[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 526 - 530

Chapter 526: Nami - Be Good and Play Your Cards

At Fleet Admiral Sengoku's invitation, everyone gathered for lunch at his residence in Marine Headquarters.

Luffy had thoughtfully brought Ain, Kujaku, and Hina to help with the preparations, which proved to be a blessing. Without their assistance, the meal would have been impossible to manage with so many voracious eaters present.

Sengoku barely had time to cook as he watched Luffy and Vice Admiral Garp devour everything in sight, their appetites seemingly endless as they competed for portions. The other Marines looked on with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as plates emptied at an alarming rate.

"Oi, Luffy! Save some for the rest of us!" Garp bellowed with a mouth full of food, reaching across the table to snatch a piece of meat from his grandson's plate.

"No way! Get your own, Gramps!" Luffy retorted, stretching his arm to grab more food from a distant platter before anyone else could reach it.

After the hearty lunch concluded, everyone expressed their gratitude and prepared to depart. As promised by Sengoku, they would all have three days to rest and recuperate before returning to their duties.

It was an unexpectedly perfect opportunity for relaxation, especially after Admiral Akainu had gotten drunk and fallen asleep in a corner chair, his intimidating presence temporarily nullified by the effects of sake.

Vice Admiral Garp, Instructor Zephyr, and Vice Admiral Tsuru remained behind, apparently planning to enjoy afternoon tea with Sengoku before dinner. Their laughter echoed through the house as they settled in for an extended stay.

Luffy, Ain, Hina, Kujaku, and Vice Admiral Gion bid farewell to the senior officers and made their way toward the exit.

Since it was a rare chance to be back at Marine Headquarters, Luffy planned to visit his personal quarters first—his "little nest," as he affectionately called it.

Vice Admiral Gion still had administrative matters to attend to, and her relationship with Luffy was somewhat complicated. She chose to maintain a professional distance while at Headquarters, conscious of appearances and protocol.

"I'll see you all tomorrow," Gion said with a polite smile as they reached Luffy's residence. She gave a casual wave before turning to leave, her cape billowing gently in the afternoon breeze.

Luffy led the women into his long-missed villa, a spacious residence befitting his rank in this alternate timeline. He pushed open the door with a satisfying click.

"Ahhh~ I'm finally back~~" he exclaimed joyfully, carelessly kicking off his shoes and rushing into the entrance hall. The familiar decorations and furnishings brought a broad smile to his face as he stretched his arms enthusiastically.

Ain, following close behind, shook her head with a helpless smile at his childlike excitement. She bent down to neatly arrange the shoes he had haphazardly discarded. Together with Hina and Kujaku, she changed into house slippers before entering.

"Some things never change," Hina remarked with a fond sigh. "Luffy-kun still acts like a child sometimes."

"That's part of his charm, isn't it?" Kujaku responded, with a small smile.

Inside the villa, the women who had remained at home were just finishing their meal, lounging about as they digested their food.

Kalifa, Olivia and Nami were engaged in an intense card game at the dining table, both down to their final cards and sensing victory. Scattered around the living room, others relaxed in small groups, some daydreaming while others joined in different card games.

The only exceptions were the unfortunate Yamato and Viola—Yamato had dozed off while washing dishes in the kitchen, and Viola was finishing the chore in her place.

When Luffy's voice echoed through the house, Nami immediately brightened. With a mischievous grin, she tossed her losing hand of cards onto the table, much to the annoyance of her opponents, and scampered toward him on bare feet.

"You guys are back~" she called out excitedly, her orange hair bouncing as she approached. "How did it go? Has the appointment as admiral been announced?!"

Her question immediately captured everyone's attention. Even Olivia and Kalifa, who were on the verge of winning their game, temporarily suppressed their frustration and listened intently.

Luffy welcomed Nami, dressed in a white miniskirt and light blouse, into his arms with a warm embrace. He smiled affectionately and gently ran his fingers through her long orange hair.

