"Garp-san… the mission we're handling… it's not being handed over to Admiral Luo Yu, is it?" Gion's expression froze.
As a vice admiral stationed at the frontlines near the Yonko territories, Gion's primary duty was to monitor their movements. Candidates like her and Chaton — those on the cusp between vice admiral and admiral — were entrusted with tracking the Four Emperors.
But that kind of assignment, even within Marineford, was like dancing on the edge of death.
Only admiral candidates were qualified to take on such a task.
And that was under normal circumstances.
This time, the incident in the New World was so serious that even they — seasoned candidates — found it daunting.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have traveled all the way back to Marineford to request backup.
In their eyes, only a full admiral could stabilize the situation.
Luo Yu's earlier display of power had certainly shattered their expectations.
But entrusting him with this mission? They still didn't feel confident.
"Haha! Gion, your brain's still as sharp as ever — just like Tsuru's," Garp laughed, snatching the meat bun from Chaton's hand and stuffing it into his mouth. "Looks like when Tsuru gets too old to think straight, you can take her place."
But just as he took a bite, a hand smacked the back of his head.
"Garp, you're the one who's not thinking straight," came a raspy voice from behind. "Still as unreliable as ever. Sengoku sent you to handle the Celestial Dragon mess, and here you are calling them 'trash' in front of everyone. Are you trying to give Sengoku a heart attack?"
"And you let Luo Yu and Chaton fight? If your salary weren't already docked through next year, I'd file another report on you."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice rang out as she stepped forward.
Gion's eyes lit up. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, you're here!"
As one of the most promising of the younger generation, Gion had already reached the level of admiral candidate. But she had always held deep respect for Tsuru, who had once championed her promotion.
"Heh, Gion, you've grown stronger again. Looks like you're not far from becoming an admiral yourself," Tsuru said with a dry chuckle — but her words caught in her throat the moment she spotted Luo Yu sipping liquor in the distance.
Gion noticed the shift in her expression and offered a wry smile. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, I would've been thrilled to hear that… if I hadn't met Admiral Luo Yu first."
"But tell me honestly — did Fleet Admiral Sengoku really assign this mission to Admiral Luo Yu?"
"Based on eyewitness reports from three days ago, this incident might involve more than one Yonko. To get to the bottom of it, wouldn't it be more appropriate to send one of the senior admirals?"
Tashigi and Smoker's expressions darkened.
If escorting the Warlords was a walk in the park, then this mission was a march into hell.
Gion's words might've sounded blunt, but she wasn't wrong — the old admirals had far more experience.
The atmosphere in the plaza shifted subtly.
"Admiral Luo Yu," Tsuru said, shooting Gion a glare, "Gion was just thinking of the bigger picture. Don't take her words to heart."
Luo Yu chuckled. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, no offense taken. In fact, I think Vice Admiral Gion made a fair point."
"Honestly, when it comes to dealing with those monsters from the old era, the senior admirals are the safest bet."
"I actually agree with her suggestion."
Everyone blinked in surprise. Even Gion and Chaton hadn't expected Luo Yu to admit the gap between new and old admirals so openly.
In a world where strength ruled, who would ever admit they were weaker — not even the Yonko would.
"Admiral Luo Yu, I didn't expect you to be so considerate of the bigger picture," Chaton said quickly. "Since you're willing to take the mission, we should report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku right away."
Gion nodded in agreement.
Tsuru fell silent, clearly surprised. But after a moment, she sighed and said, "Admiral Luo Yu, if the Celestial Dragon incident hadn't happened, it wouldn't be a problem for you to decline this mission."
"But right now, Sengoku's assigning it to you to get you out of Marineford and let things cool down. Replacing you at this point would be… difficult."
"Getting Sengoku to change his mind would be even harder."
"There's really no way?" Gion asked, clearly anxious.
"Don't worry, Admiral Luo Yu," she added. "If Vice Admiral Tsuru alone can't convince Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chaton and I will go with her. We'll ask him to assign someone else."
"We'll head over right now."
She turned to leave — but froze at the words that followed.
"Replace me?"
"Vice Admiral Gion, you're overthinking it," Luo Yu said with a smile, adjusting his glasses. "This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku's goodwill. As his subordinate, how could I possibly reject such a kind gesture?"
"That said, you're right — a mission involving the Yonko should be handled by the senior admirals."
"But now that Sengoku's pushing me into it, isn't this technically a promotion by force? That feels a little… improper, both professionally and personally."
"So, with the risk being what it is, asking for a little performance bonus isn't too much, right? I'm sure the old man won't mind."
The plaza fell into dead silence.
Gion's anxious expression froze.
So all that talk about the greater good… was just a setup for a bonus request?
Thinking back to her own frantic efforts just now…
What had she been expecting?
That someone obsessed with money would suddenly rise above it?
She had definitely been too naive.
Watching Luo Yu sip his liquor and nibble on his meat bun with a warm smile, Gion felt like she needed a moment of silence.
Tsuru's wrinkled face twitched. She couldn't hold it in anymore and snapped:
"Admiral Luo Yu, I suggest you drop the bonus talk."
"You just smashed the fortress building, and now you've wrecked the Justice Gate."
"The Celestial Dragon is still in bed, crying for his mommy and daddy. Sengoku's already lost his shirt paying for damages."
"If you ask him for a bonus now, he'll be the first to chase you across the Grand Line with a club."
"Oh, and look behind you — the Kuja Pirates still haven't left the harbor."
"They're probably here to file a complaint about yesterday too."
"Looks like your luck's taken a turn. Those ladies are heading this way."