Gathering Feast, Soloing the Prison

Paper Dance, Movement, Straw Hat Mansion Technique

"Hehehe, let's have a party to celebrate Ace's return!!"

Seeing Luffy cheering and Luffy for joy, the Straw Hat crew didn't interrupt him this time. Instead, they watched Luffy with smiles, knowing full well the despair Luffy felt two years ago when he lost his brother.

"The banquet is already being prepared, Luffy."

Roman waved his hand, and the hall, which had been crammed with a group of burly men, sprang into motion again, expanding several times its original size. Simultaneously, sofas and chairs sprang up from the ground, allowing the Whitebeard Pirates' captains to sit down. Luffy, finally calming down, then focused his attention on the issue of Ace's 'resurrection':

"Let me explain this."

Roman clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention to himself.

"Two years ago at Marineford, I faced the Three Admirals, Sengoku and Garp. Although I miraculously rescued Ace, to be honest, there was no way I could have escaped..."

If we consider that out of respect for Garp, Luffy, Kizaru, Aokiji were all holding back, and Garp himself openly let Luffy take him down with a single punch, and considering the help of Empress, Roman, Whitebeard Pirates, Luffy managed to escape relatively unscathed, then:

Ace was doomed!

If Ace were to escape, what would become of the Navy's prestige? Other nations Four Seas would immediately become suspicious. Even the Navy's central command had its execution grounds raided; could the Navy's fighting strength truly stabilize the oceans? And what about the Celestial Gold Saints...?

The oceans will soon be engulfed in even more terrifying chaos! The death toll could reach tens or even millions, and could even affect the entire world!

Therefore, if Ace has any chance of escaping, the two Admiral who were just coasting will definitely go all out! Aokiji has frozen the sea, and Kizaru is the fastest. How could the Whitebeard Pirates possibly escape in front of them? Unless there is a space-time teleportation type of ability user, Ace will have to die at Marine Headquarters!

"So, I faked Ace's death—actually, it wasn't a fake death, but rather that Akainu punched him right through the heart."

As he spoke, Roman rubbed his index finger and thumb together, and as if by magic, sheets of paper with various drawings appeared in his hand: thunder and storms, frozen landscapes, bilateral symmetry, the Sanzu River...

"I used the 'Pages of the Underworld' that I obtained from Brook to preserve Ace's soul, and then after leaving the battlefield, I used the 'Copy Page' to create a heart to repair Ace's body. However, with the combined power of both—"

"In short, it's a really amazing way to use a Devil Fruit~~"

Roman, who was about to continue explaining, was choked up by Luffy's slap-the-slapping, 'super smart' expression.

"... That's right, just think of it as me using my Devil Fruit ability to revive Ace."

"Hehehe, thank you, thank you so much, Roman!"

Given Luffy's personality, he's not usually the type to repeatedly express gratitude, but:

"Without you..."

"Alright, I've said it several times already. What kind of relationship do we have? Do we need to say 'thank you'?" Roman waved his hand. "If I ever encounter difficulties, I believe you'll do everything in your power to help. Although I have my doubts about the effectiveness of your 'helping' method, which only involves beating people up..."

"Roman, you bastard,"

"They always manage to create a Big News quietly, but this time they did a great job!"

The other companions all gave a thumbs up. Being able to bring someone out of danger right under the noses of the Three Admirals was something that no one on the entire sea except Roman could do!

"The reason I didn't tell Luffy right away was my idea."

Ace took over the conversation and explained.

"At that time, I had to hide myself. Even in the Whitebeard Pirates, no one except the captain who witnessed my 'resurrection' knew my true identity. Otherwise, if we attracted the Marine Admiral, the Whitebeard Pirates would cease to exist."

"Of course, I also believe that Luffy will be able to pull himself together, after all, he has such a wonderful group of crewmates—"

"Ugh, even if you praise me like that, I'm not happy, you idiot~~"

"Haha, since you've said so, you truly deserve the title of the World's Greatest bravest Sea Warrior!"

"That's enough, you two..."

Nami rubbed her forehead as she watched Chopper and Usopp wriggle around.

"Vice Commander, that... Commander-in-Chief's abilities?"

On the other side, in response to the low question from General Liao, who was wielding a golden spear and wearing silver armor, the Bandaged Vice Commander nodded.

"That's right, it looks a lot like our 'one'..."

No, it's not even similar, it's exactly the same!

The abilities of this seemingly Great Leader are strikingly similar to the greatest secret of Wano Country, the 800-year-old treasure of the Bad People, the supplementary volume of the "Compendium of Gods," which can grant abilities to others! And then there's the book at the waist of that orange-haired beauty named 'Nami':

If it weren't for the fact that it was significantly weaker than the "Compendium of Gods they were guarding, the Bandaged Vice Commander would have suspected that the Bad People's secret treasure had been stolen.

As expected, the so-called prophecy...

But should they hand it over to him? It 'Bad People something their ancestors have protected for eight hundred years, the very foundation of the Bad People. —In the end, what does the outside world, whatever it may be like, have to do with them?

Resentment, reluctance, and indignation ultimately turned into a sigh.

Forget it, let's get through this hurdle first.

No human being can be without selfish desires.

The deputy commander was not doing this for himself, because he was a genuine Devil Fruit user. But if he really handed over the book as prophesied, what would become of the Bad People had been passed down for eight hundred years?

