Chapter 155: The Prisoners Preparation

"Luo Ning, are you sure about this?" Robin and the others expressed their worry upon learning of Luo Ning's plan.

"Absolutely," Luo Ning confirmed. "I've considered it thoroughly. This applies not only to level six, but potentially to other floors as well."

"Even a tiny mosquito is still meat," he added with a smirk. "Of course, participation on other floors will be limited to levels three, four, and five."

These individuals were far worse than mere mosquitos, so Luo Ning saw no need to grant them a full recovery. Even on level three, he would only select a handful of strong prisoners; the opportunity wouldn't be open to all.

Level six, however, was a different story. There, he intended to offer the chance to everyone.

Following Magellan's departure from level six, a registration officer promptly arrived to record sign-ups. Each prisoner's name was meticulously documented on a list.

The rules stipulated that only five prisoners at a time would be permitted to leave their cells and enter the newly expanded recovery area on level six. Once inside, they were strictly forbidden from leaving, or they would forfeit the opportunity.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, none of the prisoners dared to cause trouble. They were well aware that any attempts at rebellion would have to wait until they regained their strength. For now, their priority was to focus on their recovery within the designated area, hoping to find an escape route later.

The first few participants adhered to the rules and remained obediently within their recovery zones.

Among them were Bullet and the Red Count. Luo Ning, however, excluded Golden Lion from this opportunity. Luo Ning's primary goal was to harvest freedom points, and a past-his-prime Golden Lion wouldn't yield any significant gains.

This exclusion naturally frustrated both Golden Lion and Shiryu, who had already been drained of freedom points by Luo Ning. Their shouts of protest went unanswered.

Even Bullet and the Red Count couldn't help but mock them.

"That old codger, Golden Lion, thought he could snag a good meal! Didn't think he wouldn't even get a chance, hahaha!" The Red Count, now in the recovery area and presented with a mountain of food, couldn't contain his amusement. Starved during his imprisonment on level six, he devoured his meal with gusto. Before his capture, the Red Count never imagined he'd become so food-obsessed.

"Lost his fight, got imprisoned after recovery. It hasn't been that long. Luo Ning probably just wants someone fresh to fight. As for that old geezer, his glory days are long gone!" Bullet chimed in, stuffing his face as well. His strength had suffered minimal deterioration.

However, he too was a Devil Fruit user. In Luo Ning's opinion, Bullet's fruit ability was entirely useless. Bullet's fusion fruit ultimately served to weaken him. Enlarging his body to such an extent while simultaneously coating himself in Armament Haki not only drained his Haki reserves but also significantly reduced his speed, making him an easy target.

Otherwise, Bullet wouldn't have inflicted such heavy damage on Hancock and her crew with minimal injuries before being pummeled by Luffy's Gear Fourth. It was the earlier exertion of his Haki and stamina that rendered his combined submarine form incapable of withstanding even Usopp's attacks later.

Usopp's marksmanship is undeniable, but he wouldn't be considered a top-tier fighter. Bullet's utter defeat by Usopp's plants stemmed from his severely depleted Haki and physical fatigue. Even the combined submarine form, boasting the resilience of general steel, couldn't withstand the onslaught. In the movie's narrative, while Luffy emerges victorious, Bullet is demonstrably weaker than his prime.

In fact, if Bullet had refrained from using his fruit's merging ability, the outcome might have been vastly different. With just his own physical prowess and mastery of Haki, he potentially could have overwhelmed Luffy again.

As Bullet and the Red Count continued their conversation, the other prisoners remained silent. The sheer force of presence these two exuded was overwhelming, despite their own notoriety on the seas. In their current company, they were clearly outmatched.

Thus, the others opted to focus on their meals, listening intently to Bullet and the Red Count's exchange.

After a hearty meal and a period of rest, Bullet commenced his personal recovery training.

"Ah, the benefits of youth," the Red Count sighed helplessly. "Recovery comes so quickly!" He acknowledged the limitations imposed by age and the harsh conditions of Impel Down. No matter how much he recuperated, he wouldn't be able to fully regain his former peak.

"That guy's no pushover," Bullet growled, the memory of his defeat still rankling him. "But I'll definitely surpass him this time!"

His previous loss stung, especially considering his opponent's seemingly invincible nature. The most critical detail, according to Golden Lion, was that Luo Ning was even stronger than Roger. In Bullet's eyes, Roger represented the pinnacle of power, an unbeatable foe.

However, Roger's surrender and subsequent death remained an unacceptable reality. In that regard, Bullet's personality surpassed even Golden Lion's recklessness. Golden Lion, at least, had targeted the Marine Headquarters. Bullet, on the other hand, had wreaked havoc indiscriminately across the globe.

His actions were truly baffling. What purpose did wanton destruction serve? His immense strength was undeniable, the very reason Garp and Sengoku had joined forces to capture him and his Sky Pirates. The same fate befell Golden Lion.

Back then, Sengoku and Garp had been in a state of near-panic. Faced with such formidable opponents, their only options were immediate execution or imprisonment. It seemed unfathomable to Bullet – why take prisoners? Weren't these threats better eliminated?

These weren't ordinary criminals. Regular inmates endured torture upon arrival at Impel Down. But these exceptional individuals, given the opportunity, could potentially escape and unleash chaos upon the world once more.

Leaving such menaces alive defied logic. The Marines' enigmatic operations extended to Kaido as well. Captured but not executed, Kaido was somehow allowed to escape under seemingly deliberate circumstances. Likewise, his guarantor remained a prisoner.