"..."
clatter...
Luo Chen only stared inside for a short while before walking forward without stopping. Magellan had warned him when he came in that staying still for so long might arouse their suspicion, so he wouldn't choose to pause for no reason and cause others to suspect anything. Moreover, the moment he turned around, the Red the Aloof inside had already communicated with him through a special method.
"Hehehe, I didn't expect to see so many interesting things here recently. Crocodile, Fire Fist Ace, and even earlier, Shiryu of the Rain, have all been sent to this endless dark prison."
However, I've recently heard some rumors that the Navy is preparing for a decisive battle with that old Whitebeard, all because of Fire Fist Ace, who was recently sent here, right? I'm so envious. If only I could go out and join in...
If I'm not mistaken, you're here for that brat named Fire Fist Ace, aren't you?!
No sooner had Luo Chen left than Redfield's voice echoed in his mind, startling Luo Chen, who looked back in that direction.
"Hmm, this is..." Suddenly, he heard an unfamiliar voice in his mind, which surprised Luo Chen and made him even more curious about the person.
"No need to be so surprised, young man. I am right in front of you. Yes, it is exactly what you see. If you want to say something, just speak it in your heart. I can still hear you..."
The voice directed Luo Chen to look in his direction, where he saw Red Count Redfield, shackled and standing up, walking to the side of the door and smiling at him. This confirmed Luo Chen's identity.
" Red Count, what brings you here to speak with me? You don't want me to help you escape, do you? If that's the case, I advise you not to say it, since I certainly don't have the ability to help you..."
Luo Chen followed his instructions and spoke to him in his mind.
"Hahaha, young man, your ideas are quite unusual. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to do anything so outlandish. I'm just talking to you out of boredom and want to ask how the outside world is doing now. Is it still dominated by that guy Whitebeard, or by that arrogant Golden Lion who dreams of ruling the entire world?"
Upon hearing Luo Chen's words, even Red inside was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter in his heart.
"Oh, is that what it is? Why don't you ask the prisoners who were recently brought in? Don't they know more about this era than I do?"
Upon hearing his question, Luo Chen was puzzled for a moment before asking him in return.
"Ask others? Hahaha, young man, since you know my name, you should know my character even better. Do you think I would casually inquire about information from these juniors? To be honest, they are not qualified to earn my respect. After observing them for so long, you are the only one I find agreeable..."
Red's words were full of disdain for the prisoners on this floor, but thinking about it, it makes sense. Even before he was arrested and brought to this prison, he refused to form alliances with anyone else, not even the invitations from the three most famous pirates of that era.
"Since you look down on those other people, why did you choose me? Is there something special about me?"
Luo Chen asked in his mind.
"Of course, I have my reasons for speaking to you. Although you may not be as good as some of the people here right now, your abilities and qualifications are far more important than theirs. With your kingly potential and the strongest Zoan ability, you are certainly qualified to catch my eye!"
As he spoke, Red sat down opposite him and continued.
"Hmm... How do you know about my abilities and qualifications? You know, even I don't know about the latter one, so how could an outsider like you know so much?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Chen couldn't stand still any longer. He raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice.
"Hehe, this is naturally all the abilities I possess. I was born with Observation Haki, and as my strength and age increase, its accuracy and breadth become stronger. I can easily peer into other people's minds, and when I concentrate, I can uncover things deep within their hearts, including some unknown secrets."
"Speaking of which, young man, you haven't answered my question yet. Who is the one ruling this era? Is it Whitebeard or Golden Lion?"
After explaining to him, Red asked the same question again, because he had been there for so long, and his reclusive nature had left him completely unaware of what was happening outside.
"I see. Is this your ability? You can develop Observation Haki to this level? If I could develop this ability too? Never mind, this isn't something I should be thinking about right now."
"Old man Red, since you ask, I'll tell you. Right now, the only one ruling this era isn't Whitebeard, but three others: Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, Kaido of the Beasts, and Red-Haired Shanks, who, along with Whitebeard, are known as the Four Emperors. As for Golden Lion, he disappeared after escaping from prison here. Nobody knows where he is or what he's doing right now."
Luo Chen explained the general situation to him.
"Is that so? Heh, I never imagined that after Roger's death, while I and Golden Lion were imprisoned in Impel Down, Whitebeard and a few brats would rule the outside world. Has Whitebeard gotten old? Even those greenhorns can be considered his equals..."
After listening, Red shook his head and sighed for a long time before speaking again.
"So you've come to see that guy's godson, huh? It seems the Navy has decided to take action against his remaining forces on the high seas. Is our era about to end? Damn it, I'm really unwilling to accept this. If I could still get out, how dare these Navy soldiers be so arrogant?"
As he spoke, his face showed resentment and unwillingness, and his words, filled with extreme hatred, echoed in Luo Chen's heart.
"So what? No matter how many excuses you make for yourself, you're still a loser, aren't you? Since that's the case, then you should honestly accept your fate. If you live a life of regret here..."
Alright, I'm not going to talk to you anymore. I should get there now. If I stay any longer, Magellan and the others might think I have some ulterior motives...
With that, Luo Chen used his Observation Haki to block his detection, then turned and walked towards Ace's cell without lingering any longer.
"Hmph, even so, I will not appoint him. You just wait and see. One day I will go out again and spread the fame of the Red Count. And I believe that day is not far away. When that day comes..."
Although Luo Chen had used his Observation Haki to block the other party, Red's extremely developed Observation Haki still could not completely block it. It continued to resonate in Luo Chen's mind after he had walked a certain distance away before being completely cut off.
