Meanwhile, in the Sicilian Sea—
The Moby Dick, now under Red-Haired Shanks, surged through the waves.
A figure cloaked in a pristine white robe appeared on deck.
"Red-Haired, this wasn't our agreement. You promised that if you encountered the Navy's new Admiral en route to Whitebeard, you'd intercept him—show him how dangerous this sea really is."
"So why haven't you acted? Planning to leave the area instead?"
Beckman and the others didn't even flinch. They simply turned to Shanks.
Shanks took a swig of sake and replied calmly:
"CP0, I haven't forgotten. But only if it doesn't harm the Red-Haired Pirates' interests. Otherwise, the deal's off."
"Deal's off?" CP0's tone darkened. "Are you refusing an order from the Five Elders?"
"Order?"
Shanks's expression turned cold. His Conqueror's Haki exploded like a storm, blasting CP0 back several steps.
CP0 barely steadied himself, face twisted in shock and fury.
"What's the meaning of this, Red-Haired?"
"Meaning?" Shanks withdrew his Haki and spoke coldly.
"Don't forget—my relationship with the Five Elders is a partnership, not subordination. It was a request, not a command."
"Besides, if that brat had the guts to walk onto Whitebeard's ship alone, he's clearly not as simple as he looks. He's hiding something."
"A Navy Admiral isn't just some rookie."
"And if I had attacked, Whitebeard would've stepped in. If a clash between Emperors broke out, could you, a mere CP0 agent, take responsibility?"
"You're saying Whitebeard would protect a Navy Admiral?"
CP0's face turned ashen. He was speechless.
In his mind, a Navy Admiral crashing a Yonko summit should've been a death sentence.
At the very least, he shouldn't have walked away unscathed.
Now Shanks was telling him a pirate shielded a Marine?
What kind of excuse was that?
Of course, if Luoyu ever heard Shanks calling him "not simple," he'd probably scream.
He was simple. He just had a few overtime-fueled trump cards.
And now people were out here hyping him up like some hidden boss?
That's not praise—it's a setup.
"Believe it or don't. I don't care," Shanks said flatly.
"But it's getting late. Since we're not working together, I won't be hosting you any longer."
"Fine. Red-Haired Shanks, huh? You're not the only Emperor on this sea. Let's see if that brat is really as special as you say."
With a huff, CP0 turned and left.
Watching him go, Beckman puffed on his cigar.
"Captain… was it wise to reject CP0 like that?"
"Why not?" Shanks smiled. "It buys Luffy more time. With that Admiral drawing CP0's attention, it's a win for us."
"By the way, was that intel accurate? Enies Lobby really fell?"
The crew tensed.
They'd been shocked by the news on their way back.
Beckman nodded.
"It's confirmed. CP9's top officer even triggered a Buster Call to wipe everything out."
"A Buster Call, huh?" Shanks's eyes gleamed. "No wonder I bet on this new era. I wonder what would happen if Luffy met that Navy brat…"
"Fireworks?" Lucky Roux paused mid-bite.
Shanks raised an eyebrow.
"What is it, Roux?"
Roux hesitated, then gave a wry smile.
"If that guy really shook down Kaido for a ten-million-Berry bonus… I'm worried if he meets Luffy, it won't be fireworks—it'll be blood."
Shanks and Beckman froze.
Thinking back on the Admiral's obsession with performance pay…
Yeah. Maybe he wasn't someone you could judge with normal logic.
Was he even normal?
Three days later, Water 7, Dock One—
A Marine warship pulled into port at high speed, causing the dockworkers' faces to pale.
Many of them knew what had happened at Enies Lobby.
The Navy's arrival felt like a death sentence.
"Quick! Tell President Iceburg the Navy's here! Get those people out—now!"
A senior shipwright barked orders, scanning the deck.
When he saw the figure standing at the bow, his pupils shrank.
"Move! That's the Navy's strongest force—an Admiral!"
An Admiral?
The dock erupted in panic.
As the World Government's top shipbuilding partner, the Galley-La Company knew the Navy's power structure well.
And this one—Luoyu—had been all over the headlines lately.
They didn't know exactly how strong he was.
But showing up now?
Definitely not a good sign.
Standing at the bow, Luoyu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled.
"I was wondering how I'd find them in this massive city."
"Didn't expect someone to guide me the moment I landed."
"And Garp's still not here? Looks like I've got a head start on the bonus!"
"Bonus?" Koby blinked. "But Luffy's Vice Admiral Garp's grandson—and a good pirate! You're not planning to go after him for the bounty, are you?"
Helmeppo looked nervous too.
He didn't like Luffy or Zoro much, but as Koby's friend—and after everything they'd been through—he didn't want Luoyu targeting them either.
"Relax," Luoyu chuckled. "I'll respect Old Man Garp's face."
"But I'm still taking the bounty. A successful man should never have to choose between honor and profit."
He should have both.