Chapter 175: The Logistics Work Keeps Increasing!
"From the sound of it, you're going to break someone out of prison?"
"Ace is actually Straw Hat's brother?!"
"Is that the point! What kind of pirate would voluntarily go to a place like Impel Down? Are you guys insane!"
"I actually think it's something they would do."
After listening to Reiner and Sanji sort out the situation, the others chimed in one after another, clearly indicating their intention to raid the prison.
The Supernovas all had different expressions, finding it incredible in their hearts.
Although they had heard a lot about the Straw Hats' deeds in the newspapers, seeing it in person now, they truly felt how crazy these people were!
"You called us over, you're not thinking of asking us for help, are you?" Kid said in a low, cold voice.
What a joke. I'm not afraid of storming Impel Down, but to have me help the Straw Hat crew? Impossible!
Ace or Bace, what the hell does it have to do with me!
He had no reason to help them, and the same went for everyone else.
"Help?"
Reiner, drinking his liquor, glanced at him with disdain. "You're thinking too much. All of you added together aren't as strong as me alone. It was just a whim to bring you along to see the world."
Reiner started bluffing again.
These people's strength was not bad. Besides Magellan, no one in the Impel Down garrison could stop them.
The key to storming Impel Down was time. The World Government's exclusive massive whirlpool current allowed headquarters to send reinforcements at an extremely fast speed.
With these guys together, they could fight their way to the sixth level much faster, and the consumption would also be much less. After all, after getting in, they still had to fight their way out.
Who knew if Akainu would be the one welcoming them at the gate then.
In a war of this level, it wouldn't be strange for anyone to appear anywhere.
In this place where the world's top combat powers gathered, Reiner was just a lone boat caught in a storm.
"As the world is in turmoil, don't you want to make a name for yourselves in this incident? Are you just going to hide quietly and watch the live broadcast?"
Reiner put down his glass and scanned the group, a corner of his mouth lifting in a sneer.
"When you came to challenge us during the day, you were all so arrogant. Don't tell me you got so scared you tucked your tails between your legs just from hearing about causing a ruckus in Impel Down."
What league are you in, to be ranked as a Supernova alongside me? Reiner's disdainful gaze was self-evident.
He knew they definitely wouldn't help if he asked them to, but using reverse psychology and provocation might actually work.
Stirring up trouble in this incident to make a name for themselves and increase their bounties was still somewhat attractive to a group of pirates preparing to enter the New World. They just needed someone to get the ball rolling.
"Who got scared and tucked their tail between their legs!!"
"Reverse psychology?!"
Upon hearing Reiner's words, Kid and the others' faces all darkened, gritting their teeth and glaring at him.
How could this guy manage to make people want to beat him to death every time he opened his mouth?
But say what you will, he really was good at provoking people. It was the same during the day; he could get everyone riled up with just one sentence.
Seeing the reaction of the Supernovas, Sanji immediately understood Reiner's idea and casually said, "Speaking of which, after we caused a scene at Enies Lobby, our bounties all went up quite a bit."
"At that time, we leaped to become the pirate crew with the highest bounty among the Supernovas. I wonder how high it will go after we cause a scene at Impel Down this time," Robin added with a faint smile.
"If I were the captain, regardless of Luffy's business, I would definitely go join in the fun. The world's strongest are gathering. I really want to cross swords with them."
A fiery glint flashed in Zoro's eyes.
He hadn't thought that much. He really just wanted to find someone to fight.
"Enough!"
Thump! Bege, with a cigar forcefully clenched in his teeth, slammed his glass on the table and said in a low voice:
"Such a blatant provocation! Do you really think we're fools? Don't think a few words can trick us into helping!"
What happened to Ace had nothing to do with them. On the other hand, doing something to make a name for themselves and raise their bounties before entering the New World... he was a little interested in that.
But he couldn't stand this kind of provocation, as if he were being used. It pissed him off!
The hall was silent for a while. No one spoke. Reiner scanned the room.
This was a blatant provocation, but it was effective.
He was afraid some people were already itching for it. Otherwise, they would have turned and left long ago; there was no need to stay and wait.
The most obvious one was Kid; he couldn't hide his expression at all.
The others seemed calm, but in reality, these guys were all wilder than the next. They weren't sheep; they were wolves!
How could they not have some pride after fighting their way through thousands upon thousands of pirates from Reverse Mountain to get here?
A pile of trash talk instantly welled up in Reiner's mind. He was preparing to add more fuel to the fire, and then extend an olive branch.
But before he could speak...
"Huh?"
Luffy tilted his head, looking puzzled. "What have you all been talking about from the beginning? Aren't we discussing how to save Ace?"
How did the conversation get to a point where he couldn't understand it anymore?
