One Piece: Starting at the War of the Best

Following closely behind "Scissor Man" in their frantic escape, it wasn't long before a vast expanse of green appeared before them—something exceedingly rare in the perpetually frozen depths of Impel Down's Level 5.

At the sight, Katie let out a sigh of relief. If her memory served her right, the passage to the hidden Level 5.5 should be here. After all, this was where Mr. 2 had encountered Scissor Man in the original story.

Just as expected, Scissor Man dashed into the forest, weaving left and right before stopping at an inconspicuous spot. Bending down, he lifted a section of the ground, revealing a dark, gaping hole.

Without needing any prompting, Katie leaped straight in.

Sprinting down the stairs for what felt like a kilometer, a faint glimmer of light suddenly appeared at the end of the path—their destination, the secret Level 5.5, unknown to most.

"After you."

Scissor Man, having caught up from behind, gestured for Katie to enter.

"Mm."

There was no other choice. Up on the surface, Magellan, that madman, was probably waiting with his forty-meter-long poison blade, ready to strike the moment Kitty showed her face. Unless she had a death wish, there was no way she'd go back now.

Taking a deep breath to steel herself, Katie stepped forward. The Queen of the Okama had quite the reputation, and having never been to Thailand in her past life, Katie feared that without proper mental preparation, she might end up traumatized.

"Wooow! Woooow! Woooow!"

In an instant, the deafening noise nearly shattered Katie's eardrums. The chaotic clamor seemed capable of blowing the roof off, making her head throb and her ears ring.

Before she could adjust, blinding spotlights suddenly shone directly on her. Thankfully, her eyes were supposedly made of "24K titanium alloy," or else she'd have been blinded for sure.

Then, a gust of wind whipped past, and an enormous head abruptly appeared right in front of her, startling Katie so badly she almost slashed out with her sword.

"Looks like we've got a new cool woman today! What's the matter? Want a firsthand experience of what it's like to be a woman?"

As the words left Ivankov's mouth, the fingers of their right hand suddenly elongated, glinting sharply as they thrust toward Katie.

Katie's eyes narrowed. Though she didn't understand why Ivankov had suddenly attacked, her body reacted instantly. Drawing "Breaker" from her waist, she intercepted Ivankov's razor-sharp fingertips midair.

"So, you called me here just for this?"

She turned slightly to address Scissor Man behind him. Despite Ivankov being the ruler here, Katie found it easier to talk to the comparatively "normal" Scissor Man.

"Alright, Iva, that's enough testing. If she made it here alone, she's clearly no pushover."

At the same time, the previously raucous atmosphere gradually quieted. The music stopped, and the crowd—who had been acting like they were high on something—suddenly fell silent.

All eyes turned toward them, scrutinizing Katie with intense curiosity.

"Ms. Katie, this way."

Once again, it was Scissor Man who spoke. Without waiting for a response, he turned and led the way.

Glancing around, Katie noted that while the surroundings differed somewhat from what she remembered in the original story, she decided to adopt a "since I'm here, might as well go with it" attitude. After all, going back meant certain death. Might as well see what they wanted. She noticed Ivankov following close behind.

After walking down a long corridor, they entered a dimly lit room.

"Have you heard of the Revolutionary Army?"

The moment they sat down, Ivankov dropped the question. Their demeanor had completely shifted—calm and composed, as if the earlier flamboyance had been an illusion. This time, Scissor Man stood silently to the side, clearly deferring to Ivankov.

"The Revolutionary Army? It'd be hard not to have heard of them."

Katie found the question almost unnecessary. As the World Government's greatest enemy, the Revolutionary Army's reputation was anything but small.

"Then how about joining us? We are the Revolutionary Army."

Ivankov's directness took Katie by surprise. Was it really okay to reveal their identity so openly?

Still, she wasn't particularly shocked. As a transmigrator, she already knew that both Scissor Man and Ivankov were part of the Revolutionary Army, so the offer wasn't entirely unexpected.

Studying the two again, Katie suddenly realized her earlier assumptions might have been wrong. They weren't just here to party—they were preparing for a prison break while simultaneously building strength for the Revolutionary Army.

That meant her encounter with Scissor Man hadn't been a coincidence. They must have been watching her through Den Den Mushi surveillance, appearing at just the right moment to save her in her most desperate hour—all to gain her trust and recruit her.

"Sorry, but I'm not interested. The Revolutionary Army's atmosphere is too restrictive for me."

Katie shook her head. Despite being indebted to them and currently under their roof, she still refused. The Revolutionary Army's way of life simply didn't suit him.

Compared to that, he'd rather be a free-spirited pirate like Luffy. Freedom was the most precious and alluring thing of all. Besides, with her system's help, Katie was confident he'd eventually reach—or even surpass—Dragon's level. There was no need to work under someone else.

Ivankov's expression remained unchanged, as if they'd anticipated this response. Most who refused them used similar reasoning.

And they were prepared for it.

"I understand your position. But given your current situation, wouldn't joining us be the most logical choice? After all, we share common enemies—Magellan and the World Government. And only by becoming a comrade in the Revolutionary Army will you be allowed to stay here."

That was Ivankov's strategy. It carried a hint of coercion, but it was understandable. Resources here were limited, and they weren't running a charity. They'd only shelter their own.

"Sorry, but I don't plan on staying long. Once I've evaded Magellan's pursuit, I'll leave. I appreciate the offer, but I must decline."

Katie was firm on this point. Staying here might be safe, but it wouldn't help her grow stronger or complete her system's missions. It went against her original goals.

Sensing her resolve, Scissor Man and Ivankov's brows furrowed slightly. If she had just refused, that would have been one thing.

But the fact that she intended to leave complicated matters. Level 5.5 was the only safe haven in all of Impel Down. If Katie left and was captured by Magellan, she could become a massive threat to them. That was the last thing they wanted.

"What's wrong with this place? Why must you leave?"

Ivankov couldn't comprehend Katie's insistence. In past recruitment attempts, some had given various excuses, but once they realized joining the Revolutionary Army was the only way to stay, they all eventually complied.

"Because the world is about to change. The war between Whitebeard and the Marines is something I can't miss!"

Katie couldn't explain the real reason, so she used the impending Marineford War as justification.

"Are you sure you won't stay?"

Ivankov's tone hardened.

"Sorry, but no."

"...Then I'm afraid, for everyone's safety, you won't be allowed to leave."

At that moment, a faint but unmistakable hostility radiated from Ivankov. It was clear—if words failed, force would follow.