Chapter 117: Katakuri's Compromise

There's no doubt Luo Ning could crush the entire Big Mom Pirates with ease. But such a victory wouldn't come without a hefty price.

The New World is pirate territory, a haven for them. The Revolutionary Army remains too weak to challenge the World Government, and even if they did prevail, controlling the New World would take a significant amount of time.

That's more than enough time for the average New World citizen to suffer.

Luo Ning's animosity towards Roger stems from the Pirate Age he ushered in. It's brought immense hardship to ordinary people. Countless lives were lost in that era thanks to Roger's ambition, leading to a period of immense misery.

Anyone with a decent moral compass would scoff at Roger's methods.

Luo Ning is no different. While he's caused his fair share of trouble, he actively tries to prevent similar tragedies. Otherwise, he could simply wipe out the Marines at Naval Headquarters, effectively crippling the organization. It's well within his capabilities, but the consequences would be dire.

He has no desire to become a new Roger. In the New World, under the rule of the Four Emperors, only Kaido's citizens face true despair. The other three Emperors, including Big Mom, offer a decent life to those who pledge a portion of their lifespan.

While sacrificing a part of their lifespan is a hefty price, it pales in comparison to the daily uncertainty of survival in this era. Under Big Mom's rule, citizens can live a good life as long as they meet this requirement.

This system hinges on Big Mom Pirates remaining intact, which is why Luo Ning needs Katakuri to take the helm. Admittedly, Katakuri's strength alone wouldn't suffice, but with Luo Ning's backing, he can manage.

Luo Ning won't directly take Katakuri as a subordinate – after all, he is a pirate. But ultimately, it makes little difference. Katakuri will still have to answer to Luo Ning.

It's just that Katakuri doesn't have this title. He will become the king of the nations and turn the nations into a real country.

As for economic income, etc., what is their best at? Food and desserts can completely rely on this to become an industrial chain, and then develop others, which is enough for them to survive.

"Impel Down? My lord, can you consider the sixth floor?"

Katakuri pondered for a while. He knew his mother wouldn't last, and his only concern now is to save as many of his siblings as possible.

He understood that there was nothing he could do for the targeted ones. Luo Ning's offer to spare him was already a kindness, considering his own bloodstained hands. Even if he wasn't a willing participant, he was still complicit.

"Good thinking, Katakuri. You want to minimize their suffering, but understand this: you have no leverage here. If not for global stability, I wouldn't even be having this conversation."

Luo Ning saw right through Katakuri's plan. The sixth floor, the deepest and most guarded level of Impel Down, offered slightly less harsh punishments – emphasis on slightly.

It wasn't a safe haven. Jailer Beasts would occasionally target weaker prisoners. However, some extremely powerful individuals like Bullet could overpower the Jailer Beasts, and Conqueror's Haki could scare them away.

While the weaker prisoners might be targeted, it wouldn't be frequent. The sixth floor wasn't about preferential treatment; the "punishments" there might even be useless, potentially even providing escape opportunities.

Their confinement is absolute. Food rations are meager, just enough to stave off starvation. The true torment lies in the deprivation of freedom. Confined to that darkness...

Luo Ning had no intention of indulging Katakuri further. He'd already shown leniency, and Katakuri had no bargaining chips left.

"Understood," Katakuri replied, his hopes dashed.

"Then... may I visit them in prison?" he pressed on.

"Very well. As a future king, you'll have that right," Luo Ning conceded, eliciting a sigh of relief from Katakuri. At least he could still see them...

He knew all too well how many of his siblings reveled in burning, pillaging, and bloodshed. Some, like himself, felt a distaste for such acts, but they were forced to comply to appease his mother.

There were others who took genuine pleasure in these atrocities. The past they inflicted upon those nations... it defied description.

Katakuri himself wasn't spared the humiliation. Brulee even ended up disfigured in the aftermath. Though, with a face like hers before the incident, some might say becoming a "witch" was an improvement.

"Originally my next target was Kaido, but since you came first, I better go there and deal with your matter as soon as possible." Luo Ning declared.

His original target was Kaido, the most troublesome of the Four Emperors. But Katakuri's arrival threw a wrench in his plans. Now, Luo Ning planned to head straight for Big Mom's territory.

Katakuri couldn't argue. His mother, Big Mom, was likely finished. Blood ties aside, he had no choice. His priority was saving who he could. The rest... well, that was out of his hands.

Luo Ning's demands were a major setback. He would undoubtedly be branded a traitor for betraying his family, but that mattered little to Katakuri. As long as he could save some of his siblings, that was enough.

After Katakuri left, he contacted Brulee via Den Den Mushi. He chose not to inform the others for now. Discretion was key. He knew his siblings all too well. Spreading the news would risk them turning on him – understandably, no one relished the prospect of prison. So, he confided only in Bree.

There was another reason for choosing Brulee. He feared Brulee might use her Mirror Fruit ability to whisk people away, something well within her power.