PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Meanwhile, in the Grand Hall of the Holy Land Mary Geoise, the air was suffocating with invisible pressure.

The Five Elders sat above the vast chamber like looming statues. Led by Isse and Yamamoto, they stared down coldly at the lone figure below—Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Clad in a traditional kimono and gripping a samurai blade, Yamamoto's face darkened as he barked first, fury in his voice.

"Sengoku, are you seriously claiming that Fire Fist Ace is the biological son of Pirate King Gol D. Roger? You expect us to believe such nonsense? Or is this just some desperate lie to cover for that arrogant Marine upstart's recklessness?"

He slammed his fist on the armrest, voice echoing sharply.

"That so-called 'new hero' not only captured a member of Whitebeard's crew, he also brought in someone under Kaido. In one stroke, he's provoked two Emperors. And to make matters worse, he's dared lay hands on a Warlord we approved of. He's ruined years—decades—of careful balancing!"

"You of all people should understand: if chaos erupts across the seas and Marine HQ fails to contain it, the World Government's prestige will crumble!"

"Don't forget, Sengoku—the Navy exists as nothing more than our front-line enforcers. Your duty is to follow our commands, not to let some wild admiral run around unchecked!"

"If things spiral out of control, how do you intend to answer for it?"

To the Five Elders, the Four Emperors and Warlords were pawns—never threats.

They only cared about two things:

Whether Fire Fist Ace was truly Roger's bloodline.

Whether they could seize this chance to suppress a Marine admiral they couldn't control.

Sengoku, of course, saw through their intentions. His expression darkened as he replied grimly:

"Yamamoto, enough with the formalities. We both know what this is really about."

"You already know Ace is Roger's son. I'm just asking one thing now—shall we proceed with a public execution of Fire Fist Ace? As for the Kaido situation, we'll deal with it later."

Yamamoto's face twisted in rage. He hadn't expected Sengoku to confront them so bluntly.

Before he could speak again, Isse raised a hand to stop him.

"Yamamoto, let me handle this."

Turning to Sengoku, his tone was far calmer—yet colder.

"Sengoku, I know you're trying to shield that boy… but tell me—if we do publicly execute Fire Fist Ace, and Whitebeard and Kaido both declare war, can you guarantee you'll hold them off?"

"Because if not… that boy may have triggered a full-scale disaster."

Sengoku hesitated. Even facing just Whitebeard, he had already braced for the worst.

If Kaido joined in?

That wouldn't just be a war—it would be cataclysmic.

"What's the matter?" Isse smiled faintly, seeing the flicker of doubt. "It seems you're not as confident as you pretend to be."

Suddenly—

WOOOOOOOO!

A blaring alarm interrupted the tension, echoing within the sacred palace.

Spandine, who had long returned to Mary Geoise and waited outside for his summons, burst in, panic written across his face.

"Elders! Something terrible has happened—Impel Down just issued an emergency distress call! Based on the Den Den Mushi surveillance, massive tidal waves are erupting around the prison! It looks like they've been hit by a terrifying assault!"

Sengoku's face instantly changed.

Even the Five Elders looked shaken.

Yamamoto seized on the moment, sneering:

"Didn't I say so, Sengoku? That brat of yours refused to obey us. And now he's provoked Kaido's subordinates and dumped them in Impel Down, triggering a counterattack."

"Let's see now—is it Kaido, or Whitebeard, who's come to storm the prison? Can that brat handle this on his own?"

"Spandine, bring me the Den Den Mushi connected to Magellan. I want to know exactly what's going on!"

Spandine hesitated for a moment. Technically, he was still under censure, waiting to be summoned. But the instant he heard about the emergency from Impel Down, he couldn't stop himself from rushing in.

Now realizing this matter again involved the new admiral, his heart trembled with unease.

"Lord Yamamoto, perhaps we should wait for more details. It could be a false alarm…"

"False alarm?" Yamamoto's eyes grew colder. "Spandine, you've survived by sheer luck despite your repeated failures. But don't presume that gives you the right to advise us!"

"Impel Down has never raised a false alarm. Give me that damn Den Den Mushi—now!"

"If we waste any more time, and the prison is breached, there might not be a Magellan left to report back!"

"Let's be real: against Whitebeard or Kaido, what can that so-called new admiral even do?"

Sengoku clenched his fists. The contempt was biting—and stung deeply.

But all he could do now was wait, hoping to uncover the truth.

Feeling all eyes on him, Spandine reluctantly retrieved the Den Den Mushi and offered it with trembling hands.

Yamamoto snatched it away, scoffing.

"Sengoku, you'd better pray that boy isn't already dead at the hands of Whitebeard or Kaido. Otherwise, you won't even have the chance to accept punishment for this mess."

He slammed the receiver down.

"Magellan, this is Elder Yamamoto. Report immediately! Who is attacking Impel Down—Whitebeard or Kaido? And is that arrogant Marine brat still alive?"

The chamber fell deathly silent.

All eyes locked onto the Den Den Mushi.

Even Isse and the other Elders leaned forward ever so slightly, curiosity and urgency etched on their faces.

Each passing second made Yamamoto's sneer grow deeper.

To them, Marine HQ had already grown too powerful.

If left unchecked, it would soon grow beyond their reach.

And now was the perfect opportunity—if Luo Yu perished, they could crush his influence while tightening their grip on the Marines.

But—

Just as that thought formed in their minds, a deep, tired voice finally answered from the other end:

"Lord Yamamoto, my apologies… the alarm was a false alarm. Impel Down was not attacked by a Yonko."

"The damage was entirely caused by Admiral Luo Yu."

"While escorting Fire Fist Ace and Jack the Drought to Level 6, he encountered resistance from Barrett and Redfield. They challenged him using Conqueror's Haki."

"Admiral Luo Yu, being in a rush to get off duty, responded by unleashing a fused wave of Conqueror's and Armament Haki, and suppressed all of Level 6 in one blow."

"Currently, all prisoners are unconscious and heavily injured. There is no riot. I've already sent people to begin repairs and re-contain the inmates."

A stunned silence fell over the temple.

The Five Elders, Sengoku, even Spandine—none could speak.

And Yamamoto's hand holding the Den Den Mushi… began to tremble slightly.