The massive strategy room fell into dead silence.
Everyone wore the same bitter expression.
They'd been in the Navy for years, but this was the first time they realized just how nerve-wracking the job could be.
More stressful than interrogating a pirate at 3 a.m.
Who in their right mind would voluntarily go looking for Whitebeard?
All for a measly ten million Berries in performance bonus.
Was it really worth it?
"Ahem… Sengoku, you really are the worm in my gut. You always know exactly what I'm about to say," Garp coughed awkwardly.
"Garp, shove your nonsense back where it came from!" Sengoku snapped, glaring daggers at him—if looks could kill, Garp would've died ten thousand times over.
But thinking of Luoyu's current situation, Sengoku quickly reined in his fury. Clutching the Den Den Mushi tightly, he gritted his teeth.
"That brat's gone too far for a bonus, but he's still our newly appointed Admiral. We can't just sit here and watch him get buried by Whitebeard and Red-Haired!"
"Kizaru, head to the Sicily Sea immediately. Be ready to extract Luoyu."
"Gion, I've got some old 'history' with Whitebeard. Do whatever it takes to get this Den Den Mushi to him. I'll put my old face on the line if I have to—but I'm not letting that kid die out there."
His voice was low, but firm as steel.
Luoyu's actions were reckless, no doubt.
But as long as he wore the Navy's colors, they wouldn't abandon him.
Even the other Admirals straightened up at Sengoku's words.
They understood the unspoken truth: if Sengoku gave up on Luoyu today, he might give up on any of them tomorrow.
By choosing to protect Luoyu, Sengoku had just given them all a shot of courage.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku… you might not need to go that far. Admiral Luoyu backed down. Whitebeard put his blade away too!" Gion's voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi.
Everyone blinked.
Just moments ago, the two titans had been ready to clash again.
Now they'd both stood down?
Even Garp was stunned. But another thought crossed his mind.
Back on the Moby Dick, all eyes were on Luoyu.
An enemy Admiral, suddenly appearing on their deck, risking his life to be here.
Everyone was wondering the same thing:
What could possibly be so important?
And more importantly—how was he planning to leave alive?
"Brat, you gonna talk now or what?" Whitebeard growled, still standing, naginata planted in the deck. "Didn't you just say Red-Haired was right? You mean to say Ace isn't as good as that traitor?"
Marco and the others stiffened.
Whitebeard's health had been declining for years. He relied on medication just to stay upright.
And among his crew, not even Marco—the strongest commander—had Conqueror's Haki.
Ace had been their hope. Their future.
Now someone was saying that hope was misplaced?
That even a traitor was stronger?
Had all their years of training gone to waste?
Luoyu didn't answer right away.
He took a swig from his gourd and said calmly:
"Ace really isn't as strong as Blackbeard."
BOOM!
Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki exploded again, sweeping across the sea like a hurricane.
Everyone tensed, fearing he'd strike again.
But Luoyu stood firm, adjusting his glasses.
"What? That upset you?"
"Truth is, you're not confident either. If you were, you wouldn't be this angry."
"You're the captain of this ship. You know better than anyone what Blackbeard's hiding."
"A man who's been biding his time for decades—his body must be honed to a terrifying degree. Add the Dark-Dark Fruit on top of that, and sending Ace alone? At best, it's loyalty. At worst, it's recklessness. At the very worst—it's suicide."
"Don't forget, Blackbeard waited this long for a reason. He's prepared. He's gathered followers. You're not stupid, Whitebeard. Just old."
"That's why I'm here. I've said my piece. If there's nothing else, I've got to clock out by 5:30."
Marco and the others were stunned.
They hadn't expected Luoyu to drop such a bombshell.
Especially that last line—calling Whitebeard old, not stupid?
Even Red-Haired would think twice before saying that.
As Luoyu turned to leave, Marco instinctively tensed.
Shanks gripped his sword.
"Stay sharp. I didn't expect this new Admiral to come here for Ace."
"He made some good points. But saying that to Whitebeard now? He's dancing on the edge of death. If there's ever a time to ask for face, it's now."
Beckman and the others stopped moving too.
Whitebeard's fury was no joke.
But Luoyu showed no fear.
He'd known the real reason for this Yonko meeting from the start.
He was only here to make sure Sengoku and the others believed his report.
To secure that ten-million-Berry bonus.
And maybe pull a silver ten-pull from the gacha.
Mentioning Ace? That was just to avoid future headaches.
If Whitebeard got clingy, he might drag this out past 5:30.
And Luoyu had no intention of working overtime.
"Brat, are you telling me you came all the way to my turf just to badmouth Ace?"
Whitebeard gripped his naginata again, voice low and dangerous.
"Why the hell are you even meddling in this? You sure you're not sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"