Chapter 548

Chapter 548 is called "Thank You".

Coverstory Summary
Franky starts his coverstory at Karakuri, where he is seen running away from cyborg animals.

Aboard a Marine Warship
The escaped prisoners celebrate as they made it onto a warship safely. They all are told off by Jinbei however for celebrating too early. The escapees all show their gratitude to the whale sharks that brought them to the warship, while Iva orders people to find medication to heal Inazuma. A prisoner shouts out that he would never be setting foot in Hell again while another states that he would be turning over a new leaf and returning to his family.

Impel Down, Main Entrance
Magellan is astounded to the fact that the escaped prisoners could've made it to that point. He orders another ship to come and pick him up, saying that he would personally pursue/eliminate them, saying they were trapped like rats.

Aboard a Marine Warship
A Marine reports to a Rear Admiral that the damage done by Jinbei to the cannons had been fully repaired. At the moment, the order to fire is given. A cannonball hits the prisoner's warship, where Jinbei states that even though anyone Vice Admiral or higher was at Marineford, anyone board a battleship was a formidable enemy. The Rear Admiral shouts that the Gates of Justice would never open for pirates.

This is when the prisoners, including Luffy, Buggy and Mr. 3 realize that the Gates of Justice wouldn't open. However, Jinbei simply just orders to keep on going, which causes Buggy to go into an uproar. Luffy orders the men to protect the battleship. Crocodile suggests they use the cannons on the warship. Buggy steals this idea and orders his loyal followers to man the guns. Crocodile and Luffy both use their Devil Fruit powers to fend off cannonballs. The Rear Admiral ponders why they [the prisoners] were still heading for the Gates of Justice, when they could only be opened from Impel Down. He gives another order to shoot at the warship but is surprised at something.

The Gates of Justice are opening.

Marines astounded, prisoners happy, everyone is amazed at the opening of the Gates. Even though Magellan's warship had arrived, he stares on, commenting that it was impossible.

Impel Down, First Floor, Generator Room
A gaoler asks if they should be opening the Gates to Magellan. The Chief Warden of Impel Down is seen in the Generator Room, giving the order for the Gates to open, then shut as soon as the prisoner's warship had sailed through. The gaoler obeys the orders.

Gates of Justice
All the Marines still fire, still astounded that this was Magellan's orders. A Marine states that this couldn't have been Magellan's doing as he had been standing at the dock, preparing to board a Marine Warship. Back at Impel Down, Magellan's lower half is seen running down a hallway, when he bursts into the Generator Room, to see the gaolers and a mirror image of himself. Jinbei reveals to Luffy that Mr. 2 had left himself behind to open the Gates of Justice. Mr. 2 had told Jinbei not to worry about him [Mr. 2] and that only to tell Luffy when communications cut out. However, Jinbei gives Luffy a Baby Den Den Mushi.

Impel Down
Magellan and the other gaolers are shocked to find Mr. 2 standing there, doing his traditional okama dance. Luffy contacts Mr. 2 and goes on about that the duo were supposed to break out of Impel Down together. Luffy pleads with Mr. 2 to answer and soon, so does every other person aboard the warship, as they had just discovered Mr. 2's inevitable fate. They all call out his name, when Luffy tells him that he had to go, as the Gates of Justice would be soon closing. Luffy shouts out his gratitude to Mr. 2. At this point, Mr. 2 responds, saying that Luffy better save his brother, that he could do it and the Gates of Justice closes, shutting them off.

Even in the depths of Hell...blooms a beautiful flower of friendship...leaving its petals as mementos...bobbing back and forth on the waves...may it one day bloom once more...the Okama Way.

All the escapees are seen crying for their friend as Mr. 2 prepares to fight Magellan. It is then revealed that there are 4 hours remaining till the execution of Ace and that 241 people had escaped from Impel Down, bringing the ultimate disgrace upon Impel Down.

Chapter Notes

 * Franky's coverstory begins.
 * 241 people escaped from Impel Down.