Just a few miles from the Gates of Justice near the Red Line—
A heavily damaged battleship was plowing ahead at full speed through the waves.
On the ship's foredeck, Luoyu was leisurely sipping his homemade brew while flipping skewers of roasted meat. From time to time, he sprinkled his signature blend of cumin powder, releasing an aroma so rich and intoxicating that it quickly blanketed the deck.
Everyone present couldn't help but stare, their eyes glazed with hunger as they swallowed down mouthfuls of saliva.
Watching Luoyu's deft hands and the tantalizing smell wafting in the air, if not for having personally witnessed his monstrous strength, one might've thought he was a seasoned master chef rather than a Navy Admiral.
"One skewer, a swig of liquor… This is what true job satisfaction looks like," Luoyu mumbled contentedly, biting off a chunk of lamb and chasing it with a hearty gulp of cheap liquor.
The scene was almost too much to bear for Koby and the others, who were training hard on the deck trying to master Haki. After the recent intense battles and their own Haki awakenings, their stamina had been seriously drained. The sizzling meat before them? Pure torture.
"Ad... Admiral Luoyu, sir… I have a question," a sudden voice broke the silence.
Luoyu raised an eyebrow, turning to see Jabura standing several meters behind him. He was surprised.
"Jabura, what's this? Even if we're starving, we don't need to stoop so low to beg for food," Spandam shouted, hastily wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth.
"We're almost at the Gates of Justice. Once we arrive at the Red Line, whatever you want, I can provide it. Don't forget—we're CP9, the strongest team in Judicial Island's history!"
As the commanding officer of Judicial Island, Spandam never thought he'd get humiliated twice in a single day—both times by the same man.
The power gap was clear, but it didn't mean he was willing to swallow his pride.
"Commander Spandam, with all due respect—you can't provide us what we need," Jabura said seriously. "Can you help us awaken Haki?"
"If you could, we wouldn't be here begging."
"Admiral Luoyu, if you're willing to help us, we'll cover the full 300 million Berries in ship repair costs. You won't need to spend a single coin."
Beside him, Blueno and Kumadori nodded eagerly, their faces full of anticipation.
Within CP9, internal power struggles had never stopped.
Yes, they had mastered the Navy's Six Styles, and even developed fusion techniques and secret skills. But if they could awaken Armament and Observation Haki, their strength would surge dramatically. Who knows—they might even surpass Rob Lucci.
After witnessing how easily Ain and the others awakened their Haki, there was no way they were going to pass on this opportunity.
Even Ain and her group were stunned.
The haughty CP9 members actually lowering themselves to beg? That was beyond their expectations.
Still, they were just as curious—what would Luoyu say?
"That's not a problem," Luoyu replied with a chuckle, taking another swig of his drink.
"Not a problem?" Jabura's eyes lit up. A flicker of slyness flashed through his gaze as he quickly asked, "Admiral Luoyu, you're truly willing to help us awaken Haki?"
"When can we begin?"
"No, scratch that—we're ready to start immediately!"
Everyone froze.
To them, awakening Haki was something reserved for elites—almost unattainable. And now a Navy Admiral casually agreed to help?
Was this genuine goodwill… or pressure from CP's status?
Spandam was also taken aback, but then scoffed.
"Heh… I didn't think a Navy Admiral would be so agreeable. I suppose this is your way of making up for assaulting me, the highest-ranking officer of Judicial Island."
"If that's the case, then maybe I can be generous enough to forgive you!"
"Forgive me?" Luoyu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "Forgive me for what?"
"Oh, right—once we disembark, don't forget to pay for your free ride."
"As for helping you awaken Haki, of course I can."
"I've got an application form right here. Fill in your personal details, then submit it to the Navy Headquarters for processing. You'll need approval and signatures from the Fleet Admiral, Chief of Staff, and Head Instructor."
"Once all departments have signed off, give it seven business days. After that, I'll consider the feasibility and get back to you."
"Oh—and don't forget to file for meal reimbursement, overtime pay, and performance bonuses. I don't work for free."
"I trust that's all clear. I don't like repeating myself."
Everyone stood dumbfounded.
Not just Spandam and CP9—even Ain and the others were stunned.
As the application form fluttered down onto the deck in the sea breeze, nobody knew how to react.
Approval forms? Seven business days?
Meal stipends? Overtime? Bonus structures?
Was this a joke?
They'd never heard of a workflow like this in the Navy.
Yet, recalling Luoyu's eccentric methods these past few days, Ain and her squad could only exchange resigned glances, thinking the same thing—
Yep, that's definitely Luoyu's style.
And if CP9 didn't manage to leech off him, well… that felt like poetic justice.
"You insolent bastard! How dare you mock me! I am the chief of Judicial Island!" Spandam shouted, trembling with rage.
"I've never heard of such ridiculous red tape in the Navy. Are you rejecting our goodwill?"
"Rejecting your goodwill?" Luoyu smirked. "No, no—this is me showing goodwill."
"I've been itching to punch a client for a while now."
"Unfortunately, Old Man Sengoku is still covering my repair bills—I've been holding back."
"But since you're supposedly on the same level as the Fleet Admiral, I'll just have to make do with you."
Boom!
Luoyu's dormant Conqueror's Haki erupted with terrifying force under precise control.
A crimson shockwave shot forth like a blade, splitting the air.
In an instant, it barreled straight toward Spandam.
His pupils dilated in horror.
This lunatic—he actually dared to hit a superior?!
But there was no time to react. The next second—
Boom!!
A thunderous crash echoed out.
The invisible force hurled Spandam hundreds of meters through the air—
Until he smashed violently into the massive Gates of Justice, just as the ship approached.
The sheer impact sent a tremor through the towering structure, startling everyone nearby awaiting passage.
Luoyu, still gripping his skewer, squinted at Spandam's limp body sprawled on the landing platform.
His brows furrowed slightly.
He hadn't expected to see such a familiar pair of flags waving right here...