BOOM!
A violent shockwave, like a level-15 hurricane, tore across the island.
Everything in its path was obliterated.
Even the massive warship anchored at the inlet was blasted into the air.
Towering waves, dozens of meters high, surged toward the ship.
"White Snake Jet!"
BOOM!
The incoming waves were dispersed by a burst of smoke.
Smoker crashed hard onto the deck, soaked to the bone, gritting his teeth as he summoned his Armament Haki-infused Yamata-no-Orochi smoke serpents.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
One by one, the crew members were flung onto the deck by the force of the waves.
Even Doll, bloodied and dazed, was dragged back just in time. Only after confirming she was alive did Smoker finally collapse onto the deck, gasping for breath.
That final clash of ultimate techniques—
Smoker had only just regained his senses when he saw Doll being swept into the blast zone. He hadn't planned to intervene.
But in the end, he gritted his teeth and sent one of his smoke serpents to snatch her out of the explosion.
Thanks to the smoke tunnel, they escaped just in time.
The only silver lining: Doll, though battered and soaked, had survived without critical injuries.
Seeing a Vice Admiral nearly vaporized by the shockwave, Smoker exhaled shakily, his bones aching, and turned toward Little Garden.
They all wanted to know—had the two giants, deemed "special combatants" by Luo Yu, survived?
RUMBLE…
Dust clouds rolled back across the battlefield.
The pressure in the air was suffocating.
Those who had survived the blast staggered to their feet, legs trembling, eyes fixed on the island.
No one knew how long they waited—until a lone figure emerged from the swirling dust, walking calmly through the air with Moonwalk.
Luo Yu took a swig from his gourd and landed on the deck.
"Smoker, not bad. You ran even faster than last time. With you on board, I can rest easy."
"It's six o'clock. I'm off the clock. The rest is yours—if those two giants are still alive, bring them aboard. Don't forget, my time is precious."
With that, Luo Yu disappeared into the cabin under everyone's stunned gaze.
Inside, a table already set with wine and meat awaited him.
Vivi and the others finally understood—when Luo Yu said he was "off duty," he wasn't joking.
"Igaram, let's go check on the giants!"
Vivi snapped out of it and rushed ashore.
When they returned to Little Garden, the landscape had been leveled.
The two giants, bloodied and broken, sat back-to-back in the ruins, their massive weapons shattered once again.
Their faces, streaked with blood and exhaustion, were filled with disbelief.
Vivi's eyes lit up with joy. She ran forward.
"I knew it! You're Elbaf's strongest—you wouldn't die so easily. I'm so glad you're alive!"
Igaram and Chaka followed, equally relieved.
Luo Yu's unscathed return had already seemed surreal.
But seeing the giants survive his attack—somehow—was a small comfort. At least they hadn't lost everything.
But just as smiles began to form—
Dorry and Brogy shook their heads and shifted their massive bodies.
Behind them, the land was gone.
Half of Little Garden—obliterated.
If that final attack had landed directly on them…
They wouldn't even have known how they died.
So this… is the power of the Navy's Fourth Admiral?
How could a newcomer be this terrifying?
Doll stood frozen, her face pale.
It felt like a nightmare.
If not for the others watching, she might've slapped herself to check if she was dreaming.
She recalled Smoker's frantic escape—it had looked pathetic.
But she knew: if he hadn't pulled her out in time, she'd be dead or worse.
Could she blame Luo Yu for being reckless? For nearly killing his own people?
For the first time, she didn't feel that way.
Instead, she was embarrassed—she couldn't even outrun a mere Rear Admiral.
"No wonder Fleet Admiral Sengoku has such high hopes for him," Doll muttered.
"Now I understand why Gion never complained about losing her promotion. She looked proud just mentioning his name."
Smoker and the others didn't mock her.
They understood.
Luo Yu's youth and sudden rise to Admiral had drawn plenty of skepticism—even from them.
But in the end, everyone who doubted him ended up convinced.
Because in this world of survival of the fittest—power is everything.
"Hah! Who'd have thought that brat would spare us in the end?"
Dorry laughed, staggering to his feet.
"If he hadn't pulled that final strike, we'd be dead for sure."
Brogy helped him up, laughing too.
"It's been a hundred years since we've felt that close to death."
"He was right—we've been out of touch for too long. Even our strongest combo attack couldn't take down one kid. There's no way we can avenge Elbaf on our own."
"That brat… he really clocked out. But I still want to know—why didn't he kill us? Does he really see value in two relics like us?"
All eyes turned to Smoker.
He blinked, hesitated for a few seconds, then gave a wry smile.
"If I had to guess… Admiral Luo Yu didn't spare you because of your strength."
"You survived because you're worth 40 million Berries each."
"Forty million?"
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a look—then burst into laughter.
"Hah! What a funny little brat. Looks like this journey's going to be interesting after all."