"Adjust the overtime assignment?"
Everyone present froze for a moment.
What kind of stunt was this now?
Even Sengoku was taken aback.
"Lucas, don’t tell me you’re trying to take advantage of the situation?" he asked urgently. "That’s hardly the mindset of a proper salaryman. Don’t tell me you and Garp are working together to mess with me."
"Heh, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you underestimate a qualified salaryman." Lucas chuckled as he took a swig from his wine gourd and gazed toward the horizon.
"But, Fleet Admiral Sengoku... I’m curious."
"How much bonus is a Four Emperor worth?"
A Four Emperor?
Everyone, including Garp, immediately looked in the direction Lucas was staring.
The first thing that came into view was a massive pirate ship flying the flag of the Beasts Pirates.
It surged across the sea like a gigantic Sea King over a hundred meters long, cutting through the waves at full speed toward them.
"Lucas, are you saying one of the Four Emperors’ crews is here in Water Seven?" Sengoku asked in confusion. "You’re not making up an excuse to avoid overtime, are you?"
The Four Emperors normally operated in the New World.
Water Seven was located in Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line.
There was no reason for one of their crews to appear here.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Bogard explained, "it’s the Beasts Pirates... and they’re probably here for Admiral Lucas."
Quietly, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been wondering how to help Garp come up with an excuse to let the Straw Hat Pirates escape.
Now the Beasts Pirates had practically arrived as divine assistance.
Still, at a time like this, Bogard was eager to know exactly who had come.
Lucas adjusted his glasses, a hint of anticipation flashing across his face.
He had just collected a 7.5 million-Berry bonus from the Straw Hat Pirates.
He’d been worrying that he wouldn’t have enough for his next ten-pull.
Now, it seemed the universe had delivered exactly what he needed.
Standing at the bow of the pirate ship was a towering figure.
Beside him stood another person cloaked in a white robe.
"So, CP," the burly man said, "I didn’t expect you’d leak the whereabouts of the Marines’ newest Admiral to the Beasts Pirates."
"For helping with this weapon shipment, I’ll make sure the World Government gets a better deal."
"But according to our intelligence, the Marine Hero Garp is also in Water Seven. With Boss Jack absent, handling him won’t be easy."
"Heh." The CP0 agent let out a dry laugh.
"Garp is troublesome, yes."
"But don’t forget—you’re one of the Tobi Roppo, second only to the All-Stars."
"I’ve heard you even have what it takes to compete for an All-Star position."
"As for Garp... just follow my instructions."
"He won’t interfere so easily."
"And don’t forget."
"There has always been an understanding between Marine Headquarters and the Four Emperors."
"An understanding, huh?"
Saul laughed.
"You government people really are full of dirty tricks."
"I wonder what expression that new Admiral will make when he realizes the Beasts Pirates have set their sights on him."
"I can’t wait to see it."
"So can I," the CP0 agent replied with another chuckle.
"It’s about time someone reminded that newly promoted Admiral of his place."
"It’ll make him much easier to keep in line with the wishes of those Five Elders."
As the pirate ship docked, members of the Beasts Pirates poured onto the deck, each wearing a vicious grin.
Saul, one of the Tobi Roppo, jumped ashore first.
Several hundred pirates quickly followed behind him.
Only the CP0 agent melted back into the shadows, content to watch the show unfold.
However...
The instant their eyes landed on Lucas—
Every single one of them froze.
Even Saul was no exception.
...
What was that look?
Disappointment?
Lucas truly was disappointed.
He had been expecting a heavyweight.
Instead...
It was some nameless extra whose face he didn’t even recognize.
"Garp!"
Sengoku’s anxious voice rang out through the Den Den Mushi.
"Tell me—is Kaido here causing trouble? If that’s the case, don’t blame the Marines for retaliating!"
Lucas snapped back to reality.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
"Do I really look that weak?"
"What?"
Sengoku blinked before activating the visual Den Den Mushi.
When he saw the Beasts Pirates standing on shore, he paused before sighing.
"I suppose this is the curse of youth."
"Otherwise, they wouldn’t underestimate you so badly."
"But if I remember correctly..."
"That man is Saul, one of the Tobi Roppo, second only to the All-Stars."
"He possesses an Ancient Zoan lizard Devil Fruit."
"His bounty is 270 million Berries."
"270 million?"
Lucas stopped halfway through lifting his wine gourd.
Seeing Lucas momentarily stunned, Saul assumed he’d been intimidated.
A savage grin spread across his face.
"What’s wrong, brat?"
"Scared?"
"Can’t blame you."
"We Tobi Roppo are the strongest fighters beneath the All-Stars."
"You may have become a Marine Admiral at such a young age..."
"But how strong could you really be?"
"I’m only here to deliver a message."
"Boss Jack wants to see you."
"I suggest you come with us."
He then shifted his gaze toward Garp.
"And Garp..."
"I advise you not to interfere."
"He killed Boss Jack’s men. That’s a personal grudge."
"I’m sure the Marines don’t want an all-out war with the Beasts Pirates over something like this."
Sengoku’s expression stiffened.
He finally understood.
Lucas’s youth and lack of seniority made him easy to underestimate.
But for a mere member of the Tobi Roppo to swagger over in front of Garp like this...
They had clearly come prepared.
Still...
The moment he heard Jack was after Lucas, Sengoku felt his heart skip a beat.
"Only 270 million?"
Lucas took another drink before beginning to count on his fingers.
"At a five-percent bonus..."
"That’s not even 15 million Berries."
"Jack is much better."
"His bounty is one billion."
"That’d earn me a 50 million-Berry bonus."
"So..."
"Where is he?"
"I’ll come with you."
His calm voice echoed across the abandoned dock.
Everyone stared blankly at Lucas, who was seriously calcUlti ng his potential bonus.
The muscles on everyone’s faces twitched violently.
Especially Nami and the others—
After being "priced" by Lucas earlier...
They now had the overwhelming feeling that they hadn’t even been treated like human beings.
At last, they realized...
There actually existed someone in this world who loved money even more than Nami.
For the sake of a bonus...
He was willing to sell even himself to a Four Emperor.
Saul’s face gradually twisted with rage.
Watching Lucas casually stroll forward and stop several dozen meters away—with an expression that practically said, I’m right here. Do whatever you want—he clenched the giant axe in his hand until it creaked.
Since becoming one of the Tobi Roppo...
This was the first time Saul had ever felt that title was an outright humiliation.
He was a notorious pirate with a bounty of 270 million Berries.
Yet in Lucas’s eyes...
His entire worth amounted to a bonus of less than 15 million Berries.
That was simply intolerable.
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