"How could it happen that quickly?" he explained cheerfully. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku only informed me verbally for now. To officially become an admiral, I need to travel to the Holy Land of Mariejois and receive approval from the Five Elders."

Nami lifted her head from Luffy's chest, her pretty eyebrows furrowing slightly in displeasure. She pouted and complained, "What? Can't those five old geezers come here themselves? Why do you have to make another trip?"

With a hint of mischief, Luffy pinched Nami's pouting pink lips between two fingers. Realizing her dissatisfaction, she squirmed in protest, her small fist playfully punching his chest several times before he finally released her.

"Haha, if they didn't make things unnecessarily complicated, how would they show they're in charge?" Luffy chuckled sarcastically. He let go of Nami and continued with an indifferent shrug, "It's fine. I'll rest for two days, then make the trip myself. I'll try to go and return on the same day. That way, I won't have to stay in that stuffy place for too long and feel sick."

After discussing his plans for the next two days—particularly mentioning his intention to have Mansherry examine Zephyr's condition—Luffy headed to his bedroom to freshen up.

The women greeted each other warmly before Ain, Hina, and Kujaku retreated to their respective rooms to change into more comfortable attire. At home, loose clothing was preferred for relaxation.

As they dispersed one by one, the living room fell into a brief silence. The remaining women exchanged meaningful glances, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts and calculations.

At that moment, Viola emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands on a small towel. She observed the unusual quiet that had descended upon the normally lively room.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke softly, breaking the silence, "Well, you guys talk first. I have something important to discuss with Luffy."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried toward Luffy's room and closed the door behind her with a decisive click.

Nami, who had returned to shuffling the deck of cards at the table, glanced at the suddenly deflated expressions of the other women. With a knowing smirk, she couldn't resist the urge to tease them.

"Haha, everyone likes to pretend to be innocent, right?" she said with playful sarcasm. "We've been together for such a long time—who are you trying to fool? What's this? Now that the opportunity has been snatched away, you all look so disappointed! Hah! You're all just hesitant cowards!"

Faced with Nami's blunt attack, the women's faces contorted with annoyance, turning various shades of green and red. They glared at her with irritation, grinding their teeth in frustration.

Nami showed no sign of backing down, returning their glares with contemptuous provocation of her own, a victorious smile playing on her lips.

Yamato, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the corner, leaned forward with genuine curiosity and asked innocently, "What are you all talking about? Who's a coward? Tell me so I can laugh at them too!"

The women fell silent, exchanging awkward glances.

Nami rolled her eyes and replied, "Be good. Adults are talking—kids should stay out of it. Just play your cards."

Yamato's expression shifted to confusion, her head tilting to one side. "???"

Chapter 527: King Riku Abdicates, The Queen is Jealous

Luffy lay comfortably on his bed with Viola nestled in his arms, entering what he called his "Clarity Time"—moments of peace where he could think clearly about important matters.

"You were so eager to find me," he said, stroking her hair gently. "Has your father been persuaded about our plan?"

Viola rested her head contentedly on his strong chest, her expression one of satisfaction and relief. Hearing his question, she nuzzled against him like a docile kitten and replied softly:

"Yes, Father has made his decision, and Rebecca can finally rest easy. Moreover, he plans to abdicate within the next two years. He hopes I can learn from him during this transition period and be prepared to take over the throne when the time comes."

According to Luffy and Viola's previous discussions, they had unanimously decided to relocate the Kingdom of Dressrosa to the vicinity of Wano Country, creating a powerful alliance in that region of the New World. This decision had recently been approved by Viola's father, King Riku Dold III of Dressrosa.

What Luffy hadn't anticipated was King Riku's intention to retire and pass the crown to his daughter. He wasn't sure whether to interpret this as political wisdom or overthinking on the king's part.

