PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

At the same time, within the Grand Assembly Hall of Marine Headquarters, a high-level meeting was in full swing.

The air was tense, thick with urgency.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku stared at the Den Den Mushi report from Vice Admiral Momonga, his expression turning a shade darker with every word he read.

"Sengoku, what happened?" asked Tsuru, her brow furrowed.

"Did Doflamingo cause trouble again?"

As the one who had spent years chasing Doflamingo across the seas, Tsuru knew better than anyone—

Just how unpredictable and dangerous that so-called "Joker" truly was.

Right now, with Marineford already preparing for war against two of the Four Emperors, things were stretched razor-thin.

And Doflamingo? He would never let such chaos go to waste.

All eyes turned to Sengoku.

Even Akainu, known for his unshakable calm, was watching closely.

The atmosphere in the room thickened further, weighed down by rising tension.

Sengoku slowly clenched the report in his hand and said coldly:

"Tsuru… you guessed right."

"That bastard Doflamingo is still the most troublesome of the Shichibukai."

"Vice Admiral Momonga was sent to deliver the summons… and was personally attacked by Doflamingo."

"He even smashed the official Navy order."

"His only condition is this—Admiral Luo Yu must personally come invite him."

"Otherwise, he refuses to participate in the war effort. Worse, he's threatening to turn his back on the Navy."

"A damned treacherous mutt."

A collective gasp ran through the room. Tsuru's face darkened further.

They had expected Doflamingo to make demands—perhaps for money or influence.

But none of them expected him to target Luo Yu directly.

"Sengoku," Tsuru said grimly, "we all know Luo Yu and Doflamingo had serious conflict before."

"He wounded Pica severely."

"And not long ago, he blasted Doflamingo himself at the port."

"With Doflamingo's pride, there's no way he'd let that go."

"And now, demanding Luo Yu appear personally? That's not a request. That's a trap."

"Marine Headquarters has never made Admirals into errand boys. Even if Luo Yu does go… Doflamingo will no doubt provoke him."

"And with Luo Yu's temperament… we might be looking at a disaster waiting to happen."

A long silence followed.

Everyone in the room knew exactly what Tsuru meant.

They were all too familiar now with Luo Yu's "methods."

If Luo Yu did go… the Navy might end up in a defensive position instead of controlling the situation.

And if Doflamingo decided to switch sides during the war…

It would be catastrophic.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," came a deep voice.

It was Aokiji, who had remained silent until now.

"Luo Yu's current mission is to recruit Special Operatives."

"If this Doflamingo situation disrupts that… it may sabotage our best shot at reinforcing the warfront."

"Don't forget—we're preparing to engage two of the Four Emperors at the same time."

"Only by gathering those Special Operatives can we hope to avoid being overwhelmed."

"If we fail there… everything else is meaningless."

Aokiji's words echoed in the silent chamber, hitting every high-ranking officer squarely.

No one could argue with that logic.

"You're not wrong, Aokiji," Akainu spoke up, unusually calm.

"But don't forget—those 'Special Operatives' are still just potential forces."

"The Shichibukai are actual, confirmed combat power."

"I hate working with those bastards… but now isn't the time for pride."

"Six days have already passed since we declared war."

"Still no word from any Special Operative. If it were up to me—Luo Yu should go, no matter what."

Aokiji fell silent.

He understood Akainu's logic, even if it was bitter.

Right now, the Navy had to focus on the bigger picture.

Victory came before dignity.

"Enough," Sengoku said firmly, silencing the room.

"I'll make the final decision."

"But first—I want to hear Luo Yu's thoughts on this."

He reached for the Den Den Mushi.

Tsuru hesitated for a moment, then said:

"Sengoku… are you sure?"

"You've already made up your mind?"

Sengoku nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll give Luo Yu a proper choice."

He pressed the button.

Brrrr! Brrrr!

The Den Den Mushi began to ring.

The vast meeting hall fell into absolute stillness.

Every officer present held their breath.

They all wanted to know—how would Admiral Luo Yu respond, when the fate of Marine Headquarters itself hung in the balance?

"Yo, Old Man Sengoku… you know it's after work hours, right?"

Luo Yu's lazy drawl came through the receiver.

"If it weren't you calling, I wouldn't have even picked up."

The atmosphere shattered like glass.

Everyone's face twitched.

Even Sengoku's cheek muscles spasmed.

This brat… really treated "off-hours" like a sacred law.

"Admiral Luo Yu," Tsuru quickly interjected before things got derailed.

"This isn't the time for jokes."

"We're calling because Doflamingo just attacked Vice Admiral Momonga during the Shichibukai summons."

"He's named you specifically. Says he'll only speak to you personally."

"We want to hear your thoughts. Sengoku said clearly—if you're unwilling, we'll find another way."

The entire room held its breath.

All eyes were fixed on the Den Den Mushi.

As if they could pierce through the snail and see Luo Yu's face on the other side.

"Wants to meet me, huh…" Luo Yu's voice came after a pause.

"Sengoku, if you suddenly dump more work on me, I'm going to fall behind on my schedule."

"Still… as an Admiral, I suppose I have a duty to shoulder some burdens."

"But tell me—doesn't my face… count for something?"

A collective groan rolled across the meeting room.

Even Tsuru looked helpless.

They had expected resistance.

But not another demand for money.

Sengoku glared at the receiver and muttered:

"You brat… are you even serious?"

"The Navy is hanging by a thread. Fujitora and Ryokugyu have already refused to help."

"We can't afford to lose the Shichibukai."

"This mission is critical. I'll authorize your biggest bonus yet—thirty million Berries."