PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"All for ten million in performance bonuses?"

Atmos and the surrounding pirates froze instantly.

Whatever trace of respect they had begun to feel for this powerful Marine vanished in an instant.

He'd risked his life walking into a lion's den just to meet Whitebeard—for ten million?

Were the bounties on pirates across the Grand Line not more lucrative than that?

Even if he had taken Atmos's head just now, as the commander of the 13th Division of the Whitebeard Pirates, it would've been worth at least a few hundred million.

How could that not be better than chasing a measly ten million in performance bonuses?

But Atmos quickly reined in his thoughts. Having lost in a direct confrontation, he owed Luo Yu a debt—one that could only be paid by escorting him to Whitebeard.

Whatever happened afterward—live or die—that would be Luo Yu's fate to carry.

"All right, men—prepare to depart!" Atmos shouted. "If we waste Pops' time, we'll be in real trouble."

The pirates around him were clearly uncomfortable having Luo Yu onboard.

But this was still their turf. They didn't believe he could cause any real havoc here.

Hundreds of pirates quickly moved to set sail at the order.

Watching the sails rise, Gion and Cha Jin wore bitter expressions.

They could easily guess what Atmos and his crew were thinking.

And when it came to Luo Yu's bizarre obsession with bonuses and salary, they could only sigh in helplessness.

But now that Luo Yu was determined to meet Whitebeard, the two exchanged glances—

And braced themselves to follow.

Twenty nautical miles away, the enormous Moby Dick rested motionless upon the boundless sea.

Next to it approached a much smaller ship—still large by most standards, but it looked like a child standing next to a titan.

If anyone else had been in these waters right now...

And saw the flags flying from the approaching ship—

Their very soul would tremble.

This was no ordinary encounter.

This was a meeting between Emperors—an old Yonko and a new one.

If word of it spread, it would send shockwaves through the entire New World.

"Move aside, all of you," said Marco, standing at the bow of the Moby Dick, his arms crossed. "That guy's Conqueror's Haki is enough to dominate the seas. If your Haki's weak, get away from him now."

"There's no shame in it—even among Yonko."

Behind him, a rookie pirate who had tried to hold his ground collapsed unconscious, knocked out cold by the overwhelming aura.

From the smaller ship, a figure climbed aboard the Moby Dick step by step, a massive wine gourd slung over his back.

Every pirate still on deck—hundreds of them—was immediately affected.

Even the deck planks of nearby ships began to creak and fracture under the sheer pressure, spiderweb cracks spreading across their surfaces.

"Hmph. Still showing off your petty tricks, Red-Haired brat."

Whitebeard sat grandly in his chair, like a war god, and let out a cold snort.

"If it weren't for Roger, I wouldn't even bother listening to you. So out with it—don't waste my time."

"Thanks to your cryptic games, Big Mom and Kaido's underlings slipped into my territory, and even the Marines got involved."

"I've no patience for catching up—and you're not worthy of reminiscing with me!"

To Whitebeard, it was true that time had taken its toll on his body. And yes, Shanks had become a Yonko.

But in his eyes, only Roger was ever his equal.

As for Shanks?

Still just an intern who once sailed under Roger's banner.

"Your attitude hasn't changed, Whitebeard," Shanks replied with a dry laugh.

But this time, his voice turned uncharacteristically serious.

He pointed at the claw-mark scar near his eye and said gravely,

"I came here for a single request. Blackbeard is far more dangerous than any of you imagine."

"This scar... was from him. And even now, it still throbs."

"If you don't call Ace back immediately, I'm afraid he'll be defeated."

"And if that happens, the balance of power across the seas will collapse."

Ace can't beat Teach?!

Marco and the others showed visible shifts in expression.

They knew full well that Whitebeard had been grooming Ace as his heir.

And Teach's betrayal remained a deep wound in their hearts.

Letting Ace pursue him alone was both a show of trust and a matter of pride.

Now this former apprentice of Roger's crew was telling them Ace was no match?

Was he questioning the judgment of the Whitebeard Pirates?

Tension skyrocketed.

The pressure on the deck became unbearable as the two Yonko stared each other down.

Everyone's nerves tightened like bowstrings.

Would they explode into combat right here?

No one wanted that.

No one dared interrupt.

No one but one person—

"Pardon me," a calm voice spoke up, cutting through the silence like a blade.

"I know speaking during a Yonko conversation means courting death, and I probably shouldn't say anything—"

"But I agree with the Red-Haired one. Ace really isn't as strong as Blackbeard Teach."

A stunned silence swept through the ship.

Everyone's nerves nearly snapped in an instant.

This was a conversation between Yonko!

Most people wouldn't even breathe in such a situation, afraid of drawing attention.

And someone just... cut in?

That wasn't courage. That was suicide.

Every eye on deck turned, slowly, toward the source of the voice.

And when they saw the figure who had somehow climbed aboard without anyone noticing...

Their pupils shrank to pinpricks.

"A Marine? What's a Marine doing here?!" Diamond Jozu's expression was one of utter shock.

This was their home turf.

With two Emperors on deck.

What kind of madman would dare approach—let alone board the ship?

And now this random Marine had inserted himself into their most volatile moment?

They were all waiting to see whether Whitebeard and Shanks would clash.

Not this.

Certainly not this.

"He looks familiar…" said Vista, the Flower Sword, narrowing his eyes.

"He's the newly appointed Fourth Admiral—Taiote Luo Yu. He was just in the news a while ago."

"Wasn't he spotted in the outer sea regions? Atmos was sent to drive him off. How'd he end up here?"

"Wait—was he... captured by Atmos?"