Marineford, Navy Headquarters — Grand Conference Hall.
Dozens of Marine officers sat in tense silence, eyes fixed on the document spread across the table.
The air was heavy.
"Those damn Five Elders! Didn't they say they'd shelve this for now?"
Garp slammed the table, voice booming with rare fury.
The usually laid-back hero of the Marines was livid—and that alone made everyone nervous.
But the moment they thought of the Five Elders' latest conscription order, every officer in the room felt the same burning frustration.
"Garp," Sengoku said grimly, holding the document, "I already voiced my objections three days ago. I thought they'd reconsider."
"But they insist—saying the Four Emperors are stirring, the Revolutionary Army is escalating, and the fall of Enies Lobby was the final straw."
"To save face, they're forcing us to act early."
"And this ties directly to Vegapunk's SSG project. We can't refuse."
"What we need now… is someone to carry it out."
The room fell even quieter.
No one met Sengoku's gaze.
They weren't afraid of death.
But this mission?
It involved their former mentor.
No one wanted to touch that powder keg.
Sengoku's face darkened.
He slammed the document down again.
"You bastards! You fight over every other mission—now you all go silent?"
"What, do you want me to go myself?"
"Then what the hell are you here for?"
His voice echoed through the chamber like cannon fire.
The officers bowed their heads even lower.
Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed.
"Sengoku, don't be too hard on them. This mission really is… difficult."
"Give them time to think."
"By the way, Luoyu's Den Den Mushi rang over ten times. You're really not going to answer?"
"Luoyu?" Sengoku growled, glaring at the now-silent snail phone.
"That brat only ever calls to ask for raises or bonuses. What else could be so urgent?"
"I've got enough headaches with the Five Elders. If I talk to him now, I might explode."
"At least he's busy chasing CP9. He won't be back for ten days or so. I can finally breathe."
Just as Sengoku allowed himself a moment of relief, Tsuru placed a new report on the table.
Sengoku's face paled.
"Tsuru… what is this? Don't tell me he's caused another mess while I ignored his calls!"
"Mess?" Tsuru coughed lightly. "Not exactly."
"According to Ain and Isuka's report, Admiral Luoyu landed on Island 3 and… CP9 surrendered voluntarily."
"Also, Pica—Donquixote Family's top officer—attacked him and was severely injured."
"And three CP0 agents—well, alleged CP0—tried to bribe him with a Devil Fruit. He refused and beat them up too."
"He should be arriving… right about now."
The room went still.
CP9 surrendered?
Pica and CP0… packed up and brought back?
What kind of monster was this Admiral?
BANG!
The doors burst open.
Luoyu strolled in, gourd in hand.
Behind him were Ain and Isuka.
And behind them?
CP9, walking in shame.
CP0 and Pica?
On stretchers. Wrapped in bandages.
The sight made everyone's skin crawl.
What had they done to deserve this?
Pica—attacking an Admiral?
CP0—trying to bribe him?
Sengoku stared at the stretchers, face darkening.
He glanced at the Den Den Mushi he'd ignored.
Then, through clenched teeth, he growled:
"Admiral Luoyu… from now on, I'll answer every single one of your calls."
"Couldn't you have called a few more times?"
"More calls?" Luoyu took a sip and plopped into his seat.
"Come on, old man. You're busy. I figured I'd just drop by and surprise you."
"I brought back CP9. Also packed up the Warlord's guy who interfered, and three fake CP0s."
"If it's not too much trouble, could you tally up the bounties? I'm a little short on cash. An extra million or two would be nice."
The officers were stunned.
They looked at the stretchers.
These were people they'd dread facing in battle.
And Luoyu?
He called them pocket change.
"S-Sengoku! I demand justice!" Spandain wheezed, tearing off his bandages.
"Your new Admiral attacked CP0! The Five Elders will hear of this!"
Luoyu turned, adjusted his glasses, and blinked innocently.
"He's CP0? I'm new. I don't know anyone yet."
The room froze.
Even Ain and Isuka were speechless.
They'd seen people lie before.
But never with such purity.
"Hahaha! CP0, this one's on you!" Garp burst out laughing.
"You knew Luoyu was new. Why didn't you give him credentials? Now look—you wasted a perfectly good Admiral's time!"
Spandain nearly passed out from rage.
Was he seriously being blamed for getting beaten up?
This old man was the worst!