In the huge cave of LV5.5...
Seeing Gnar return, even Orm, who was usually stoic, could tell that Gnar was very pleased.
Unfortunately, the unfamiliarity between the two parties meant that none of the five present could freely ask their questions.
Looking at the young Gnar before them, the five realized they didn't even know each other's names.
Fortunately, what Gnar said next reignited their excitement.
"It seems you've recovered well. Now, we can start preparing our plan to leave here!"
The empty cave was immediately filled with excitement as the five awaited Gnar's next words.
"My plan is simple: we will move from the fifth floor to the first floor!"
"!!!"
The five were stunned.
What kind of plan is this? How is this different from having no plan at all?
Luckily, Gnar provided an explanation.
"Unfortunately, there are only two ways out of Impel Down. The first is the elevator from LV6 to LV1, and the second is through the stairs connecting the fifth floor to the first floor. Don't even think about the first way. Although it's the fastest, Impel Down is full of surveillance Den Den Mushi. As soon as we appear, the elevator will be unusable. So, our only option is the second way."
Athos hesitated.
"Just the six of us?"
"Of course not just the six of us!"
Gnar said, looking around the empty cave.
"In the past few days, I've thoroughly understood LV5.5. Besides LV6, there are passages that connect to every floor."
The long-legged woman, Grigio, couldn't help but ask.
"If that's the case, why don't we go directly to the first floor through these passages and escape from there?"
"It's simple. First, why do you think I worked so hard to get into Impel Down?"
This question indeed puzzled everyone present.
"Second, even if we reach the first level, we can't escape. Don't forget that there is an endless ocean outside, and it's the Calm Belt. Do you plan to swim across it?"
Everyone fell silent.
It was Athos who finally spoke wisely.
"Just tell us what we need to do."
The others looked at Gnar, waiting for his answer.
Gnar nodded with satisfaction.
"My plan is straightforward. Over the next month, I need you to use the hidden passages leading to each floor to recruit the right people to join us."
Gnar handed the newly obtained information to the five.
"This is the list of LV1-LV4 Impel Down prisoners. I've marked the people I want. You all will be assigned to find and bring them here safely to join us."
Gnar continued.
"In addition, you must memorize the locations of all surveillance Den Den Mushi from LV1 to LV4. A month from now, when we make our escape, destroy them all. Then, during the ensuing chaos, we'll blend in with other prisoners and escape."
The five received the information and saw the target candidates circled on it.
Athos asked tentatively.
"What about the boat?"
Gnar turned to look at Orm, the Fish-Man, and asked.
"I've heard that you Fish-Men can communicate with whale sharks. Can you ask them to pick us up?"
Orm was stunned and didn't understand how Gnar knew this, but he still replied.
"If there's no other way, I'll try. But the Calm Belt is too dangerous, and they might not come here."
"That's fine. Your plan is just a backup. Our real escape plan is already in place. We have to fight our way up from the fifth level because our ship is on the sixth floor."
Yes, Gnar had decided to use San Juan Wolf as their ship.
Though San Juan Wolf was a Devil Fruit user, his massive size and ability to expand made him capable of floating on the sea, temporarily serving as their ship.
Although everyone was curious about how there could be a ship in the legendary LV6, they were reassured by Gnar's confident demeanor.
The more mature Reno asked his question.
"Um... sir..."
Gnar, sensing Reno's hesitation, introduced himself.
"My name is Gnar, a little pirate with a bounty of 45 million beli..."
"!!!"
Everyone was surprised.
None of the five had bounties lower than 100 million beli.
However, they didn't look down on him, especially the brothers Reno and Ledo, who knew what Conqueror's Haki was and understood that Gnar was born to be a king.
Reno asked more excitedly.
"Lord Gnar, won't the disappearance of so many criminals at once alert others?"
Gnar smiled.
"Don't worry, no one will notice."
"???"
"Alright, no more questions. Just follow the plan. Others can go familiarize themselves with the passages. Athos, you stay."
"As you command, Lord Gnar!"
As only Gnar and Athos were left, Gnar asked his question.
"Athos, tell me what happened to you that led the World Government to imprison you here. Does it have to do with a piece of history?"
Athos, who didn't want to reveal much initially, was surprised when Gnar mentioned the historical text.
"Lord Gnar, do you know about the historical text?"
Gnar smiled.
"I not only know that the historical text exists, but I also know that you, Zou, have a piece of it!"
Athos was really frightened now. He almost jumped up and stepped back involuntarily.
"How do you know?"
Gnar calmed him down.
"Don't worry, I know more than that. Besides, the Devil's Child, Nico Robin, is my woman..."
This confused Athos.
"Devil's Child? Nico Robin?"
Gnar understood and explained.
"It seems you've been locked up here for a long time. Nico Robin was born in Ohara. She's an archaeologist and might be the only woman in the world who can read the historical texts..."
"Ohara, that's it!"
Athos looked like he suddenly understood, as if Gnar's words had solved some doubts in his mind. But he soon realized something was wrong and asked.
"What do you mean by 'only'?"
"It's simple. Ten years ago, because of their research on the Poneglyphs, the World Government used a Buster Call to destroy Ohara. Nico Robin was the only survivor."
"!!!"
Athos was shocked and furious.
"How... how could they? Damn it, just because..."
Athos clenched his fists, making them crack, and finally spoke as if he had made a decision.
"The Poneglyph on Zou is one of the four Road Poneglyphs marking the way to the Final Island. By studying it, I discovered that the Final Island might be somewhere above us... on the moon..."
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