PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"Admiral Luo Yu, did I… say too much?" Ain finally couldn't hold back her concern.

"Say too much?" Luo Yu blinked, coming back to his senses as he took a swig from his liquor bottle.

"I don't remember you saying anything important. I'm just here to bring someone back—nothing more. Don't overthink it."

He raised his flask and smiled faintly.

"As a Marine Admiral, one must always act with reason, and more importantly—follow protocol. It's currently 3:30 PM—afternoon tea time. I'm off to rest."

With that, Luo Yu turned and walked straight toward the cabin, leaving behind a group of Marines exchanging stunned glances.

If those words had come from someone else's mouth, perhaps they could've believed them.

But Luo Yu?

This was the man who once captured both a Warlord officer and three fake CP0 agents—in one go—for a bonus.

Would a Warlord recruitment mission from the World Government really be that simple in his hands?

Smoker and Tashigi exchanged a glance.The indignation that had burned in their hearts moments earlier… now felt like it was aimed in the wrong direction.

Instead of anger, a new emotion took its place—

Pity.

Pity for whoever this new Warlord was supposed to be.

Inside the cabin, Luo Yu wasn't even paying attention to the others.

Sengoku, for once, had been generous.

Ten million Berries all at once—just enough to reach the golden treasure chest threshold.

There was no way Luo Yu would let this lottery chance slip by.

"System, exchange ten million performance points for a golden treasure chest. Now."

Ding! Please wait...Ding! Golden Treasure Chest successfully exchanged. Would you like to open it now?

The cold, ethereal voice echoed in his ears.

Watching the performance point balance drop to zero, Luo Yu winced slightly—he felt a sting in his wallet.

But…

"Golden chests can contain platinum-level rewards. It's worth the gamble," he muttered with a smirk.

"Besides… money is like milk—it sours overnight. Poor people hoard; rich people draw ten in a row for pity guarantees."

"Let's go."

"System! Open the golden chest!"

Ding! Please wait...

Congratulations, Host! You have acquired: Super-Tier Magic — Skyfall.

A surge of energy, like a torrent bursting from the Yellow River, flooded into Luo Yu's mind.

His eyes flickered open in surprise.

He hadn't been too optimistic about what might come from the golden chest.

But this?

This was far beyond expectations.

If he remembered correctly, Skyfall was a devastating spell from the world of Overlord, used by none other than the infamous Ainz Ooal Gown, also known as the Bone King.

Once cast, it conjured a nine-layered magic array and unleashed heavenly pillars of destruction, annihilating everything in its range.

The effect was akin to the Beast Manifestation of Haki he had recently acquired.

But unlike Beast Manifestation, which drained Conqueror's Haki heavily, Skyfall ran on a different energy system altogether.

It would serve as a perfect backup nuke, letting him conserve his Conqueror's Haki for more strategic moments.

"If only every man could go full beast mode seven times a day..."

Three days later — Uls Sea, Grand Line.

Near the ruined remains of Marine Branch G-93, a pirate ship hovered ominously.Its sails bore the insignia of crossed twin swords piercing a white stallion—a banner fluttering proudly in the wind.

On deck stood a tall man with flowing golden hair, clad in aristocratic robes, exuding refined nobility and gentlemanly poise.

His icy blue eyes scanned the smoking ruins of the once-proud Marine installation.

The surrounding pirates swallowed nervously, replaying the scene of destruction they had just witnessed.

"Captain… was that freak just now really Edward Weevil?" one of the pirates finally asked, his voice shaky.

"He destroyed the entire branch… alone. Is he actually declaring war against Marine HQ?"

"No," the captain replied—Cavendish, the famed 'Prince of Pirates.'

He brushed aside a golden strand of hair and spoke with elegant disdain.

"Back at the tavern, that hideous old crone mentioned it over and over—this so-called Whitebeard Jr. has already caught the World Government's eye."

"They've extended an official invitation to him… to become a Warlord of the Sea."

Shock rippled through the crew.

"A Warlord...?"

The name alone sent chills down their spines.

Another pirate stepped forward.

"Captain, didn't the Government previously offer the position to Fire Fist Ace? But he refused and joined Whitebeard's crew as Second Division Commander."

"Now that Crocodile's been defeated and locked in Impel Down, it's opened a spot for Weevil."

"But Captain, you're the hottest rising Supernova! If there's a vacancy, it should be yours!"

"Imagine it! You'd be the undisputed number one Supernova—your name resounding across every sea!"

Cavendish chuckled, and his smile grew softer… yet sharper.

He had always pursued noble aesthetics—fame, glory, reputation.

But lately, the seas had been too crowded with flashy new upstarts stealing his limelight.

To reclaim his honor and image, nothing would compare to the title of Warlord.

"Supernova...? One slap per rookie, you mean?"

An unexpected voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Every pirate on deck snapped alert, eyes darting toward the sound.

And what they saw made their pupils contract in fear.

Even Cavendish's smile froze.

"A… a Marine?!"

When had a Navy officer boarded their ship?

And not just any Marine—the uniform, the badge, the attitude…

This man wasn't hiding. He wasn't sneaking.

He was standing dead center on their ship, completely unfazed.

And he just called Supernovas—those rookies who shocked the world—nothing more than one-slap chumps.

The crew's blood boiled in rage.

This was an insult.

Their captain, Cavendish, carried a bounty of 230 million Berries—a feared and famed pirate.

Now, to be mocked like this?

"Captain! That bastard must've swum here from Branch G-95. If he hadn't been so cocky, maybe we'd've spared him for chores."

"But now? He needs to be taught a lesson."

Swords were drawn. Blades glinted. The deck buzzed with bloodlust.

Then—

"Wait… I think… he might actually be qualified to say that…"

A trembling voice emerged from among the crew.

And in that instant, the tension broke into confusion.

Because in their hearts, a terrible suspicion was taking root.