PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Red-Haired Shanks gave a dry chuckle and waved his hand.

With that signal, the Reverth—hidden behind the reefs—rapidly raised its anchor, unfurled its sails, and surged out through the waves.

The sudden entrance drew every gaze like a magnet.

And when people recognized the flag flapping in the wind—Many pupils shrank violently.Shock twisted across countless faces.

They had already believed this war couldn't grow any more overwhelming.

Two of the Four Emperors had appeared.

The chaos had reached a level unseen in decades.

But now—a third Yonko had arrived, right as the war was supposed to end.

Had they not witnessed it themselves, no one would believe this moment was real.

And most of all—They needed to know why Shanks, Red-Haired Emperor of the Sea, had come now.

In an instant, every eye locked onto the approaching Reverth.

To stride so brazenly into this battlefield at its climax—

Only a Yonko would dare.

"Red-Hair… are you here to stir this mess up too?!"

Akainu's face darkened, molten magma hissing as it bubbled from his fists.

The ground beneath his feet sizzled and cracked.

With a fierce glare, he raised his arm, fingers clenching into a burning fist.

One word at a time, his voice thundered:

"Perfect. I needed someone strong to fight—if you insist on interfering, then I'll make you my next opponent!"

The moment he spoke, every Marine soldier tensed like a drawn bowstring.

Fighting one Yonko was already overwhelming.

Now a second had entered the fray?

It was like the heavens themselves were mocking Marineford.

But they were Marines.

If Admiral Sakazuki was determined to fight—They would follow him, no matter the odds.

"Stand down, all of you," Sengoku ordered in a deep, steady voice, stepping forward from the rear.

"Mid-level officers and below, fall back. Even Vice Admirals—stay clear. Do not approach."

His order left several younger officers stunned.

Soldiers, sure, they understood withdrawing.

But even Vice Admirals?

Wasn't that excessive?

"I suggest you follow Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders," Tsuru added coolly.

"Against this man's Haki, even a Vice Admiral would crumble.Sheer numbers will only get in the way."

Even Garp gave a silent nod.

With that, the remaining forces exchanged brief, reluctant looks—And began their withdrawal.

"Heh. Admiral Sakazuki, as fiery as ever," Shanks said with a grin, standing tall on the Reverth's prow.

"But today, I don't think you're the star of the show."

"I came to speak with Admiral Luo Yu."

"It's been a while, Admiral," Shanks continued, turning his sharp eyes toward the man still seated inside his Susanoo.

"The last time we met, it was aboard Whitebeard's ship…"

"Who would've thought—just half a year later, the entire era would be turned upside down."

"Your strength… truly exceeded all expectations."

"Today's battle shattered the gears of the old world.The new era has finally arrived."

"But the Marines have had their moment—"

"Kaido has fallen. Whitebeard has been slain.Two Emperors are down."

"Let this battle end here."

"Grant me this one favor—let them take Whitebeard's body."

"As a Yonko… he deserves a dignified death."

Shanks reached for the sword at his waist—Gryphon.

He slowly drew it free.

Cold steel shimmered under the sun, casting a solemn glow across the battlefield.

And then, word by word, Shanks declared:

"If you won't agree—then the Red-Hair Pirates… will be your next opponents."

Boom.

That one sentence detonated the field like a bombshell.

Whether Marine or pirate—All were stunned.

No one had imagined that Shanks would intervene so directly.

Or that he would put his entire crew on the line just to bargain for a single corpse.

"You—!!"

Akainu trembled with rage.

He had always been considered the strongest of the Admirals.

And now… Red-Hair had dismissed him without even a glance.

An insult—plain and brutal.

Just as he prepared to retort—

Sengoku reached out and blocked him.

He, too, had noticed—

Luo Yu hadn't spoken yet.

Because as Shanks had admitted—

This battlefield now belonged to Luo Yu.

His power had determined the outcome.His hand had ended an Emperor.He alone held the authority to respond.

Surrounded by thousands of eyes—

Luo Yu didn't bother with protocol or rank.

He raised his wine gourd and took a casual sip of earthy liquor, then said:

"Old man Sengoku, it's 12:03."

"It's lunch break. I'm off duty."

"I'm not fighting anymore."

He paused—then added with a faint smirk:

"Face can be given… but not to you."

He glanced toward the shattered ruins—And called out into the wind:

"Hey, lunatics—still planning to sit there watching?"

Everyone froze.

What…?

Even Shanks instinctively tightened his grip on Gryphon, shock flashing across his face.

This moment—

It had been carefully chosen.The perfect stage for him to make his move.He was confident in forcing his hand here.

And yet…

Luo Yu had just brushed him aside.

Not only that—

He implied someone else deserved the "face" more than a Yonko.

Lunatics?

Was someone else hiding…?

Shanks and Beckman exchanged looks.

And suddenly—

A wild, unthinkable possibility surfaced in both their minds.

There was one crew…That carried more weight than even a Yonko.

And if Luo Yu wasn't joking—Then their identities were becoming painfully obvious.

Sengoku, Akainu, Marco—All wore baffled expressions.

What "lunatics" could outshine the Red-Hair Pirates?

And then…

"Heh… Admiral Luo Yu, your vision always cuts straight through the fog."

An aged voice drifted from the ruins of the lighthouse.

"I thought we old fossils wouldn't get our turn…But I suppose we'll let Roger's ship take the lead once more."

From the shadows stepped a figure with long silver hair—Wearing a pair of old sandals.

The Dark King—Silvers Rayleigh.

He appeared beside Whitebeard's fallen body.

And behind him—A ship surfaced from the sea, its coating popping as it broke the surface.

Its sails unfurled—

The Jolly Roger of the Roger Pirates.

A flag long thought gone.

The moment it appeared—Countless pupils contracted once again.

"Sorry, everyone," Rayleigh said softly.

"But we old-timers are protecting Roger's willful son this time."

"Please—give us some face."