"He's standing outside?"
Everyone's nerves snapped taut as they turned toward the door.
The figure that met their eyes made their pupils contract, jaws slacken.
A young man stood there, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, wearing a harmless, almost gentle smile.
Their hearts clenched.
Just moments ago, they'd been debating whether the new Admiral could really be that young.
Now, seeing him in person, they had no rebuttal.
He looked no older than Luffy.
And yet, he'd already reached the rank of Admiral.
That kind of strength… couldn't be ordinary.
"Still doubting?" Luoyu took a sip of his earthen brew and smiled. "I can confirm—yes, the guy in the paper is me."
Shing!
The sound of steel rang out as Zoro's Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu flashed from their sheaths.
His third blade, Yubashiri, had been destroyed during their escape from Enies Lobby.
He couldn't use Three-Sword Style now—but facing this uninvited guest, drawing his blades was the only way to steady his breath.
They hadn't even noticed when Luoyu arrived.
"Two swords? You're Roronoa Zoro, right? I thought you used three," Luoyu said, glancing around the room.
"I don't have much time. I'd like to know how you plan to deal with me."
The air grew heavy.
Even the breeze seemed to stall.
No one could find words in the face of this smiling, unreadable youth.
"Hey, pervy cook," Zoro muttered, tightening his grip. "You remember what we said earlier?"
"We took down Enies Lobby. We rescued Robin. That means we've gotten stronger."
"We may have been helpless last time—but not anymore."
"Nami, Chopper—get Robin to the ship. Sanji, Luffy, and I will hold him off."
Captain, huh?
Luoyu glanced at Luffy, who had just been jolted awake from a nap.
In the Straw Hat crew, only Zoro ever showed any real captain-like awareness.
And if he was calling Luffy "captain" now, it meant he was serious.
But… was that enough?
"That unusual blade on your back," Zoro said, eyes locked on the long, strange katana Luoyu carried. "You're a swordsman too, right? I doubt an Admiral would stoop to attacking women and children."
His gaze burned with challenge.
For a swordsman, nothing stirred the blood like facing a fellow blade-wielder.
"Zoro, Luffy—don't!" Koby and Helmeppo burst in, breathless.
But when they saw the sword on Luoyu's back, they froze.
Luoyu, the king of slacking off, the Admiral who fought like a bureaucrat on break… had a sword?
A long one?
Was it just for show?
"You guys know him?" Luffy asked, confused.
Zoro blinked too, clearly not connecting the dots.
"I'm Koby. This is Helmeppo. We joined the Navy under Vice Admiral Garp!" Koby explained quickly.
Helmeppo nodded silently.
"Koby? Helmeppo? Oh yeah, I remember now," Luffy said, eyes lighting up. "You really joined up with Gramps?"
The others, however, were stuck on something else entirely.
"L-Luffy… did he say Vice Admiral Garp? As in… the Marine Hero Garp?" Nami stammered.
"He's your grandfather?"
Everyone was stunned.
This was more shocking than Enies Lobby.
Garp's name was legendary.
People assumed his descendants would be Navy elites.
No one expected… a pirate.
A grandson who turned outlaw?
The whiplash was real.
"Yep. Garp's his grandpa," Luoyu said, taking another sip. "And I was trained by the old man too."
"But let's be honest—family ties don't pay bonuses."
"I'm a Marine. You're pirates. Reunion time's over. I'd like to wrap this up before clock-out."
"So… are you coming at me one by one, or all at once?"
Koby and Helmeppo turned pale.
They knew it—when it came to performance bonuses, Luoyu was merciless.
Even Nami and the others were stunned.
They'd hoped to use the Garp connection to avoid a fight.
But this?
Fighting for a bonus? What kind of logic was that?
"Heh. As expected of a 'just' Marine," Zoro said, tying his bandana around his head.
"I was worried I wouldn't get a chance to test myself."
"Let's see how strong an Admiral's swordsmanship really is."
"Miss Nami, Miss Robin—don't worry," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette and stepping beside Zoro. "Mosshead's unreliable, but I'm here too. We'll hold him off. You get to safety."
"Luffy, time to move. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we leave."
As the trio assembled, the room crackled with tension.
Luoyu took another sip and sighed.
"Still underestimated. That's the fate of every newcomer, I guess."
"Makes being an Admiral feel a little awkward."
"And no—I'm not a swordsman. This blade? Just for show."
"It's for intimidation. Helps me avoid actual work."
"Not a swordsman?" Zoro blinked, then smirked.
"Figures. That sword of yours is weird as hell."
"I once fought a guy with a long blade like that. Took me ten moves to lose."
"I was hoping to test how far I've come."
"Guess I'll just have to make do. Try not to disappoint me."