Regardless, Luffy wasn't particularly interested in the throne itself. His primary concerns were securing Dressrosa's resources and the skillful labor of the Tontatta dwarfs for his broader plans.

"What exactly does your father mean by this?" Luffy questioned, his brow furrowing slightly. "Does he think that I, his son-in-law, am eager to claim his position, so he's planning to abdicate early? If that's the case, it's unnecessary. I have no interest in becoming king or anything like that."

Viola raised her head to look at him directly, her dark eyes reflecting both amusement and mild irritation. She playfully patted his chest with her hand and said with mock indignation:

"What are you implying? Do you think Dressrosa is too small and insignificant for your ambitions? Do you look down on us?"

Her eyes narrowed teasingly as she continued, "Don't think I don't know about that princess fiancée you still haven't collected from somewhere in Paradise. Hehe, Alabasta is powerful, with vast lands and a population of tens of millions, making it one of the largest countries in the world. Compared to Dressrosa's mere hundred thousand citizens, I suppose we must seem rather unimpressive to you."

Luffy burst into laughter at Viola's pouting and teasing complaints. Her jealousy, though playful, was evident in her tone.

"Oh my! I haven't said anything yet, and you're already getting defensive," he teased back, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "What's this? Do you feel inferior to Vivi? No way! Are you seriously comparing yourself to her? The entire country of Dressrosa combined probably isn't as large as Alubarna, their capital city. How bold of you to make such a comparison!"

Unable to resist the temptation to provoke her further, Luffy deliberately targeted Viola's sensitive spot, his words hitting with the precision of a skilled marksman.

Viola had initially intended to be playful and simply joke with Luffy. However, under his relentless teasing, her pretend annoyance gradually transformed into genuine irritation, her emotional defenses crumbling.

"Oh! How DARE you!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing crimson.

She abruptly rolled away from him and rose from the bed in one fluid motion. Grabbing a nearby pillow, she began assaulting him with it, each strike punctuated by her growing frustration.

"The people of our country deserve better than your mockery!" she declared, her voice rising. "Why don't you go find your precious Alabasta princess and ask HER to move her country here instead?!"

Her agitation increased with each word, until finally she discarded the ineffective pillow and resorted to playfully biting his chest in mock fury.

"I'm so annoyed with you! I could just—just—argh!"

Luffy, thoroughly amused by her tantrum, placed his hands behind his head and observed her with a satisfied smile. Noticing that her biting hadn't left any marks despite her best efforts, he simply reached out and gently pushed her down onto the bed beside him.

"Look at you getting all worked up over a little joke," he said with affection in his voice. "Come now, have a drink and calm yourself. One gulp—and no cheating by taking tiny sips."

Viola puffed her lips in continued annoyance, rolling her eyes dramatically. She mentally lamented that she lacked sharp canine teeth; otherwise, she would definitely teach this shameless man a proper lesson.

After a moment of shared laughter, Luffy placed his hands behind his head again and lay back in a relaxed position. He gazed admiringly at the ornate ceiling above, momentarily lost in its artistic details.

Of course, his appreciation for architecture was secondary to the matter at hand. Returning to their discussion about Dressrosa, he provided Viola with a clear answer that seemed to reassure her.

"When I return from this promotion ceremony as the new admiral, I'll help relocate Dressrosa as we planned," he stated firmly. "As for King Riku, if he wishes to retire, then so be it. It would be beneficial if you could learn from him for the next few years, but let me make one thing perfectly clear—"

He turned to face her, his expression suddenly more serious.

"You cannot abandon your position in the Intelligence Department. Even while managing royal duties, you must complete your assignments, even if you're working remotely."

Viola responded by delivering a playful slap to his thigh, her earlier anger now completely dissipated. She appeared ready to say something in response, but as she had just taken a bite of fruit from the bedside table, her words were unintelligible.

Luffy simply assumed she was agreeing with his terms. He reached out to ruffle her smooth, long hair affectionately, a smile playing on his lips as he mentioned two "ministers" they would need to appoint.

