PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"Spandain! Didn't I tell you to get me the hell out of this godforsaken place?! Why did you bring me here again?!"

Saint Charlos was trembling as he looked behind him, terror etched deep into his bloated face.

The once-proud landscape of Island No. 1 had been utterly flattened—again.

His eyes widened in horror."I knew it… I knew that guy was a lunatic. If I hadn't run fast enough, I'd be soaring through the air again like a commoner's toy. I refuse—absolutely refuse—to be the laughingstock of Mariejois again!"

The trauma of that day at the Gates of Justice still haunted him.

He had fully expected that upon returning to Mariejois, he would hear of the upstart Admiral Taiote Luo Yu being stripped of his rank.

But day after day passed.

And nothing came.

Instead… he'd nearly been sent flying again.

Admittedly, his escape this time had been frantic—undignified, even.

But Charlos, in his own mind, praised himself for his brilliance.

"Damn bastard… that arrogant vermin dared to lay hands on a Celestial Dragon… unforgivable!"

The snarl came not from Charlos, but from the man now striding up to him.

Aramaki.

His eyes blazed with righteous fury as he approached the trembling Charlos.

Dropping to one knee, his voice full of reverence, he declared:"Celestial Dragon-sama, I am Aramaki—a loyal protector of the World Nobles. That arrogant Navy scum dared hurt you. I swear on my life, I will kill him for you!"

As he spoke, thick vines sprouted from his body, one of them gently stabbing into Charlos.

Spandain's expression changed dramatically.

He had gotten himself into enough disasters recently—if anything happened to Charlos under his watch now, he'd be dead for sure.

But Aramaki merely laughed darkly."Relax, CP0. I'm not some filthy lowborn who'd hurt a Celestial. Watch closely."

A soft green glow spread from the vine into Charlos.

Miraculously, the Celestial Dragon's battered, bleeding body healed before their eyes, wounds vanishing like mist.

Spandain's jaw dropped.

That level of regeneration… was almost unnatural.

No wonder the Gorosei had personally called in Aramaki to deal with the troublesome Admiral.

With healing abilities like that, Aramaki could maintain his combat advantage almost indefinitely.

But still—Spandain felt a chill run down his spine.

Every mission involving Admiral Luo Yu had spiraled completely out of control.

And despite the impressive strength now gathered—including the calm, silent figure of Fujitora drinking by the shop front—Spandain couldn't shake a rising sense of dread.

Aramaki grinned wickedly, retracting his vines."What's wrong, CP0? Dumbfounded?" he sneered.

"There's this rumor on the seas, you know. That CP0 is the most elite intelligence force under the World Government."

"Turns out, you lot can't even protect one measly Celestial Dragon. Maybe it's time I had a word with the Gorosei… about changing leadership."

He turned toward the battlefield.

"Now, take the Celestial Dragon over to Fujitora-ossan and enjoy the show. Time for me to teach this arrogant upstart a lesson."

"Oh, and CP0," he smirked, "how much do you think my chances are?"

"…Your chances?" Spandain blinked.

He looked at Aramaki's smug face. Then at the seemingly indifferent Fujitora sipping sake nearby.

His heart thundered.

Two Admiral-level powers gathered just to take down one man?

Any normal strategist would already see the result as obvious.

"…One hundred percent," he answered slowly.

But as he glanced again at Fujitora, quietly drinking without even glancing their way, Spandain's unease deepened.

Luo Yu… had earned himself a terrifying nickname.

And from the moment they'd met, Spandain had only ever played the role of delivery boy—for disaster.

So even now—with Aramaki and Fujitora both present—Spandain's confidence felt hollow.

"One hundred percent, huh?" Aramaki raised a brow, his grin stretching even wider.

"Good. The people always see the truth. A mere rookie Admiral?"

"He'll learn… what it means to be crushed with ease!"

With that, Spandain escorted Charlos to Fujitora's side.

But just as he turned back…

A figure appeared.

A figure that haunted his nightmares.

Cloaked in authority, bottle in hand, Luo Yu approached at a casual pace.

Yet Spandain's heart pounded faster.

Even now—even now—he couldn't help but feel that things were about to spin wildly out of control.

Then it came—

"So, you're the infamous new Admiral?" Aramaki's tone had turned ice-cold, voice soaked in disdain.

"The one who dares defy the World Nobles? That dares lift a hand against a Celestial Dragon?"

"You stand here in defiance of the world itself."

"I'll give you a choice," he sneered."Will I drag you back myself? Or will you tie yourself up and come quietly?"

Luo Yu took a small sip from his gourd, watching Aramaki with faint amusement.

"…A choice? You're offering me choices now?" He raised a brow."First time I've seen someone try that with me."

He grinned faintly, lifting the wine gourd."But let me be clear—I don't let others choose for me."

"And as for the Celestial Dragon… of course I've got my eyes on him."

"He's worth ten million in bonus pay."

"Now then, let me offer you a choice instead."

"One: hand over the Celestial Dragon so I can report back to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"Two: I take you and the Celestial Dragon… and deliver you both personally."

He glanced at his watch.

"Three minutes until I clock out."

"I suggest… you answer now."

BOOM!!!

The ground exploded behind Aramaki.

Gigantic, vine-like roots erupted from the soil, rising and twisting in midair like monstrous tendrils.

Aramaki's face twisted in fury.

The cup in his hand shattered in his grip.

"You arrogant mongrel!! I was going to give you a shred of dignity, but you still don't understand the glory of the Celestial Dragons!"

"If you insist on acting like a lowborn mutt…"

"Then don't blame me for treating you like one!"

His bellow echoed with fanatical fervor, shaking the very air.

He was no mere Celestial Dragon follower—he was a zealot, drunk on the ideology of divine right.

But just as he roared his final threat…

A feeble, trembling voice interrupted him:

"Um… I… I'm the Celestial Dragon…"

"C-c-can I run away again…?"

—Saint Charlos.