PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Half a day later, the massive battleship surged across the waves, its momentum cutting the sea like a blade.

Behind Luo Yu, Doll and the others gathered, squinting hard at the distant horizon, desperate to catch a glimpse of the "special combat force" he had spoken of.

But no matter how they strained their eyes—red and sore from the effort—they still couldn't see anything that hinted at such a force.

"Admiral Luo Yu, we've spotted an island," Ain called out from the crow's nest. "But that place was designated a dead zone by the World Government two years ago. Are you sure there's still someone there?"

Luo Yu took a swig from his wine gourd, his eyes locked on the silhouette of the approaching island.

"Don't worry," he said lightly. "We might just get a pleasant surprise."

"It's about time for afternoon tea anyway. I'll go check it out first. The ship's yours for now."

With those words, he stepped forward—and vanished like a phantom.

In the blink of an eye, he had crossed several hundred meters, racing across the sea's surface toward the island.

Back on the deck, the rest of the crew felt an intense unwillingness to fall behind and quickly steered the ship in pursuit.

Even Tesoro and the others were burning with curiosity: where exactly was this "special combat force" supposed to be? Who could it be?

—

Meanwhile, at the entrance to Punk Hazard…

A pirate ship bearing the Jolly Roger floated silently in the cove.

If one looked closely, they would recognize it as the ship of the Heart Pirates—a crew recently catapulted to fame across the seas, considered one of the Worst Generation.

But the atmosphere on the dock was tense—like a stretched bowstring about to snap.

Standing at the forefront, Trafalgar D. Water Law, bounty of 200 million Berries, known as the Surgeon of Death, faced the shoreline.

There, shrouded in swirling gas, stood a strange figure—Caesar Clown.

All around them, traces of battle littered the ground.

"Shurorororo! So this is the so-called power of the Worst Generation?" Caesar sneered, his twisted laughter echoing as the gas swirled around his gaseous form. "I thought it might be someone important—but to think a brat dared barge into my territory."

"But you clearly underestimated the power of science. Not just you—even if the Heavenly King himself came, he wouldn't be able to catch me!"

"Is that so?" Law's face darkened.

After hearing of the Warlords' conscription, Law assumed Doflamingo wouldn't have time to protect Caesar and rushed to Punk Hazard, hoping to capture Caesar as leverage.

But once he lured Caesar out, he realized—this scientist was far trickier than expected.

More of Caesar's men were arriving by the minute, and the poisonous gas drifting behind him was rapidly spreading.

Law knew that his chance to strike first had failed—staying any longer would be a mistake.

Glaring at Caesar's smug grin, Law said coldly, "You're right—I can't catch you yet."

"But if I want to leave… not even the Heavenly King could stop me."

"Remember that, Caesar. The next time we meet—you're mine."

"Leave?" Caesar scoffed, his gaseous form swelling menacingly.

"It's too late for that now! You dare mess around in my domain—let's see if this rookie can escape the fate even gods can't avoid!"

"Gas Igniter!"

BOOM!

With a flick of his spark-clicker, Caesar ignited the gas that had saturated the dock.

Flames exploded outward in a thunderous roar.

But Law was ready—his hand flipped, fingers forming a sign.

"ROOM."

The explosion ripped through the dock—but Law had already warped himself and his crew hundreds of meters away.

Caesar's grin froze. His expression darkened.

He knew it too: he couldn't deal with Law, just as Law couldn't deal with him.

Just like Law had said—not even the gods could settle this stalemate.

Both sides stood in deadlock once again, locked in a mutual standoff, eyes sharp with tension.

Suddenly, a subordinate's voice pierced the silence.

"Master Caesar! We just got intel—there's a Marine warship heading here at high speed! Estimated time of arrival: five minutes!"

"Marines?!" Caesar's expression twisted in panic.

Ever since he destroyed Punk Hazard with poisonous Slime two years ago, he'd been expelled by Vegapunk from the science unit.

Now he carried a 300 million Berries bounty.

Even with Doflamingo's protection, running into the Marines could be a disaster.

He clearly didn't want to keep fighting Law.

With a forced chuckle, Caesar said, "Looks like you're in luck, brat. Thank the Marines for showing up in time—or I'd show you exactly why not even the gods could catch me."

"Sheepshead, we're leaving."

He turned and made to flee—but paused when he saw the horrified look on Sheepshead's face.

Before he could ask what was wrong—

"C-Captain… I-I think the Marines are… flying?"

"What?"

Both Caesar and Law's expressions changed instantly.

They looked toward the sky.

Their pupils contracted.

Their jaws nearly unhinged.

BOOM!!!

A massive shockwave ripped the air apart.

A lone figure came hurtling from the sky like a meteor, crashing into the dock with terrifying force.

The ground erupted under the impact, dust and rubble flying in all directions.

When the dust cleared, a man with a wine gourd stepped casually out of the crater.

Luo Yu.

The Fourth Admiral Taiote.

He looked at the two stunned pirates, smiled, and said—

"Sorry, I'm not the Heavenly King. But I can keep you both right here."

Law and Caesar's faces drained of color.

A Marine Admiral had fallen from the heavens.

The name Taiote Luo Yu had already become infamous across the seas.

Ever since Marine HQ declared war on two Emperors, this Fourth Admiral had been the center of countless rumors and heated discussion.

At this point, anyone who didn't recognize him had no business sailing these seas.

Law and Caesar instinctively exchanged glances.

Faced with this terrifying arrival—

Both knew one thing:

They were not getting away easily.

"…Trafalgar Law," Caesar said, voice trembling. "Didn't you say not even the gods could stop you?"

"Well? What are you waiting for?"