"Hmph, just as you said, when you emerge, my strength will have leaped forward again, while your declining power will no longer be my match. Why would I still care about someone like that?"
Luo Chen didn't care about what he said. Even though he already knew that his time was not far off, Luo Chen no longer regarded him as a major enemy. One was in the stage of increasing strength, while the other was constantly declining due to old age and could only rely on the power of the Devil Fruit to prolong his life. How could he regard someone who relied on the power of his youth to get by?
Tap... Tap... Tap...
As Luo Chen walked along, he saw another man encased in ice. This man was none other than Bandi World, the World Destroyer, whom Luffy had encountered shortly after receiving Rayleigh's special training, and Devil Fruit User the More-More Fruit.
Although he successfully escaped from the prison during Blackbeard's rampage, he is now only able to blink his eyes and cannot speak. Moreover, his title and the treatment he receives are entirely based on his Devil Fruit powers. Therefore, Luo Chen didn't pay him any attention and simply walked past him.
Magellan had just dealt with the prisoner who had offended his authority as warden, was now waiting for him ahead of him with Hannyabal, Domino, and Romas.
"Mr. Luo Chen, please hurry. In principle, outsiders are not allowed to stay here for too long..."
Magellan stood outside the cell where Ace and Jinbe were imprisoned and gave him a warning.
"Yes, I understand. Could you please excuse me for a moment? I'd like to reconnect with these two men who are like my seniors..."
Luo Chen nodded, began his sermon, and then walked up to them.
At the same moment, Magellan and his men also turned around as he had instructed.
"Hmm, how come you, as the newly Shichibukai, are here?"
Before Ace could speak in the cell, Jinbe asked the question first.
"Hehehe, I've come here naturally to meet the two of you, especially Lord Fire Fist Ace, the one who ignited this great battle..."
Luo Chen replied with a smile.
"Look at me? What's so interesting about me? Besides, we're complete strangers. If you've looked enough, then leave now. I have nothing more to say..."
Ace's tone was extremely cold, showing no kindness whatsoever to Luo Chen, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea who had sided with the Navy during the war.
"Hehe, don't say that. Actually, I should thank you. If you hadn't been so arrogant as to pick a fight with Blackbeard and presumptuously wanted to capture him, I might not have this title. Without him, I wouldn't know what to do, what reason to join the war, or how to witness the true strength of Whitebeard, the strongest man of this era..."
Luo Chen didn't take Ace's cold attitude to heart and spoke in a slightly comforting and relaxed tone.
"You bastard, did you just come here to mock Ace? Do you think it'll benefit you to start this fight? Do you have to side with the Marines and become their lackey to fight against Pops?!"
Jinbe, standing to the side, glared at him and questioned him in a very agitated tone.
"No, it wasn't me who started this battle, it was him, Ace. Am I right? If you had really listened to your Pops and hadn't tried to capture Blackbeard, this might not have happened. Besides, we couldn't have stopped this battle. Whether Ace was rescued or not, the Whitebeard Pirates would have had to fight a major battle with the Navy."
Besides, I have no prejudice against the Navy. In terms of stance and other aspects, I hope the Navy can win. Therefore, I will do my best to ambush and kill your Whitebeard crew there. If no one stops me, I will continue to kill. Hehe, I believe you will see it then. Well, that's enough for me. I should go to headquarters to welcome Whitebeard and the others...
After saying that, Luo Chen turned and walked back.
"Hmm, are you finished, Mr. Luo Chen?!"
"Well, that's pretty much it. Let's go. I'm sure the Navy is eager for us, so we won't linger. Thank you, Director Magellan, Deputy Director Hannyabal, and Miss Domino..."
After thanking them, Luo Chen took the elevator back to the prison and boarded the ship to head towards headquarters, where he was seen off by a group of people.
Just after seeing off Luo Chen and his group, and as Magellan and his party stepped into their office, the Navy's phone rang again. They were solemnly informed that Empress Boa Hancock of the Shichibukai, and Vice Admiral Mole would be coming to visit Ace, just like Luo Chen and the others, and that they should prepare to welcome them once again.
Wow...
Hancock sped towards Impel Down Extreme Speed aboard the warship led by Mole. Meanwhile, far behind them, a sea lion-like Sea Kings dangled, with Rayleigh and Luffy sitting atop their heads.
"Yeah, if we just follow behind them, we'll get straight to Impel Down, Luffy- kun, right?!"
Rayleigh held a small Vivre Card in his hand, which bore the name of Snake Princess Hancock. It was her Vivre Card. Rayleigh and Luffy used this card, along with a lesson they learned from the blind sea lion they encountered while gliding across the sea, who tried to eat them. After teaching the sea lion a lesson, Rayleigh and Luffy tamed it and lay on its head, comfortably directing it forward.
Glug glug...
"I'm so hungry..."
Rayleigh was speaking in front of him, but Luffy behind him didn't hear him clearly. He only heard a gurgling sound, and Luffy, rubbing his stomach, lay weakly on the sea lion and said in a drawn-out voice.
" Luffy- kun... honestly, were you even listening to what I was saying...?"
Rayleigh called out to Luffy twice, but there was still no response, so he turned around and looked at him helplessly.
"Ah!! Uncle Rayleigh, what did you just say? I'm so sorry, I'm really hungry and couldn't hear you... Can we eat something first?"
Luffy finally replied, but it was about food, something he was very concerned about.
"Hey, forget it, you won't listen to me anyway. Since you're hungry, let's eat now..."
Seeing this, Rayleigh said helplessly, then took out a large package from his body, took out the food that had been prepared inside, handed a portion to him, and started eating himself.