"Honor and bonus, both?"
Koby and Helmeppo froze.
They were already used to Luoyu's unpredictable logic, but this latest declaration still sent a chill down their spines.
Before they could react, Luoyu vanished—like a ghost into thin air.
Water 7, Dock No. 7 – Abandoned Shipyard
Inside a sealed room, laughter echoed.
Iceburg, his head still wrapped in bandages, stood beside the elderly mermaid Kokoro, both smiling as they watched the Straw Hats banter and recover.
Their wounds had mostly healed, and the mood was light.
"Uncle Iceburg, what are you sighing about?" Nami asked, her orange eyes gleaming like Berries. "Are you planning to give us a farewell gift? Maybe some antiques, gold trinkets, or just plain cash?"
"I'm not greedy—just a measly ten or twenty million Berries would do. We spent everything building that ship, you know!"
After returning from Skypiea with 300 million Berries, they'd burned through it in a single day.
Nami still felt the sting.
She wasn't about to let the president of the world's biggest shipbuilding company off the hook.
"Ahem… Miss Nami, I was just thinking how incredible it is that you managed to take down Enies Lobby," Iceburg said, clearing his throat.
"And to escape a Buster Call led by an Admiral? That shook the entire sea."
"The papers say Rob Lucci had power beyond a Vice Admiral. The strongest human weapon in CP9's 800-year history."
"That means he was nearly Admiral-level himself."
"And you beat him. Honestly, I think you could even hold your own against an Admiral now."
"Such achievements at your age… truly impressive."
"Heh, Nami, that's high praise coming from Iceburg," Kokoro chuckled, sipping her wine. "He doesn't hand out compliments lightly."
Nami rolled her eyes.
She'd rather have the cash.
Still, the mention of "Admiral" made her shiver—memories of Aokiji flashing through her mind.
"Don't worry, Miss Nami," Sanji said, balancing a tray and puffing on a cigarette. "We're not the same crew we were back then."
"We rescued Robin from Enies Lobby. That proves we've grown."
"If we face another Admiral, we won't be helpless this time."
"Right, Mosshead?"
Zoro set down a broken ship's wheel and nodded.
"You usually talk nonsense, pervy cook. But this time, I agree."
"I've gotten stronger too."
Robin said nothing, but a quiet smile touched her lips.
She had spent her life chasing the idea of "companions."
Trading one group for another, betrayed and betraying in turn.
She'd thought capture by CP9 was the end.
But they had come for her.
They had saved her.
"Seeing your confidence, I'm not worried anymore," Iceburg said warmly. "Especially with Luffy around. I doubt even an Admiral could stop you now."
"Anyway, it's getting late. Let's get you to the new ship and start prepping for departure."
He turned to leave.
BANG!
The door burst open.
A burly man rushed in, startling everyone.
"Tilestone! What's going on?" Iceburg asked sharply.
"If it's the Navy, just take them on a garden tour like before. They won't find this place."
Since the fall of Enies Lobby, Water 7 had been under constant Navy surveillance.
But with its size and population—and Iceburg's cunning—the Straw Hats had always slipped through.
"N-no, President Iceburg! It's not just any Navy unit—it's the new Fourth Admiral, Luoyu the Glutton!"
Tilestone was sweating bullets.
"Fourth Admiral… Luoyu?"
Everyone froze.
Just moments ago, they'd been talking about Admirals.
Now one was at their doorstep?
Had they jinxed themselves?
As rookies with no major backing, the Straw Hats knew little about the new Admiral.
Luoyu had only been promoted for a few weeks.
Without special intel, relying on News Coo updates was like living in the Stone Age.
Just like how Bellamy thought Luffy's bounty was still 30 million after it had passed 100.
Information lag was real.
"You don't know about the new Fourth Admiral?" Iceburg blinked, pulling out a newspaper.
"I meant to tell you earlier."
"They say this guy even dared to punch a Celestial Dragon. That's him on the front page."
"Better memorize his face. You don't want to run into him and not recognize him."
"But don't worry—this place is hidden well. Even an Admiral wouldn't find it easily."
He spread the paper on the table.
Everyone leaned in.
A young face stared back at them—completely at odds with the title "Admiral."
They were stunned.
In their minds, Admirals were grizzled old men.
Age was power.
But this guy?
Barely in his twenties.
And already standing shoulder to shoulder with the three titans of the Navy?
It was hard to believe.
Then came the voice.
"M-Mr. Iceburg… are you sure this guy's a Navy Admiral?"
"Because I think he's standing right outside the door."