"Grandson?"
Luoyu immediately rolled his eyes.
After being aboard the ship for so long, he'd heard this joke more times than he could count.
It seemed that on this vast sea, Whitebeard wasn't the only one obsessed with adopting sons—there was also Garp, the Marine hero, who was dead set on collecting grandsons.
"Three types of Haki and monstrous talent in physical combat... Looks like the heavens are watching over Marine Headquarters."Sengoku finally snapped out of his shock.
Looking around at the sea of fallen "bodies," he admitted that if this had been caused by anyone else, he would've erupted in fury.
But right now… he felt a strange, unexplainable satisfaction.
Initially, Sengoku had been concerned about Luoyu's nomination as the fourth Admiral, worried it might not win over the masses.
But now, Luoyu had not only demonstrated mastery of the Navy's Rokushiki techniques and advanced Armament Haki—
He had even awakened the one-in-a-million Conqueror's Haki.
That alone placed him above the current three Admirals—none of whom possessed it.
Winning the respect of the entire Navy wouldn't be a problem now.
"Akainu, I trust you have no further objections?"Sengoku turned back.
Akainu let out a cold snort and stayed silent.
Seeing this, Sengoku quietly sighed in relief."Alright, Garp, enough nonsense out of you."
"I'll notify the Five Elders about Luoyu's appointment as Admiral. It shouldn't be a problem anymore."
"As for military achievements—Luoyu, I happen to have a special task just for you."
"A task?"
Luoyu blinked. He hadn't even put on the Admiral's coat yet and was already being assigned a mission?
Clearly, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was a master of "throwing ducks into flight."
"What's wrong? Don't feel like it?" Sengoku raised a brow and chuckled.
"Not at all, Fleet Admiral," Luoyu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with a grin."I was just wondering—does this special task come with a bonus?"
That casual comment made everyone's facial muscles twitch uncontrollably.
In Marine Headquarters, anyone with a rank cared about honor, merit, and service—not salary and bonuses.
To them, this kind of high-profile mission was a golden opportunity to gain prestige.
"You damn brat, must you always smell like money?" Sengoku scowled in mock exasperation and finally waved his hand."Fine. You'll get a bonus equivalent to a tenth of your monthly salary. Call it a welcome gift from Headquarters."
"As for anything else, don't even think about it. You were just happily trading blows with Akainu—I'm still wracking my brain over how to scrape together the funds to rebuild the main HQ building."
"Otherwise, next time you come back, there won't even be an office left for you to sit in!"
Looking at Sengoku, nearly red in the face, Luoyu decided it was time to stop pushing.
A tenth of a Vice Admiral's starting salary—at least 500,000 Beli, half a silver treasure chest's worth.
Asking a simple question had earned him that much—definitely not a bad deal.
Of course, Luoyu had thought about chasing bounties across the seas to quickly amass some capital.
Unfortunately, he had learned long ago that his system only recognized official salary and bonuses earned through clocking in and working.
Outside gains didn't count—not even bounties.
That's why he had spent a full year just to earn the million-Beli "Salary Honor" achievement.
"Haha! Luoyu, Sengoku's right," Garp laughed heartily, switching topics."Rebuilding HQ will cost several hundred million Beli, at least. Better not press your luck."
"Still, what's the mission, Sengoku?"
Even the other high-ranking officers leaned in, curious.
What kind of task warranted the personal involvement of the Navy's newest Admiral?
"Not long ago, the Straw Hat crew defeated Warlord Crocodile in Alabasta. To preserve the World Government's image, the official report states that Smoker and Headquarters' Captain Tashigi brought him down together."Sengoku took out a file he had long prepared, his tone serious.
"However, I'm concerned there may be an attempt to intercept the escort convoy en route. That's why I want you to personally ensure Crocodile is delivered safely to Impel Down."
Escorting Crocodile?
Luoyu was slightly surprised. He'd assumed the mission would be much more dangerous.
But in hindsight, perhaps he was overthinking it.
Ever since Shanks became one of the Four Emperors six years ago, balancing the powers of the New World, large-scale conflicts had become increasingly rare.
If not for Luffy's defeat of Crocodile, the sea would've remained eerily quiet.
"What's the matter? Any issues?"Sengoku raised an eyebrow.
Luoyu snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head."No issues, Fleet Admiral. I just didn't expect such a simple mission. That bonus almost feels undeserved."
"Haha! Don't get too comfortable, brat," Sengoku laughed."That's just the opening act. I've got something bigger lined up for you—I'm just waiting on confirmation. But be warned… once the real mission begins, you'll be stepping into a true lion's den."
"When that day comes, you might wish you never asked about that bonus."
Luoyu rolled his eyes.Old dogs really do know all the tricks.
As he watched Akainu walk away, a thought struck him.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, if I recall correctly, an Admiral's base monthly salary starts at 5 million Beli, with future increases based on merit and strength evaluations, correct?"
"So... does knocking an Admiral through a wall count toward a raise?"
Everyone froze.
Akainu, who had already walked nearly ten meters, stumbled and nearly fell face-first.
What was supposed to be a simple trial assessment…
Had now been tied to salary negotiations and turned into a public embarrassment.
Knocking an Admiral flying—anyone else would boast about it for the rest of their life.
But from Luoyu's mouth?
It sounded like he'd just filed a reimbursement form.
Akainu's shoulder twitched violently. The smoldering magma in his body exploded in a surge of fury as he roared:
"Luoyu, you damned brat! Are you saying my dignity is worth less than a handful of Beli?!"
"Come on! Pick a place! I'll duel you with my honor on the line and teach you how to respect your seniors properly!"
Molten magma surged skyward like a volcanic eruption.
The others were genuinely worried Luoyu would respond with something like:
"If I win, how much of a raise do I get?"
But Luoyu simply straightened his glasses and turned to leave with a wave.
"Been on the clock for an hour. It's break time now. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading out first."