The system’s clear notification suddenly echoed through Lucas’s mind.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He had originally assumed he would have to wait until the end of the month, collect his first Admiral’s salary, and exchange it for another Silver Treasure Chest.
He hadn’t expected the system to reward him with one now.
Looking at the Silver Treasure Chest that had appeared inside his consciousness, Lucas couldn’t help wondering what he would get this time.
Now that he was an Admiral, he knew escorting Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was only the beginning.
Once Luffy started overturning the old era...
One major incident after another would inevitably follow.
Lucas knew there was only one way to avoid overtime.
Become stronger.
As long as he finished all of his work during office hours...
There would be no reason to work overtime.
"System."
"Open the Silver Treasure Chest immediately."
Ding!
Please wait, Host. Opening Silver Treasure Chest...
Ding!
CongratUlti ons, Host. Silver Treasure Chest opened successfully.
Reward obtained: Whirlwind Iron-Cutting Fist.
A warm current instantly flowed into Lucas’s mind.
Everything related to the Whirlwind Iron-Cutting Fist was imprinted into his memory as though it had always belonged there.
It felt completely natural.
With nothing more than a thought and a swing of his fists...
He could unleash the technique effortlessly.
What surprised Lucas even more...
Was that after fully mastering the style...
He could clearly sense every breeze flowing around him.
It felt as though the wind itself was under his control.
"If I remember correctly..."
"This should also come from the One-Punch Man world."
"One of the strongest martial arts styles."
Lucas quietly muttered after experiencing the sensation.
In One-Punch Man, Bang was regarded as one of humanity’s strongest martial artists.
However...
He wasn’t the only one.
His older brother Bomb possessed comparable strength.
According to Bang...
Flowing Water, Crushing Rock Fist specialized in defense.
Meanwhile...
Whirlwind Iron-Cutting Fist was a purely offensive martial art.
Fast.
Razor-sharp.
Powerful.
Like a violent whirlwind capable of slicing apart everything in its path.
Once unleashed...
It could eliminate opponents almost instantly.
In terms of raw destructive power...
It surpassed Flowing Water, Crushing Rock Fist by an entire level.
The two styles complemented each other perfectly—
One defensive.
One offensive.
For Lucas, who had been lacking explosive offensive techniques...
This reward had arrived at exactly the right time.
"Admiral Lucas."
The CP0 agent suddenly stepped forward with a smile.
"You’ve arrived just in time."
"A short while ago..."
"Saint Charlos was accidentally disturbed by a group of pirates."
"Originally, His Excellency intended to hold them fully accountable."
"But after seeing that an Admiral was present..."
"He has graciously decided to show mercy."
"He merely wishes for the captain of that pirate ship..."
"To come over and share a drink with him."
"I’m sure..."
"With Admiral Lucas’s abilities..."
"This shouldn’t be difficult."
"That’s a wonderful idea!"
Saint Charlos immediately became excited.
"I have to see that woman!"
"She has to drink with me!"
"Otherwise..."
"How am I supposed to brag about it when I get back?"
Ain’s expression changed instantly.
She had expected CP0 to cause trouble.
She simply hadn’t expected them to act this quickly.
Among all the pirate crews allowed to pass through the Gate of Justice...
Only the Seven Warlords of the Sea enjoyed that privilege.
And among the Warlords...
There was only one woman capable of drawing even a Celestial Dragon’s attention.
"That’s the Kuja Pirates."
"The crew led by the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock."
"They’re waiting for the Gate of Justice to open as well."
Ain quickly scanned the harbor and found the ship.
It was the only pirate vessel anchored there.
Every nearby merchant ship had deliberately kept its distance.
As a result...
The Kuja Pirates’ ship stood out conspicuously.
"Heh..."
Crocodile, still wearing his Seastone handcuffs, glanced over with surprise.
"I never expected that arrogant woman to show up here."
He looked toward Lucas.
"On one side..."
"You have a Celestial Dragon."
"On the other..."
"A current member of the Seven Warlords."
"I’m quite curious how a Marine Admiral intends to deal with this."
"That’s quite the hot potato."
"Crocodile, enough."
Ain cut him off before looking toward the Kuja Pirates’ ship.
The earlier commotion had already alerted the Kuja warriors.
Like everyone else...
They preferred to stay as far away from Celestial Dragons as possible.
What they hadn’t expected...
Was for the trouble to come directly to them.
The Celestial Dragon had personally demanded that their Empress accompany him for drinks.
To them...
That was the greatest humiliation imaginable.
"You bastards!"
A tall, broad woman carrying a massive naginata strode onto the deck and shouted angrily.
"Our elder sister is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea officially recognized by the World Government!"
"She is a privileged pirate!"
"And yet you dare insult her?"
"You’re asking to die!"
Lucas immediately recognized her.
Boa Marigold.
Boa Hancock’s younger sister.
Standing beside her was another woman with long green hair and a slightly smaller build.
Boa Sandersonia.
The three sisters had once been slaves in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
Their fear and hatred of the Celestial Dragons ran deeper than anyone else’s.
Now...
Not only had they encountered one...
That Celestial Dragon had publicly demanded Hancock accompany him for drinks.
To them...
It was the ultimate disgrace.
As for Lucas...
He couldn’t care less about any of that.
The only thing on his mind was whether he could clock out on time.
He needed a solution that wouldn’t lead to overtime.
"Admiral Lucas."
The CP0 agent smiled knowingly.
"You heard them."
"These pirates truly are insolent."
"To show such disrespect toward Saint Charlos..."
"They cannot be forgiven."
"In order to remind the world of the authority of the World Nobles..."
"And to protect Saint Charlos’s dignity..."
"I’m sure you remember an Admiral’s highest priority."
"When the dignity of a Celestial Dragon is challenged..."
"An Admiral must act without hesitation."
"So..."
"Admiral Lucas."
"This is your opportunity to fulfill your duty."
Ain and the others’ expressions turned grim.
They had never expected CP0 to exploit Marine regUlti ons so shamelessly.
The trap had already been laid.
There were now only two choices before Lucas.
The first—
Obey the rules protecting the Celestial Dragons...
And force Boa Hancock to accompany Saint Charlos.
The second—
Refuse CP0’s demand...
And openly violate the duty expected of a Marine Admiral.
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