PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Wano Country — Onigashima

Inside the Beast Pirates' stronghold, Kaido's face twisted with fury as he read the intelligence report in his hand.

CRACK!

With a violent squeeze, the Den Den Mushi and accompanying fax were crushed to pieces.

"BASTARD! The nerve—what kind of lunatic dares attack the Beast Pirates?!"

"Not only did they kill one of my Flying Six, they even defeated Jack and sent him to Impel Down!"

"Now they even want to declare war on us? Do they think I, Kaido of the Beasts, am like Whitebeard—hiding in the shadows like a turtle?!"

Kaido's furious roar echoed like a storm as he grabbed his massive kanabo and swung it violently to the side—

BOOM!

A nearby pirate didn't even have time to react before he was launched like a human baseball, punching a hole through the sea itself as he vanished into the distant horizon.

The shock silenced the entire hall. Pirates scattered back in fear.

Only Queen and King stood still—they were used to this by now.

"Heh... Big Bro Kaido, whatever the case, Jack is one of ours," Queen muttered coldly, smoke curling from his lips.

"We're not like those Whitebeard cowards. We don't let our own rot in Impel Down."

"Don't forget—when Oden died, Whitebeard didn't even fart in response."

"No," King interrupted, his tone grave, "News just came in. Whitebeard's declared war... and he's calling us out."

"Whitebeard's... declared war?" Queen and Kaido's expressions shifted.

They hadn't expected that old dog to finally grow a spine.

But then—

Kaido's fury boiled over again as he smashed his kanabo into the ground with an earth-shattering crash.

"So that old fossil still has the guts to mock me, huh? Fine!"

"Let's see who gets the last laugh."

"King, send word to the Navy: Tell them to prepare stronger forces. I'm not some decrepit geezer like Whitebeard."

"Let the whole sea hear this—The Beast Pirates accept the declaration of war!"

His words exploded like thunder across all of Onigashima.

All around, pirates who had long waited for battle burst into deafening war cries.

The Beast Pirates were different from Whitebeard's crew. They thrived in constant war.They welcomed it.

And so, as two Yonko declared war and Marine HQ issued its full-scale mobilization—

A storm unlike anything before was unleashed upon the seas.

Especially with the Beast Pirates now issuing global recruitment orders:

Any pirate crew that joins the Beast Pirates in this war will, upon victory, be officially recognized as part of a Yonko fleet.

This irresistible bait shook the seas.

In normal times, few would risk their lives for Kaido.

But now, with Marine HQ insane enough to challenge two Yonko at once, things were different.

Many pirates saw a chance—if the Navy collapsed, if justice fell...

The sea would be theirs for the taking.

And in just three to five days, Marine intelligence reported that the Beast Pirates had already absorbed over 20 high-bounty pirate crews, each worth more than 100 million Berries.

This massive recruitment spree made Crane and Sengoku visibly anxious.

After all, between Fire Fist Ace and Jack the Drought, the Navy prioritized Ace.Kaido's side of the war would receive only partial forces—a stripped-down front.

Unless Luo Yu truly succeeded in recruiting powerful allies, that front might collapse.

Grand Line — First Half

A massive battleship sailed swiftly through the Gate of Justice, carried by special currents.

Once it had passed into the distance, a soldier guarding the gate whispered:

"Rear Admiral Kibin… that was the new Admiral, Taiote Luo Yu, wasn't it? It's hard to imagine someone so young holding that title…"

"But rumor has it, his mission is to recruit special combatants from across the sea… But can he really find any in the first half of the Grand Line?"

Kibin shook his head, his expression solemn.

"This isn't something we can judge. All we can do is hope Admiral Luo Yu pulls it off…"

One Day Later

The massive ship continued slicing through the sea.

Atop the mast's lookout post, Tina smoked lazily, scanning the horizon.

"Admiral Luo Yu, we still haven't found the island. Are you sure the location marked by this Log Pose is accurate?"

"I checked the Navy's Log Pose archives—this island doesn't even exist on record."

Her voice made every crew member tense up.

They all understood the stakes—this wasn't a simple mission.

This was about whether Marine HQ could survive a two-front war against two Yonko.

On deck, Vice Admiral Doll, who had volunteered to join the mission four days ago, stepped forward.

"Admiral Luo Yu… I admit, I was resentful you took Gion's promotion."

"But this mission concerns the fate of Marine justice."

"If you're going to take this seriously, then I ask that you show it. Don't play games. Don't let the whole Navy down."

Sengoku had reluctantly agreed to let Doll join. He knew Luo Yu's style—aloof, hands-off. Someone would need to handle the formalities.

But so far?

She'd only seen a man committed to 9-to-5 laziness, sipping wine, enjoying the sea…

Not a single sign of "recruitment" had shown itself.

And worse—they were still in the first half of the Grand Line, the so-called "weak sea."

Could such a place truly hold the special combatants they needed?

Luo Yu took a long swig from his clay wine jug.

He smirked, his eyes calm.

"Vice Admiral Doll, even if you don't believe in my ability…"

"At least trust in the power of money."

"Because the timing is perfect—our first special combatant is already within reach.