A quiet voice rang out without warning, echoing across the battlefield and instantly shifting the atmosphere.
From the ruins, an old man in a kimono with a gleaming bald head appeared like a ghost. Many froze in place.
This was the critical moment—whether the battle would continue or not.
Only a select few had the authority to speak now.
And yet, this elder had suddenly appeared, speaking with such audacity.
No one could make sense of it.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, who is that? How dare he give orders to Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
A rear admiral couldn't hold back his voice.
Everyone turned to look, equally curious.
But Tsuru herself was visibly shaken. Compared to the others, she was even more stunned.
Because the Five Elders hadn't stepped out of the Holy Land in decades.
After confirming the man's identity, she exhaled deeply and said:
"It's one of the Five Elders… Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro. I can't believe he's come down from the Highest Authority."
"Looks like this won't end cleanly."
The Five Elders?
The battlefield erupted.
Everyone had heard of the shadowy rulers behind the World Government.
But to see one in person—for the first time—was surreal.
Even Sengoku and Garp were stunned.
Rayleigh and the others grew visibly tense. Some gripped their weapons, eyes locked on the uninvited guest.
As Rayleigh had said earlier, they had come prepared to die.
Who their opponent was no longer mattered.
The battlefield grew thick with tension.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's expression darkened as he barked:
"Hmph. What are you waiting for? Attack!"
"So, you're the Navy's new brat. I hear you defeated Kaido and killed Whitebeard. Quite the accomplishments."
"Now, I'll give you one more chance. Lead the charge. Wipe them all out. I'll recommend you for Fleet Admiral."
Fleet Admiral?
Everyone's expression changed.
Marines and pirates alike were stunned.
Sengoku was still standing right there.
For a Five Elder to offer Luo Yu the top position—wasn't that a slap in Sengoku's face?
Now all eyes turned to Luo Yu.
The so-called "Bonus Admiral"—how would he respond?
Luo Yu took a sip of his earthy liquor, then turned to the distance.
"Ain, come here for a second."
"Me?" Ain blinked.
She was just a junior officer on Luo Yu's ship. In a scene like this, she shouldn't even have three lines of dialogue.
And now she was being called out—by name—before a Five Elder?
It defied all logic.
Still, she obeyed and hurried to Luo Yu's side.
Feeling the weight of every gaze, she stammered:
"A-Admiral Luo Yu, why did you call me? I don't think I belong in a moment like this…"
Luo Yu smiled and took another sip.
"Relax. As long as I'm here, the sky can fall and it still won't be your problem."
"Did you bring the application form?"
"Application form?" Ain blinked again—then gasped.
"Wait… Admiral, are you saying… you want the Five Elder to file paperwork first?"
"Isn't that… a bit inappropriate?"
"Inappropriate?" Luo Yu rolled his eyes.
"Why? He's not my boss. Doesn't pay my salary. If he wants me to act, he can file a report with old man Sengoku first."
"At the very least, I expect overtime pay, bonuses, and performance incentives."
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Garp's done me a favor. Ace is his grandson. Whitebeard and Roger—one's Ace's father, the other his godfather. That makes Garp… kind of like a father to them both."
"With that kind of connection, it's hard for me to lift a hand. If I must, it's gonna cost extra."
"Besides, I think the Navy still owes me money. So overtime? Not happening. Not in this lifetime."
"If there's nothing else, I'm going on my lunch break."
With that, Luo Yu slung his gourd over his shoulder and walked away.
His casual exit left everyone dumbfounded.
Even Garp stood frozen, muttering:
"Sengoku… I think I just gained two more godsons. Why didn't I think of this sooner? I mean, I couldn't get Roger to call me 'Dad'—but maybe I could've gotten Whitebeard to."
"You think if they find out, they'll be rolling in their graves?"
His voice echoed across the battlefield.
Everyone's faces twitched.
Luo Yu demanding paperwork from a Five Elder was already insane.
Now there was a whole "dad logic" being thrown in?
Was this a battlefield or a comedy stage?
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, standing in the ruins, was livid.
As one of the Five Elders, he had never been so blatantly disrespected.
Staring at Luo Yu's retreating back, he roared:
"You insolent brat! You dare spout nonsense here? Don't think a few achievements give you the right to speak like that!"
"I am one of the Five Elders—the true rulers of the World Government!"
"This is your last chance. Obey—or face our wrath!"
BOOM!
A terrifying killing intent erupted from Nusjuro, sweeping across the battlefield.
Everyone's face changed.
Even Rayleigh and Shanks hadn't expected him to lash out so suddenly.
But before anyone could react—
What they saw next made their eyes go wide, pupils contracting to pinpoints.
They hadn't expected it.
They thought he was just bluffing.
But Luo Yu took it seriously.
"Hmm… killing intent?"
Luo Yu's steps paused.
He turned slightly.
And in that instant—
The Conqueror's Haki dormant within him exploded like a volcano.