PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

The calm, unhurried voice echoed across the plaza, faint but persistent—like some kind of spell, lingering in the minds of all who heard it.

Wanda and Pedro's faces shifted drastically.

Perhaps Carrot was unaware of the past.

But they knew—those four words: Kozuki Oden—were an untouchable reverse scale for the two Kings.

"You bastard! How dare you speak Lord Oden's name! I'll teach you a lesson!"

Inuarashi's expression darkened as he roared with fury.

And from deep within the forest—another shadow could no longer stay still.

Like a cannonball, Nekomamushi burst forth.

Before Wanda and Pedro could process what was happening, the two rulers had exploded forward at full speed—

—colliding into Luo Yu with twin roars of power.

BOOM!!

A thunderous shockwave blasted outwards like a typhoon, shredding the ground within dozens of meters.

Dust and debris swirled.

From within the storm, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi's combined attacks rained down like celestial hammers.

Every strike rang out like the beating of divine war drums, shaking the sky.

But as the dust began to settle—their expressions twisted in disbelief.

There he stood.

Still unmoving.

His Thousand-Hand Guanyin, once glowing gold, was now cloaked in obsidian-black Armament Haki, dense and impervious.

Every attack had landed—and none had broken through.

Wanda and Pedro were stunned.

Even the two Kings' eyes narrowed.

As rulers of the Mink Tribe, their strength far surpassed Carrot's.

They'd expected at least some resistance.

But instead—they got the same outcome as her.

"Ha! If I remember right, you two were once stowaways on Whitebeard's ship, and later, on Roger's crew," a voice cackled above.

Nagli descended slowly, pipe in mouth, studying the two kings with amusement.

"Didn't expect you two to actually become monarchs. Looks like coming out to tour the sea before I die wasn't a bad idea after all."

"But I'd advise you not to get reckless. That kid—he's not some Vice Admiral or Rear Admiral like you think."

"He's the Navy's newest Admiral."

"And if you try anything now... this ship alone could wipe out your country in ten minutes."

"YOU—!"

Wanda and Pedro gritted their teeth in fury.

But they were swiftly stopped by the two Kings.

Just then, the massive battleship began to descend.

Under Fujitora's command, the ship lowered gently onto the plaza.

And with it, a procession of powerful auras stepped forth.

Each one radiated pressure like a wild beast.

Inuarashi and Nekomamushi stiffened.

Their animal instincts flared.

Every single figure that disembarked from the ship—was a monster.

Any one of them could become a disaster for their nation.

If they attacked…

Ten minutes to total annihilation was no exaggeration.

"Who the hell are you people?" Inuarashi's voice was sharp and low."And what do you want with the Mokomo Dukedom?"

He was no longer concerned with arguing with Nekomamushi.

He understood full well—if these people turned hostile, even if he and Nekomamushi joined forces…

They would still die.

"Tsk. You two really are ignorant of the outside world," Nagli scoffed, shaking his head."If not for Roger's memory, I wouldn't even bother explaining this."

He casually flicked a folded newspaper from his coat and tossed it onto the ground.

"Twenty-five days ago, Marine Headquarters declared war on both the Whitebeard Pirates and Kaido of the Beasts—simultaneously."

"This new Admiral was tasked with recruiting special combat forces across the seas."

"Everyone you see behind him is a designated 'special force'. And guess what?"

"You two are on his list."

Shock rippled across Inuarashi and Nekomamushi's faces.

They snatched the paper.

And as their eyes scanned the bold headlines—

They couldn't believe it.

"The Marines declared war on TWO Emperors? Are they insane?!" Inuarashi growled.

"No—you must be insane!" he shouted at Luo Yu. "Have you forgotten?! We once stood under Whitebeard, the old man!"

"You want to recruit us—to fight against him?! That's the biggest joke I've ever heard!"

"This is a betrayal of Lord Oden's ideals!"

"We've already failed Lord Oden once… If you try to force us to raise a sword against Whitebeard—"

"Then even if we have to sacrifice all of Zou, I'll uphold Oden's honor to the death!"

"Don't test our resolve, Admiral!"

Pedro, Wanda, and the rest of the Mink warriors all clenched their fists.

Their Kings had spoken.

All they could do now—was prepare to fight, even if it meant death.

Nagli sighed and shook his head.

"You really are as stubborn as I was in my youth... Alright, kid—it's your show now."

Luo Yu took another slow sip from his jug, then glanced at the time on his pocket watch.

"Five minutes until I'm off the clock," he said flatly.

"I'd rather not get forced into overtime."

"You're making things difficult for me."

Then—

"Let's bet on it," said a sudden voice.

It was Nekomamushi.

Inuarashi looked over, surprised.Normally, he would argue—but this time, he remained quiet.

Nekomamushi took a deep breath.

"We make a wager. Each of us strikes once—one blow each. If you can withstand it, we admit defeat and will accept your terms."

"If not—this ends now."

"One strike each?"

Wanda and Pedro blinked.

They never expected the usually dopey-looking Nekomamushi to propose such a clever challenge.

But then they remembered—

It was a full moon.

And Nekomamushi was using his words carefully—"one strike each"—meaning two attacks against one.

Two vs. one, under perfect conditions.

They held the advantage in timing, terrain, and numbers.

Even Inuarashi's eyes flashed with a bit of anticipation.

But Nagli simply sighed, exchanging glances with the others.

They could only feel helpless.

Out in the world, even Celestial Dragons would go out of their way to avoid this Admiral.

And now these two—were actually trying this?

That was beyond bold.

That was… catastrophically dumb.

But Luo Yu just smiled, raising his gourd of wine.

"Not a bad idea. Saves me a lot of trouble."

"Still—"

He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting.

"Before we begin, let me make something clear."

"So you don't get any ideas about dying for no reason later."

"You are on my list of special combat forces."

"But that's just a technicality."

"I never planned on actually making you fight."

"I came all the way here... for the forty million."

"Like I said—weaklings aren't even worth using as leverage."

"This 'special forces list' is just an excuse... to pad my paycheck."