PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Chapter Title: "One Slap, One Star"

The vast deck fell into utter silence.

Everyone was dumbfounded by that sudden remark. All eyes reflexively turned to the low-ranking officer beside Cavendish.

As members of the Handsome Pirate Crew, they knew exactly how much their captain valued honor.

And now, at a moment like this—someone had just praised the enemy and belittled their own side?

Wasn't that a bit… suicidal?

But before anyone could speak, Cavendish himself furrowed his brows. His expression grew grim as his hand instinctively rested on the hilt of Durandal, his treasured sword.

"Marine Admiral Taiote Luo Yu…?"

Marine Admiral?!

Gasps erupted across the deck.

Every pirate's face twisted in shock.

The front-page news from just days ago still haunted their memories:

The infamous Straw Hat Crew, who had done the unthinkable—invaded and nearly toppled Enies Lobby, a bastion untouched for 800 years—had been completely decimated.

By a single Marine.

If not for a surprise intervention by one of Kaido's Flying Six, the Straw Hats might've been wiped off the map.

And the man responsible…

Was now standing right in front of them.

A chill ran down everyone's spine.

Dozens of pirates tightened their grips on their weapons.

This wasn't just a random skirmish. This was the kind of fight that decided life or death.

No one believed they could win.

But they were pirates. And pirates fought even when the odds were stacked against them.

"You're Cavendish, captain of the Handsome Pirate Crew? Bounty: 230 million Berries?"

Luo Yu casually took a sip of liquor, his gaze drifting to the smoldering ruins of G-93 Marine Base in the distance.

"Next time you address me, remember to include the word newly appointed. Makes it easier for me to mentally justify my mistakes."

"Relax. I didn't come to fight. Just here to ask a few questions."

"Newly appointed... Admiral?" Cavendish's expression froze.

He couldn't understand why Luo Yu would emphasize being a rookie. In most cases, calling someone "new" was meant as an insult.

He himself would've taken offense at such a title.

But seeing the man before him, he swallowed his thoughts and spoke cautiously.

"And what brings the newly appointed Admiral aboard my ship?"

"Are you here to capture me? If so, I'd rather attack first. It's a lot less embarrassing than being dragged away without a fight."

"I am a 230 million Berry Supernova, after all."

Around him, hundreds of pirates held their breath.

The presence of a top-tier Marine like Luo Yu was suffocating.

Even the simple act of breathing felt like a luxury.

"Capture you?" Luo Yu let out a chuckle and swirled his drink.

"Have you ever breached Enies Lobby? Stolen Heaven's Tribute? Attacked a Celestial Dragon? Or destroyed a Marine base?"

"No? Then you're not even worth a million Berry bounty."

"I wouldn't even be able to justify a performance bonus to Sengoku."

Not even worth a million...?

Cavendish's expression twitched.

He was a renowned Supernova with a bounty in the hundreds of millions.

Yet this man before him… didn't even consider him worth filing paperwork for.

Had it been anyone else, Cavendish might've already drawn his blade.

"Don't waste my time," Luo Yu said nonchalantly, adjusting his golden-rimmed glasses.

"I've got to clock out soon."

"You said the one who destroyed G-93 was Edward Weevil, the so-called Whitebeard Jr. Where is he now?"

"Tell me where he is, and I won't lift a finger against you. After all, you're not even worth it."

The corners of Cavendish's mouth twitched violently.

How many times did this man need to repeat that he wasn't worth anything?How many times would his ego be trampled before it ended?

Yet, seeing the relieved expressions of his subordinates, Cavendish let out a long sigh, like a balloon slowly deflating.

"The one you're looking for… is on Uls Island, near G-93."

"The Marines stationed at the base are still trying to hunt him down. If you hurry, you might make it in time."

"Uls Island, huh..." Luo Yu turned to gaze toward the distant coastline.

He spotted the faint silhouette of an island, nodded to himself, then turned to leave.

"Thanks."

The pirates stood stunned.

A Marine and a crew of pirates meeting—shouldn't this end in blood?

Why was this Admiral so... civil?

Was he really letting them off just because they weren't valuable enough?

That was even worse than being attacked!

As the thought dawned on them, Cavendish suddenly moved.

"Marine Admiral! There are strong and weak Supernovas."

"I refuse to believe I can't even withstand a single slap!"

"Beautiful Blade: Round Table!"

With a flash of white, Cavendish vanished—reappearing high in the air above Luo Yu.

Durandal spun in his hands as he unleashed a 360-degree strike, slashing down at the Admiral in a blur of motion.

The pirates gasped in terror.

"What is he doing?! Is he insane?!"

A few had been hoping Cavendish might reclaim his honor.

But this sudden, suicidal assault?

This was beyond reckless.

Yet just as that thought formed in their minds, their eyes widened.

Because the scene before them was not what they expected.

Brilliant golden light exploded from Luo Yu's body.

The Thousand-Hand Guanyin unfolded behind him in a majestic display.A single spectral palm, several meters wide, swung down from the heavens like a divine guillotine.

Cavendish's eyes widened as the hand descended.

To him, the motion seemed slow…

But in reality, it was faster than lightning.

He barely had time to raise Durandal.

BOOM!

A devastating impact rippled out.

Cavendish was sent flying like a cannonball, blood gushing from his mouth.

Durandal was knocked from his grip.

His body smashed through the cabin wall and skidded to a stop inside the ruined wreckage of his own ship.

A massive shockwave rattled the entire deck.

The crew, still hoping for their captain to make a comeback, stood frozen.

Their faces turned pale.

Their legendary Supernova captain… had really been slapped away.

With one strike.

And the slap was gigantic.

Luo Yu turned away with a sigh, the golden light fading from around him.

"Another unpaid job done."

"If it weren't for Edward Weevil showing up next… I'd probably ask for compensation from this guy."

He adjusted his coat and walked calmly toward the island.

Behind him, the once-proud Handsome Pirate Crew stood in broken silence—shocked, shattered, and thoroughly humbled.