CHAPTER 91

"A Voluntary Surrender"

A chaotic storm of thoughts surged in Spandam's mind. That ominous unease swelling in his chest had finally grown unbearable.

"You mean we're just going to stand here and watch? I'm telling you, something about this feels off!" he blurted out, his voice rising with panic.

"Off?" Igar's brows furrowed in displeasure. "Spandam, you're the chief commander of CP9. Surely, you understand that Donquixote Doflamingo isn't like the other Warlords of the Sea."

"If it were any of the others, we'd have no reason to hesitate. But Doflamingo is a former Celestial Dragon. That single fact makes all the difference. We can't act recklessly. If the Gorosei find out we moved against him without permission, even CP0 won't walk away unscathed."

He paused, then softened his tone. "Don't worry. We gave your father our word. We'll make good on it."

"This new Marine admiral and the Joker's men are now in a standoff. I doubt this'll end quickly. The safest move would be to report to Sengoku and wait for Marine reinforcements to arrive."

"In the meantime, we'll use this window to locate CP9's exact position. Even if the admiral doesn't manage to capture them himself, we'll ensure they don't slip away again."

Spandine nodded silently. Compared to his witless son, Spandine had climbed from CP9 to CP0 on his own merits. He knew how to read a situation.

And in this one, direct involvement would be a misstep.

He could only hope Igar's plan played out as smoothly as it sounded.

Seeing Spandine for once hold his tongue, Igar gave a satisfied nod and turned to his comrade.

"Iher, you're looking pale. Are you still recovering from the injuries three days ago?"

At the mention, Iher's face darkened.

The memory of that encounter aboard the Flying Six's ship still burned in his chest. CP0 had yet to act directly, and already they'd been nearly blown to bits. If not for his Devil Fruit ability, he'd be dead.

"Igar," Iher said gravely, "this guy… he's not normal. He won't care who the Warlords are. Don't forget—this is the man who dared defy a Yonko."

Igar's expression froze.

He reflexively turned his gaze to the calm, distant figure of Luo Yu.

"You say Warlords… what do they have to do with me?" Luo Yu's voice was mild, his words edged with chill.

"Apologies. But I'm here for someone—and you're in my way."

The entire plaza went rigid.

Even Pica's habitual smirk faltered.

Since his young master Doflamingo had ascended to the Warlord ranks, their crew had flaunted their privileges freely. Add to that Doflamingo's knowledge of the Celestial Dragons' darkest secrets, and not even the Gorosei dared to move against him recklessly.

And yet, this Marine Admiral hadn't spared them even a sliver of recognition.

He had dismissed their so-called "special status" without blinking.

Pica could hardly believe it.

This operation, after all, was more than just a cover-up—it was meant to serve as leverage in Doflamingo's upcoming negotiations with the Gorosei.

CP9 was the bargaining chip.

But now, Luo Yu had completely upended the plan.

Among the crowd of pirates, several figures—Athrit the Lion, Owl, Gabra—stood shrouded in cloaks. Behind them, Bruno carried an unconscious Rob Lucci, his face pale and bloodied.

From the crowd's edge, they stared in disbelief at the Marine Admiral's figure.

"Damn it!" Kalifa gritted her teeth. "Didn't Doflamingo promise to smuggle us to the New World? How the hell did our location get leaked?"

"Lucci's still unconscious. If we're caught here, we'll never make it out. Bruno, use your Door-Door Fruit and let's escape now."

"Gabra," Kalifa turned sharply, "didn't you say earlier you'd take command if Lucci fell? Why are you suddenly so quiet?"

Kaku and Bruno also turned to him, brows raised.

For someone who had always competed with Lucci for the title of CP9's strongest, Gabra's sudden silence was uncharacteristic.

"No… you're all thinking too simply," Gabra muttered. "That Marine Admiral… we've seen him before. He's ridiculously powerful. We won't escape. That's why—I have a bold proposal."

"A bold proposal?" the group echoed.

But before they could question him further, Gabra abruptly rushed forward.

The sudden movement stunned them.

They had gone to such lengths to conceal themselves—and now he was giving them away?

What was he thinking?

And then, as if on cue, Owl and Athrit followed.

The trio's appearance shattered the tense stalemate.

Pica stiffened.

He had been stalling, buying time to contact his master. But now, with CP9 suddenly exposing themselves, everything unraveled.

"CP9! What are you doing? Don't forget our agreement!" Pica roared.

"Shut up, Pica!" Gabra snapped. "We knew all along Doflamingo planned to sell us out to the Gorosei. We only agreed to use you for a distraction while we made our escape."

"You might be able to handle normal Marines or even CP agents—but this new Admiral is on another level. You can't stop him."

"We can't beat him. So we surrender!"

Gabra turned toward Luo Yu and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Admiral Luo Yu! We, CP9, formally surrender! Please—take us back to Marine Headquarters. Give us a chance to join the Marines!"

Dead silence.

The plaza went deathly quiet.

Everyone stood frozen in disbelief.

Even Luo Yu himself looked stunned.

Was what had happened at the Judicial Island really that terrifying?

Had it scared CP9 out of their minds?

Otherwise… why would they do something so insane?

He hadn't even made a move—and they were already surrendering.

No.

More accurately—they were pledging loyalty.

This had to be the ultimate example of "if you can't beat them, join them."

Isca and Ain, standing at Luo Yu's side, were dumbfounded.

This CP9 task force—once the top covert agents of the World Government, hunted relentlessly by the Marines—had just… handed themselves in?

Just like that?

In Admiral Luo Yu's hands, a mission that had stymied the entire government…

…had become a joke.