PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

You arrogant fool! You really think I'll believe you'd dare do it?!"

Sheepshead's face turned a ghastly shade of blue. With a furious roar, his tightly coiled muscles erupted with explosive force as he spun around like a pouncing leopard, bolting in an attempt to escape.

In a single stride, he crossed over ten meters.

But after just a couple of steps, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

Seeing Luo Yu suddenly appear ahead of him, Sheepshead froze in place.

The next moment, dazzling golden light flared from Luo Yu's body.

In an instant, a massive Thousand-Hand Guanyin manifested behind him, stretching three to five meters tall.

A gigantic palm-blade came crashing down with terrifying force.

Sheepshead's expression drastically changed.

He hadn't expected that from the beginning until now, this newly appointed admiral hadn't even truly made a move.

Was this unexpected method of fighting just a sign that he was too weak—even unworthy of Luo Yu lifting a finger?

"Full-body Armament Haki!"

Sheepshead roared hysterically.

A coating of jet-black Armament Haki instantly enveloped his entire body.

Yet in the next moment, his whole body was sent flying again.

BOOM!

One of the pirate ships moored at the dock was smashed apart by sheer impact, leaving a massive crater upon collision.

As everyone watched Sheepshead—coughing blood and embedded in the wreckage—they all realized one thing clearly:

The title of "Four Emperors" might really not be enough… in front of this new admiral.

But more than that, they were desperate to know—was Luo Yu actually serious about what he'd just said?

"Is this the Den Den Mushi you use to contact the Beasts Pirates? Great, now I don't even need to search you."

Luo Yu pushed up his golden-rimmed glasses and smiled gently as he glanced at the Den Den Mushi that had fallen into the debris.

As he casually walked forward and picked it up, everyone's nerves tightened.

Was he really going to extort a Yonko for a ten million bounty bonus?

Meanwhile, in Onigashima of Wano Country—

Three towering figures gathered together.

As the three All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates, any time they met like this, it signaled a major incident.

"Has Kaido-sama not returned yet? The matter with Whitebeard and Shanks can't be delayed any longer. If they really do form an alliance, we'll be the first ones to get smacked down."

Queen puffed on his cigar, took a long drag, and was the first to speak.

As he spoke, he completely ignored Jack's presence.

Among the three All-Stars, although Jack appeared frequently in public as the "Drought," in Queen and King's eyes, he was nothing more than a junior.

When discussing serious matters, Jack's role was only to listen and follow orders.

"Kaido-sama replied half a day ago that he was on his way back. He should be arriving right about now," King said calmly.

Then he suddenly looked up at the sky.

"He's here."

Queen and Jack's faces changed as they followed his gaze upward.

A massive shadow plummeted from the sky, carrying the weight of thunder itself.

BOOM!

A deafening impact like a thunderclap shook the ground violently.

A huge wave of sand and dust exploded outward.

Though the surrounding pirates were experienced and braced for it, they were still blown away.

As the dust storm settled, a massive figure emerged slowly from the giant crater, face grim and voice booming.

"King, what was so urgent that you had to rush me back?"

"You know I was busy trying to kill myself. It's been too long since I felt the touch of death. Without that, I can't break through to the next level of power!"

"If you can't give me a good reason, don't blame me if I smash you with my kanabo."

His rumbling voice echoed over the ruins.

Nearby pirates who had just gotten back on their feet froze in place.

No one wanted to accidentally draw attention from Kaido's infamous "Thunder Bagua Home Run Batting Practice."

"Kaido-sama, there are two reasons we called you back," King said first. As the brain and right-hand of the Beasts Pirates, his words always carried weight.

"Two things?" Kaido raised his gourd and took a heavy swig before frowning.

"Why so many? What's going on that even you guys can't handle? I was pretty sure I'd succeed in dying this time."

"Hurry up. Tell me what's so important. I still need to get back to dying."

Unbothered by Kaido's urgency, King pulled out a newspaper and slapped it heavily onto the table.

"Kaido-sama, the first matter is that Marine Headquarters has appointed a new Fourth Admiral named Taiote Luo Yu. Rumor has it he's a freak obsessed with clocking in and out of work."

"His strength was recognized after he fought Akainu, and now the world calls him 'the Standing Death Admiral.'"

"With the rise of a fourth admiral, I'm concerned about potential threats to the Beasts Pirates, so I thought you should know."

"Fourth Admiral of the Marines? A freak?" Kaido raised an eyebrow, snatched the paper, and after glancing at the front page photo, let out a disdainful snort.

"Hmph. Just some snot-nosed brat who hasn't even grown all his hair. What's the big deal?"

"If I ran into him, he wouldn't even dare breathe, let alone fight."

"This crap doesn't even need to reach me. Next!"

As he spoke, Kaido casually tossed the newspaper aside.

As one of the Four Emperors of the New World, standing at the very peak of the sea's power, even the three current admirals weren't in his eyes—let alone a newcomer.

"Heh, King, Kaido-sama is right. That little brat isn't worth all this fuss," Queen said while adjusting his mechanical arm and puffing on his cigar. He snatched a Den Den Mushi from Jack's hand.

"Let me handle the second matter."

"Kaido-sama, there've been recent reports that Red-Haired Shanks and Whitebeard have met. We've tracked down their rough location."

"But to explain it properly, it's better to have Jack's subordinates report directly. Just push this button."

With that, Queen pressed the Den Den Mushi's dial.

Kaido and King immediately turned their attention to it.

But the moment their eyes landed on the Den Den Mushi…

A sudden, unexpected voice echoed from the receiver:

"Hey hey, are you Kaido? So—do you want the man, or the money?"