PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"If he's really going to throw his life on the line and go head-to-head with the Four Emperors… then I'm afraid that kind of job comes with a price tag!"

"You don't need to worry about his safety right now. What you should be worrying about… is how to report all of this to Sengoku."

"I'll leave the aftermath here to you. I'm taking Crocodile to Impel Down."

"You—!" Tsuru's breath caught in her throat in exasperation. As she looked out at the Justice Plaza, now a wasteland of rubble and destruction, a sudden realization struck her.

Compared to Luo Yu… Garp's messes in the past were actually easier to clean up.

Meanwhile, on the Red Line, within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise — at the highest palace of power.

Five imposing figures stood atop the high platform, gazing coldly at Sengoku who stood below.

On the table before them lay stacks of documents — each one a detailed report on the Marine's newly promoted fourth admiral, the Glutton: Luo Yu.

"Sengoku… We didn't expect you to come here in person. Usually, even when we summon you, you ignore us. But now, you've come all the way here for the sake of a rookie. It seems you've pinned a lot of hope on that brat."

The Five Elders' member in the neatly pressed suit — short, slightly rotund, and sporting a heavy walrus mustache — leaned on his cane and spoke first, his tone cool and sharp.

"But you know very well, don't you? The Celestial Dragons represent the face of the World Government. That brat may not have directly raised his hand, but he still humiliated us in front of the world. And now you expect us to pretend it never happened? How can we possibly do that?"

"According to CP's intelligence, from the moment he arrived at Marineford, this boy has done nothing but wreak havoc. He defied his superiors, challenged an admiral's authority, and even destroyed more than half of Marine Headquarters."

"While carrying out a prisoner escort, he clashed with CP9 and left their commanding officer Spandam in critical condition."

"Then, at the Gates of Justice, he confronted the Warlord Boa Hancock, injured CP0 agents, and even laid a heavy blow on a Celestial Dragon."

"All of this… in just five days since becoming an admiral. The amount of chaos he's created… I doubt his rank alone is enough to protect him."

"What's more, we — the Five Elders — haven't even officially approved his appointment, have we?"

At those words, the suited Elder clenched his cane tightly, his cold gaze boring into Sengoku.

"So tell us, what exactly gives you the right to bargain with us?"

His voice echoed through the grand hall, resounding like a low thunder that refused to fade.

Standing below, Sengoku's expression stiffened. As he listened to the litany of offenses listed so precisely, his facial muscles couldn't help but twitch.

But in his mind, Garp's earlier words echoed clearly.

After a long breath, Sengoku slowly spoke in a deep voice.

"Is… You don't want another Dragon, do you?"

"The Celestial Dragons' privileges have long since rotted. Excessive protection only breeds more corruption."

"Luo Yu's actions may seem outrageous… but perhaps it was your CP0 that was too weak to protect their own."

"Of course, you could also say that Luo Yu is simply too strong. And it is precisely because of that strength… that as Fleet Admiral, I must protect him."

"If my words alone aren't enough to shield that boy…"

"Then how about this — would my position as Fleet Admiral be enough?"

Dragon?

The expressions on the Five Elders changed subtly. A cold glint flickered in their eyes.

That name — that man — had become a haunting scar in their memory.

It was one of their greatest regrets.

Their regret of not having snuffed out that unprecedented threat… when they still had the chance.

And now, Sengoku was comparing Luo Yu to Dragon?

Was this… a threat?

Or worse — a prophecy?