"Let's hurry and finish our session," he said softly. "We should rejoin the others soon."

Chapter 528: Quarrel and Luffy's Reprimand

For the next days, Luffy barely managed to rest at all.

It wasn't just because Marine Headquarters had organized a rare large-scale banquet in anticipation of his promotion. More significantly, he had accumulated so many friends and mentors throughout his career that he was thoroughly exhausted from visiting and maintaining connections with them daily.

"Okay, okay, no need to see me off," Luffy insisted with a polite smile to his latest visitor. "My quarters are only a few steps away. Please, go back to yours."

The aging officer—whose personal rank wasn't particularly high, but whose family had produced six rear adimiral over four generations—clasped Luffy's hand warmly.

"Very well, I won't insist," he replied with a knowing smile. "Take care, and I'll be sure to invite you for drinks with some of my colleagues when the opportunity arises."

"I'll certainly look forward to it," Luffy responded, maintaining his respectful demeanor. "Until next time."

After bidding farewell, Luffy walked a reasonable distance before allowing himself to exhale a long, weary sigh of relief.

"Phew! That should be the last one in the officers' villa district," he muttered to himself, mentally counting the day's social obligations. "Twenty-seven visits today alone."

He couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and exhaustion. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku had to respect this particular veteran's influence, and somehow Luffy had gained his favor.

"I know so many important people now," he mused with a chuckle. "At least I won't have any trouble securing those advanced transponder snails for our secure communications network."

He carefully tucked away the thick stack of contact information he'd accumulated—names, Den Den Mushi numbers, and personal notes about powerful government officials and influential figures throughout the World Government's territories.

With his social duties finally complete, Luffy felt a wave of relaxation wash over him. He headed homeward, whistling cheerfully.

The moment he stepped through his front door, Yamato's familiar boisterous voice reached his ears.

"Help! I'm going to die! Kalifa, stop attacking that player and save me first!!"

Kalifa's voice followed immediately, sounding tense and focused as though she were in the midst of an actual battle rather than a game.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" she shouted back, clearly distracted. "Crawl into that corner and hide for a few seconds while I finish off this bastard!"

Her words were punctuated by furious curses and the frantic clicking of keyboard and mouse buttons.

Luffy recognized the commotion immediately. They were playing the new multiplayer competitive battle royale game recently released by Olive Company called "Survivor." It had earned its name from the gameplay mechanic where defeated players would lie incapacitated on the ground, requiring teammates to revive them.

Despite being released only two days ago, the game had clearly captured the full attention of his household, judging by the emotional investment of the women—not just Yamato and Kalifa, but apparently their two other who had been eliminated early in the match.

"Dammit!" Kalifa shouted in frustration. "I've never been able to beat Gaia! That player has to be cheating!"

Yamato's voice rose in pitch. "I told you to save me first! Then we could have taken her down together, two against one!"

"Do any of you actually understand how to play as a team?" Olivia chimed in, her tone dripping with disappointment. "Why would four people jump to four completely different locations on the map? Have you never heard of unity and cooperation?"

Nami scoffed audibly. "Says the rookie who gets eliminated the moment her feet touch the ground! There's no point coordinating with you! You might as well follow my strategy—grab a rifle and a combat knife, hide in the bushes, and channel your inner sniper. You'll definitely survive longer than your current record of thirty seconds!"

As their bickering escalated from playful teasing to genuine frustration, Luffy noticed another gaming station across the room where Ain and Hina were quietly leading their own team through what appeared to be a flawlessly executed operation.

Luffy felt his patience wearing thin. After days of diplomatic exhaustion, the last thing he needed was to listen to novice players arguing over basic tactics. Part of him wanted to take control and personally demonstrate how the game should be played.

