Nagli's face grew darker by the second.
Looking at Luo Yu's calm, smug smile, he couldn't help but suspect—was this brat another trap set by Garp?
Otherwise, why would someone like him, who had long since retired from the seas and left his old life behind, suddenly be targeted again?
As for that whole "fated connection" line—Nagli didn't believe a word of it.
That was just a veiled threat, plain and simple.
"Don't worry, Brother Nagli," Fujitora said, gripping his cane-sword.
"I've still got some pull with HQ. They won't give me trouble for this. Worst case, I'll consider joining as a special combatant myself."
"This Admiral is tricky, no doubt. But not unbeatable. Let's try a pincer attack—if we get an opening, you make a break for it."
As he spoke, purple gravity surged once more from his blade. The debris around them began to tremble and rise.
Seeing Fujitora prepare to strike again, Doll and the others looked grim.
They knew full well—if someone like Fujitora, a man Sengoku himself had deemed Admiral-level, chose to fight, there was nothing they could do but watch.
And they couldn't help but worry: could Luo Yu really handle two special combatants at once?
"Try my ass!"
Nagli growled, pipe clenched between his teeth.
"That brat said we're 'fated'—and I'm supposed to fight him?"
"Damn it. I've been out of the game for decades, and Sengoku sells me off for 20 million Berries? I'm not swallowing that. Next time I see him, he's getting a piece of my mind."
"You hear me, brat? You said we're fated. Fine. I'll board your damn ship. But if you go back on your word, don't blame me for flipping the table."
Everyone was stunned.
Just moments ago, tensions were sky-high.
Now, the legendary man who once challenged the Pirate King had… agreed to join?
Was it really because of that "fated" line?
To the onlookers, it sounded more like blackmail than destiny.
Fujitora blinked, caught off guard. His half-drawn blade now felt completely out of place.
I was ready to go all in… and now you're telling me the fight's off?
He didn't even know where to vent his frustration.
"Brother Nagli, you're really putting me in a tough spot here," Fujitora said with a bitter smile.
Nagli shot him a look.
"Well, the brat found my weak spot. You've got nothing better to do—why not tag along? We can finally catch up properly."
"I've been sneaking around for years, afraid the Navy would recognize me and cause trouble."
"But now? Maybe I can finally walk in the open. Who knows—might even get a legit title out of it."
Fujitora sighed, watching his ever-crafty elder.
He suddenly felt like he'd been roped into something he couldn't escape.
Luo Yu chuckled, took a swig from his gourd, and dismissed his Thousand-Armed Kannon.
"Lord Fujitora, Lord Nagli isn't wrong."
"Besides, you can board the ship, travel with me, and decide later whether to fight when the time comes."
Fujitora raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected such a proposal.
Sheathing his blade, he gave a dry laugh.
"Admiral Luo Yu, that's not a bad offer. But I have to ask—are you planning to get me on board first, then announce it to the world so I can't back out?"
"If so, that's quite the scheme."
Nagli nodded in agreement, grinning.
This so-called "super rookie" raised by Garp wasn't just powerful—he was cunning too.
"Lord Fujitora, you wound me," Luo Yu said with a smile, adjusting his glasses.
"Yes, I have my reasons. But I'm only here for the 20 million Berries."
"Once I get the bounty, whether you fight or not—I couldn't care less."
For the bounty?
Fujitora and Nagli froze.
Looking at Luo Yu's dead-serious expression, they couldn't help but wonder:
Are we really worth less than 20 million to this guy?
But at this point, neither of them said more.
They exchanged a glance, dropped their fighting stances, and headed toward the warship.
"Hey brat, you better have enough booze. Me and Fujitora are going to catch up over a few drinks."
"Heh, Brother Nagli, you still love your liquor. But I've kept up over the years. Let's see if this Admiral can afford to keep our cups full."
Watching the two special combatants leap onto the deck and head straight for the ship's hold, Doll and the others were left speechless.
If Nagli's appearance had already been a surprise…
Then seeing Fujitora—who had rejected Sengoku himself—get "talked into" boarding the ship was downright shocking.
Whether the two giants or the two old men were stronger didn't matter.
What mattered was this: once they were on the ship, they were officially on Luo Yu's special combatant list.
And with eight or nine seats to fill—
He had just secured half of them.
As Luo Yu stepped back aboard, Doll hurried up to him, eyes gleaming.
"Admiral Luo Yu, I can't believe you actually convinced Fujitora to join you."
"Should we announce this immediately? Let the world know?"
Smoker and the others blinked.
They knew Doll's impulsive nature.
But this felt a bit… underhanded.
Still, with the war just forty days away, no one said anything.
They all turned to Luo Yu, waiting for his answer.
"Announce it?"
Luo Yu took a sip from his gourd and said casually:
"Why bother? Didn't I already say?"
"I'm just here for the 20 million."
"Once I get the bounty, I'll take on a Yonko solo if I have to."
Pfft!
Inside the ship, Nagli and Fujitora were sipping their drinks, eavesdropping with Observation Haki.
They had been listening in, wondering if Luo Yu was all talk.
They never expected the new Admiral to be this shamelessly committed to chasing bounties.
And yet… somehow, it was working.