"A sense of security… from money?"
What kind of nonsense was that?
Many of the Marine officers present were stunned.
This was a war against a Yonko.
Wasn't that reason a little too far-fetched?
For a moment, all eyes turned to Sengoku.
They all knew—accepting the fifty Pacifistas meant opening a second battlefield.
Behind his mask, Mahā's expression subtly shifted.
The Five Elders had sent him here with one goal: to divide the Navy's forces and use the Summit War to weaken Marine Headquarters as much as possible.
But watching the situation spiral beyond his control, his voice dropped, and he sneered:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it seems your new admiral is just as reckless as the rumors say—making decisions on a whim."
"But surely, a mere admiral doesn't have the authority to make such calls, does he?"
He turned to Sengoku with a mocking look.
"No."
Sengoku met Mahā's gaze and said calmly:
"Since Luo Yu has spoken, we'll open the second battlefield."
"He'll take command. Anyone willing to follow him—step forward and speak for yourselves."
His quiet words hit the room like a thunderclap.
Even Mahā was caught off guard. The other officers were visibly shocked.
Sure, the fifty Pacifistas were a great deal.
But opening a second front against another Yonko? That was the real issue.
Impel Down had Magellan, whose strength rivaled an admiral's. But even with Luo Yu, could they really hold off the entire Beasts Pirates?
"Sengoku, are you joking? Sending a newly appointed admiral to lead the second front? You might as well hand over Impel Down!" Mahā snapped.
"Hand it over?" Sengoku shot back coldly.
"Coming from you, that concern sounds more suspicious than sincere."
"Isn't this exactly what your Five Elders wanted?"
"As I said—whoever's willing to go, step forward."
"You—!" Mahā's face twisted.
"Fine. Let's see who's foolish enough to follow him to their deaths."
He scanned the room.
But before he could speak again, a voice rang out:
"I, Ain, will follow Admiral Luo Yu into battle!"
"Smoker, reporting in—I'm in!"
"Tashigi too!"
"And me—Doll. I'm curious to see what this 'suicide mission' really looks like!"
Four figures appeared at the entrance, their voices in unison.
Like dominoes, their declarations triggered a chain reaction.
Even Doll—once skeptical of Luo Yu's methods—had stepped forward.
That alone shattered many assumptions.
And it stirred something in the room.
"Dalmatian, reporting for duty!"
"Yamakaji too!"
"Count me in!"
One after another, voices filled the war room.
Over a hundred elite Marine officers had gathered to discuss strategy.
Now, nearly all of them were volunteering.
Mahā, who had come expecting to watch the Navy tear itself apart, stood frozen.
For the first time, he realized he—and the Five Elders—had underestimated this young admiral's charisma.
He doubted even the other three admirals could've inspired such fervor.
The oppressive atmosphere had transformed into one of fearless resolve.
Mahā had succeeded in splitting the Navy's forces.
But the result left a bitter taste.
It felt like the entire war had slipped from their control.
"Hahaha! Sengoku, looks like you underestimated Luo Yu's pull," Garp finally laughed.
"At this rate, once the second front opens, you'll be left all alone at Marineford!"
Sengoku shot him a glare—but deep down, he was shaken too.
He hadn't expected the unpredictable Luo Yu to win over the entire Navy so quickly.
Looking at the once-tense faces now burning with fighting spirit, Sengoku's worry eased.
He raised his hand and said:
"Very well. At a time like this, your resolve makes me proud as Fleet Admiral."
"Mahā, if you've nothing more to say, return to the Five Elders. And don't forget to bring those fifty Pacifistas. If you back out now, even the Five Elders would lose face."
"You—!" Mahā trembled with rage, crushing the document in his hand.
He glared at Luo Yu.
"Fine. Let's see what you can do with fifty Pacifistas. I don't believe for a second you can hold Impel Down against Kaido's forces!"
With that, he turned to leave.
The situation had spiraled beyond his control.
Every second he stayed was torture.
But just as he took a step, Luo Yu raised his gourd and shook it lazily.
"Oh, one more thing—when you get back, ask them this: if we don't need reinforcements, can we sell the Pacifistas?"
"I'm not asking for much. Just thirty to fifty billion berries for Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I'm worried he won't have enough to pay bonuses."
Everyone froze.
Even Sengoku was speechless.
To them, the Pacifistas were a godsend—if not a miracle, then at least a powerful asset.
For defending Impel Down, they were a crucial weapon.
And now Luo Yu, with a single sentence, had not only rejected the Five Elders' "generosity"…
He was ready to sell them off.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, no one would've believed it.