Everyone present was stunned.
Looking at Luo Yu's serious expression, wasn't this just spouting nonsense with a straight face?
A duel… needs to go through procedures?
Who's ever heard of that?
"Admiral Luo Yu, are you underestimating me?" Chaton said with a smile. "Is that why you're making jokes so brazenly here? A duel that requires paperwork? That would make it hard for me to back down in front of everyone."
But anyone could hear the unrelenting edge in his words.
As Chaton strode toward Luo Yu, everyone's nerves tensed to the extreme.
"Sister Gion, please try to talk Vice Admiral Chaton down!" Tashigi said anxiously.
"Chaton, don't be rash," Gion quickly interjected, then added with a wry smile, "Admiral Luo Yu, if you really don't want to accept Chaton's challenge, you can just say so. There's no need to make excuses."
"Excuse?" Luo Yu took a swig of his earthenware liquor, shook his head with a smile, and said, "Vice Admiral Gion, this isn't an excuse."
"I parachuted into this position — of course many people won't accept it. Challenges are inevitable, and I'm happy to take them."
"But accepting a challenge is one thing. I can't just accept every single one. If an admiral is going to spar, there should at least be some perks."
"So, I've prepared some application forms. Anyone who wants to challenge me, please go through the proper process. Get the necessary stamps, get approval from old man Sengoku, and maybe I'll get a raise, some performance bonuses, and a little extra pay. That's only fair."
"If there are enough challengers, we can even turn it into a project. Me sparring as an admiral — that's a major initiative, right? You all improve your strength, and I get a percentage cut. Sounds reasonable."
"But let me emphasize one thing: I don't work before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., and I take weekends off. Today is my day off, so don't come looking for me and find no one around."
"Remember — if you want to challenge me, do it on a workday!"
As he spoke, Luo Yu handed the already-prepared application form to Gion.
Looking at the detailed process chart and the various benefit claims on the form…
Everyone was dumbfounded.
They had never imagined something like this.
Salary, performance bonuses, project commissions?
Most of those present were veteran Marines. After so many years of service, they had never heard of such benefits for soldiers.
Were they fake Marines all along?
Even Gion was momentarily speechless. Looking at the form in her hand, she realized that following the process would take at least seven or eight business days before a duel could happen.
Factoring in weekends, wouldn't that mean waiting half a month?
Wouldn't the whole thing be over by then?
Chaton's face darkened. His hand trembled slightly as he gripped the form. Watching Luo Yu calmly sipping liquor and munching on a meat bun, he finally lost it.
"Fine. Very well. Admiral Luo Yu, are you mocking me? A duel that requires an application process? That's a first for me."
"Today, I want to see what happens if I force you to fight."
ROAR!
A beast-like roar erupted from Chaton's mouth.
As sharp fangs extended, his previously lean frame swelled like stone under everyone's gaze.
In an instant, he transformed into a four-to-five-meter-tall golden-furred giant ape with a ferocious face.
A savage aura burst forth from his body.
"That's Vice Admiral Chaton's Ancient Zoan-type Golden Kong Ape ability… Is this going to turn into a full-blown fight?" Smoker instinctively bit down on his cigar, his expression grave.
A battle just below admiral level — if it really broke out, who knew how far things would spiral?
"Sister Gion, try to stop Vice Admiral Chaton. I'll contact Fleet Admiral Sengoku immediately. Tashigi believes he would never allow internal conflict like this," Tashigi said urgently.
Gion shook her head with a bitter smile. "If I intervene now, it might turn into a three-way brawl."
"I've already sent someone to notify Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Let's hope Admiral Luo Yu can hold out until they arrive."
"Haha! Admiral Luo Yu, you heard that, didn't you? No one can stop me now. You might as well fight me with everything you've got!" Chaton, now in his ape form, laughed thunderously, his voice echoing across the plaza.
Luo Yu furrowed his brow, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and said calmly:
"Vice Admiral Chaton, the wrath of a working man comes from being forced to work overtime."
"What you're doing now is dancing on the edge of death. Are you sure you don't want someone to stop you?"
"The wrath of a working man? Stop me?" Chaton blinked, then burst out laughing. "Admiral Luo Yu, are you trying to stall with nonsense like that?"
"If there really is such a thing as a working man's wrath, I'd love to see it. Bring it on, Admiral Luo Yu! Whatever wrath you've got, I'll take it!"
"Is that so? Then I'm sorry to say… it's overtime now."
BOOM!
A massive, hurricane-like surge of energy exploded from Luo Yu's body.
A dazzling golden Kannon burst forth behind him.
Crimson light rapidly engulfed the entire figure of the Kannon.
The once-benevolent Thousand-Armed Kannon transformed in an instant into a wrathful, golden-eyed deity.
Its three eyes glared wide, murderous intent surging like a tidal wave. The violent aura, fueled by Luo Yu's forced overtime, erupted like a wild stallion, soaring into the heavens.
Just moments ago, the Thousand-Armed Kannon stood only three or four meters tall — roughly the same size as Chaton's transformed ape form.
But now, the Wrathful Vajra loomed like a mountain, towering over ten meters high.
Compared to the previous Kannon, the Wrathful Vajra's thousand arms had vanished into the void.
The pressure it exuded was like a mountain crashing down, sweeping across the entire plaza.
Everyone present felt as if an invisible hand had gripped their hearts — even breathing became suffocating.
Staring at the colossal Wrathful Vajra apparition, no one dared move a finger.
Especially Chaton, who was locked in its aura. Standing beneath the towering figure, he felt utterly insignificant.
Every cell in his body screamed danger.
Facing the thousand arms hidden in the void, he felt as if countless giant hands were ready to crush him.
It was as if the slightest movement would trigger a storm of overwhelming attacks.
And this oppressive sense of danger was far more terrifying than the previous Thousand-Armed Kannon.
His nerves and muscles tensed like stone.
And in his mind… a completely absurd thought began to take shape.