PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Vice Admiral Tsuru's grim words echoed in the council chamber, lingering in the air like a chill that refused to fade.

All the gathered Marine officers stared at the spread-out intel sheets and tactical sand tables. One by one, their expressions darkened to a near-deathly pallor.

Especially the younger officers—many of whom hadn't even been born during the Rocks Era—were shaken to the core. Having just heard from the veterans about what the Rocks Pirates truly represented, their faces were frozen in disbelief.

Who could have imagined that once upon a time, the seas had been ruled by a monstrous crew that even the Navy struggled to breathe under?

Three of the former Four Emperors—Kaido, Big Mom, and even the infamous Golden Lion Shiki, leader of the Flying Pirates—had all been members of that single, terrifying crew.

And now, Tsuru had labeled this new alliance between Kaido and Charlotte Linlin as a resurgence of the Rocks Pirates in all but name.

A threat of such magnitude could not be understated.

After all, just one Yonko was enough to put the entirety of Marine HQ on high alert.

If not for Luo Yu's sudden intervention—exploiting a rare window of vulnerability and ending the second front before it escalated—the Navy would've been looking at a pyrrhic victory at best.

And yet, just three days after surviving that catastrophe, the nightmare was already back—this time more vicious, more united.

Was the world testing their nerves?

No.

This time, it wasn't just a test of will.

It was war knocking twice, louder than ever.

With the two Emperors joining forces, the old divide-and-conquer strategy no longer applied. If the Navy wanted to stop them now, they'd have to face them both at once.

Two simultaneous battlefronts—overlapping, reinforcing one another.

If war did break out, it wouldn't just rival the Marineford Summit War…It would surpass it in scale and devastation.

And with the Navy's forces already depleted after the battle with the Whitebeard Pirates…

Could they truly withstand a war against two Yonko?

A heavy silence blanketed the massive council hall.

Every officer stared at the sand tables, the scattered reports, and one another—unable to voice any solutions.

Sengoku's expression was as dark as thunderclouds. He had anticipated that Kaido might survive—torture, execution, even annihilation hadn't worked on the man before.

But what he hadn't expected… was Kaido surrendering his ego and seeking out his greatest enemy for an alliance.

And worse—Big Mom agreeing without hesitation.

Faced with this sudden crisis, even Sengoku was momentarily at a loss.

"Hmph. Sengoku, didn't I say it before?" a mocking voice cut through the silence. "That brat's so-called 'accomplishment' would backfire before long."

Saint Topman Valkyrie, the Gorosei elder seated calmly to the side with a new cane in hand, sneered coldly.

"The situation in front of you is far worse than three days ago. A Yonko alliance isn't just a tactical concern—it's a global threat."

"I'd love to hear you repeat your earlier claim—that he should be nominated as Fleet Admiral."

"Don't say I didn't warn you. The terror of two Yonko doesn't equal one plus one. It's exponential."

"If we don't come up with a solution fast, we'll be seeing another Summit War soon—and who knows how that will end."

Several Marine officers scowled at his words.

Cruel as they were, they couldn't deny the truth in them. Facing one Yonko was already a nightmare. Two? It was inconceivable.

But despite the logic behind Valkyrie's words, many bristled at the blatant attempt to downplay Luo Yu's contribution.

"Enough out of you, Valkyrie!" Sengoku's voice boomed across the chamber. "You may be one of the Gorosei, but this is Marine HQ's strategy hall—so watch your tongue!"

"The fact remains: Luo Yu did defeat the Beasts Pirates. That's not debatable."

"And tell me—who else could've pushed someone like Kaido to the point where he, of all people, didn't seek vengeance… but an alliance?"

"Only someone capable of making a lunatic like Kaido think twice. That's no ordinary feat."

"What we need now is a plan—not finger-pointing and revisionist nonsense."

"Keep talking like this and you'll demoralize the very people standing between you and those Emperors."

Sengoku's voice fell like hammer strikes, each word hammering home the authority he still commanded.

Many officers glanced at him in silent admiration.

For once, someone had put the Gorosei in their place.

Valkyrie's face darkened. He tightened his grip on his cane and gave a cold grunt.

"Hmph. Well said, Sengoku. You're still sharp-tongued as ever."

"Let's see if your actions match your confidence."

"Hmph. Don't worry," Sengoku snapped back. "As Fleet Admiral, I've already simulated countless scenarios involving the Yonko."

Turning his attention back to the sand table, Sengoku began laying out directives.

"Now that Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are working together, there's no doubt they're planning a response to what happened three days ago."

"We don't know their exact intentions yet. But to avoid being caught off guard, I'm issuing the following orders."

"First, immediately evacuate the G-18 branch, the nearest base to Totto Land. Widen the buffer zone."

"Second, notify Tsuru's intelligence operative, Gion, who's been tasked with monitoring the Yonko. Tell her to withdraw from Totto Land's perimeter and rendezvous with the retreating forces."

"When dealing with wildcards like Kaido and Big Mom, we need to reshuffle the board before making our next move."

Sengoku's rapid-fire instructions struck the room like lightning.

One after another, officers nodded, visibly relieved.

This was what it meant to be a Supreme Strategist.

If it had been them in his seat, no one could've drafted such an effective response in such a short time.

Even Akainu and Aokiji, seated as co-acting Fleet Admirals, remained silent—content to listen and observe without interruption.

But just as the atmosphere began to settle...

Tea Pig, who had been anxiously fiddling with his Den Den Mushi in the corner, suddenly stood and shouted:

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku—urgent update! I'm afraid the Yonko have already made their move!"

"The moment Tsuru received the intel, I began attempting contact with Gion."

"But it's been over thirty minutes—and there's been no response."

"For a candidate-level Admiral like Gion to go completely dark, not even sending a distress signal…"

"There's only one possibility: both Yonko moved in person!"

The words hit the room like a hammer blow.

Every face stiffened.

The brief glimmer of calm was gone—replaced once again by a crushing, suffocating tension.

They had hoped the Yonko alliance would need time to organize before taking action.

But clearly… Kaido and Big Mom weren't interested in waiting.

Their revenge had already begun