"Apply for overtime bonuses?""Pitch a major investment project?"
What the hell was going on?
Back in the day, a duel like this would've ended with a few polite words, a modest apology, and a shake of hands.
But now, Luo Yu was talking about performance pay and investment partnerships?
If Chaton had known things would get this complicated, he never would've acted on impulse earlier!
"Vice Admiral Chaton, don't be so embarrassed," Luo Yu said with a grin, tossing him another roujiamo like it was a business card. "We're all one big Navy family. With your help promoting this project, I'm sure it'll do great."
"As for applying for bonuses and pitching the investment—"He winked. "—I'll leave that to you."
"By the way, Chaton, you've been in the Navy for quite some time now, haven't you?"
The plaza fell silent for a beat.
The sudden shift in topic made Chaton's adjutant visibly nervous. Stepping forward in a flurry, he said hastily:
"Admiral Luo Yu, Vice Admiral Chaton has served as a Vice Admiral for ten years now. He's also been an Admiral candidate for three years. I believe with his strength, it's only a matter of time before he earns the Admiral rank. May I ask… what exactly are you getting at?"
Everyone's nerves tensed up again.
The duel had just proven Luo Yu's strength beyond doubt, earning their full respect. But if he now turned vindictive or petty, it could tarnish his image fast.
Luo Yu raised an eyebrow and suddenly laughed."Ten years as Vice Admiral? Oh, good—then I feel much better."
"With ten years in the job, I assume you've saved up quite the nest egg. Some private savings, maybe a dowry or two."
He clapped Chaton on the back and continued cheerfully.
"Since you were the one who initiated this whole thing, I'll leave the repairs to you."
"You see, the plaza is destroyed, and the Gates of Justice have been blasted apart. And me?" He spread his arms. "I've only just started this job. I haven't even received my first paycheck."
"You wouldn't want to squeeze a poor rookie dry, right?"
"Oh, and since it's technically my day off today—if there's nothing else, I'll be heading home now."
The crowd froze.
They watched in stunned silence as Luo Yu casually turned, waved goodbye, and strolled away laughing, his coat fluttering behind him.
What were they expecting again?
Did they overthink things? Or was this newly minted Admiral really just that obsessed with money?
They thought he'd berate Chaton, maybe give a speech about discipline.
But no—he immediately brought up Berries!
It was clear now—this guy was exactly as the rumors described.
From now on, anyone who wanted to mess with the Fourth Admiral had better check their wallets first.
"Admiral Luo Yu… this roujiamo is a bit… hot. Can I, uh, not take it?" Chaton asked stiffly, barely able to hold onto the bun in his hand.
He turned and looked behind him at the cratered plaza.
Was Luo Yu planning to charge him for yesterday's destruction too?
A rough estimate suggested that repairing the plaza and the shattered Gates of Justice would cost at least several billion Berries.
That was his entire dowry gone!
"Admiral Luo Yu," Gion interjected carefully, "with your strength, you could easily go on a tour through the New World. There are plenty of pirates with high bounties out there. As an Admiral, you're entitled to receive the full reward for any captures. Isn't that more lucrative than focusing on wages and bonuses?"
Bounty rewards were technically a public deterrence tool issued by the World Government.
The Navy mostly relied on military merit to promote ranks and recognition.
In most cases, a portion of the bounty—usually 10% to 50% depending on rank—was converted into actual pay, with the rest counted as military achievements.
But Admirals had special exemption privileges—they could claim 100% of a bounty.
Still, most Admirals preferred to focus on honor and service rather than chasing money.
Even if they did capture pirates, all they'd usually get was a certificate of merit, a commemorative banner, and a tiny symbolic bonus.
After all, if even Admirals started bounty-hunting for cash, it would ruin the image of the entire Navy.
But this guy?
Luo Yu, who cared only about overtime pay and performance reviews?
They'd never seen anything like it.
"Hunt pirates for bounty rewards?" Luo Yu took a swig of wine, eyes wistful.
Of course he wanted to! It was the fastest way to accumulate capital.
Unfortunately, his system had principles.
It only acknowledged earnings related to his salary. Anything else didn't count.
Otherwise, Luo Yu would've already gone full sea-raider mode.
He sighed and shrugged.
"Sorry, but a gentleman loves money—and earns it the proper way. A true wage earner doesn't moonlight."
"Besides... why lift a finger, when you can collect your salary while doing nothing?"
He turned back one last time, grinning.
"Vice Admiral Chaton, I'll leave Sengoku's performance approval to you!"
Everyone was stone-faced.
Did he just say… a gentleman doesn't moonlight?
Ignoring billions of Berries floating across the sea just to chase performance evaluations?
Was this man insane or hyper-disciplined?
And what was worse—he worked strictly 9 to 5, took weekends off, and had overtime rage that could kill.
Was he even the same species as the rest of them?
Gion had more to say, but the words died on her lips. She looked at Chaton, then down at the scorched earth.
Now she understood.
Why they could never become Admirals.
They were too normal. Too reliable.
They lacked that key Admiral trait: unpredictable lunacy.
Those billions in damages?
They weren't escaping that price tag.
"…Luo Yu, you little brat," Garp muttered with admiration. "You're better at being a salaryman than I ever was."
At first, he hadn't cared much. But remembering what Sengoku had said the day before, Garp's expression turned serious.
"But listen—don't go just yet," Garp called out. "Sengoku has a mission for you."
"That Celestial Dragon trash you punched? Sure, it's no big deal if you rough 'em up…"
"But turning him into a literal pig-headed mess might've gone too far. Sengoku wants you out of HQ for a while, just until things cool down."
"He gave me the assignment order. Take it, head out to sea, and lay low."
"I'll deal with the fallout. Once the storm passes, come on back."
Garp's booming voice echoed across the plaza, leaving everyone stunned.
Just a moment ago, Garp looked the same as always.
But after watching Luo Yu's antics, Garp suddenly seemed… mature. Responsible.
Which left everyone wondering—how messed up did things have to be… for Garp to become the most reliable guy in the room?
One line, though, stuck out above all:
"That Celestial Dragon trash you punched…"
Just how were they supposed to react to that?
How were they supposed to face the World Nobles after hearing that?
Gion and Chaton looked at Garp, then at each other.
And all they could do was give a bitter smile as a single ridiculous thought flashed through their minds:
"Maybe we really are living in two different worlds."