A low voice echoed across the Plaza of Justice.
Saint Warcury's jarring opposition instantly tightened the nerves of everyone present.
The overwhelming wave of support just moments ago had been undeniable.
But that didn't mean dissenting voices could be ignored.
Especially not from someone like Chaton—who had spent years as the perennial runner-up.
Now, Warcury's words had thrust him into the spotlight.
"Chaton, don't worry," Warcury said coldly. "As the head of the Five Elders, I'll ensure every voice is heard—even yours."
"Speak your mind."
Chaton froze.
He hadn't expected to become the center of attention just by standing still.
Recalling his past attempts to challenge the system, his face twitched. He quickly stammered:
"Ahem… Lord Warcury, you misunderstand. I didn't speak up earlier not because I oppose Admiral Luoyu."
"It's just… I went around trying to borrow money and couldn't get a single loan. If it's alright, can I contribute 5,000 Beli?"
CRACK!
Warcury's cane shattered in his grip.
Fragments flew, and the shockwave cracked the ground beneath him.
His face twisted with rage.
He had thought he'd found a foothold.
Instead, Chaton's words landed like an invisible slap across his face.
Couldn't borrow a single coin?
Donating just 5,000 Beli?
This was the man he had just held up as a symbol of dissent?
And in front of 100,000 Marines, no less.
Warcury hadn't been humiliated like this in decades.
As the head of the Five Elders, his word was law.
No one dared defy him.
But today—today, his authority had been shattered.
Sengoku stepped forward, his expression grave.
"Warcury, this is the will of the people. Even I didn't expect Luoyu to have this much support."
"So… about the Fleet Admiral position—"
"Don't celebrate too soon, Sengoku," Warcury snapped. "Don't forget—he still has a mess to clean up."
He swept his gaze across the crowd.
"Yes, his popularity surprised me. But if I named Akainu as Fleet Admiral, I doubt many would object."
"Akainu has spent over a decade as an Admiral, earning countless accolades."
"If even he isn't qualified, who would still be willing to serve the Navy?"
"And yes, Luoyu has done great things—but don't forget, every time, you've had to clean up after him."
"A man with no sense of the bigger picture has no business being Fleet Admiral."
He turned back to Sengoku.
"Yes, he defeated Kaido. But he also let the prisoners of Impel Down escape."
"If he can't recapture every last one of them within three months, the Five Elders will never recognize him as Fleet Admiral."
The moment those words fell, the crowd's mood shifted.
Even Sengoku's face darkened.
They all knew the truth: the Impel Down breakout had been orchestrated from within—Shiryu had been released in secret.
Luoyu had nothing to do with it.
But now, Warcury was using it as leverage to block his promotion.
It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Yet no one dared speak out against the head of the Five Elders.
All they could do was turn to Luoyu—hoping he'd respond.
But when they looked…
He was gone.
Even Sengoku and Warcury were stunned.
The tension evaporated.
Ain bowed apologetically.
"S-Sorry, everyone. It's 9:30… Admiral Luoyu left for morning tea."
He left?
Warcury stood frozen.
Then his face twisted in fury.
"That little brat! He ran off without a word? Was I talking to air? Does he think the Five Elders don't exist?"
"I will never let someone like him become Fleet Admiral!"
His hysterical roar echoed across the plaza.
Just moments ago, Luoyu had been the center of the world.
Now, he'd vanished without a trace.
9:30 morning tea.
That was so very Luoyu.
And perhaps it was that unpredictable, irreverent nature that made him so magnetic.
"Heh… Luoyu, I've only known you for half a year, and you've already gone from Admiral to Fleet Admiral nominee."
"But slipping away without a word—even provoking the Five Elders… is that really wise?"
On a high balcony near Marineford's residential district, Luoyu sipped his liquor.
Beside him stood an unexpected visitor—Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King.
That he could infiltrate Marine HQ didn't surprise Luoyu.
What did surprise him was that Rayleigh had come here instead of staying with Ace and Luffy.
"Old man Rayleigh, it's tea time. If you've got something to say, make it quick."
"Shouldn't you be babysitting right now? Showing up here at a time like this… seems a bit off."
Rayleigh chuckled.
"Still as blunt as ever. I didn't want to come, but Shakky just contacted me."
"Kaido's not dead. He's in Totto Land."
"If I'm right, the remnants of the Rocks Pirates are about to reunite."
"Two Emperors. According to Shakky, their alliance could be as dangerous as the return of the Rocks Pirates."
"No—this might as well be the return of the Rocks Pirates."
"And Shakky's worried… that their first target will be you."