PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

The pirate flag, sealed away for over a decade, now danced boldly in the sea breeze, snapping sharply in the wind.

All eyes were drawn to it — that banner once symbolizing the honor of the Pirate King himself.

And the faces… aged, weathered, long thought lost to the tides of history.

Whether Navy or pirate, even figures like Sengoku and Red-Haired Shanks stood frozen in shock.

No one had anticipated this — that the long-disbanded Roger Pirates would resurface at such a pivotal moment.

From the very start, Shanks' plan had been clear.

Board Whitebeard's ship, try to persuade him, and through the escalating conflict over Ace's pursuit of Blackbeard, push the world toward a war that would shatter the old era.

To prevent Roger's former crew from interfering, he had even used the pretext of blocking Kaido to keep them busy elsewhere.

But Luo Yu's unexpected appearance had thrown the entire scheme into chaos.

Kaido's participation had cost Shanks a crucial move — he could no longer distract the remnants of the Roger Pirates.

Even so, Shanks believed that as long as Kaido won and appeared at Marineford, the outcome would still tilt in his favor.

But a single misstep had led to disaster after disaster.

Kaido's crushing defeat, Whitebeard's suicidal rampage — everything was unraveling.

After waiting half a day for the right opportunity to claim some prestige, the reappearance of Roger's old crew had flipped the table again.

If it had just been Rayleigh, the current Emperor Shanks might've still held the upper hand.

But now that the entire Roger Pirates had shown up?

He was nothing more than a little brother among giants.

Unless he chose to completely cast off his identity as a former intern on Roger's ship…

…he had no choice but to give Rayleigh face.

"Captain, what now?" asked Lucky Roux, his expression darkening.

They had spent so much time and energy setting this up — and now, they were just handing over the ripened fruit?

Lucky Roux couldn't accept that.

Shanks' face also stiffened slightly, but as the seasoned tactician he was, he quickly recovered. Sheathing his sword, Gryphon, he laughed lightly.

"Relax. Things have definitely spun beyond my control — but it's not unmanageable."

"In fact… I've already thought of a way to keep the damage to a minimum."

With those words, Shanks smiled as he parted the crowd. Under the gaze of all present, his figure blurred like a phantom — vanishing into thin air.

When he reappeared, he was already aboard the long-lost pirate ship.

Looking around at the familiar faces of old comrades, he smiled.

"Mr. Rayleigh, Mr. Jabba, everyone… it's been far too long."

"Just now, I even spotted Buggy over there. Aside from Captain Roger himself, this is probably the closest thing we'll get to a reunion!"

"But Mr. Rayleigh is right — no matter how reckless Ace might be, he's still Captain Roger's son. And while I may now be the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates…"

"…I was once an intern on the Oro Jackson, Roger's ship. So allow me to step up and ask the Navy for a little face."

"I believe… Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the others can show us that courtesy, don't you think?"

"Oh, and Buggy — come on over and join the party!"

Everyone was stunned.

No one expected the mighty Emperor Shanks to humble himself like this, openly referring to his past as an intern.

Even more shocking — among that group of fugitives was a silent, hidden member of the Roger Pirates.

But while the rest were frozen in awe, Buggy looked like he wanted to sprout wings and fly far, far away.

He had only planned to lurk quietly, stream the battle live, and ride the hype wave to fame.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think Shanks would backstab him like that — dragging him straight into the spotlight!

Now he was being called over for a "reunion"?

Like hell I believe you!

Feeling the weight of countless stares, Buggy realized words were now useless. All he could do was glare at Shanks and shout angrily:

"Shanks, you're still just as annoying as ever! Reunite with you? I believe you as much as I believe in ghosts! You're rotten to the core! And don't think I've forgotten that treasure map you owe me! Get lost!"

Watching the fuming Buggy, Shanks only laughed.

Even Luo Yu was caught off guard. He had thought the split battlefield might already diverge wildly from the original plot.

But he hadn't expected Buggy to appear too.

Still, Shanks suddenly standing with the Roger Pirates? That didn't surprise Luo Yu at all.

If you can't beat them, join them.

A smart move.

As a current Emperor with the added status of former Roger intern, Shanks could still milk a lot of respect here.

"Heh… Shanks, Buggy — it's good to see you both again," Rayleigh chuckled, taking a swig from his flask as he clapped Shanks on the shoulder.

"Sengoku, we've known each other for a long time. Protecting Ace should've been the duty of us old-timers. Sadly, Whitebeard refused our help."

"Now that he's gone, and your Navy has had its moment in the spotlight — how about you let us go?"

"Of course, you can choose to say no. But just remember — if you do, it won't just be Whitebeard who dies today…"

"…It'll be the entire ship of old men standing behind me."

"So — do you really want to keep fighting?"

The quietness of his words sent a ripple of tension through the battlefield.

For no one doubted Silvers Rayleigh, the man once known as the Dark King and Roger's right-hand.

As the long-buried flag of the Roger Pirates fluttered once more...

Everyone knew: Rayleigh and the remnants of the Roger crew were fully prepared.

If the battle continued...

They wouldn't just be fighting Whitebeard's remnants anymore.

They'd be up against the full might of the Red-Haired Pirates — and what remained of the Roger Pirates themselves.

That was no different from taking on three Emperors at once.

Suddenly, all eyes turned toward Sengoku, filled with anxious anticipation.

What would the famed strategist choose?

Under that pressure, Sengoku's face turned grim.

The appearance of Shanks and the Roger remnants had completely blindsided him.

But as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku knew — the moment Whitebeard fell, this battle had already reached its conclusion.

If they pressed on now, they'd be facing a tri-Emperor-level threat.

Even if they won… it would be a pyrrhic victory.

And the Navy would suffer a blow it might never recover from.

Just as he steeled himself to speak…

A sudden figure materialized on the battlefield.

A new voice rang out, sharp and chilling — making Sengoku's pupils contract violently.

"Well, since everyone's here… why not wipe them all out in one go?Sengoku, let me support your Navy and hold the line!"