Chapter 104: Dressrosa

Although maintaining an avatar isn't very strenuous for Luo Ning, his scattered imagination also needs to be managed. If there are suitable subordinates, he should delegate the task to them.

Luo Ning also planned to establish a large ring within the prison.

Impel Down houses quite a few strong prisoners, but they're all currently weakened. Luo Ning experimented with Golden Lion and was able to earn a second set of free points. This suggests there are likely many more free points available on Impel Down's fifth and sixth floors.

He plans to build a large ring in Impel Down later and utilize these free points.

Of course, since he's venturing into the New World, it wouldn't be amiss to exploit the Four Emperors a bit. With the exception of Shanks, the other Four Emperors all have vast resources and extensive operations.

Luo Ning decided to stay on Fishman Island for a few more days. The island's scenery was truly captivating. After a few days' rest, he set sail for the New World with his companions.

Shirahoshi accompanied them on this journey. While still young, she would be safest under Luo Ning's protection.

Naturally, it wouldn't be common knowledge that Shirahoshi is Poseidon. After all, she is no longer a mermaid, possessing legs like a normal human child.

During their stay, Nami and Robin often spent time with Shirahoshi. Nami was only a few years older than Shirahoshi, while Robin currently acts as a big sister figure to both of them.

After entering the New World, the crew encountered the region's notoriously bizarre weather, leaving everyone bewildered. The unpredictable nature was truly astounding. Sunny skies could vanish in a heartbeat, replaced by a sudden downpour of massive hailstones. Even Nami, the resourceful navigator, was momentarily caught off guard.

Fortunately, Luo Ning's presence ensured their safety despite the erratic weather.

"I was aware of the New World's unusual weather conditions from my time in Impel Down," Luo Ning admitted, "but I didn't anticipate it being this extreme."

Nami, a skilled navigator, found her abilities hilariously undermined. Even with her experience navigating Sky Island in the past, adapting to this new challenge would require some time.

While her studies in Impel Down provided some knowledge, Nami's lack of experience left her feeling slightly disoriented. Thankfully, she was a capable individual, and as long as she avoided seawater, the unusual weather wouldn't pose a significant threat, despite her relative weakness.

"Is this what sailing the seas is like?" Shirahoshi whimpered, on the verge of tears. Thankfully, the hailstorm subsided, preventing a full-blown meltdown.

"Don't worry," Luo Ning reassured her gently, "not every region experiences such extreme weather. Even within the New World, conditions vary greatly."

With those comforting words, Luo Ning steered the ship swiftly towards Dressrosa, quickly leaving the bizarre weather zone behind.

Many pirates crumble upon entering the New World. Not only are there a significant number of powerful New World pirates, but the unpredictable weather itself poses a constant threat. Even seasoned New World veterans can't claim to be completely prepared for these chaotic conditions.

However, powerful forces and strong individuals have their own established routes, and their strength allows them to navigate most dangers. Like Luo Ning, who can utilize his Reiatsu to form a protective shield, rendering them impervious to harm.

After leaving the strange weather zone, smooth sailing resumed for everyone. This was the first time Shirahoshi had seen such a sea since childhood, and she remained in a state of wide-eyed excitement.

As the ship approached Dressrosa, Shirahoshi's excitement intensified upon seeing the human city.

"This is what a human kingdom looks like? What are those things? Toys? But why can they talk?"

Shirahoshi's wide-eyed wonder mirrored that of Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, though perhaps the comparison is a bit excessive. Regardless, the situation was quite similar.

"These are a specialty of Dressrosa, though not a pleasant one," Luo Ning commented, recognizing the figures for what they were - people transformed into toys by Sugar's Hobi Hobi Fruit ability.

Sugar's Hobi Hobi Fruit is a formidable power, bordering on reality-warping. Anyone she touches is transformed into a toy, rendering them powerless. This effect applies even to those wielding Conqueror's Haki, stripping them of their ability to harm or influence others under Sugar's control.

Most alarmingly, those turned into toys are erased from the memories of those around them. This is a truly outrageous ability, and upon learning of it, Luo Ning was deeply shocked.

The Hobi Hobi Fruit is an undeniably powerful ability, bordering on reality manipulation. Theoretically, Sugar could even turn the Four Emperors or even Im into toys, effectively erasing their existence from everyone's memories.

However, the power comes with a significant drawback: the user is unable to age. Sugar appears to be ten years old, but she's actually in his twenties.

Luo Ning glanced at Shirahoshi, a thought flickering across his mind. Could this Hobi Hobi Fruit be suitable for Shirahoshi? The ability was undeniably powerful, bordering on the perverse. While Sugar's personality was a turn-off for Luo Ning (he wouldn't exploit a child), Baby 5 held more appeal. At least she possessed the potential for loyalty once she found a partner.

Doflamingo, however, seemed to squander this potential. Here was a beautiful and capable woman like Baby 5, yet he allowed her to remain loyal to Lao G. It truly spoke to Doflamingo's eccentricity.

Conveniently, Luo Ning was searching for a caretaker for Shirahoshi. Subduing Baby 5 would provide a capable maid, albeit one with a penchant for combat. As for the rest of the Donquixote family, Luo Ning saw potential in their unwavering loyalty.

While ruthless to outsiders, this family exhibited an admirable loyalty to each other. It was a rare virtue among pirates.

The only potential source of rebellion within the group was Baby 5. No one else seemed likely to cause trouble. In theory, Luo Ning wouldn't mind offering some of the more agreeable members a chance to redeem themselves through good deeds. After all, he operated by his own code, but this particular idea wouldn't be entertained.