The atmosphere across the enormous platform instantly turned heavy.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Lucas, waiting anxiously to see what he would do.
CP0 had cornered him with Marine regUlti ons.
How would the Fourth Admiral respond?
"Admiral Lucas, please wait."
Ain hurried forward.
"I’ll contact Instructor Zephyr immediately and have him inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Let them handle this."
During her time serving as Lucas’s navigator, she had often been exasperated by his completely unconventional way of doing things.
But after he had helped awaken her Haki...
Her gratitude outweighed her frustration.
She couldn’t stomach CP0 using a Celestial Dragon to deliberately put Lucas in this position.
Hina and the others immediately signaled for someone to bring over a Den Den Mushi .
They all understood that even a moment’s delay could have serious consequences.
"No need."
Lucas casually took another sip of strong liquor before glancing at the pocket watch in his hand.
"Only three minutes until I’m off work."
"These troublesome matters really never end."
"Next time I see old man Sengoku..."
"I’m making him prepare an employment contract."
"It had better clearly state whether this counts toward my performance bonus."
"Otherwise, what’s the point?"
As he spoke, he handed the liquor bottle to Koby.
"Hold this for me."
"There are only three minutes left."
"There’s no way I’ll have enough time to persuade Hancock to come over for a drink."
"So..."
"I’ll have to use a more direct approach."
He pointed toward CP0.
"You."
"The ghost."
"I’ll deal with you."
Then he pointed at Saint Charlos.
"You protect the guy with the fishbowl on his head."
"It’d be troublesome if he got caught in the crossfire."
"Can you manage that?"
"If not..."
"We can forget the whole thing."
"The ghost?"
"The guy with the fishbowl?"
Both CP0 and Saint Charlos froze.
Neither had expected Lucas to casually give them nicknames to their faces.
The masked CP0 agent had always stood above the rest of Cipher Pol.
No one had ever treated him so lightly.
Still...
If humiliating a Marine Admiral in public was the outcome...
He could tolerate a little mockery.
"Heh."
The CP0 agent smiled coldly.
"Admiral Lucas, please don’t worry."
"CP0’s strength may be ordinary..."
"But protecting Saint Charlos is effortless."
"So..."
"Please, go ahead."
"I’d also like to see exactly how powerful the Marines’ newest Admiral really is."
"Admiral Lucas!"
Ain became even more anxious.
"Are you really going to attack one of the Seven Warlords?"
"Just wait a little longer."
"We’ll reach Instructor Zephyr soon!"
Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses without even looking back.
"Koby."
"Take everyone farther away."
"I’m in a hurry to clock out."
Clock out?
Everyone stood there speechless.
At a time like this...
The only thing on his mind was getting off work.
Besides...
It wasn’t even five o’clock yet.
Did Marines really finish work this early?
That alone shattered everything they thought they knew.
"Colonel Ain..."
Koby hurriedly persuaded everyone.
"Let’s step back."
"I’m sure Admiral Lucas has his reasons."
"We shouldn’t get in his way."
Watching everyone voluntarily retreat...
Crocodile let out a cold laugh.
"Heh."
"So this is all he’s got."
"I thought the brat was different."
"In the end..."
"He’s just another dog wagging its tail before the Celestial Dragons."
"He’ll still obediently carry out their orders."
"I’m actually curious."
"How is he going to explain attacking a fellow Seven Warlord after he gets back?"
"And how does he expect the other Warlords to respect him afterward?"
"Crocodile, shut up!"
Hina shot him an angry glare.
She didn’t agree with him at all.
Yet...
She also desperately hoped Lucas wouldn’t actually do what Crocodile was implying.
After all...
The one giving the order was a Celestial Dragon.
Could even an Admiral refuse?
"You insolent Marines!"
A tall, graceful figure slowly emerged from the cabin of the Kuja Pirates’ ship.
Long jet-black hair flowed to her waist.
Her flawless face carried an air of regal pride.
Combined with her high-slit dress and breathtaking figure...
The title of the world’s most beautiful woman was perfectly justified.
The moment she appeared—
Especially when she struck her signature dramatic pose—
The atmosphere instantly exploded.
"So..."
"So that’s Pirate Empress Hancock?!"
"My God..."
"She’s unbelievably beautiful!"
"My heart..."
"My heart’s about to leap out of my chest!"
"Lady Hancock!"
"I love you!"
"Lady Hancock is right!"
"Anyone who dares harbor improper thoughts toward her deserves to die!"
"As long as you give the order..."
"We’ll fight them immediately!"
The entire harbor erupted.
Hancock’s mere appearance caused everyone’s emotions to surge uncontrollably.
Men.
Women.
Marines stationed at the Gate of Justice.
Even Saint Charlos himself.
All of them were captivated.
Watching the crowd seemingly overwhelmed by Hancock’s beauty...
Hina and Smoker’s expressions became increasingly grim.
Ordinary Marines falling under her charm wasn’t surprising.
But even officers like themselves felt their hearts racing uncontrollably.
That was much harder to accept.
"Damn..."
Smoker clenched his fists.
"So the rumors were true."
"Pirate Empress Hancock’s beauty really is overwhelming."
"I heard even some Vice Admirals have fallen for it."
"My training still isn’t enough."
He looked toward Lucas.
"I wonder..."
"Can Admiral Lucas resist it?"
Lucas’s strength was unquestionable.
But he was still a young man.
Whether even he could remain unmoved before Hancock’s overwhelming beauty...
No one knew.
Even the members of CP0 and the Kuja Pirates couldn’t help looking toward him.
Then...
They all froze.
Lucas merely glanced at his pocket watch.
Click.
He snapped it shut.
"Sorry."
"I have no intention of working overtime."
"There are only two minutes left until I’m off duty."
"Finished talking?"
"Then..."
"Let’s end this."
Boom!!
The Conqueror’s Haki sleeping within Lucas exploded.
A blood-red tidal wave of Haki swept across the platform like a Category 5 hurricane.
Immediately afterward...
A massive surge of Nen followed behind it, almost tangible in its intensity.
Centered on Lucas...
The overwhelming force tore across the platform with unstoppable momentum.
The thick stone beneath everyone’s feet shattered first.
The violent eruption instantly snapped everyone out of Hancock’s overwhelming charm.
Looking at Lucas—
Who had attacked without a second thought simply because he wanted to leave work on time—
Everyone suddenly understood one undeniable truth.
No matter how beautiful Hancock was...
She still wasn’t more important than getting off work.
And for the sake of clocking out on time...
Lucas really would attack anyone.
But what happened next...
Was even more unbelievable.
Everyone present felt as though they had just seen a ghost.
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