CHAPTER 187- The Price of Justice

"That'll cost extra?"

Dol's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.

Moments ago, Luo Yu's world-shaking slash had just elevated him to the level of an awe-inspiring, transcendent figure in Dol's eyes.

But now… that lofty image instantly crumbled beneath the stench of money.

Still, as he looked around at the seven or eight special combat assets gathered nearby, Dol couldn't help but let out a relieved laugh.

With personalities as wildly different as these… perhaps among the Four Admirals, only Luo Yu—the eccentric one—could actually unite such a motley crew.

And now, even the elusive Mokomo Dukedom, long elusive to the World Government, had become another asset aboard his ship.

Thinking about the great war on the horizon—the upcoming War at the Summit—Dol suddenly felt an unexpected sense of peace.

"Admiral Luo Yu, now that the kings of the Mokomo Dukedom have agreed to become special combat forces, and with only twenty days remaining until the date promised to Fleet Admiral Sengoku… should we begin our return voyage?"

"Return voyage?"

That one phrase immediately drew everyone's attention.

Even Fujitora and Aramaki looked over with interest.

After all, they too were wondering… had Luo Yu finally collected enough of his so-called "bonuses"?

"No," Luo Yu said with a smile, taking another swig of rustic shochu."Since there's still time, how could I pass up a chance to make Sengoku pay more?"

"Next, I want to make a trip to Wano Country."

"Wano Country?!"

Dol's expression froze. He quickly blurted out:

"Admiral Luo Yu, isn't that Kaido's territory? I doubt there's any more 'special combat forces' left to recruit from there!"

Fujitora and the others nodded silently.

In their view, Wano had been under Kaido's iron grip for so many years…

Surely by now, anyone strong enough to resist would have already been crushed—or absorbed into the Beast Pirates.

But before they could say anything more—

The just-upright Cat Viper and Dogstorm suddenly leapt forward with excitement.

"Admiral Luo Yu! We know that place like the back of our paw!"

"We just happen to know a few people we can—sell—uh, recommend for recruitment as special combat assets!"

Dol and the others were immediately stunned.

The enthusiasm on Cat Viper and Dogstorm's faces…

It suddenly felt like Sengoku's wallet was about to hemorrhage.

But seeing the other bizarrely powerful fighters gathered behind Luo Yu, Dol felt his scalp go numb.

If Luo Yu really succeeded in recruiting more from within Wano…

The number of special combat assets he collected might surpass ten—easily.

True, their power levels might vary, and not everyone was Yonko-tier…

But in this vast ocean, not everyone needed to be.

Just the forces Luo Yu had already amassed…

Dol was certain of one thing:

If Luo Yu abandoned the Marines right now and raised the Jolly Roger…

The world would instantly have a Fifth Emperor.

"A-Admiral Luo Yu," Dol couldn't help but ask softly,"Have you ever thought about leaving the Marines?"

Luo Yu raised a brow, glanced at Dol's conflicted face, and chuckled as he took another sip.

"Whether something is 'just' or 'unjust'… I couldn't care less."

"What I care about… is whether the Old Man Sengoku's willing to pay more."

"It's five o'clock now. That's the end of my shift. You all take a break here for a bit—once the weekend's over, we'll depart."

Leaving those words behind, Luo Yu slung his gourd of wine over his shoulder and walked away briskly.

Dol remained frozen in place, mind still reeling.

Beside him, Hina chuckled and said:

"Vice Admiral Dol, are you wondering if Admiral Luo Yu was joking just now?"

"Honestly, if he'd said anything else, I would have thought he was joking."

"But the moment he mentioned getting Sengoku to pay more… I believe him completely."

"Don't forget what he always says—he can go against anyone, except money."

"Especially… Sengoku's money."

Dol blinked—then suddenly burst into laughter.

Watching Luo Yu's silhouette disappear into the distance—

It all made sense now.

Five Days Later – New World, Beast Pirates' Domain

Atop a colossal island of sheer cliffs deep within Kaido's territory…

Tens of thousands of pirates had gathered.

Various flags fluttered wildly in the wind, but none could suppress the massive emblem at the center—the symbol of one of the Four Emperors: the Beast Pirates.

Within the harbor, a colossal battleship adorned with a massive dragon's head sat like a god among ants, surrounded by hundreds of smaller pirate ships.

On the vast deck, tens of thousands of pirates turned toward the massive seawall.

There, three gigantic figures stood tall, flanked by dozens of samurai.

Among them stood a stunning beauty with long, mint-green hair, dressed in the elegant garb of an oiran.

In front of her stood a grotesque figure with a face like a stone block—Kurozumi Orochi.

"Heh heh… Kaido, it's been years since you've made such a grand move."

"You've rallied seventy percent of the pirates in Wano, and another fifty, sixty thousand from the seas beyond—forming a force of nearly a hundred thousand!"

"This looks less like a battle… and more like a full-blown war of annihilation!"

Orochi cackled wildly.

"What's this? Planning to scare the Marines to death and take Marineford for yourself?"

"Oh, right—I heard the Navy declared war on two Yonko at once."

"Besides you, they also went after Whitebeard."

"Are they trying to surrender their territory or something? Because if so… I'm tempted too!"

Despite being Wano's shogun in name, Orochi was little more than a puppet.

But that didn't mean he lacked ambition—or information.

In fact, Kaido deliberately let Orochi play the villain, making his own role far easier to manage.

"Oh? Orochi, are you really tempted?"Quinn asked playfully, cigar dangling from his lips."If so, why don't you lend us your samurai? I'll take you with me for the fun."

Orochi's expression instantly stiffened.

"Heh, Quinn, you joker. I was just kidding!"

"Isn't it nice being Wano's shogun? Why would I want to go cause trouble out there?"

"With you all protecting me, that's the safest place I could be."

"But still… I did hear the Marines sent some new admiral running around the world recruiting these so-called 'special combat assets'. Sounds like a smokescreen to me!"