A storm of thoughts churned in Spandam's mind. That creeping sense of dread swelled until he couldn't hold back.
"You're telling us to just sit here and watch? I'm worried this will go sideways."
"Sideways?" Iga frowned, clearly displeased.
"Spandam, as CP9's former commander, you should know—Doflamingo is no ordinary Warlord."
"If it were anyone else, we'd act. But he's a former Celestial Dragon. That alone means we can't move without authorization."
"If the Five Elders find out we acted rashly, even CP0 won't escape unscathed."
He softened slightly.
"Don't worry. We promised your father we'd handle this."
"Right now, the new Admiral is facing off with Joker's men. It won't resolve quickly. Sengoku will need to weigh in, and we'll need reinforcements."
"In the meantime, we'll use this chance to confirm CP9's location."
"Even if the Admiral can't retrieve them, we'll make sure they don't escape again."
Spandain nodded silently.
Unlike his foolish son, he'd risen from CP9 to CP0 on his own merit.
He knew when to act—and when to wait.
Iga, satisfied by Spandain's silence, turned to his partner.
"Iha, you look pale. Are your injuries from three days ago still bothering you?"
He remembered that day on the Flying Six's ship.
They hadn't even made their move—and nearly got obliterated.
If Iha hadn't used his Devil Fruit to escape, he'd be dead.
"Iga… I'm just worried," Iha said quietly.
"That guy doesn't play by the rules. He doesn't care who you are—not even a Warlord."
"Don't forget—he's the one who dared to provoke a Yonko."
Iga froze.
Then slowly turned to look at Luoyu.
"A Warlord? What's that got to do with me?" Luoyu smiled, adjusting his glasses.
"Sorry. I'm looking for someone. You're in my way."
The entire plaza went stiff.
Even Pica's grin froze.
Since their young master became a Warlord, that title had been a shield.
Especially with the secrets he held about the Celestial Dragons.
Even the Five Elders tread carefully.
But this Admiral?
He didn't care.
He'd just brushed it all aside.
Pica couldn't accept it.
Doflamingo had taken a huge risk sheltering CP9—hoping to use them as leverage in negotiations with the Five Elders.
If he got what he wanted, he'd hand them over.
But Luoyu's unpredictability was throwing everything off.
In the crowd, CP9 members—masked and cloaked—watched in horror.
Bruno carried the unconscious Rob Lucci on his back.
"Damn it," Kalifa hissed. "Doflamingo promised to get us out of Sabaody. How did the Navy find us?"
"Lucci's still out cold. If we get stuck here, we're done. Bruno, can you use your Door-Door Fruit to get us out?"
"Jabra," Kalifa snapped. "Didn't you say you were in charge now that Lucci's down? Why so quiet?"
Kaku and Bruno turned to him.
Jabra, always loud, always boasting—was silent.
It was unsettling.
"You're all underestimating him," Jabra finally muttered. "That new Admiral… he's a monster. We've seen him in action. We can't escape."
"So I have a bold idea."
Everyone blinked.
Before they could ask—
Jabra bolted.
Kalifa and Bruno were stunned.
They'd spent days hiding.
Now Jabra was blowing their cover?
Before they could react, Owl and Kumadori followed him.
The three burst into the open, shattering the tense standoff.
Pica's face twisted.
He'd been planning to stall, to contact his master.
But now?
That was over.
"CP9! What are you doing? We had a deal!" Pica roared.
"Shut up, Pica!" Jabra snapped. "We knew Doflamingo planned to sell us out to the Five Elders. You were just stalling so we couldn't escape."
"You might be useful against CP0 or regular Marines—but this new Admiral? He's a freak. You can't stop him."
"So we're surrendering."
"Admiral Luoyu! CP9 formally surrenders! We request asylum and wish to join the Navy!"
The plaza fell silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
Even Luoyu was stunned.
Had the events at Enies Lobby really scared them that badly?
They hadn't even fought.
They just… surrendered.
No—
They defected.
This was the legendary "if you can't beat them, join them."
Isuka and Ain were speechless.
The mission that had plagued Marine HQ and the World Government for so long—
Resolved by Luoyu without lifting a finger.