The surging Haki crashed forward like a tsunami.
Atmos, mid-air and mid-swing, froze for a split second before scoffing.
"Brat, don't tell me you don't even know what Conqueror's Haki is. That's just naive!"
BOOM!
Before he could finish, Atmos felt as if he'd slammed into an invisible wall of steel.
His twin blades hadn't even landed before the overwhelming Haki struck him like a giant, unseen hand.
In full view of both crews, he was blasted backward—launched like a cannonball.
The pirates on the deck of the ship a hundred meters away stared in disbelief.
Was this really the Conqueror's Haki they knew?
Before they could react, the shockwave hit their ship too, flipping it over with brute force.
By the time they regained their footing, they saw Atmos crash into the distant sea with a thunderous splash.
Had this happened on land, the impact wouldn't have fazed a division commander like Atmos.
But this was the ocean.
And for a Devil Fruit user who couldn't swim, it was a nightmare.
Seeing their captain flung into the sea, the pirates' nerves snapped.
"Quick! Get Captain Atmos out of the water! I'll hold off the Admiral!" Heil shouted, face pale.
Hundreds of pirates snapped out of their daze.
Just moments ago, they'd believed this so-called "paper tiger" Admiral would be crushed by Atmos in a single blow.
Instead, their respected captain had been swatted away like a fly.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they'd never have believed it.
And that shockwave—was that really Conqueror's Haki?
Was this what they called a paper tiger?
"Don't just stand there. Go fish him out. If he drowns, who's going to take me to see Whitebeard?" Luoyu said, dispersing his Haki and taking a sip of his brew.
The pirates blinked.
They'd thought he was joking.
But he was serious.
He really wanted to meet Whitebeard?
Was he insane?
Still, with Atmos floundering in the sea, they had no time to argue.
Luoyu wasn't pressing the attack, which gave them a chance to rescue their captain.
Over a hundred pirates dove into the sea.
A few minutes later, a soaked and exhausted Atmos was hauled back onto the deck.
He lay sprawled out, gasping for breath, all dignity as a division commander forgotten.
The memory of sinking into the sea, powerless, was a nightmare he wouldn't soon forget.
Looking up at Luoyu—still calmly sipping his drink, untouched, unbothered—Atmos's expression shifted through disbelief, frustration, and finally, grudging respect.
"Well played, Admiral. I underestimated you. I believed the rumors and paid the price."
"I carry Whitebeard's pride. I don't know why you're so determined to see Pops, but since you've bested me, I'll make an exception and take you to him."
"But let me be clear: I'm only escorting you. Your life is your own. If Pops decides to take you down, I won't hesitate to help him."
"Your ship stays one nautical mile back. You can still turn around. But if you offend Whitebeard, there's no turning back."
Gion and Chaton both panicked.
But before they could speak, Luoyu adjusted his glasses and smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm fully prepared to meet Whitebeard."
"As for offending a Yonko… this wouldn't be my first time. I've got some experience."
Not the first time?
Atmos blinked.
Heil, standing beside him, nudged his captain and stammered:
"Captain… look behind their ship. That smaller vessel… it's flying a folded Beasts Pirates flag."
"Did this new Admiral… already stir up a Yonko's nest on his first mission?"
Atmos turned and looked.
There, tied up like a dumpling on the deck, was Sheep's Head.
His pupils shrank.
Now it made sense.
Luoyu had already captured a Yonko officer.
No wonder he'd been so bold about meeting Whitebeard.
Atmos's mind reeled.
If he'd refused… would he have been tied up next?
He glanced at Luoyu's calm, harmless smile and shivered.
"Alright, it's getting late. I've got to clock out soon. I'll ride with you. Gion, follow one nautical mile behind. If things go south, you'll have a head start," Luoyu said, taking another swig before leaping onto Atmos's ship.
Everyone tensed.
But Luoyu simply strolled across the deck, sipping his drink, showing no signs of aggression.
The tension eased slightly.
"You've got guts, Admiral. That alone earns my respect," Atmos said, recovering his composure.
In this sea ruled by strength, respect for power was absolute.
Still, after a pause, he couldn't help but ask:
"But tell me—why risk your life just to meet Pops?"
"Is this some top-secret Navy mission?"
To Atmos, Marines and pirates were enemies.
But both sides carried their own pride.
And for someone to risk death just to meet Whitebeard—that was worthy of respect.
"No," Luoyu said, smiling. "If it were just a mission, I wouldn't waste my time."
"I'm doing this… for a ten-million-Berry performance bonus."