PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Inside the Strategy Hall, every pair of eyes instantly locked onto the door.

As Luo Yu stepped inside, many Marine officers couldn't help but show a flicker of respect on their faces.

Even though this upcoming two-front war with the Four Emperors was largely caused by his actions…

…the truth remained undeniable:He had captured Jack the Drought alive.He had returned Blackbeard "alive" as a Warlord.

For a newcomer Admiral, these feats were almost blinding in their brilliance.

And just like that, many were won over—at least in heart.

"So this is the new Admiral Taiote Luo Yu?"Doll, clad in a black leather coat and wearing a spiked dog-collar around her neck, gave off the vibe of a rebellious biker queen.

Luo Yu raised a brow as he took in the unfamiliar yet aggressive figure.

Then it clicked—Vice Admiral Doll, the one stationed outside Vegapunk's New Future Island, known for her unyielding nature. A close friend of Gion (Momousagi), and clearly not one to take things lying down.

"Tell me," she said coolly,"You just mentioned having 'special combat forces' out on the sea—don't tell me you were just bluffing for attention?"

"Also, escorting prisoners to Impel Down's sixth level… was that task really so difficult?""You took longer than the Vice Admirals who were recalled on emergency orders."

It was no secret Doll bore some resentment. Her best friend had been passed over for Admiral by this new upstart, who didn't even fight in the traditional way.

Just as her tone grew more biting, Sengoku rubbed his aching temples and interjected.

"Doll, you've been stationed in G-14. You're not fully up to speed on recent developments."

"This guy here is… a special case within Marine HQ. He works on a timed schedule."

"As for the delay—well, you probably heard about the false alarm at Impel Down yesterday."

"That was because this lunatic wanted to clock out on time. He unleashed his Conqueror's Haki and knocked out everyone on Level Six. It triggered a false panic across the entire prison."

"Magellan, worried about transferring prisoners during the chaos, personally requested Luo Yu stay an extra night. So, yes—his delay was technically for official duty."

Dead silence fell upon the vast hall.

Every officer stared at Luo Yu with stunned disbelief—even Doll froze.

As Marines, they knew what kind of monsters were locked in Level Six of Impel Down.

And yet this man—this "newcomer"—had subdued them all just to clock out on time?

It was unheard of. Borderline absurd.

The heavy tension that had hung in the room just moments before suddenly lifted, like a thick fog swept away by the wind.

From the corner, Vice Admiral Tsuru gave Sengoku a knowing look.Now it made sense why Sengoku had kept the true reason for the Impel Down alarm under wraps until now.

Clearly, he'd saved it for this exact moment—to raise morale before the coming war.

Seeing the admiring glances and renewed confidence in the gathered officers, Sengoku silently breathed a sigh of relief.

For the first time, he realized…

Maybe this troublemaker Luo Yu had his uses after all.

But as he turned and met Luo Yu's half-smiling, teasing gaze, Sengoku instantly stiffened.

He cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject.

"Luo Yu," Sengoku said solemnly,"About those 'special combat forces' you mentioned. Please tell me you're not joking."

"You know better than anyone—if we're really facing two Yonko at once, there's no room for bluffing."

"If anything goes wrong… it won't just be your head. The entire Navy Headquarters could be wiped out overnight."

At those words, the tension returned.The room fell silent again—but this time, no one panicked.

Thanks to Sengoku's earlier explanation, everyone now looked to Luo Yu with hope, not despair.

Even Akainu and Kizaru, seated to the side, silently turned toward Luo Yu.

This unpredictable, regulation-defying Admiral...might just have something up his sleeve.

Luo Yu took a swig from his clay wine jug and grinned.

"All told, I think I can find around eight or nine candidates—assuming they're willing to come."

"But don't get too excited. Except for a few, their strength is mixed. They're enough to deal with Kaido's Calamities or top officers… but don't expect them to take on the Yonko head-to-head."

PFFFFT!

Sengoku sprayed a mouthful of tea across the table.

The hall erupted with stunned silence once more.

Every officer stared with bulging eyes.

Eight or nine candidates?

Enough to handle the Calamities—Kaido's strongest subordinates—and even more?

And Luo Yu said this so casually?

Even Sengoku couldn't help blurting out:

"You're serious?! Just now I was thinking of two possible candidates…""Don't tell me… you've already thought of those two as well?"

Facing two Yonko simultaneously would divide their forces into two battlefronts.

The four Admirals couldn't be in two places at once.

And now, Luo Yu claimed to have enough reinforcements to fill the gaps?

It was like cold water dousing a wildfire—a sudden, blessed relief.

All eyes once again focused on Luo Yu.This time, not just with admiration, but with raw, burning hope.

He chuckled and didn't keep them waiting:

"Relax, Fleet Admiral. I wouldn't joke at a time like this."

"And those two you were thinking of? I've already accounted for them. I'll leave them to you."

"As for the rest—leave that to me."

"I'll need a month, though. The public execution of Ace—isn't it scheduled for a month from now?"

Seeing the rare seriousness in Luo Yu's face, Sengoku immediately understood:He wasn't joking.

He had a plan.

Though he had no idea how Luo Yu had thought of so many potential allies…

…he gave a heavy nod.

"The Five Elders already confirmed the execution date—forty-five days from now. Any longer, and the situation could spiral out of control."

"So yes—I'm counting on you to gather those reinforcements and give us a real chance at winning."

All tension hit its peak.

Even the oldest Vice Admirals now looked at Luo Yu with fierce, burning hope.

Moments ago, they'd respected him.

Now—they saw him as a lifeline.

Feeling the shift in the room, Luo Yu knew he had milked the dramatic pause long enough.

He raised his jug with a grin and said lightly:

"Don't worry, Fleet Admiral. I'll gather them."

"But… I'm gonna need extra pay for this."