Chapter 113: Tradition to buy a milk

MC in this chapter is kinda harsh. So some of you might not like it.

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"Can't handle a little turbulence? You want to preserve this fragile order for Roger's successor, don't you? After all, growth requires facing challenges. If I disrupt the status quo, your chosen successor – the one you gambled your arm on – won't have a stage to prove himself, right?"

Luo Ning's smile sent shivers down the spines of the Red Hair Pirates.

"How did you know?!" Shanks sputtered, caught off guard. He did indeed harbor such a plan. Throughout the story, Shanks has strived to maintain the sea's stability. However, his involvement was conspicuously absent during Luffy's exploits.

In essence, Shanks viewed others' actions as disruptive to the balance, while excusing Luffy's behavior as creating a suitable environment for him to flourish. But information about Luffy, especially his status as Shanks' chosen successor to Roger's legacy, should be privy only to the Red Hair Pirates. Shanks couldn't fathom how Luo Ning knew about Luffy and his connection to Roger.

"Roger's successor?"

A collective gasp rippled through the room as the gravity of the revelation sank in. First, the world was stunned by the news of Roger fathering a child. Now, Shanks was revealed to be grooming a successor for the Pirate King. This wasn't mere gossip – it was monumental.

Even King Riku and Cyrus couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. Knowing such a secret could very well lead to their silence. The weight of this knowledge was simply too much to bear.

"Discretion is key," Luo Ning stated coolly. "If you want to keep secrets, silence speaks volumes. Besides, my actions are none of your concern. Focus on managing your own crew instead of meddling in others' affairs."

"Speaking of which, doesn't the same criticism apply to you? Roger abandoned his wife, and here you are with a man who did the same. Surely that brings bad luck aboard your ship, wouldn't you say?"

Luo Ning offered no respect, taking a swipe at Yasopp in the process.

A tense silence descended upon the Red Hair Pirates as most eyes turned to Yasopp. Luo Ning's words hit a raw nerve – Yasopp had indeed left his wife and son behind. Shame flushed Yasopp's face, unable to refute the truth.

"I must admit, I admire your dedication," Luo Ning continued, a sardonic edge to his voice. "You've returned to East Blue several times, surely you could have used your influence to bring your family to the New World."

"Yet, despite those visits, the man who abandoned his wife and son never bothered to see them even once."

"It pains me to think that when your wife finally passed, she was still defending a good-for-nothing who walked out on them."

Luo Ning's relentless mockery stemmed from his clear dislike for Yasopp. Did the Red Hair Pirates lack the power to protect Usopp's mother and child? Yasopp's abrupt departure upon Shanks' call was undeniably cowardly behavior. Even after returning to Windmill Village with Shanks, Yasopp made no effort to reconnect. Their reunion with Usopp only occurred after he reached the Grand Line, and Usopp rarely spoke of his mother's struggles.

This kind of person could be labeled a deadbeat. While Luo Ning admitted to having a wandering eye, he at least took responsibility for his actions. Yasopp, on the other hand, was nothing but trash who abandoned his wife and child.

"Alright, if there's nothing left to discuss, then we'll take our leave,"

Shanks conceded, feeling a flicker of discomfort. While Luo Ning wasn't directing his criticism at him, it was still unsettling to have such a man on his crew, especially when his shortcomings were being openly exposed. It cast a shadow on their camaraderie.

But how honorable could a brotherhood be when it harbored a man who readily abandoned his wife and children? Everyone on the Red-Haired Pirates was at least somewhat aware of Yasopp's situation. He'd bragged about having a son on multiple occasions, yet never made an effort to see him, essentially tossing his wife and child aside.

"Hold on a moment, are you all just planning to walk out like that?" Luo Ning said with amusement, clearly not intending to let them leave so easily. Arresting them wasn't his objective. In fact, among the Four Emperors, only two truly drew his ire: Kaido and Big Mom.

These two were demonstrably insane. While Shanks wasn't above reproach, Luo Ning grudgingly acknowledged that he possessed some moral boundaries. Roger, for all his recklessness, had a semblance of order on his ship. Shanks, by leaving the crew, at least refrained from the wanton destruction and pillaging that Big Mom and Kaido reveled in.

Dislike aside, Luo Ning wouldn't throw someone in a prison solely based on personal animosity. Big Mom and Kaido were the real threats deserving incarceration. Blocking Shanks now stemmed entirely from the fact that he was a walking treasure trove of experience, a convenient one-stop shop. Given Luo Ning's goal of acquiring experience during his visit, there was no reason to let him go.

Even at his current strength, the pursuit of greater power remained a constant motivator.

"Are you planning to throw us all in Impel Down?"

Shanks reached for his sword hilt, regretting his decision to approach Luo Ning. Enduring his disrespect and exposure of their secrets was bad enough, but now they were being prevented from leaving? Was this some kind of twisted invitation to a forced vacation in a maximum-security prison?

"Relax, relax, don't misunderstand," Luo Ning chuckled. "If it were Big Mom or Kaido, a free stay and complimentary meals at Impel Down would be a sure thing. But you're different. You at least have some semblance of a moral compass. While you may be pirates, you haven't stooped to the usual plundering and pillaging."

"Whitebeard falls into a similar category. But unlike your lone-wolf operation, he has a whole crew under him. With that many mouths to feed, the usual protection fees might not suffice."

"It's true that some of Whitebeard's divisions engage in typical pirate activities. Whitebeard himself turns a blind eye, his focus solely on his self-proclaimed family. Those who deserve capture will be dealt with accordingly. And if Whitebeard comes charging after me, well, bring it on."

Luo Ning had his own plans for Mary Geoise. The previous encounter with the Marines had been all-consuming, leaving unfinished business. He intended to liberate the slaves there and capture a few Celestial Dragons while he was at it.