## One Piece Chapter 544: Even Hell's Gates Open - Chapter: 544 - Pages: 0-18 - Characters: Sanji, okama pursuers, Marshall D. Teach, Luffy, Crocodile, Portgas D. Ace, Blackbeard Pirates, Edward Newgate, Jesus Burgess, Laffitte, Doc Q, Van Augur, Bon Clay, Jimbei, Magellan, Emporio Ivankov, Impel Down guards, Impel Down prisoners, Minotaurus, Demon Beast Guards, Shiryu of the Rain, Den Den Mushi, Hannyabal, Buggy, Mr. 3, Level 2 prisoners, Inazuma, Sadi-chan, Stronger ### Summary Page 0: Chapter title page: Chapter 544, "Even Hell's Gates Open." The cover illustration continues Sanji's short focused serial, "Keep Your Cool in Hell, Sanji!" volume 2, "Totally a Maiden." Sanji is dressed like a maiden and runs with a horrified expression while smiling okama pursuers crowd around him, laughing "Daho! Ahahaha!!" The page is a side-story title card rather than part of the Impel Down riot, but it introduces the chapter before the action returns to Level 4. Page 1: Blackbeard tells Luffy that he only heard later that the person who defeated the former Shichibukai Crocodile was Strawhat Luffy. Teach explains that at the time he was aiming for a spot in the Shichibukai, and the easiest way was to take Luffy's head and prove his strength to the government. He recalls saying, "I'll kill Strawhat Luffy up ahead in Water 7 and give him to the government as a souvenir." The memory cuts to Ace answering, "There's no way I'll let you do that... That's my little brother!!!" Luffy, Crocodile and the others realize Teach's pursuit of Luffy is tied directly to Ace's capture. Page 2: Teach says fate was kind to Luffy: Ace had already been chasing him for what he did on Whitebeard's ship, and Ace was Luffy's brother. Once Ace learned Teach meant to kill Luffy, he could not retreat. Teach explains that if Ace let them go, Whitebeard's name would be sullied and Ace's little brother would be killed too. Burgess laughs that Luffy's brother put up a hell of a fight. Laffitte says that now the captain has officially become a Shichibukai, they no longer need Luffy alive. Doc Q coughs that Luffy has amazing luck, while Van Augur says there are no coincidences, only fate. Page 3: Blackbeard taunts Luffy, saying he should go visit Ace's grave and say thanks, because if Ace had not shown up, Luffy would be the dead one. Luffy snaps back, "Then why don't you... try me now!!!" and drives a furious punch into Teach's face. The impact throws Teach back while his crew shouts in alarm. Luffy's rage turns the explanation of Ace's capture into an immediate attack, even though the escape still has no time to spare. Page 4: The Blackbeard Pirates cry, "Captain!!!" as Teach reels from the blow. Luffy declares, "I won't let Ace die!!!" Blackbeard rises laughing and draws Luffy in with darkness. Luffy begins "Gomu Gomu..." and starts to call out "Jet," but Teach counters with "Kuro-uzu!!!" The black vortex pulls Luffy toward him before the attack can land, showing the dangerous pull of the Yami Yami power. Page 5: Teach catches Luffy and smashes him down hard into the floor. Bon Clay shouts, "Straw-chan!?" and Crocodile notices the blood, asking how Luffy can be bleeding when he is made of rubber. The attack proves that Blackbeard's darkness can nullify Luffy's Devil Fruit defense on contact. The escape group is shocked because Luffy, who normally shrugs off blunt force, is suddenly hurt like an ordinary person. Page 6: Luffy tries to continue with "Gomu Gomu," but Jimbei and Crocodile stop him. They shout, "Wait, Luffy!!! Stop!!!" and "You can't right now!! Endure it!!!" Crocodile asks what comes first and tells Luffy to think. Jimbei warns that he does not know exactly what Teach is doing, but right now Teach is strong enough to have beaten Ace. He adds that Blackbeard has been mysterious ever since he was on old man Whitebeard's ship. Their message is blunt: Luffy's anger is justified, but fighting Teach here would waste the chance to reach Ace. Page 7: Jimbei and Crocodile keep Luffy moving, telling him not to waste time and energy here and that letting his emotions control him will not help Ace escape. Teach admits Luffy is stronger than he expected, saying, "Your haki is stronger than before, too." Crocodile asks Teach why a no-name pirate from Whitebeard's crew who took Crocodile's Shichibukai seat is here instead of answering the summons to Marine Headquarters. Teach says it is all part of his plan, though he has run into some snags, but he sees no need to explain it to Mr. Crocodile. Page 8: Crocodile says he is not interested in Teach's plan and adds that Teach has no manners. The exchange is cut off when guards scream that Magellan is here and order everyone to run to Level 3. The Chief Warden's poison surges through the area, forcing both the escapees and Blackbeard's group to react. Ivankov cries out as the page turns the confrontation into another crisis: Magellan has reached the stairs and the boss of hell is now in front of them. Pag...