PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"Birdcage!"

BOOM!

Doflamingo thrust his right hand skyward—and instantly, glimmering threads tore into the sky.

A split second later, they expanded like a massive web across the heavens—arching downward, encasing all of Dressrosa like a gleaming, inverted dome.

A collective chill swept through the crowd.

Everyone turned, eyes wide in horror, as the vast steel-like threads shimmered above the kingdom.

Only a handful of people present truly grasped the horror of what had just been unleashed.

Luo Yu raised a brow in surprise.

He uncorked his gourd and took a sip of his strong liquor to calm himself.

"Doflamingo... so you're planning to force others to act?"

"Haha, that's right!" Doflamingo cackled wildly, eyes bloodshot.

"As expected of a Marine Admiral. Yes, I plan to force all of you to act."

"But first, let me explain the rules of this game."

He turned slowly, arms raised toward the cage stretching across the sky.

"This dome above your heads? I call it the Birdcage."

"Everyone inside is now a bird in a cage. Their lives... are mine to claim."

"You've got thirty minutes."

"In that time, you can either kneel here and apologize…"

"...or defeat me, and stop the cage from closing in."

"Oh, and one more thing—when time's up, the threads will close in and slice everyone inside to pieces."

"Then, you, Admiral of Justice, will be held responsible for the massacre of an entire kingdom."

His grin stretched into something monstrous.

"Yes, I'm arrogant. But I'm not a fool."

"One-on-one, I may not win against you."

"So I've arranged a grand welcome. I hope it meets your expectations."

"Admiral! Run! Doflamingo's not alone—he brought backup!"

A sudden voice rang out.

Rebecca—bursting from hiding.

Behind her, Kyros turned pale and tried to stop her—but it was too late.

The moment her voice rang through the air—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Fireworks exploded from the docks.

Gold powder rained from the sky, glistening like stardust. Golden flakes scattered in the wind.

A golden tidal wave swept over the dock, transforming into a luxurious golden path stretching straight toward Doflamingo.

A man emerged from the watchtower.

Blond hair slicked back.

Purple shades on his face.

A pink suit glimmering in the light.

Gold rings on every finger, a massive gold chain around his neck, and heavy gold earrings dangling from each lobe.

A walking monument of excess—like a golden emperor.

"It's Gild Tesoro!" someone shouted in shock.

Doll was the first to lose her composure.

As a Vice Admiral, she knew the man's infamy all too well.

He was said to control 20% of the world's total wealth.

A Paramecia-type Gold-Gold Fruit user.

Ruler of the world's greatest casino.

And a man whose strength was rumored to rival that of an Admiral.

And now… he was here.

At Doflamingo's side.

"Hahaha! Admiral Taiote Luo Yu, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Tesoro's laughter rang out, confident and smug.

"I hear you're quite the lover of money. We've got something in common."

"Normally, I wouldn't attend this kind of event…"

"But for someone with shared interests, how could I say no?"

"Besides—I owe Doflamingo a favor. So here I am."

He flashed a glittering smile.

"Of course, if you don't make a move, Admiral, then neither will I."

"But tick-tock… that thirty-minute clock's already running down."

Doflamingo picked up smoothly:

"If you fail to stop me in time… this entire kingdom dies."

"And you'll be blamed."

"The great Navy, the so-called bringer of justice, letting civilians die?"

"I don't think your bosses at Marineford would let that slide."

"So I'm betting… you won't dare to fight me."

The Donquixote Family soldiers all straightened up, morale swelling.

That earlier humiliation from Luo Yu's punch?

That was in the past.

Right now, with the Birdcage active, and Gild Tesoro standing beside their Young Master...

They believed victory was inevitable.

Two monsters.

One mission.

And a single Admiral facing both.

Doll and the others turned pale.

None of them expected Doflamingo to prepare something this insane.

If it were anyone else, they'd likely already be collapsing under pressure.

But in the back of her mind, Doll couldn't help but think:

If only Doflamingo knew what kind of hornet's nest he was poking…

"Doflamingo," Tesoro said with a smirk. "Now's not the time for empty threats. Remember—I'm only here if he moves first."

Doflamingo's eyes glinted murderously.

Then, with a loud snarl, he launched forward again.

"Come on, brat! I dare you to hit me!"

"But I'm betting… you won't!"

"Foot Thread Slash!"

Doflamingo appeared once more right in front of Luo Yu.

He wanted to win back his dignity—exactly how he lost it.

One-on-one. No tricks.

He was betting everything on one idea:

Luo Yu wouldn't risk harming the hostages…

Wouldn't provoke Tesoro into fighting…

Wouldn't dare fight seriously.

But just as that thought formed—

A surge of overwhelming, crushing pressure exploded outward from Luo Yu's body.

A shockwave of Conqueror's Haki—so thick it seemed tangible—erupted without warning.

"You like forcing people to hit you?" Luo Yu said calmly, taking another sip of his drink.

"I kind of enjoy that."

"But let's hope that fragile little body of yours can take it."

BOOOOM!!!

The sheer force of his Conqueror's Haki detonated like a storm—

Sweeping through the dock.

Slamming into Doflamingo like a collapsing mountain.

Eyes rolled back. Knees buckled.

The Donquixote Family—who had just been cheering—froze.

Faces drained of color.

Jaws dropped.

One by one, their expressions twisted in disbelief.

They had thought Luo Yu would hesitate.

They had bet on his restraint.

They had hoped for mercy.

But what they got…

Was a merciless backhand of pure dominance.

As if Luo Yu had slapped them across the face with reality itself.

Doflamingo's smug grin froze in place.

His words—his threats—his boasts—

All became meaningless.

All he could see was the wall of Haki crashing toward him—

And in that moment…

He realized he had gambled wrong.