PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

he vast deck fell into utter silence.

Doflamingo's expression had stiffened.

He had already believed that the humiliating spectacle he'd just endured—feathers torn, glasses shattered—had disgraced the name of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

But he hadn't expected that there was a level beneath rock bottom.

Because now, before his very eyes, a man who had schemed and clawed his way into the Warlords with ruthless ambition—Blackbeard—was being carried into Marineford like a trussed-up boar, tightly bound from head to toe.

Was this… a Warlord's induction ceremony?

Because to Doflamingo, it looked more like a prisoner being dragged in.

Even he couldn't believe it.

But what shocked Doflamingo even more was what followed:

Another figure—unconscious, covered in wounds, and still wrapped in bandages—was brought ashore.

Jack the Drought.

A real Calamity, one of Kaido's top enforcers.

Doflamingo finally understood why Luo Yu had earlier mistaken him for Kaido.

If Jack the Drought has really been captured by this so-called "rookie admiral"…

Then the entire sea was on the verge of shaking.

If word of Jack's capture reached Kaido, that madman wouldn't hesitate.

A war with the Navy would be inevitable.

Watching as Jack and Blackbeard were dumped like cargo, Doflamingo smirked faintly.

"Heh… Kid, you don't even realize the disaster you've triggered, do you?"

"You actually brought back one of Kaido's top lieutenants like it was nothing. You've just guaranteed a war between Kaido and Marineford."

"If you'd tossed him into the sea, you might've had room to walk it back. But now? Kaido will not forgive this."

"And if that happens, and a Warlord—say, me—turns on the government too… just imagine what kind of hell your Navy's going to face."

Tsuru's face darkened instantly.

"Doflamingo, are you threatening Marine Headquarters?"

"Heh… Tsuru, it's not a threat—it's a possibility," Doflamingo replied with a wry smile. "I'm just offering a reality check to your new admiral."

"He needs to understand which people can be provoked… and which cannot."

He turned with a twisted grin.

"Well then, Admiral Luo Yu… What's your next move?"

Luo Yu took another sip of his cheap local liquor, eyes calmly watching the scene.

Then, without a hint of hesitation:

"Ask the bounty office how much Warlords are worth… then go clean them all up."

"If I remember right, you're even a king of some kind, aren't you? That'll make tracking you down easier. Less legwork, more reward."

Everyone froze.

Doflamingo's grin cracked.

Even the Marines looked dazed, brains barely catching up to Luo Yu's twisted logic.

Everyone else would be scrambling to defuse tension…

But he's ready to wipe out the entire Warlord system—just for money?!

And yet—seeing Blackbeard and Jack bound like trophies...

They realized something terrifying.

He might actually do it.

"Doflamingo! You dare cause trouble at Marine Headquarters?" A voice thundered across the pier.

Sengoku had arrived, flanked by Marine officers.

His eyes narrowed the moment he spotted Jack tied up like a dumpling.

He had suspected as much...

But seeing Blackbeard in the same condition, a twitch ran across his jaw.

Another new Warlord… dragged in like cargo.

If this kind of incident got out…

Recruiting future Warlords might become impossible.

Still, Sengoku braced himself, forcing a stern expression as he looked Doflamingo dead in the eye.

"I've already explained Pica's case over the transponder snail. If you have objections, take it up with the Five Elders. Marineford doesn't have time to entertain your tantrums."

"Of course, if you insist on causing trouble, I can have Admiral Luo Yu… see you out."

Luo Yu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and chimed in lazily:

"I can do that. But I'll need a bonus—he's worth at least ten million, right?"

Ten million?

Doflamingo's cheek twitched violently.

Veins bulged across his forehead.

He had always considered himself a cut above the other Warlords.

Even his bounty was in the billions.

But now this upstart Admiral had the gall to slap a ten-million price tag on him?

Sengoku glanced at Doflamingo, who looked like he was about to explode—and sighed.

As expected, it takes a beast to tame a beast.

With someone like Doflamingo, nothing works better than someone even more unreasonable.

"You heard him, Doflamingo," Sengoku said flatly. "I'll pretend that farce earlier didn't happen."

"If you object, take it up with the Five Elders. But if you try anything again…"

He threw a glance at Luo Yu.

"…I'll pay to have you removed."

Everyone on the dock froze.

Did the Fleet Admiral just put a price on conflict resolution?

Luo Yu, on the other hand, beamed and lifted his gourd of liquor in a toast:

"Talking about money? That's my favorite subject. I look forward to working together, Fleet Admiral."

"You—!" Trebol choked with fury.

Beside him, Doflamingo's expression had turned positively frigid.

He let out a low laugh, more a snarl than anything else.

"Well played, Marine Admiral… And well played, Marineford."

"I'll remember this day very clearly."

"But don't celebrate too early. No one knows what comes next."

"Just make sure… you don't regret it later."

"We're leaving!"

He turned to go—striding forth with his signature "I-don't-know-my-family" swagger.

But just half a step later, he froze.

His coat, once luxurious and majestic, now fluttered around him in patchy, chicken-feather tatters.

His sunglasses were broken.

That trademark catwalk of arrogance… no longer fit the image.

After a moment's pause, Doflamingo—rarely for him—returned to walking like a normal person.

Just as he made it a few steps…

A quiet voice floated toward him from behind:

"Huh… I always thought he was pigeon-toed. Didn't know he could walk straight."

It was Luo Yu.

The words weren't loud—but they hit like a hammer.

Doflamingo stumbled.

Nearly tripped over his own feet.

The Marines—including Sengoku—wore expressions of deep, tortured resignation.

Wasn't it enough to break the man's pride? Did you really have to insult his walk too?

This isn't just defeating someone—it's character assassination.

This wasn't just winning.

This was rubbing salt in the soul.