrounded by so many dramatic people.
Shanks had already moved on, desperate to see for himself that his kid was alright and the rest began to follow. They passed through the massacre they had left behind them and stepped outside the gate. Shanks looked around, nodding happily at the sight of severely damaged walls and burning, sinking ships all around. He jumped through the air and landed heavily on their commandeered ship, checking in with Yasopp as he called out orders to prepare sails. "Benn. I need you to sort the escapees into men too injured to work and those capable of rowing. We'll take shifts but the more men we can have on oars, the more distance we can get from the navy."
"Me and the crew have this boss. Go check on the kids. We'll let you know if we need you." Benn smirked, pushing Shanks towards the infirmary. Shanks looked gratefully at his friend and rushed off. Panicking as he heard loud sobs and shouts coming through the doorway.