"Just play, play, play!" he finally erupted, stepping in front of the large screen where the quarreling group sat. "Have any of you completed today's training regimen? Or are you just going to play games all day? Do you want to face consequences for neglecting your duties?"

He turned specifically toward Olivia, his expression stern as he continued his reprimand:

"While all the senior Marine officers are gathered at Headquarters, why are you holed up in your room instead of networking with them? Don't you want to advance your career? If you don't progress, how will we maintain our position in the future?"

Olivia pouted in dissatisfaction, muttering under her breath, "My subordinates have already handled all the official business. Why do I need to engage in political maneuvering?"

"Oh? You dare talk back? That's borderline insubordination," Luffy retorted, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "You think you're in the right? Let's see how stubborn you remain after discipline."

As he spoke, Luffy began unfastening his belt in a threatening manner, as though preparing to administer immediate punishment.

Seeing this, Olivia instantly surrendered, dropping her keyboard and mouse with a yelp before ducking behind Yamato for protection.

Luffy gave a satisfied snort before shifting his disapproving gaze to Yamato, who—rather than appearing intimidated—looked almost eager, her eyes widening with anticipation.

Noticing this, Luffy promptly rebuckled his belt and changed tactics.

"What are you looking at?" he demanded, crossing his arms. "You've misbehaved and still expect a reward? Keep dreaming! Get out of here and practice your combat techniques. When you can perform Thunder Bagua with Conqueror's Haki ten thousand times consecutively, then I'll consider giving you a treat."

Upon hearing this impossible demand, Yamato's expression shifted to dismay, her eyes bulging in disbelief.

'Is he a demon?' she thought to herself. 'How could anyone accomplish such a ridiculous task? Does this mean he never plans to reward me again?'

Her thoughts turned to Kaido, her late father. 'Even that demon wasn't this strict with training requirements!'

But Luffy appeared oblivious to her pleading eyes as he turned his attention to Kalifa, Nami, and Gion, delivering similar reprimands until he felt his authority had been sufficiently reestablished.

"Since you all seem to have nothing better to do than play games all day without leaving the house, I'll assign you some actual tasks," he announced, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Luffy began calling names, assigning responsibilities with the authority of a natural leader.

"Ain, Hina, Nami, and Kalifa—you'll be recruiting talented Marines from Headquarters under the authority of the G-66 Branch. Regardless of age or current rank, if they possess abilities and skills that would benefit us, approach them for recruitment."

He gestured emphatically as he continued, "Don't hold back—if someone shows interest, whether they're a new recruit or even a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral stationed at Headquarters, I promise to secure their transfer from Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally!"

The women nodded obediently, clearly taking their assignment seriously after witnessing Luffy's earlier display of authority.

Luffy then turned toward the others. "Kujaku, escort Mansherry and Zephyr to the medical facility. After that, take charge of Yamato and Viola's training regimen. You have full discretion over their exercises—just keep them productive and away from distractions."

Kujaku, seated on the sofa, blinked her large eyes innocently. Unlike the others, she hadn't even had the opportunity to join the game, yet Luffy had assigned her tasks all the same.

Ignoring her pleading expression, Luffy pointed directly at Olivia. "Via!"

"Y-yes?!" she responded, startled by his sharp tone.

Olivia, still recovering from her earlier scolding, tensed visibly when her name was called again. Fortunately, Luffy had raised his voice merely to command attention, not to continue his reprimand.

"Don't just sit there—visit your former department and recruit some scientists. You know better than anyone what kind of talents we need and who might be available, so I won't micromanage. The same conditions apply—once you identify potential recruits, I'll handle the administrative details."

Olivia nodded repeatedly, raising four fingers of her right hand in a solemn pledge that she would work diligently to secure valuable personnel from the Science Division.

Finally, Luffy's gaze settled on Vice Admiral Gion, who was casually lounging on the sofa, watching the proceedings with amusement. She wore a form-fitting pink silk nightgown that left little to the imagination.

