Chapter 179: Curing Luffy

"Let me out...! Grandpa, let me out!"

Inside the warship's cell, Luffy thrashed against the Seastone shackles Garp had locked him in. He lacked the strength to break free and could only scream in frustration.

"Luffy, settle down. Vice Admiral Garp isn't going to release you!"

During the voyage, many Marines had gotten to know Luffy's stubborn personality. While they found him likable overall, his constant declarations about becoming Pirate King grated on them.

After all, Marines are sworn enemies of pirates, and Luffy's aspiration to lead them clashed with their ideals. Garp, a legend who supposedly ended the dreams of two generations of Pirate Kings, couldn't allow his grandson to become the next. Their reasons were clear, and Luffy wouldn't be getting out anytime soon.

"Damn it! Where are you taking me?!"

Luffy felt a sense of dread for his future. Even his own grandfather wouldn't tell him his destination.

"We're almost there. You'll find out soon enough!"

The Marine soldier beside him shook his head. Garp had captured a few pirates along the way. These pirates, cowed by their capture at the hands of Garp remained silent.

Now, with Impel Down looming ahead, any hope they harbored evaporated. Shame hung heavy in the air.

Garp soon released the captured criminals alongside Luffy.

"Grandpa, let me go! Where are we?!" Luffy bombarded Garp with questions, unable to recognize their location.

"This is where you'll be staying, along with them," Garp explained. "But there's a twist. You're a jailer, and they're prisoners."

With that, Garp led the group into Impel Down for a handover. The first to welcome them was Violet.

Violet, with her mind-reading ability, could easily distinguish real pirates from those framed as such. This expedited the handover process.

"Vice Admiral Garp, that's your grandson? This is serious. His mind is a constant loop about becoming Pirate King."

Violet instantly grasped Garp's intentions after probing Luffy's thoughts. Was this pure determination or naiveté? She was rendered speechless.

"That's precisely why I brought him here!"

Garp admitted his helplessness. He truly couldn't blame anyone else; this mess stemmed from his own parenting choices.

It wasn't just about his lack of parenting skills; he'd entrusted Luffy and his brother to bandits for a "free-range" upbringing. Shanks had exploited this opportunity. In all honesty, Luo Ning suspected Shanks targeted Luffy deliberately.

The coincidence of Shanks appearing in Garp's hometown seemed suspicious. If Shanks wasn't after Luffy, why would he randomly visit this obscure location?

Luo Ning believed Shanks came for Luffy specifically. After all, strength and talent often ran in families in this world. Perhaps Luffy possessed some latent potential, or maybe it was something linked to Roger before his death. It was all speculation after all.

Garp brought Luffy to meet Luo Ning. Seeing Luffy restrained in clothing that resembled a prisoner's uniform, Luo Ning couldn't help but remark, "He is your grandson, after all. But isn't that a bit much?"

Luffy's attire prompted Luo Ning's complaint.

"This restless kid needs these measures," Garp defended himself. "After all, I know him best. From here on out, he's in your care."

"Very well," Luo Ning sighed. "Let's take this kid to observe the prisoner baptism first."

Following Luo Ning, Garp and Luffy arrived at the location where the prisoners were undergoing the process.

"Ahhhh..."

Bloodcurdling screams filled the air, painting a grim picture.

"Why...? Why are you doing this to them?"

Luffy, raised in Windmill Village, had encountered pirates and bandits before. However, his experiences hadn't solidified a clear image of pirates in his mind. Simply put, his exposure had been limited.

The only pirate he knew well was Shanks. After all, other pirates were aware that East Blue was Garp's hometown and steered clear.

In essence, Luffy was naive about the world.

"Because they're all vicious pirates," Luo Ning explained, his gaze landing on Violet beside him. "Violet, please share what these pirates have done."

"Ugh..."

Though uncomfortable, Violet complied, accessing their memories. She then recounted the countless lives these pirates had taken and their senseless acts.

This report wasn't the end. Luffy's worldview was shattered. The romanticized image of pirates Shanks had cultivated crumbled before his eyes.

"Most of these people are only confined to the first floor," Luo Ning elaborated. "While Impel Down generally assigns cells based on strength and bounty, the severity of a pirate's crimes often aligns with their power. These individuals need to pay a hefty price."

Their hands are stained with the blood of innocents, including children and babies. In short, these people deserve death, but a swift end is out of the question. They will be tortured before they meet their demise.

"Alright, kid. This is where you'll be staying from now on. This gear is for you, but don't even think about escaping. It's impossible. Vice Admiral Garp, you can take him directly to Level Four, Ace's level."

With that, Luo Ning took his leave. Violet remained to observe the "baptism" of the prisoners. Reading their hearts confirmed their deserving fate, and witnessing their torture provided a twisted form of catharsis. Otherwise, the constant exposure to such negativity could take a toll on her mental well-being.

Guided by Garp, Luffy soon found himself reunited with Ace.

"Luffy? What are you doing here?"

The sight of Garp didn't faze Ace, but Luffy's presence confused him. According to their plan, Luffy shouldn't have gone to sea yet. Why was he suddenly in Impel Down? Did Garp capture him?