Chapter 85: Revolutionary & Hancock

"You're right. If Mama had flown into a rage earlier, we'd all be in hot water."

Cracker agreed. Their priority now was to appease Big Mom. They could deal with the rest later.

"There's nothing we can do now but strategize for the future. Damn it, if I'd known about this news, I would have kept it from Mama altogether. But honestly, that's wishful thinking."

Katakuri felt helpless. He would have hidden the news if he could, but realistically, there would always be those eager to please Big Mom and report the news, or short-sighted fools who wouldn't consider the consequences.

This situation caused high-ranking officials across various countries to scramble and ponder their next move.

If someone fancied one of Big Mom's daughters, the situation might be manageable. However, if not, significant conflict could erupt, potentially escalating into war. And the odds of Totto Land losing were very high.

Some were even contemplating escape routes, ready to abandon Totto Land – a place rife with chaos – if things went south. No matter what the future held, it was certainly preferable to their current predicament.

***

While Big Mom's impulsive actions caused turmoil amongst her own children, Kaido and Whitebeard also issued orders for their crews to avoid provoking Luo Ning.

Kaido, being the most cunning of the Yonko, acted swiftly to protect his underlings. He specifically warned Jack, the reckless fool who sailed wherever he pleased, of the disastrous consequences should he ever cross paths with Luo Ning's ship. Kaido laid it on thick, ensuring Jack understood the gravity of the situation.

Luo Ning had become a force to be reckoned with, and the Great Prison had transformed into a forbidden zone. No power dared to challenge him at this point.

No force dared to approach the Great Prison unless it was for prisoner transport.

***

However, things were different on Baltigo Island.

"Perhaps we can seek his cooperation. His way of doing things aligns somewhat with ours," Dragon said, looking over the newspaper article. Sabo was his only companion at the moment; the other commanders were scattered throughout the world, seizing the opportunity created by the Marines' and World Government's preoccupation with Luo Ning to liberate oppressed kingdoms.

"Let's contact Kuma! Maybe he can establish contact with Luo Ning and bring him to our side!" Sabo suggested. As the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command and chief of staff, he possessed a keen strategic mind. However, his past carelessness remained a blemish on his record.

"Indeed, Kuma is the closest one right now. Try contacting him!" Dragon agreed, taking out his Den Den Mushi. After a few rings, he hung up decisively.

Kuma's affiliation with the Revolutionary Army was a closely guarded secret. The Den Den Mushi he carried wouldn't be answered in an unsuitable location. A few rings with no answer signaled that much to Dragon.

They relied on Kuma to initiate contact. It had always been this way. After all, as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon couldn't risk exposing Kuma's identity. The consequences would be dire.

With that in mind, Dragon and Sabo waited for the Den Den Mushi to ring again. Soon, it did, and Dragon quickly answered. By then, Kuma had returned to his ship.

"I understand. I'll find him," Kuma replied.

Knowing Dragon's thoughts, Kuma couldn't help but admire him. Those news reporters were really exaggerating. It wasn't long after the battle on their side that this newspaper with the fabricated story had already spread far and wide. It was truly impressive.

***

By now, Aokiji had cleared the ice on the sea. Everyone had left – the Marines had retreated to their headquarters, and the Shichibukai had dispersed.

Hancock, however, chose to stay.

Kuma was also returning at this time.

Hancock's reason for staying was the Celestial Dragons. Capturing her wouldn't be easy. Right now, she felt a sliver of affection for Luo Ning, at most, and a greater sense of awe for his strength.

Her purpose in staying was to see how Luo Ning handled these Celestial Dragons.

She harbored both fear and hatred for the Celestial Dragons, with fear being the more dominant emotion in the past. But now, thanks to Luo Ning shattering the myth of their invincibility, her hatred outweighed her fear.

Therefore, she was currently communicating with the Impel Down personnel, wanting to witness firsthand how the Celestial Dragons were being tortured.

"Lord Luo Ning, Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai, wishes to observe the situation of the Celestial Dragons. Should we allow it?"

The matter was quickly reported to Luo Ning, as he was now in charge.

"Hancock?"

Honestly, Luo Ning still held a positive impression of this empress. There was no denying her beauty and amazing figure, and if she were to fall in love, she would undoubtedly devote herself completely.

However, what put him off was Hancock's identity.

Hancock is a pirate, and a big one at that. Although she's pretty, Luo Ning doesn't care much now. The One Piece world overflowed with beauties, and Hancock's popularity didn't equate to a lack of standards for Luo Ning.

"Send her back. If she starts acting like a stalker, arrest her. Tell her this: Impel Down welcomes her as their queen, but only if she relinquishes her pirate status. As a pirate, she'll likely end up facing Impel Down's hospitality in the future anyway."

Luo Ning wasn't interested. As long as she remained a pirate, Hancock wouldn't earn his favor.

Fortunately, unlike some pirates who engaged in the despicable human trafficking business, Hancock and her crew weren't involved. Nine Snake Island's population included women who left and returned pregnant, always bearing daughters – details mentioned in the source material. Without that information, suspicion of human trafficking on Nine Snake Island might be warranted. Luo Ning had zero tolerance for such a heinous crime.

Nine Snake Island's inspiration likely stemmed from the Daughter Country in Journey to the West, though sadly lacking the magical Zimu Spring.

In fact, Luo Ning planned to live-stream the Celestial Dragons' execution, a move guaranteed to set the seas ablaze once more.

However, Hancock's request was denied. The jailer relayed Luo Ning's response to Hancock, and Magellan, Impel Down's current warden, informed them they were free to leave since the prison was now independent.

Surprisingly, few chose to depart. Most who worked there lacked families and possessed a strong sense of duty. They also held Luo Ning in the highest esteem. Consequently, the vast majority stayed.

Luo Ning, in turn, doubled their wages. After all, money was a mere number to him – he could manifest as much gold and other valuables as he desired through his fantastical power. It only made sense to treat his own people well.