PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

A blinding white light burst forth within the consciousness space.

Luo Yu stared at the platinum treasure chest, quietly suspended in midair, and couldn't help being a little surprised.

According to the system, the Platinum Chest Trial Pack would grant a one-hour experience card.If the user found the reward suitable, they could choose to purchase it outright—or roll again.

It was, essentially, a "use first, pay later" scheme.

Luo Yu had thought this kind of shady marketing only existed in his past life.He didn't expect even in the Age of Sea Kings, such underhanded tactics existed.

But this… was exactly what Luo Yu wanted.

He'd already spent 100 million berries upgrading from the gold chest to platinum.If he opened it only to get some trash reward, it would completely kill his motivation to work overtime.

Taking a long breath, he stared at the chest glowing faintly within his mental world.

"System, open the Platinum Chest Trial Pack!"

Ding! Please wait...

Ding! Congratulations, host, you have received—

As the system's ethereal notifications echoed out, the reward materialized in his mind.

Luo Yu's eyes narrowed.

Was this... the king bomb?

"ROOOAAAR!"

A deep, guttural roar suddenly rang out—without warning.

Luo Yu's consciousness snapped back into reality.

In front of them, the Sea King that had been blocking their way now fled like it had seen a ghost, thrashing and diving deep beneath the waves.

Aramaki, who had just extended a vine to try and harpoon the creature, froze in place.

"Damn it! Who the hell scared off my prey?! When I find out who it was, I'll wring them dry!"

The rest of the ship stirred in confusion at the sudden commotion.

At first, they thought Luo Yu had used his Conqueror's Haki to scare off the Sea Kings again.

But in that brief moment, there was no signature of his explosive, berserker-like aura.

Instead, the Sea Kings had acted like they'd seen some primordial terror—and fled in panic.

Luo Yu raised an eyebrow, then chuckled as he took a swig from his earthen jug of cheap liquor.

"Aramaki, I was just worried you'd overeat and die. Seems we've arrived."

"Overeat?" Aramaki rolled his eyes. "You're kidding me—"

But just as he turned to retort, he saw it.

Through the thickening mist ahead, a massive shadow emerged across the entire sea.

His words caught in his throat.

He suddenly couldn't argue anymore.

If he really tried to pierce that, it would be like a mosquito trying to sting a mountain.

"Th-That's… Zou?!"

"It's even more spectacular than the legends say... Can't believe Admiral Luo Yu actually found this mythical place." Nagli puffed on his pipe, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

At his age, sailing out again had one goal—to see the world.

And ever since boarding Luo Yu's ship, his eyes had been opened wider than ever before.

Smashing Shichibukai…Kidnapping Celestial Dragons…Slapping people in front of the Five Elders…

Now he was heading to war with a Yonko.

This wasn't just adventure—it was a thrill ride!

"Heh, Old Brother Nagli's right," Fujitora chuckled. "I thought the world had rotted beyond redemption… but now I feel like I almost missed out."

"Sometimes I really wonder… what does Admiral Luo Yu actually look like?"

From within the mist, a massive elephant's leg suddenly stepped forward.

BOOM!

It stomped down a kilometer ahead, raising a monstrous tidal wave that swept across the entire sea like a raging typhoon.

"Fujitora-nii-san, I'll be counting on you," Luo Yu smiled as he faced the incoming tsunami. "There's 40 million on the line here."

Now was not the time to feel sorry for Sengoku's aching wallet.

With Platinum Chests costing over 100 million a pop, if he didn't start cashing in, he'd be the one going bankrupt!

"Heh… don't worry, Admiral," Fujitora smirked. "I'm just as curious—what makes you think you can earn a full 40 million here?"

He gently unsheathed his cane-blade, and a ripple of violet energy spread out, shielding the warship completely.

And the moment the tidal wave slammed down—it was sliced skyward by Fujitora's gravity wave.

Meanwhile, on Zou—Inside the Mokomo Dukedom

A dozen figures gathered in the plaza.

As one of the rarest races in the seas, the Mink Tribe had long been regarded as luxury goods by slave traders.

The starting bid might be only 700,000 berries, but noble buyers would often drive up the prices—especially when it came to female minks.

Because of this, the Mink Tribe held deep hatred toward humans.

Although Zou existed in the Calm Belt, it wasn't far from Dressrosa—just a day's journey away.

But because Zou wasn't an island, and instead a giant elephant that constantly moved, only those with a Vivre Card could find it.

Very few ever set foot upon it.

But even so, Zou's defenses were ironclad.

Aside from the two monarchs—guardians of night and day—Zou was protected by elite Mink warriors:

The Guardians, led by Pedro

The Musketeers, led by Inuarashi

Right now, it was still an hour before the guard shift at 6 a.m.

Unlike their two kings, the members of the Guardians and Musketeers got along rather well.

"Wanda, didn't think you'd bring Carrot out again today," said Pedro, cloaked in green, the Jaguar Mink sipping from a flask. "Looks like you're grooming her for something big."

The others chuckled softly, their expressions warm.

Wanda, a dog Mink, was one of the most admired figures on Zou—both beautiful and powerful. In both the Guardians and Musketeers, she commanded respect.

Smiling, she patted Carrot's head."Heh, Carrot is said by both kings to be the most likely future successor. Of course I'm going to train her. I brought her out so she can observe."

"Oh, and Carrot—don't forget the rules of our tribe," Wanda said, her tone turning serious. "Tonight is the full moon. You must not look up. If you can't control the transformation, you'll become a rampaging beast. That'll endanger both you and everyone around you."

She turned to look behind her—

Only to see Carrot already gazing up at the sky.

"Wanda-neechan! The moon looks like… like a ship