"Vice Admiral Gion," Luffy addressed her with calculated formality, "surely you don't think you're exempt from responsibility while you're here?"

When addressed, Gion tilted her head quizzically, as though three large question marks had appeared above it.

"What does any of this have to do with me?" she protested with feigned innocence. "I finally managed to visit you today, and you're already giving me orders?"

Luffy responded with a knowing chuckle. "Not orders, of course. After all, I'm not even an admiral yet—how could I presume to command an Admiral candidate like yourself?"

His expression turned sly as he continued, "I merely thought you should know that before I departed, Boa Hancock promised me she would master Conqueror's Haki infusion by the time I returned. If she wasn't exaggerating, it might significantly affect the power balance within our organization."

Hearing this, Gion sat bolt upright, her relaxed demeanor instantly vanishing.

"What?! That narcissistic woman actually claimed that?" she exclaimed in disbelief. "Who gave her the confidence to master such an advanced technique in such a short time? Impossible—absolutely impossible! I refuse to believe it!"

Gion shook her head vehemently in denial while Luffy maintained his enigmatic smile, offering no further explanation.

They stared at each other for a long moment before Gion finally broke the standoff.

"Damn that snake princess! She thinks she's so special just because she was born with Conqueror's Haki," she muttered, rising to her feet. "I need to find that Vampire Fruit right away. When I return, I'll show her who's truly worthy of respect!"

With that declaration, she stood up and prepared to rush out immediately.

"Stop right there!" Luffy commanded, halting her in her tracks. "Come back here."

He gestured toward her inappropriate attire with an exasperated expression, then gently pushed her toward the bedroom.

"You're really brave enough to go out dressed like that? Go change into something suitable first!"

Only then did Gion recognize the problem. With a flush of embarrassment, she gathered her discarded uniform and hurried into Luffy's bedroom to change.

Once everyone had composed themselves, Luffy addressed the assembled women, waving his hand dismissively.

"Alright, let's get moving. Remember to keep an eye on our teammate—Cook, Zoro, and the others. Don't let them wander off unsupervised."

"Understood!" they responded in unison, their earlier resistance completely forgotten.

As the group began to disperse, Yamato looked at Luffy, who appeared to be preparing to leave as well.

"Hey, Luffy," she called out curiously, "if we're all going to be busy with assignments, what about you? Are you doing more social calls?"

Luffy, already at the entrance and slipping on his leather shoes, answered casually without looking up:

"Oh, I forgot to mention—I need to travel to Mariejois later today. I likely won't be back in time for dinner."

The women responded with a collective gasp of surprise.

"Ehhhhh?!"

Chapter 529: Mission Assignment, Departure to Mariejois

"What do you mean you're going to Mariejois?" Nami demanded, her voice rising with concern. She hurried toward the entrance where Luffy was preparing to depart. "Wasn't that scheduled for tomorrow?"

Luffy shrugged nonchalantly as he adjusted the collar of his Marine coat. "Plans change. I received a message from Sengoku while I was out—the Five Elders have requested my presence earlier than anticipated."

"Will you be going alone?" Hina inquired, her normally stoic expression betraying a hint of concern.

Luffy nodded. "For this particular occasion, yes. It's customary for admiral candidates to appear before the Five Elders unaccompanied. Shows strength of character, or so they claim."

He paused, noticing their growing unease, and his expression softened. "Come now, why the long faces? This is a formality—a necessary step toward my promotion. I'll be back before you know it."

"You'd better be," Nami warned, crossing her arms. "We had plans for tomorrow."

"And those plans remain unchanged," Luffy assured her, reaching out to gently tap her nose. "I'll complete this business quickly and return. The Five Elders may control much of the world, but they don't control my schedule—not entirely, anyway."

His confident demeanor seemed to alleviate some of their concerns, though not all.

"Should we prepare anything for your journey?" Ain asked practically.

