PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

BOOOOM!!

The violent shockwave exploded across the island like a Category 15 hurricane, tearing through everything in its path with overwhelming force.

Even the massive Marine battleship docked at the sea inlet was blasted away like driftwood.

Towering waves, dozens of meters high, surged from the impact—crashing down toward the vessel.

"Smoke Jet!"

BOOM!

A torrent of smoke burst forth, smashing directly into the incoming tsunami and forcefully dispersing it.

Smoker crashed hard onto the soaked deck, drenched from head to toe, gritting his teeth as he forced himself up.

He frantically activated the Yamata-no-Orochi—the eight-headed serpent formed from condensed smoke and Armament Haki.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

One by one, the survivors crashed down onto the deck from the chaos, some flung by the waves, others reeled in by smoke-tendrils.

Finally, even the bloodied and battered Vice Admiral Doll was tossed down like a ragdoll, collapsing in a daze. Only then did Smoker exhale and collapse next to her, gasping for breath.

That final clash of ultimate attacks...

Smoker had only snapped out of shock in time to see Doll caught in the explosion.

He hadn't intended to go back—was ready to run and leave it all behind.

But in the end, gritting his teeth, he had sent one of his smoke serpents back into the inferno and dragged her out just before the blast swallowed her whole.

Through the smoke-tunnel, they escaped.

And thankfully, apart from looking like she'd been through hell, Doll had survived without serious injury.

But damn... she's a Vice Admiral... and even she nearly got one-shot.

Smoker forced himself upright, bones creaking, and turned toward the distant ruins of Little Garden.

He needed to know—did the two giants survive?

The ones Luo Yu had designated as "special combat assets."

RUMBLE...

A deep, rolling quake shook the earth.

Dust clouds spiraled high into the air, and an oppressive wind blew across the sea—chilling everyone to the bone.

Those who had barely escaped death staggered to their feet, legs trembling, eyes locked on the ruins.

And then—

Out of the swirling dust, a single figure walked calmly into view, using Moonwalk to step slowly through the sky.

It was Luo Yu.

He took a swig from his clay flask and landed lightly on the battleship.

"Smoker, nice job. You ran faster this time than the last. I can rest easy with you on this ship."

He glanced at his watch.

"Six o'clock. I'm off duty. The rest is yours. If those two giants are still alive, bring them aboard. Don't forget—"

"I'm on a tight schedule."

With that, Luo Yu turned and walked into the cabin under everyone's stunned gaze.

Inside, a full meal and warm sake were already set on the table.

Vivi and the others finally understood—

He wasn't joking about getting off work.

"Come on, Igaram! Let's go check on the elders!" Vivi snapped out of her daze and rushed toward the island.

Back on Little Garden, the scene was nothing short of apocalyptic.

Half the island had been blasted into nothing.

In the ruins, the two giants sat back-to-back, covered in blood, weapons broken and discarded beside them.

Their faces were pale, exhausted beyond belief, yet filled with disbelief.

Seeing them still breathing, Vivi's face lit up with joy.

"I knew it! You two are warriors of Elbaf—there's no way you'd go down so easily! Thank the heavens you're still alive!"

Igaram and Chaka both sighed in relief.

The fact that Luo Yu had emerged from that cataclysm without a scratch had shaken them to the core.

But now, seeing that even the two giants survived—albeit barely—restored a sliver of dignity.

Their smiles, however, froze just as they formed.

Dorry and Brogy wordlessly shook their heads and shifted their massive bodies.

Behind them—

There was no land left.

The so-called "Little Garden" was literally halved.

The half behind them had been annihilated—as if erased from existence.

If that attack had landed on them instead of the island...

They wouldn't even know how they died.

This… was the power of the Fourth Admiral of the Marines?

How could someone so new to the world stage feel this terrifying?

Vice Admiral Doll stood frozen, stiff as a board.

The scene before her felt like a nightmare.

If not for the presence of so many witnesses, she would've slapped herself to check if she was dreaming.

She thought of Smoker's panicked retreat—it looked ridiculous at the time.

But now?

If he hadn't pulled her out at the last moment, she'd either be dead or crippled for life.

Could she blame Luo Yu for being reckless? For nearly killing one of his own?

Surprisingly... no.

For the first time, she felt no resentment.

In fact, her face flushed with embarrassment—she had been outpaced by a Rear Admiral.

"No wonder Fleet Admiral Sengoku puts so much faith in Luo Yu… I finally understand why Gion speaks of him with such excitement and no resentment," Doll muttered.

No one mocked her.

They all understood.

Luo Yu's youth and sudden promotion made him a target of suspicion—even they had once questioned him.

But in the end, it didn't matter.

Strength was the only truth in this sea.

And Luo Yu delivered.

"Haha! That brat actually spared us in the end." Dorry suddenly laughed heartily. "If he hadn't deliberately tilted his aim, we'd be long dead."

Brogy chuckled beside him, helping his old comrade to stand.

"That thrill of walking the edge of life and death... it's been over a century since we've felt it."

"Looks like that kid was right... we've been isolated for far too long. Even our strongest technique couldn't shake him."

"Revenge? Forget it. We don't stand a chance."

He looked up toward the ship.

"Tell us... Marines... did that brat really just go off to 'clock out'? Why didn't he kill us? Did he really see something in us?"

Their eyes turned to Smoker.

He blinked, caught off guard.

After a pause of three or four seconds, he finally sighed and offered a bitter smile.

"Honestly… if I had to guess, he didn't spare you because of your strength."

"You're worth forty million in bonus pay."

"...What?"

The two giants looked at each other—completely stunned.

And then—

They burst into thunderous laughter.

"BAHAHAHA! What a fascinating brat! Looks like we're in for one hell of a journey!"