PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

he grand conference hall was strung taut with tension.

Everyone was on edge, eager to confirm whether Yith—the reputed leader of the Five Elders—had truly arrived in person.

A brief silence lingered for just a few breaths.

Then, suddenly, a powerful spatial ripple surged out of nowhere.

A swirling vortex formed before everyone's eyes, and in the next instant, Yith appeared like a phantom in the hall—dressed in a black suit, leaning on a cane.

His weathered face bore a hideous scar slashing across his left eye, adding a bone-chilling coldness to his already grim appearance.

Sensing the gazes locked on him, Yith slowly scanned the room with frosty indifference, then said, "You all should've heard what Tsuru said just now. No need for introductions."

"Three days ago, the war at Marineford ended. Sengoku traveled to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and formally submitted his resignation as Fleet Admiral."

"At first, we Five Elders intended to deliberate carefully before making a final decision."

"But Sengoku insisted on stepping down and even personally recommended a successor."

"Which is why I had to come here myself… to announce that recommended candidate!"

As his voice fell, Yith gave his cane a flick, and an old, weathered photo fell onto the massive conference table.

Everyone's nerves snapped tight. Even Akainu and Kizaru leaned forward to see whose image was printed there.

But when they caught a glimpse, every face stiffened in disbelief.

"Aokiji?"

Akainu's expression twisted violently, his fists clenched so hard they trembled.

He had always coveted the position of Fleet Admiral.

He and Aokiji, both Admirals, had clashed countless times in the shadows.

And yet—even with all his suspicions—seeing this outcome made it hard to accept.

BOOM!

Without warning, searing heat exploded from Akainu's body.

A wave of steam burst through the hall, causing the temperature to spike dramatically.

Everyone was instantly shaken.

They had long known Akainu was fiercely ambitious, but no one expected him to lash out so abruptly.

"Akainu, have you lost your mind? This is the conference hall! You can't just attack here!" Tsuru barked angrily.

But before her words even finished echoing, a wave of molten magma erupted like a volcano—hurtling straight at Aokiji.

Aokiji's face darkened slightly, but his movements remained steady. With a casual lift of his hand, an arctic blast of frost surged forward.

BOOM!

The two attacks collided mid-air, creating a deafening shockwave that rattled the entire chamber.

Watching the two men tear off all pretense in an instant, Sengoku's face fell. "Yith, aren't you going to stop them?!"

"Hmph, relax. I expected this," Yith sneered, then stomped his cane against the floor.

A massive spatial shockwave rippled outward like a stone tossed into water.

In the blink of an eye, the clashing energy—and the two combatants—vanished, transported to the shattered remains of the Justice Plaza.

BOOOOM!

Scorching magma and freezing winds erupted across a thousand-meter radius.

The explosive clash shook the entirety of Marineford.

Onlookers watched the two towering figures facing off atop the ruins, completely stunned.

Never in their lives did they imagine the Navy's strongest Admirals would suddenly turn their powers against one another.

Sengoku's face grew even darker.

"Yith! Are you trying to plunge the world into chaos?!"

"Heh... calm down, Sengoku. I merely thought of a way to help you decide who's most fit to become Fleet Admiral," Yith chuckled dryly, stomping his cane once again.

Everyone's vision blurred.

And the next moment—they, too, were standing on the ruined battlefield of Justice Plaza.

The navy engineers and soldiers repairing the site froze, dumbfounded at the sudden appearance of high-ranking officers.

"Yo, Admiral Luo Yu. No wonder we didn't see you in the hall. Turns out you're here slacking off, drinking wine," Kizaru drawled as he sheathed his nail file, noticing Luo Yu sipping from a gourd nearby.

Beside him stood Ain, just as stunned.

Luo Yu glanced at his pocket watch, took another lazy sip, and said calmly, "Kizaru-nii, it's not even nine o'clock yet. No reason for me to start unpaid overtime."

"But things seem lively now. Aren't you going to step in? You're one of the three Admirals, after all—kind of fading into the background here."

"Me? Step in?" Kizaru raised his hands and shook his head with a grin. "Ooh no, Luo Yu. You're giving me way too much credit."

"Everyone knows I'm not cut out to be Fleet Admiral. I hate getting mixed up in messy things."

"If you ask me to fight over that position... I'd rather have another cup of tea."

"But you, Admiral Luo Yu—you're the newly promoted Admiral. Aren't you tempted?"

"I heard the Fleet Admiral's salary is double ours. Sounds like a dream gig for our 'Raise-Me-More' Admiral, huh?"

The oppressive atmosphere across the ruins shattered instantly.

While most were still confused about Akainu and Aokiji's sudden clash, Kizaru's comment made everything click.

They weren't just fighting—they were battling for the position of Fleet Admiral!

And just like that, all eyes turned toward Luo Yu.

As Kizaru said—

When money's on the line, the man nicknamed "Add-to-the-pay Admiral" couldn't be overlooked.

Everyone wanted to know: would Luo Yu step in?

Would he join the fierce battle for the Navy's top position?

Sengoku's face darkened as he turned toward Yith. "You told me you wouldn't push Luo Yu into the fight—as long as we didn't recommend him. Now you've dragged everyone here. Are you forcing him to compete? Are you trying to divide Marine HQ?!"

"Heh... come now, Sengoku. Why so tense?" Yith grinned, leaning on his cane. "I just wanted to ensure the competition was fair. Everyone should get a shot."

"You...!" Sengoku's face turned purple with frustration.

But there was nothing he could do about Yith's sudden maneuver.

His only hope now—was Luo Yu himself.

Luo Yu took another sip of wine, then muttered coldly:

"Fleet Admiral? Not even a dog would want that job."