The trio including Ivankov, who had escaped from the Kingdom of Transvestites, traveled all the way down and actually reached Level 5 during the time the Warden and Hannybal were absent.
The escaped Buggy and Galdino followed Ivankov with puzzled faces. As they ran, it got colder and colder. Finally, unable to bear the cold, Buggy couldn't help but ask, "Why is it getting colder as we run? Where are we?"
Ivankov asked with a look of surprise, "Didn't I say?"
Galdino said, "Say what? Aren't we trying to escape this prison?"
Ivankov said, "No, we're going into Level 5 to save Straw Hat."
Upon reaching the Freezing Hell of Level 5, the Snow Wolves living there surrounded them. Seeing the terrifying Snow Wolves, Buggy and Galdino immediately got cold feet and ran away.
Luffy, who was sent to Level 5, was not wearing Sea Stone handcuffs; the Prison Guards didn't want to be contaminated by the venom on his body.
Gradually regaining consciousness, Luffy was a bit confused. He felt as though the pain wasn't as intense anymore, and his strength was slowly returning. He struggled to stand up.
Seeing Luffy's miserable state, the other prisoners began placing bets, guessing how long Luffy would survive.
Luffy's senses gradually cleared. Ivankov, covered in ice, arrived outside the cell and shouted loudly toward the inside, "Straw Hat, I've come to save you, in the name of friendship!"
"I'm really sorry for running away back then."
Hearing Ivankov's words, the crowd in the prison who were mocking Luffy were all shocked. They couldn't believe that in this hell, there was actually someone who would risk their life to save another.
A prisoner asked, "Who are you to him?"
Ivankov shouted loudly, "A friend! Straw Hat, I won't let you die!"
He took out the key made by Galdino, opened the cell door, and pulled Straw Hat out.
Ivankov suddenly saw a note on Luffy, where the venom had dissipated, which read: "Go find the Queen of Transvestites, Emporio Ivankov. She is in the hidden part of Level 5."
Ivankov asked the crowd in the prison, "Do you know Ivankov? Where is she?"
The prisoners in the cell said, "We don't know. She disappeared into Level 5 long ago. Only legends about her still echo in the prison."
"It's said she disappeared into the forest where the Snow Wolf packs live. There is a 'Demon World Gate' there that makes anyone who enters disappear."
Ivankov dragged Luffy and left the area.
"To save Straw Hat, who has been poisoned so much, only the legendary King of Healing, Ivankov, can do it. I will definitely find him and heal Straw Hat."
The conscious Luffy let out a painful sound. Hearing this, Ivankov shook Luffy, "Straw Hat, you have to hold on. I will definitely save you."
Luffy's painful cries grew louder. Under Ivankov's shocked gaze, he bit into a nearby Snow Wolf: "I'm starving to death!!!"
Ivankov stared dumbfoundedly at Luffy, whose voice had grown louder, his jaw dropping to the ground in shock: "Straw Hat, are you okay? Are you really fine after being hit by so much poison?"
Luffy looked at the Snow Wolf with disgust, then turned back to Ivankov: "Oh, thanks for coming to save me. I don't know why, but my body suddenly feels better. I can't feel the toxins anymore."
From among the Snow Wolves, a figure walked out. His hairstyle resembled the 'Club' from a deck of playing cards, with the left half of his hair orange and the right half white. The clothes he wore were also half orange on the left and half white on the right.
There was a lightning-shaped scar from his forehead to his right eye. He held a wine glass in his left hand and said, "Are you Luffy? We've heard about you. Follow me."
He then turned and left. After Ivankov and Luffy looked at each other, they also followed Inazuma.
Passing through the legendary 'Demon World Gate', they reached a warm place, as if they had already left the prison.
The prisoners inside looked at the newcomers and raised their glasses in celebration: "Newcomers, welcome here! We saw your performance on the monitors; it was truly wonderful."
While Ivankov was still dazed, Luffy, on the other side, could no longer endure his hunger. He stretched his arms to grab food from the banquet and began eating frantically.
A very tall person with a giant face, an exceptionally large deep-purple afro, long thick eyelashes, light blue eyeshadow, and purple lip gloss appeared.
The person's clothing was also quite strange, consisting of fishnet stockings, a cape, and a tight, ultra-low-cut bodysuit that revealed a large skull tattoo on their abdominal muscles. They stepped out from behind the screen on the stage.
The Queen of Transvestites, Ivankov, said, "Welcome here, newcomers. This place has a warm environment, a peaceful atmosphere, plenty of gourmet food, and the most precious freedom. This is Level 5.5, Newkama Land."
Ivankov looked at the gluttonous Luffy and fell into deep thought. "It shouldn't be. After being infected by so much of Magellan's toxins, how could there be only this little bit left?"
A cute female voice came from behind Ivankov: "Alright, I'm sorry to interrupt while you're all having fun. Now, please, everyone from the Revolutionary Army, raise one hand."
Ivankov looked curiously in the direction of the voice: "That's not right. I remember only these two being nearby."
Then, Hera's figure stepped out from behind Ivankov. When the prisoners in the room saw this person, the lively party instantly turned cold.
Luffy sensed the silence of the banquet and looked confusedly at the place where everyone's gaze was gathered: "Hmm? What's wrong? Why did it suddenly get quiet?"
Upon seeing Hera's figure, he shouted excitedly, "Is it you, Hera? I knew you would help me! Did you help me clear my toxins?"
Hera nodded and said, "It was me. These difficulties aren't worth you sacrificing ten years of your life."
Ivankov's voice trembled slightly: "Straw Hat, do you know this person?"
Luffy said with a smile, "Of course! She's my older sister, and she's very kind."
The prisoners who heard Luffy say Hera was kind all had their jaws drop. They pointed at Hera tremblingly: "Are you saying she's very kind? Do you know what she just did?"
Luffy turned his head toward the speaker in confusion and asked, "What's wrong? Didn't she leave after picking up Garp?"
Hera interrupted the prisoner and continued, "It's nothing. Members of the Revolutionary Army, I am here to take you away. As for the prisoners locked up here, I will also grant you freedom—true freedom."
Luffy said happily, "Really? Will you take us out?"
Inazuma and Ivankov, not knowing the truth of the matter, silently gathered the members of the Revolutionary Army and shielded them behind their backs. They did not trust Hera.
Hera smiled as she saw the people consciously split into two groups: "Very good."
The City of Devouring Time enveloped Newkama Land. The banquet, which had been relatively bright, dimmed. In the silence, those prisoners who had fled here fell into darkness.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"