(It could also work as "Hannibal takes over from the Hutt -> plays the Republic and the Separatists against each other to get the trained police force he needs -> eventually sides with the Separatists (at least they don't have a slave army like wtf Republic)" -- so basically the basic framework of that part of the plot works either way. I just wish I actually knew which option I should go with. Just might go with the Kowloon theory.)