He began to understand why, forty years ago, the then-vice commander Ochoku had given up his Devil Fruit powers to join an outside pirate crew, intending to directly thwart the prophecy hanging over the heads of the Bad People. Unfortunately—

"Liao, was I wrong?"

"Vice Commander, I will always support you."

That's right, everything I did was for my partners, there's nothing to hesitate about!

"Then let's do it this way. Let's use our own eyes to judge whether this 'Great Leader' is worthy of our trust. Also, don't tell anyone else about this."

"Yes."

No matter what, the Bad People will go all out in this battle! Even if it's just for that vague 'glory' of eight hundred years.

"The banquet is starting!!"

Soon, the Straw Hat crew entered their most enjoyable part:

"Take it easy, we have an event later... Never mind, you guys do as you please, I can just go by myself." Looking at the group of guys in front of him who were drinking like water, Roman rubbed his temples and said, "Nami, I don't think I've ever seen you drunk before?"

"Why?"

Nami, who was secretly drinking, wiped her mouth.

"Alcohol... alcohol and all that... it's just a soft drink..."

I didn't say you couldn't drink it!

"Drink if you want,"

The Straw Hat crew, Trafalgar Law, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Bad People present were all powerful individuals with purities starting at over 100 million! Alcohol was nothing special; Carrot, the bunny girl, preferred carrot juice; Brulee wanted to cook with Sanji, after receiving Roman's permission:

"Wow~~"

"Atmos has fallen—"

"Such a big guy, but such a poor drinker, let me handle it!"

The petite Harta shoved the massive body of 'Buffalo' Atmos aside and picked up her wine glass.

"I'll go first!"

"Fill it up!"

Nami's alcohol tolerance... even Roman began to suspect that she had secretly practiced the 'Life Return - Drinking Version', and that she single-handedly made a group of strong men from the Whitebeard Pirates drink until they were crawling under the table.

"Delicious~~" X5

Luffy, Ace, Usopp, Chopper, and Melody— five guys with bulging cheeks—were stuffing food into their mouths, leaving Roman was now the White Knight in his 'waitress' role, staring blankly at the sky. Ace, have you lost all sense of image? You were acting all mature and composed just a moment ago!

They've revealed their true, ape-like nature!

A bunch of good-for-nothings.

"What a joyful time, it's been so long since I've had a day like this."

Marco, Jinbe, Lakyo, and several other "older members" sat together, eating and reminiscing as if they were all quite old. Meanwhile, Brook was truly "of considerable age,"...

"Yohohoho~ Yohohoho~~"

"Bringing Binks' Sake to your side~"

"Like the sea breeze, free and unrestrained, riding the waves..."

"Let's sing a song~~ The Song of Departure!!"

The melodious violin, accompanied by Brook's soul-stirring voice, echoed throughout the hall, making everyone 'see' blue skies and white clouds, gentle breezes and ocean waves, bandanas and pirate flags, dreams and treasures...

"This kind of life seems pretty good, it makes me want to go out to sea."

"Hehehe, you're welcome to board my ship anytime you'd like!"

Faced with Luffy's words, the archer girl Melody thought about it carefully and then shook her head:

"Forget it, the desire to go to sea is only 'somewhat' to me. But I'd rather stay here and protect Zhonghua Town."

"That's not bad either, come have a drink with me!"

Although Luffy yearns for freedom, he also respects those who stayed behind to protect their homeland. After a lively feast:

People were lying haphazardly on the ground, fast asleep.

After a satisfying meal and plenty of rest, we're ready for tonight's big battle! Before that:

"I'm leaving this place to you."

Roman nodded to Jinbe and Marco, "We still have some time. I'll go take over the prison in Udon and, while I'm at it, contact the samurai of Wano Country..."

The Straw Hat crew, Whitebeard Pirates, the Bad People, and Zou have no shortage of high-level fighters and mid-level officers, but compared to the Beasts Pirates, they still lack a large number of elite lower-ranking soldiers. Roman certainly wouldn't let the samurai of Wano Country go, besides:

This was originally their war to save their country, so there's no reason why the people of Wano Country shouldn't contribute.

"Do you need our help?"

Roman waved his hand at Nami, who was directing the 'White Knight' to clean up the mess from the banquet.

"No need, it's just a prison."

Indeed, no one else's help is needed. If breaking through the Udon quarry prison, with Queen Plague in charge, still required considerable effort, then because of the BIG MOM Pirates' attack, All-Stars have gathered on Onigashima, therefore:

Roman is only facing a group of artificial Devil Fruit user; their strength... well, it's nothing special.

"Then, you should prepare food and medicine first."

Udon's prison is full of stubborn people who refuse to submit to Kaido. Of course, the Beasts Pirates wouldn't treat them 'kindly'; beatings and verbal abuse are commonplace. One act of defiance results in a broken arm, two acts in a broken leg, and three acts in a death sentence! Therefore:

Even the once tall, imposing, and Haki "Flower Capital Hyogoro" was tortured into a tiny old man barely over a meter tall. It's only because of the Straw Hat crew; anyone else, even if rescued, would be a bunch of useless trash.

"No problem, I'll prepare a meal that will quickly restore your strength..."

"Leave the treatment to me."

Marco, the genuine 'Phoenix' ability user, nodded. As for weapons and armor?

Roman just waved his hand and there was a whole bunch!

Of course, the quality will inevitably decline with too much quantity, but even so, it's still better than ordinary steel. Moreover:

Not enough weapons? Just pick them up from the enemies as you fight!

"I'm leaving—"

Snap,

Roman, sitting in the chair, closed his eyes.