"We're getting to that," Nami said, leaning against the bar and glancing at the Supernovas with a raised eyebrow, speaking provokingly:
"Unlike some people, who want to show off but don't dare to do anything."
"Is that so?"
Looking at the Supernovas with a lack of understanding, Luffy blinked and said bluntly, "So they're low-level pirates."
As soon as his words fell, the entire living room instantly exploded like a stirred-up pot.
"What did you say, you bastard!!"
"Low-level pirates?!!"
"I dare you to say that again!!"
One sentence immediately infuriated everyone. Kid grabbed Luffy's collar tightly. Even Law, who had been silent, got in Luffy's face, baring his teeth and shouting.
How can you be so insulting?! This is too much!!
If we weren't outmatched, we'd wipe you out right now!
Seeing that the time was ripe, Reiner also spoke directly, "My idea is to form a temporary group. It has nothing to do with Ace's situation. This alliance has only one goal."
"To break through Impel Down!"
Everyone looked at him quietly, their expressions complicated, their hearts filled with thoughts.
This phrasing seemed a bit more acceptable, although they all knew in their hearts that they were still being used.
But thinking about it from another perspective, weren't they also using the Straw Hat crew?
If they were really going to cause a scene at Impel Down, they probably wouldn't make it back with just their own strength. With the Straw Hat crew, it was a different story. One pirate crew could take on all eight of them.
The Straw Hat crew wanted to save someone, and they wanted fame. This was actually a win-win deal.
Law couldn't help but look up at Reiner with a grave expression. When the other party provoked everyone during the day, could it be that he had already planned this?
"Tch, let's not talk about whether we'll form an alliance or not. How do you plan to get to Impel Down?"
The cigar at the corner of Bege's mouth twitched. "The Tarai Current separates this place from Impel Down. To go around it, given the execution time you mentioned, I'm afraid there won't be enough time."
Enies Lobby, Impel Down, and Marine Headquarters were separated by a massive whirlpool current. Reiner and the others had known this since Enies Lobby.
At this time, Law also spoke, "Also, the garrison at the underwater prison must be very tight right now. If so many ships from here were to go, we would definitely be intercepted halfway."
The implication was clear; they were already entertaining the idea of an alliance.
"We won't go around the great whirlpool. We'll take the underwater route. Have your ships been coated?" Reiner suddenly asked.
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood what he meant.
A sharp glint flashed in Law's eyes, and a corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "Bypassing all obstacles underwater and launching a surprise attack on Impel Down... you're really daring, Black Snake-ya."
Sailing underwater with a coating is very dangerous. On the way from Sabaody Archipelago to Fishman Island, who knows how many corpses were buried at the bottom of the sea.
Let alone the seabed of the Calm Belt. That was a nest of Sea Kings!!
"If you can't risk a little danger, you can't expect both fame and fortune. There's no such good thing. And it's not like you're completely unable to fight underwater. Those who would be wiped out by Sea Kings don't need to go to Impel Down to die anyway."
Reiner said nonchalantly. He wasn't wrong. As long as they weren't too unlucky, with these people's strength, there wouldn't be any major problems.
Later, he told them some other details. Kid, Law, and the others had already had their ships coated. Only they hadn't even found a coating artisan yet.
The group roughly confirmed the plan and soon dispersed.
It would take about three days to coat the Merry. Since everyone was on the island, they could meet up at any time to discuss any changes in details.
After everyone had left, only the Straw Hat crew and Shakky remained in the bar.
"Today has really been an eye-opener for me. The young people these days are truly incredible."
Shakky couldn't help but sigh, then said to Luffy, "You have a great group of comrades."
"Hee hee hee, of course! They're the best!"
Luffy grinned, then turned to look at the others. "Reiner, Sanji, and everyone, thank you all, hee hee hee."
The others didn't speak, just responded with silent smiles.
Now they just needed to find Rayleigh to coat the Merry. The Human Auctioning House on Grove 1... tomorrow was the fixed monthly auction day. If nothing unexpected happened, he should be there.
If something unexpected happened, they would just find another coating artisan. It wouldn't be a problem.
Besides that, he also had backup plans, backup plans for his backup plans, backups for the backups of the backups...
The logistics work keeps increasing!
After continuing to eat, drink, and make merry for a while, as the sky grew dark, the group prepared to leave.
"Then we'll be going. Goodbye, Sister Shakky."
"Mm, goodbye."
After bidding farewell to Shakky, the group headed towards the Grove 70 area.
That was the hotel district. Since they had finally landed, they would go and sleep on a solid, soft bed for a change.
(End of chapter)
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We've hit 200 Power Stones goal As promised This week, here's the bonus chapter. Thank you for your support—please keep it coming!