Multivers, Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 278: 278 One Piece 42

Since everyone else was asleep, I had nothing to do, so I rested briefly and then got up. Bentham and the others were still sleeping — they must have been exhausted. I stepped outside for a bit and saw Ace, already recovered, talking with people in the hall and eating.

"Taejin, you’re here! Mm, I heard what happened."

"Looks like you’ve recovered."

"Yeah, it was really tough, mm mm."

Ace greeted me while eating an enormous amount of food. He was just as big an eater as Luffy. Probably thanks to Garp’s training.

’Eat as much as you can when you can? Well, in this world, that’s not wrong.’

Ivankov and Inazuma were nowhere to be seen — probably resting as well. So I just sat with Ace and ate while talking. But Ace, apparently exhausted, started falling asleep while eating. Not joking — he actually passed out. I wondered how someone trains to fall asleep while eating.

’Garp... what is he...’

Curious if I could learn anything about this place or the Revolutionary Army, I secretly read the memory of a man serving food. I regretted it immediately. This person had originally been a woman who transitioned to male, and his lover was a man who had transitioned to female — they were in a relationship that burned from both ends. And he knew very little useful information.

’I really didn’t want to read that kind of memory... Damn it.’

Even with [Strong Mind], that was disturbing enough that I decided to be careful about reading memories here from now on. And I never touched the food here again. The memory was too vivid and left me feeling very unsettled.

Eventually, Bentham and the others woke up, one by one, and came out to eat.

"Oh~ I was hungry, so this is good. But why is the Merchant King looking at us like that..."

"Ah... it’s nothing. Eat well. Eat as much as you can when you can."

Judging by Galdino’s question, my expression must have given something away. I turned my head slightly and took out some cold beer from my inventory.

"Ahh~ that was good. I never thought I’d eat this well in Impel Down."

"I know, right."

When they finished eating and patted their stomachs, I said to Bentham and the others, "You should keep this place a secret. That way, even if you’re caught again later, you might have a future."

"Now that you mention it, you’re right. Understood."

"And Buggy — are you willing to sell me those ’Muggy Balls’?"

Buggy looked troubled. "Well... I only sneaked in one, so I don’t have any left..."

"Then sell me the formula. When this is over, I’ll give you 100 million berries. You’ll need funds once you’re out of here anyway. A merchant’s word is as good as his life — you can trust me."

"Gasp!!! 100 million berries!!!!"

Buggy was shocked at the amount.

"I’ll sell it to you immediately!!"

Buggy explained the Muggy Ball formula very carefully, making sure no one else heard. I read his memory too — he explained everything honestly, without hiding anything. As a bonus, I also learned the formula for the Buggy Ball.

"That’s everything."

"Good. I’ll give you 100 million berries when this is over. If you miss me, come to Mock Town on Jaya Island. It’s not far from here."

"Understood."

Buggy was overjoyed at the prospect of having 100 million berries as soon as he escaped Impel Down.

To be honest, with my [Energy Bomb] ability, I could make bombs even more powerful than the Muggy Ball. But that’s my ability. For bombs that can be mass‑produced and used as main armaments on Sky Island, the Muggy Ball and Buggy Ball seemed perfect.

Moreover, if I improved them further — reducing the size to that of a bullet — they could even be used as Winchester rounds. If that worked, I’d have a very powerful explosive round. And if I used my ability as well, there was no telling how powerful the explosion could become.

’I’m getting a good deal from Buggy.’

To be honest, I could have just read his memory and not paid. But to stay true to my merchant concept, I decided to pay fairly. Besides, I’d be taking Buggy’s Devil Fruit ability later on — in a way, this was the bomb plus the fruit price.

As we drank and talked, Ivankov and Inazuma eventually joined us.

"So who are you trying to rescue?"

"Luffy and Thatch. And if there’s anyone else useful, I’ll take them too."

When Ivankov asked, I answered honestly. He seemed to grasp the situation.

"Ah... so you came to stop a war, boy. But who’s Luffy?"

I pointed to Ace, who was asleep with his head on the table. "This guy’s younger brother, and a kid I know from a village I visit. Anyway, if you want to come with us when we leave, let me know."