Luffy considered for a moment. "Actually, yes. Kalifa, could you prepare a small briefcase with the relevant documents we discussed last week? The ones regarding our organizational structure and expansion proposals."

Kalifa nodded sharply. "I'll have them ready in five minutes."

As she hurried off to gather the materials, Luffy addressed the others again. "While I'm away, continue with your assignments as planned. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our position within the Marines."

He lowered his voice slightly, his expression growing more serious. "Remember—we're building something important here. Every talented individual you recruit, every connection you strengthen, brings us one step closer to our ultimate goal."

The women nodded in understanding, their earlier lethargy replaced by newfound purpose.

Kujaku approached with a small package wrapped in cloth. "I prepared this earlier—some provisions for your journey. I know how you get when you're hungry."

Luffy accepted the package with genuine appreciation. "Always thinking ahead—thank you."

Kalifa returned promptly with a sleek, black briefcase. "All the documents are organized as requested, with additional copies should they be required."

"Perfect," Luffy nodded, taking the case. "I knew I could count on you."

With his preparations complete, Luffy moved toward the door once more, but hesitated, turning back to address them one final time.

"One more thing—while I'm gone, continue your training regimens without exception. I expect progress reports when I return."

Despite the authoritative tone, his eyes twinkled with good humor. "And perhaps try to improve your gaming strategies as well. That performance earlier was embarrassing."

This elicited a mixture of indignant protests and reluctant laughter from the group.

As Luffy finally stepped outside, Gion—now properly dressed in her Vice Admiral uniform—called after him.

"Give my regards to the old men! Tell them if they need someone to replace you when you inevitably say something inappropriate, I'm available!"

Luffy's laughter echoed back as he departed. "I'll be sure to mention it!"

The women watched his retreating figure until he disappeared from view, the weight of his unexpected journey settling over them.

"Well," Nami said finally, breaking the silence, "you heard the man. We have work to do."

Ain nodded in agreement. "Let's divide into our assigned groups and begin immediately. The sooner we accomplish our tasks, the better prepared we'll be for his return."

As they dispersed to their respective duties, Yamato lingered momentarily, her gaze still fixed on the empty doorway.

"Mariejois," she murmured thoughtfully. "I wonder what those Five Elders really want with him..."

"Nothing good, most likely," Olivia replied quietly, appearing beside her. "But if anyone can handle them, it's Luffy."

Yamato's expression brightened slightly. "You're right about that. Come on—I have ten thousand Thunder Baguas to practice."

Chapter 530: The Celestial Dragons Have Become Gaming Addict

The Red Line is a massive, ring-shaped continent that intersects with the Grand Line. Together, they divide the world's oceans into four distinct regions: East Blue, West Blue, North Blue, and South Blue.

Two critical junctures exist where these geographic marvels intersect.

The first is Reverse Mountain, the treacherous entrance that all sailors must navigate to enter the Grand Line from any of the four Blues.

The second intersection lies halfway around the world—a formidable obstacle that marks the boundary between Paradise and the New World.

This location also serves as the headquarters of the World Government and the sacred domain of Mariejois, home to the privileged Celestial Dragons.

It is only here in Mariejois that these self-proclaimed world nobles would deign to remove their ridiculous bubble helmets, breathing what they considered the rarified air that only gods and their servants were worthy of inhaling.

Strangely, something had changed in this elevated city. In the past, these Celestial Dragons would frequently parade around Mariejois, escorting acquaintances on tours to flaunt their extensive slave collections and opulent lifestyles.

But today, the streets of Mariejois were eerily quiet, with barely any nobles in sight.

Along the normally bustling avenues, only a handful of slaves shuffled about, heavy chains around their necks as they meticulously swept the streets to maintain the holy land's pristine appearance. A few pairs of armored guards conducted their routine patrols, while government officials and agents hurried past, focused on their various missions.

