BOOM!
A violent shockwave of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
Spandain and his two CP0 agents were hurled dozens of meters through the air, crashing hard into the ground. Blood sprayed from their mouths as they hit, eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness.
The onlookers, watching from a distance, were stunned into silence.
They all knew those three were real CP0.
But with Luoyu's completely unreasonable approach…
Who would dare say a word?
At this point, it wasn't about justice.
It was about survival.
"Well, that's that," Luoyu said, dispersing his Haki and taking a swig of his liquor. "Who'd have thought someone would dare impersonate CP0? I wonder what the Five Elders will think of that."
"Still no word from Sengoku? Never mind. We're heading back anyway. Let's give him a little surprise."
"Oh, and pack up Pica too. Let's see if there's a bounty for obstructing justice."
The crowd turned to stone.
Pack up Pica?
Several pirates shuffled nervously, afraid Luoyu might tag them as "mobile bounty units."
Ain looked at the wreckage—CP0 and Pica, broken and bleeding—and sighed.
If this was a surprise for HQ… it might be more of a heart attack.
Still, what could she do?
At least if the sky fell, Luoyu was tall enough to hold it up.
And if not—well, she could always hide behind him.
Just as she turned, Isuka approached.
"Admiral Luoyu… didn't you say you were only a little stronger than Fire Fist Ace?" she asked, voice trembling.
"Because from what I just saw… you're way stronger than 'a little.'"
She'd once chased Ace across the first half of the Grand Line.
It was a badge of honor.
If Luoyu was only slightly stronger, that honor still held weight.
But now?
Everything she thought she knew had been shattered.
Luoyu adjusted his glasses and gestured casually.
"The difference between me and Ace?"
"Just a little. Just… a billion little."
A billion?
Isuka's brain short-circuited.
But looking at the devastation around her…
She couldn't argue.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise…
Inside the highest chamber, the Five Elders sat in silence.
Their faces were grim.
Before them stood a man in a flamingo-feathered coat.
"Doflamingo, your prices are outrageous," growled Yamamoto, gripping his katana. "We've already turned a blind eye to your dealings with Kaido."
"Now you want to raise weapon prices? You're pushing your luck."
The Five Elders were the true puppet masters of the world.
But to keep the Revolutionary Army at bay, they relied on Doflamingo's black market empire.
He bought weapons from Wano via Kaido and sold them to the World Government's allied nations.
A no-cost, high-profit scheme.
"Heh. Yamamoto, that's not my fault," Doflamingo said with a smirk. "Your CP0 are just paper tigers. I saw an opportunity."
"CP9 is in my hands now. Looks like the Donquixote Family is stronger after all."
"You only have one choice."
"You—!" Yamamoto fumed.
But Ishi raised a hand, cutting him off.
"Doflamingo, I'll consider your terms," Ishi said coldly. "But only if you prove CP9 is in your custody. Otherwise, this negotiation is over."
To him, CP9—holders of the Government's darkest secrets—were worth more than any amount of money or power.
Doflamingo chuckled and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Ishi, I like you. Straight to the point. CP9 is on Sabaody. My top officer Pica is guarding them. No way anything went wrong."
"Unlike your CP0, my men don't fold."
He pressed the call button.
But before he could speak, a panicked voice came through:
"Young master! Bad news! The new Marine Admiral, Luoyu the Glutton, showed up at Auction House No. 3. CP9 surrendered immediately!"
"Pica tried to stop him… but was blasted by a falling Conqueror's Haki beast!"
"Now he's being taken back to Marine HQ… as a bounty!"
Doflamingo's smile froze.
His hand clenched the Den Den Mushi, veins bulging.
Just moments ago, he'd mocked CP0 as paper tigers.
Now?
Was he the paper tiger?
"That brat again? And what the hell is a falling Conqueror's Haki beast?" Yamamoto muttered, then sneered.
"Looks like your men are no better than ours."
"Since CP9 is in Marine custody, we'll have CP0 retrieve them directly."
"As for your deal? Consider it canceled."
"You—!" Doflamingo choked.
But before he could respond, another voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Young master… one more thing."
"After CP9 surrendered, CP0 tried to take them back."
"But Admiral Luoyu thought they were impostors… and beat them down too."
"He's taking them and Pica back to HQ for the bounty."
"That Admiral is terrifying. His Haki turns into beasts. If you plan to negotiate, you'll have to go through him."
"But… he's completely unreasonable. I'm afraid if you're not careful… you'll get packed up too."
CRACK!
Doflamingo crushed the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
If that hadn't been Trebol on the other end…
He might've killed someone.
A Warlord… packed up like cargo.
Where was his dignity supposed to go?