Ivankov smiled and said, "We’re not ready yet, I’d say. The timing isn’t right. We’re aware of the situation in the world. The Navy and the Whitebeard Pirates are about to set the world in motion. But that man hasn’t moved yet. The man behind the revolutionaries across the world — my comrade, ’Revolutionary Dragon’!!"

"Luffy’s father, you mean."

"Yes. When Dragon leads his army to move, I’ll break out of here and throw myself back into the currents of the world. If I recklessly escaped now, I’d just be loudly hunted in the outside world... wait, father?"

"Yes. Luffy’s grandfather is Garp, so his father is Dragon."

"Wha, what??? Dragon is Luffy’s father??!!!"

Ivankov was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out.

"So the Luffy boy you’re going to rescue is Dragon’s son?"

"That’s right."

Ivankov thought for a long moment, then suddenly stood up and gave orders.

"Attention all residents of Newkama Land! We will soon rescue Thatch Boy and Luffy Boy, then attempt a mass breakout from Impel Down!! Those who wish to come, prepare for death, make your battle preparations, and wait here!!"

The people were surprised by Ivankov’s sudden command and murmured among themselves. As expected of Revolutionaries — learning that Luffy was Dragon’s son made them actively prepare for the breakout.

"Eh—!! So suddenly!!!"

"Yes! Decisions are always sudden!!" freewёbnoνel.com

At that, the people began separating into those who would stay and those who would escape. Bentham and the others also received new clothes and changed.

While everyone busily prepared, and Ace woke up and finished his preparations, Ivankov said to the people, "We’ll go to Level 6 to rescue the prisoners first. You all wait here, boy."

"Understood."

I also said to Bentham and the others, "You wait here too. We’ll be back quickly."

"Yes."

The team heading down to Level 6 was me, Ace, Ivankov, and Inazuma.

We went out through the secret passage on Level 5 and ran toward the passage leading down to Level 6. Military wolves attacked again, but with our level of skill, they were no match.

"Get out of the way!! Stop loitering!!"

Puk puk puk!

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When we reached the passage connected to Level 6, a thick door blocked the way. Inazuma turned his hand into small scissors and easily cut through, allowing us to descend. I never knew scissors were so versatile until today.

"From here on, there are surveillance snails."

"Don’t worry about that."

Again, I took steel balls from my inventory and flicked them, taking out every surveillance snail in sight.

Ping! Ping! Ping!

Pak! Pak! Pak!

Ivankov watched and said, "So that’s how you took out all the snails. Poor things."

"It couldn’t be helped. If the Navy found out that Ace and I had broken into Impel Down, they would have sent massive reinforcements, which would have been a huge nuisance."

"I suppose so, boy. An Emperor and the Whitebeard Pirates’ second division commander breaking in — they wouldn’t just sit still."

There were various traps on the way down, but we easily neutralized them. We also dealt with the guards, capturing a few to extract information as we continued downward.

Level 6 wasn’t particularly distinctive as a prison. The main difference was that the cells were coated in sea prism stone. Probably because many powerful Devil Fruit users were imprisoned here.

"Found him!! Luffy is here!!"

At Ace’s shout, we went to where Luffy was. Ironically, Luffy was in the same room where Bentham had been — frozen solid. It seemed he had been moved here in the same condition Kuzan left him.

"Is he alive?"

Ace was worried. I examined Luffy. He was frozen and in a state of suspended animation, but still alive.

"Hmm... he’s still alive. But treating him here will be difficult."

"Phew... that’s a relief... Making his older brother worry like that."

Coming from a fellow problem child, that struck me as ridiculous. But Luffy is less of a handful — half a handful? Silver handful?

"We don’t have time. Let’s carry him out and treat him. I’ll carry him — you two find Thatch quickly."

"Got it!"

I carefully lifted Luffy off the floor, tucked him under my arm, and checked the other cells.

"Hmm... you look like a guard. Why are you in here?"

"Well, I had a disagreement with Magellan. But this is surprising. The Merchant King, breaking into Impel Down twice — this isn’t a playground."

This was Shiryu of the Rain, who would later become Teach’s crewmate. He had a square jaw and sharp eyes. I briefly considered killing him now, but with the original flow already significantly altered, I couldn’t predict what butterfly effect killing him might cause. So I left him for now.

