PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

The swift arrival of a new figure shattered the joyous atmosphere in an instant.

Just as the tension had begun to ease, the sudden intrusion once again stretched everyone's nerves taut.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, a peer of Sengoku and Garp from the same era, was not only a high-ranking officer but also held the critical position of Chief of Staff of the Navy Headquarters.

She oversaw the flow of intelligence across the entire Marine organization.

Now, something had gone so wrong that even someone as experienced and composed as Tsuru showed visible signs of distress.

This clearly wasn't an ordinary matter.

Luo Yu's brow furrowed as countless possibilities flashed through his mind, until one major suspicion emerged.

"Tsuru, what happened? Even you look unsettled. Don't tell me... the Five Elders are already here to hold us accountable?" Sengoku's face darkened as he hurried to speak.

He had never expected that those poor excuses from earlier could truly deceive the Five Elders.

He had already mentally prepared himself to shoulder all the consequences.

What he said earlier was just an attempt to sway Zephyr and keep CP0 from taking advantage of the situation.

At that moment, all eyes in the room turned toward Tsuru.

She glanced at the intelligence report in her hand, then quickly returned to herself and replied, "No, the Five Elders may come for answers, but not this soon."

"Just now, Rose received a transmission from Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach. He wishes to negotiate with Marine Headquarters. He wants to replace Crocodile as a new Warlord of the Sea."

A new Warlord of the Sea?

The expression on everyone's face changed drastically, though mixed with an odd trace of irony. Several of them couldn't help but glance at the stretcher where Weevil lay unconscious.

In the past, each time a new Warlord was selected, it was a momentous affair that jolted the entire Navy into a state of high alert.

But now, after the embarrassment caused by Weevil, the once-fearsome title of "Warlord" had begun to lose its aura.

If Blackbeard knew what had just happened here, he might have second thoughts about boldly demanding the title so hastily.

"Tsuru, did you say that Blackbeard wants to trade something to become a Warlord, replacing Crocodile?" Sengoku suppressed his unease and asked urgently.

"Wasn't he the one who assassinated the Fourth Division Commander Thatch aboard Whitebeard's ship not long ago? The Whitebeard Pirates have been hunting him down ever since. In a situation like that, what leverage does he possibly have to make such a deal?"

Many of the Marine officers present had clearly heard about this shocking incident at sea.

Blackbeard's audacity had already exceeded their expectations.

Yet what intrigued them now was what kind of trump card he possessed to propose this kind of transaction.

"Could it be... he's offering up Fire Fist Ace?" Luo Yu said calmly.

The events from over half a month ago aboard Whitebeard's ship were still fresh in his mind.

It seemed the gears of the era were turning just as fate had intended.

"Fire Fist Ace?" Sengoku's expression changed dramatically as he blurted out, "You mean that Ace? The one who refused our offer to become a Warlord and instead joined Whitebeard as his Second Division Commander?"

"To think he lost to Blackbeard... it seems we all underestimated how deeply Blackbeard was hiding his strength."

"If he really uses Fire Fist Ace as his bargaining chip, then I imagine the Five Elders would agree to the deal without hesitation."

"Tsuru, has Ace truly fallen into Blackbeard's hands?"

Tsuru gave Luo Yu a brief, surprised glance before nodding solemnly.

"Just as Admiral Luo Yu suspected, Blackbeard's offer is none other than Fire Fist Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."

"But there's more. Blackbeard also hinted at a deeper secret—something hidden within Ace, something he claims could shake the very foundation of this era. He's certain Marine Headquarters won't be able to resist the temptation of this secret and will agree to his terms."

As she said this, Tsuru's tone grew graver.

"Sengoku, I don't know what exactly this 'secret' Blackbeard is referring to, but originally this was an internal conflict within the Whitebeard Pirates. The moment we interfere, we must be prepared for Whitebeard's retaliation."

"If we accept this deal, then in five days' time, our forces must go to the Chelseas Sea to meet with Blackbeard."

Ace…

In the crowd, Garp's expression turned ashen, and his clenched fists were already slick with sweat.

Ever since he learned that both Ace and Luffy had set sail to become pirates, this was the kind of news he had dreaded the most.

He would rather they both perished at sea...

Than face the agonizing reality of having to meet them again—this time as enemies, and as pirates.

To see them fall by his own hand... that would be a fate worse than death.

But with things having come to this, Garp could only grit his teeth and endure in silence.

Luo Yu took a swig of wine, quietly observing the shift in Garp's expression.

But he was no sentimental fool.

He had already repaid whatever debt he owed Garp when he offered that warning aboard Whitebeard's ship.

Now, expecting him to dive into another mess?

Not a chance.

Feeling the heavy stares directed at him from all sides, Sengoku fell into momentary silence. Whatever this "era-breaking" secret Blackbeard hinted at was, he couldn't guess.

But in the face of Ace as a bargaining chip, Sengoku made a quick decision.

"Tsuru, respond to Blackbeard immediately. Marine Headquarters accepts his offer."

"At the same time, send out a command: all branches and the main fleet are to enter full combat readiness. We must prepare for a potential assault from the Whitebeard Pirates."

"This... is a major event unlike any we've seen in a long time."

Garp fell utterly silent.

Though he had already anticipated this response, hearing it spoken aloud still made him feel like a deflated balloon.

"Understood, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I'll see to it at once," Tsuru replied firmly.

"But Blackbeard is someone who even dares to kill his own crewmates. I'm concerned he might try to double-cross us."

"If we're sending someone to negotiate with him, I think it'll have to be one of our Admirals."

An Admiral?

The expressions of the gathered officers shifted slightly.

None objected to Tsuru's logic, of course.

But the moment she mentioned "Warlord negotiations," all eyes naturally turned in a single direction.

Feeling the weight of those gazes, Luo Yu nearly spat out his wine.

Was he now the Navy's official Warlord Liaison?

Meeting Sengoku's gaze, Luo Yu quickly took another drink and chuckled.

Sengoku's face twitched as he grit his teeth and growled, "Don't worry, I know what you're going to say—yes, we'll increase your performance bonus. You don't have to say a word!"

"Hehe, old man Sengoku, I mean—this is a chauffeured VIP mission. Naturally, there's an extra fee," Luo Yu replied with a sheepish grin. "But don't worry. I guarantee I'll bring them back alive!"

Even though Sengoku had long since grown used to Luo Yu's shameless bargaining...

The moment he heard that demand for extra pay again, his headache flared up.

Casting a final glance at the unconscious Weevil, Sengoku snapped, "Not 'bring them back alive.' Bring them, alive, back! If not, I won't be able to explain myself to the Five Elders!"