PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Marineford – Main Conference Hall, Navy Headquarters

Inside the grand conference hall, dozens of high-ranking Marine officers had gathered.

All eyes were locked on the document spread across the central table, and the air was thick with tension.

"Damn those Five Elders! Isn't this going too far? Didn't they agree to shelve this for now?!"

Garp slammed his hand on the table with a rare burst of fury.

The sight was enough to draw startled glances from the surrounding officers—after all, Garp was usually known for slacking off. It was rare to see him so genuinely angry.

But the draft order from the Five Elders in front of them had everyone fuming inside.

"Garp, I brought up my opposition to them three days ago,"Sengoku said grimly, clutching the order as his face darkened."I had hoped they'd reconsider, but instead they doubled down. They claim the Four Emperors have been moving strangely lately, the Revolutionary Army keeps causing chaos, and now the fall of Enies Lobby has become a tipping point."

"To save face for the World Government, they're forcing our hand and demanding we enact the draft immediately."

"Worse still, their move is tied to Vegapunk's SSG project. We probably can't back out of this."

"Right now, we need to decide—who's going to carry it out."

The room went still.

One by one, the Marine officers lowered their heads, trying to avoid Sengoku's gaze.

None of them feared death.

But the moment they realized this operation might involve their former teacher, that task became a scalding-hot potato no one wanted to touch.

Sengoku's face grew even darker at the silence.

He slammed the folder down.

"What the hell?! Usually you're fighting each other to grab assignments—now you've all gone mute?"

"What do you expect me to do—go personally as the Fleet Admiral?!"

"If that's the case, what use are you lot at all?!"

His angry voice echoed through the hall, rattling the walls.

Still, no one lifted their head.

Finally, Tsuru sighed deeply and broke the silence.

"Sengoku, don't be too hard on them. This mission is a bit… extreme, even for them. Let them think it over."

She paused, then added with a strange tone,

"That Den Den Mushi from Luo Yu—it's rung over ten times now. Are you really not going to answer?"

"Answer his call?" Sengoku looked like he was about to explode. Gritting his teeth, he gestured toward the now-silent Den Den Mushi."That brat only ever calls to demand a raise or performance bonus. What urgent business could he possibly have?"

"Between this draft order and the mess with the Elders, I'm on the edge already. If I answer him now, I might actually snap."

"Luckily, he's busy chasing CP9. With any luck, he'll be tied up for the next ten days or so. I can breathe a little."

For a moment, Sengoku finally felt a flicker of relief.

But just then, Tsuru accepted a new intelligence report from her aide and set it down on the table.

Sengoku's face changed immediately.

"Tsuru… what's this? Don't tell me that brat—while I ignored his calls—caused another catastrophe?"

"Catastrophe?" Tsuru glanced at the report, cleared her throat, and said plainly:"It's nothing much. According to Ain and Isuka's field report, Admiral Luo Yu arrived on Island No. 3, and CP9 surrendered voluntarily."

"Also, Doflamingo's top officer Pica interfered with the arrest and attacked a Marine Admiral. Luo Yu defeated and severely injured him."

"Then three so-called CP0 agents appeared and tried to bribe the Admiral with Devil Fruits. He refused. They attacked—and were promptly crushed."

"He brought all of them back, bagged and tagged."

"He should be arriving… right about now."

Dead silence.

Everyone froze.

Just a moment ago, they were still reeling from the fact that CP9 had surrendered.

Now they were being told Luo Yu had also captured a Shichibukai's officer and three CP0 members?

Was this guy insane?!

BANG!

The heavy doors to the hall burst open.

Luo Yu strolled in, drinking from his gourd, completely at ease.

Behind him, Ain and Isuka followed—along with CP9, the battered trio from CP0, and Pica.

But unlike CP9, who walked under their own power, the others were laid out on stretchers, wrapped head to toe in bandages.

The scene was so surreal, it made everyone's eyelids twitch.

Just what had these people done to get beaten into this state?

Obstructing justice?

Impersonating CP0?

Sengoku stared at the four stretchers, his face ashen.

He slowly turned to glance at the unanswered Den Den Mushi, still sitting on the table.

And then, from between clenched teeth, Sengoku muttered:

"Admiral Luo Yu… from now on, I'll answer every single one of your calls."

"Couldn't you have just called one more time earlier?!"

"One more call?" Luo Yu took a swig and slumped casually into his Admiral's seat."It's fine, Old Man. You're a busy guy. I just thought I'd swing by and give you a pleasant little surprise."

"CP9's all here. And while I was at it, I brought back a Shichibukai's officer who resisted arrest—and three CP0 impersonators."

"If it's not too much trouble, could you tally up the bonus for me?"

"I'm a bit strapped for cash. An extra one or two million would help."

The Marine officers were completely dumbfounded.

They stared at the stretchers.

Each of those people was the kind of opponent they'd struggle to fight head-on.

But now, to Luo Yu, they were just… a combined bonus.

That gap… was terrifying.

"Sengoku! I protest! I officially protest against your new Admiral, Taiote Luo Yu, for attacking CP0!"

Struggling to sit up on his stretcher, Spandine yanked the bandages from his mouth and screamed in rage.

"This matter will reach the Five Elders! Marine Headquarters will pay dearly for this!"

Luo Yu glanced lazily over at him, adjusting his glasses.

"He's really CP0? I'm new—I don't know anyone's face."

The entire room went blank.

Even Ain and Isuka couldn't help gaping.

They had seen people lie with a straight face before—

But never someone like Luo Yu, who could sound so innocent and sincere while doing it.

"Hahahaha!" Garp burst into laughter."CP0? This one's on you! You knew Luo Yu was new. Why didn't you bring some ID from Sengoku to prove your identity when asking for people?"

"Now he's wasted a Marine Admiral's time and resources! Shame on you!"

Spandine nearly passed out from rage.

So it's MY fault I got beaten up?!

You damn old troll, you're really something else!