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Chapter 19 - CHAPTER-19

Everyone's nerves were stretched taut.

All eyes instinctively turned toward Luoyu, desperate to see how the newly appointed Admiral would respond to Spandam's shameless threat.

But clearly, everyone had overestimated the situation.

Luoyu didn't move a step.

The overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki, erupting with crushing momentum, never paused for even a moment—it struck Spandam directly.

BOOM!

The ship's guardrails shattered on impact.

Spandam's body flew like he'd been rammed by a Sea King. His eyes rolled back, white foam spewed from his mouth, and his limp form slammed violently into the nearby ship flying the Judicial Island flag.

CRASH!

The sheer force of impact obliterated the deck beneath him.

Spandam and the three CP9 elites, like ragdolls, were smashed into the ship's hull, bodies embedded in splintered timber.All four were left twitching, foaming at the mouth, completely unconscious.

As seawater rained down from above in sheets, the stunned spectators finally began to process what had just happened.

Looking at the half-demolished CP9 flagship, their minds could only reel in disbelief.

Was this really Conqueror's Haki?

Crocodile was dumbfounded.

As a pirate who had long roamed the Grand Line, he had once even challenged Whitebeard in his youth.

He understood the aura of Conqueror's Haki—the mental pressure that could crush the weak.

But the terrifying suppression that came from Whitebeard… compared to what just happened?

It felt like gentle drizzle.

Three CP9 agents—men he was confident he could defeat after a long battle—had just been annihilated with a single stare.

And Luoyu?

He didn't even raise a hand.He just stood there… and looked.

What kind of monster is this so-called Fourth Admiral, Taotie Luoyu?

"My bad, everyone—you heard it yourselves," Luoyu said, withdrawing his terrifying Haki as casually as if nothing had happened. He took another swig of strong liquor.

"Their so-called commander claimed those guys had 'Lucci-level potential' and begged me to fight them. I didn't expect them to be so fragile. Got carried away."

"I didn't overdo it so badly that I lose my 500,000 performance bonus, right?"

Ain's face twitched violently.

Sure enough, as she suspected from the start—Luoyu didn't fear making a mess.He only feared losing his bonus!

But thinking back on what just happened…

Luoyu had just swatted aside the arrogant CP9—who had dared to intercept a top-secret Marine mission—as if they were flies.

That felt… damn good.

"Admiral Luoyu," Ain stepped forward, saluting crisply. Her tone turned formal and resolute.

"Transporting Warlord Crocodile is a top-level classified Marine operation. No one may approach the ship without an explicit order from Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"Any unauthorized interference is to be considered hostile."

"The escort officers are permitted to engage with full authority."

"Admiral Luoyu, your 500,000 bonus will not be deducted."

Her voice was steady, with a finality that brooked no argument.

Koby and Helmeppo were speechless.

Until now, Ain had treated Luoyu's methods like poison and oil—complete opposites.Yet now—even after seeing CP9 sent flying—she stood completely convinced.

They half-expected her to explode again.

But instead…

She saluted.

Then again, looking at the ruined CP9 ship, and the four unconscious bodies embedded in it…

They had to admit—that was incredibly satisfying.

"So… this is the strength of a newly appointed Admiral?"Hina was in shock, unable to stop staring.

Even Smoker, his cigar bitten clean in half, stood frozen.

Just moments ago, he had been bitter about Luoyu's leapfrog promotion to Admiral.

He had believed that as the wielder of a rare Logia-type Devil Fruit, he should've been the one next in line.

But after witnessing that one move—just one Haki blast—he had no words.

Not even his Devil Fruit power, even pushed to its limits, could guarantee a win against something like that.

And wasn't Conqueror's Haki only supposed to cause mental pressure?

What Luoyu just used…

Was it even the same ability?

"E-Excuse me…"

A soft, trembling voice broke the silence.

It was Nero—the rookie CP9 agent—now the only one left standing. His face had gone pale, and he could barely stay on his feet as Luoyu's gaze swept over him.

"Oh? Forgot you were part of CP9 too," Luoyu said lazily, sipping from his flask.

"Didn't they say you had 'Lucci-like potential' too?"

Plop.

Nero collapsed, legs turning to jelly.He waved his arms frantically.

"N-No, no! I have no such potential!"

"I'm just here to ask for Admiral Luoyu's mercy! Our CP ship is sinking!"

"Even though Judicial Island and Marine HQ are separate departments, we still serve under the World Government."

"Please, Admiral Luoyu, would you… spare a hand to save them?"

Once upon a time, Nero had craved recognition as "the next Lucci."

Now, that name was like a curse.

Luoyu adjusted his glasses, glanced at the rapidly sinking ship, and nodded.

"You're right. Judicial Island and the Marines… we're technically family."

"Of course we should save lives."

Nero's eyes lit up—until he heard the next words.

"But 3:30 is my afternoon tea time. And 9:30 is for morning tea."

"So I'll think about saving them… after I finish my tea."

Without another word, Luoyu turned and walked off, boarding his own ship with calm, measured steps.

Everyone stared blankly.

That shift—from the decisive one-liner to the absurd tea schedule—was way too jarring.

Family? And yet tea was more important?

Tashigi and Smoker were stunned.

They'd heard rumors that the new Admiral Luoyu was a time-obsessed weirdo.

But they never imagined it was this bad.

Who in the Marine Corps drinks morning tea at 9:30, afternoon tea at 3:30?

More importantly—what the hell even is morning tea?!

Still, seeing Luoyu walk away, as if this mission had nothing to do with him anymore…

As Admiral, maybe he had the right to ignore it.

But Hina and Smoker?

They did not.

The two exchanged a helpless glance—then quickly turned around to organize the rescue.

Back inside the brig, Crocodile silently watched Luoyu's retreating back.

His expression was no longer angry—but dark and heavy.

Before seeing Luoyu's strength firsthand, he hadn't really been thinking about escaping.

But now, having witnessed power like that…

He suddenly felt desperate to break out of this place.To run.

Was he sick in the head?!Wanting to obtain something only after realizing he could never have it?

How utterly pathetic.

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