"Oh!! Jinbe!! Why are you here??!!!"

Ace’s surprised voice came from over there.

"I should go. See you later."

"Hey, I heard the Merchant King has a space‑space type ability and can store many things. If you have a cigar, give me one before you go."

This guy — not knowing I was sparing him because of the original story — made that request.

"You know who I am and you still say that? Fine. I’ll give you one for your courage."

I took a cigar from my inventory, placed it in Shiryu’s mouth, and lit it. Shiryu took a long drag and exhaled.

"Ahh... good! I never thought I’d live to see the day I’d smoke a cigar given by the Merchant King."

"You’re not the type to rot in here. I’ll see you on the sea."

Shiryu smirked. "Yes. See you there."

I finished my brief conversation with Shiryu and went to where Ace was. Ace was freeing a badly injured Jinbe and supporting him.

"Jinbe, where’s Thatch? And why are you imprisoned here? You’re a Warlord!"

Ace asked Jinbe, and Jinbe replied, "I refused to support the war, so I was imprisoned. I owe Whitebeard a debt. Besides, this war is madness. Anyway, Thatch was with me at first, but he was transferred by the Navy."

"When was he transferred?"

"Quite a while ago. He’s probably on a Navy ship, being transported to Navy Headquarters by now."

"Damn, we’re too late..."

"But don’t worry. Thatch is bait for the war, so they won’t execute him early."

Jinbe had a bit more information than in the original.

Just then, a welcome voice came from a nearby cell.

"Hey, Merchant King. Take me with you."

We looked over. Crocodile smirked at us.

"If I go, I’ll certainly be useful."

"Crocodile. You’re here. Long time no see."

"Yes, long time no see. I thought going back to the outside world would be boring, but if Whitebeard and the Navy are going to war, that’s different. I’m interested in this war. With my ability, I can certainly be useful."

In the original, this guy talked about taking Whitebeard’s head. But here, perhaps because he heard Jinbe say he owed Whitebeard a debt, he didn’t say that.

While I hesitated about whether to free him, Ivankov said, "Free him, Taejin boy. He’ll be a significant asset. Especially if you’re going to Navy Headquarters to rescue Thatch."

"But I don’t know if we can trust him."

"Oohohoho~ Don’t worry. I hold one of his ’weaknesses.’ If he behaves and contributes his strength, I’ll keep quiet. Hee‑ha!!"

Crocodile glared at Ivankov. "Ivankov, you bastard!!!"

"Hmm... alright. Someone of Crocodile’s caliber will be a good asset."

When I agreed, Inazuma opened the cell and freed Crocodile. The other prisoners in nearby cells raised a commotion. Ivankov winked at them to silence them.

"Free us too! We’ll join the war!"

"Shut up!! Death Wink!!"

Puk puk!

"Guhk!" "Gaaah!"

As that was happening, Crocodile glanced at the frozen Luffy in my arms and asked, "That kid — can I kill him? I have a grudge against him."

"That’s not possible. If he dies, a lot of his friends will be very angry. And I’m freeing you as a bonus while I’m here to rescue him."

"Hmph... too bad."

Ace glared at Crocodile. Fearing they might start fighting here, I suggested we head back up.

"Let’s go back up. Luffy needs treatment."

"Yeah, okay."

We returned the way we came and arrived at Newkama Land. Since I had taken out all the surveillance snails on the way down, the only interruptions were guards who came to check because communication was cut off.

When we arrived at Newkama Land, Bentham and Galdino were shocked to see Crocodile.

"Gasp!! Boss!!"

"So you were here. Mr. 2, Mr. 3. What are you useless trash doing here?"

Bentham didn’t react much, but Galdino was busy making excuses to Crocodile.

"W‑well... I was caught by the Merchant King and ended up coming here with him..."

I said to Crocodile, "Don’t be so hard on them. They’ve been helpful on the way here."

Galdino was so moved he shed tears. "Sniff... Merchant King..."

Crocodile looked at them with contempt. "Pathetic."

Anyway, Crocodile changed clothes. Luffy was placed in warm water to slowly thaw, and Ivankov gave him hormone treatment as well, so he would probably wake up soon. Judging by his frozen state, Kuzan had been relatively careful with him.

Meanwhile, Jinbe also received treatment.