PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"And in the end, he just happened to learn Whitebeard's location… Sengoku, don't you think this world has way too many 'coincidences'?"

Zephyr trailed off, his expression slightly awkward as he finally forced a bitter smile.

The massive office fell into dead silence.

At that moment, no one could even try to hide what they were thinking—it was written all over their faces.

Even one of the Yonko had been extorted.

And this was supposed to be a coincidence?

Seriously?

Was this really not premeditated?

In this moment, they finally understood why Sengoku had once said:

"Put a ten-million Beli bonus in Luo Yu's sights, and he might just tear the world apart."

"Zephyr! Quick! Get in touch with that brat—have him return immediately! He's off this mission!"Sengoku roared so furiously that the armrests of his chair nearly splintered in his grip.

"He hasn't even found Whitebeard yet, and he's already managed to extort Kaido?!"

"If he runs into both Whitebeard and Shanks next, I swear, the three major Yonko crews might declare war on Marine Headquarters all at once!"

"Kizaru! Use your speed and get there immediately! Keep an eye on Luo Yu—do not let him meet Kaido!"

A flurry of rapid-fire orders exploded from Sengoku's mouth.

By the end, everyone was holding their breath.

After personally witnessing Luo Yu's modus operandi, they knew all too well:

That horrifying scenario Sengoku described?It was completely within the realm of possibility.

Just imagining what would happen if the three Yonko crews set aside their differences and simultaneously declared war on the Navy…

It was enough to send chills down every spine in the room.

Meanwhile, in the Sicilian Sea, a Marine warship sliced through the waves.

At the prow stood Luo Yu, gazing across the open sea.Now and then, he took a swig from his flask of cheap grain liquor, his half-lidded eyes savoring the salty sea breeze.

"Admiral Luo Yu, we're now thirty nautical miles from Sicilian Island," Ain reported from the lookout tower, telescope in hand."No sign of Whitebeard's Moby Dick so far. It's likely they've already left the area."

"No sign?"Gion actually felt a wave of relief wash over her.

She turned to glance behind the ship—where they were dragging a fully packaged Beasts Pirates vessel, unmistakably marked with Kaido's insignia.

After watching Luo Yu extort Kaido himself, Gion honestly feared what would happen if they really did spot Whitebeard's ship.

"Admiral Luo Yu… if Whitebeard has already left the Sicilian Sea," she ventured cautiously, "perhaps it's best not to pursue too stubbornly."

"Cha Jin and I can put in a few good words on your behalf. Maybe we can still help you secure that ten-million bonus…"

She tried to hide the worry in her voice, but after witnessing that wild, chaotic scene with Kaido, Gion now truly believed Luo Yu might do anything—even confront Whitebeard and Shanks face-to-face just to ask what they were discussing.

Rather than living in constant anxiety, Gion would much prefer he simply found nothing at all.

But Luo Yu just smiled, tapping the rim of his gold-rimmed glasses as he replied:

"That won't do, Vice Admiral Gion. As a qualified employee, I need to see every project through to the end. Otherwise, how can I justify performance pay or bonuses on the next one?"

Then, raising his brow slightly, he added with a grin:

"Besides, I have to say, you really are my lucky charm, Gion."

"Speak of the devil… and he appears."

"Looks like we're approaching the Moby Dick after all."

Speak of the devil?

Gion blinked in confusion.

She wasn't quite sure what Luo Yu meant by "devil" or "lucky charm."

But the moment she spotted a silhouette on the distant sea horizon—along with a pirate flag flapping boldly in the wind—

Her face instantly froze.

If she could say anything right now, it would simply be:

"F**k."

The very situation she feared most… had arrived.

And she was right in the middle of it.

This so-called "lucky charm"? She'd happily throw it away forever.

After all, this was the man who had just extorted Kaido, all in the name of chasing a ten-million Beli performance bonus.

What would he do now?

Gion didn't even dare imagine it.

"Admiral Luo Yu, maybe we should retreat for now," she pleaded again. "This is Whitebeard's territory—we're in real danger if we press forward."

But Luo Yu simply pushed his glasses up again, smiling as he replied:

"Too late. We're already spotted."

"And from the looks of it, the big guy on the other ship isn't too pleased."

"But don't worry—compared to that muscle-brained Kaido, I'm confident I can reason with Whitebeard."

Reason with Whitebeard?!

Gion's expression froze.

An absolutely absurd thought suddenly popped into her head.

Is Luo Yu really planning… to just go up to Whitebeard and ask what he was talking about with Shanks?

All for the sake of that ten-million bonus?!

That's… even crazier than extorting Kaido!

At the same moment, a massive whale-shaped pirate ship surged across the waves.

Though smaller than the Moby Dick, it still radiated fierce presence.

At the bow stood a giant man clad in rough armor, twin broadswords strapped to his back.

His powerful physique and intense aura made him an overwhelming figure even among New World pirates.

He was Atesmo, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Thirteenth Division—known across the seas as "the Water Buffalo."

Just standing on any stretch of sea under Whitebeard's flag made him a name not to be ignored.

"Captain Atesmo!" a subordinate called out urgently. "A Marine warship has appeared ahead! Looks like the one Commander Marco warned us about earlier—carrying the new Fourth Admiral from Navy HQ!"

"A Marine admiral's ship?"Atesmo raised a brow, his voice low and firm.

"I thought we'd be running into one of Kaido's ships first. Was hoping to get payback for that loss in the Oos Sea a while back."

"Didn't expect the new admiral to sail right into our guns."

"From what Marco said, this guy's nothing but a paper tiger—a puppet admiral created for show. Eventually, Ace'll crush him and rise to true fame."

"At first, I wanted to test the guy's strength myself… but with Pops about to meet that brat Shanks, I'd better hold back."

"Hel, put the word out to that Marine ship. Tell them this is Whitebeard's territory. If they don't turn back immediately, I'll tie them up and deliver them straight to Pops!"

Hel saluted. "Yes sir! I'll broadcast it now!"

He turned, preparing to climb the lookout and issue the warning—

But before he could move, a voice drifted over the sea on the wind.

Casual. Arrogant. Unapologetic.

"Hey, you—yeah, you up front."

"Take me to Whitebeard. I've got something I need to say to him directly."

"Let's get moving. If we don't start now, I'm gonna miss my off-hours—and I hate working overtime."