Beyond these sparse signs of life, the entire Holy Land seemed deserted—not a single Celestial Dragon could be spotted in the open.

As a disciplined unit of Holy Land guards, clad in ornate iron armor and wielding ceremonial spears, carried out their patrol along the main boulevard, a sudden bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky, landing directly in front of their formation.

"Intruder!" the patrol captain shouted, immediately raising his spear and signaling his men to advance toward the impact site. "Defensive positions!"

His well-trained guards responded instantly, efficiently forming a tight circle around the area where the mysterious lightning had touched down.

As the blinding electric light dissipated, a tall, handsome man in an immaculate white suit emerged from the fading glow. Despite his imposing stature and powerful build, his face retained a hint of youthful mischief as he surveyed his surroundings.

A gentle breeze swept through the street, causing the white Marine cloak of justice draped over his shoulders to flutter majestically.

The patrol captain visibly relaxed when he recognized the familiar insignia, his eyes quickly scanning the newcomer's features. As realization dawned, the captain's body froze momentarily before he hastily lowered his weapon and dropped into a formal bow, his men following suit.

"Vice Admiral Luffy! We sincerely apologize for our discourtesy. Please forgive our hasty reaction to your unexpected arrival."

Luffy, who had been curiously examining the unusually empty streets, shifted his attention to the guards prostrating themselves before him. He couldn't help but feel slightly impressed by their quick recognition.

As expected of those who serve in the Holy Land, he thought. Their survival instincts are remarkably sharp.

"No need for apologies," Luffy replied with a casual wave. "I should be the one apologizing for my dramatic entrance. But tell me—is this really Mariejois? Where are all the Celestial Dragons? I haven't seen a single one since my arrival."

Upon hearing this question, the patrol captain bowed even lower, internally groaning at the awkward situation.

What terrible timing! the captain lamented silently. Why did this famous officer have to appear today of all days? If he's offended by the lack of proper reception, our heads will roll. And if we're not careful with how we speak about the Celestial Dragons, that could be even worse!

As a mere guard, he naturally wouldn't dare risk offending Luffy—the young Marine who had recently defeated Emperor-level pirates and whose meteoric rise through the ranks had captivated the attention of the entire world.

After a brief moment of internal panic, the captain carefully answered Luffy's inquiry.

"I assure you, Vice Admiral, this is indeed the Holy Land of Mariejois. It's just that, thanks to your contributions, the Celestial Dragons have recently discovered the joys of computer gaming. They've been spending most of their time indoors lately, engrossed in their new entertainment."

Luffy's expression immediately shifted to one of genuine interest, his eyebrows rising in surprise.

He had merely been making casual conversation and honestly couldn't care less about the activities of those he privately considered parasites. But the revelation that they had become addicted to games—perhaps the very ones developed by his company—was unexpected and rather amusing.

"Is that so?" Luffy replied, unable to suppress a small smile. "I'm honored that the Celestial Dragons have taken a liking to our technology. When I return to headquarters, I'll instruct the developers at Olive Company to design some exclusive games specifically for their enjoyment."

It was rare for Luffy to express even feigned interest in the affairs of the Celestial Dragons, but the irony of the situation wasn't lost on him. There was a certain poetic justice in using the wealth extracted from these self-proclaimed gods to fund operations that would ultimately undermine their authority.

With a warm smile that masked his true thoughts, Luffy continued, "I've come specifically to pay my respects to the Five Elders. Would you be kind enough to inform them of my arrival and guide me to their castle?"

"Of course, Vice Admiral! It would be our honor," the captain responded promptly, visibly relieved that the dangerous moment had passed without incident.

Luffy's approachable demeanor and lack of arrogance had put the captain at ease. Unlike some high-ranking officers who delighted in making life difficult for subordinates, this young vice admiral seemed refreshingly reasonable, considering his reputation.

Without delay, the captain dispatched one of his men to deliver news of Luffy's arrival, while he personally escorted the vice admiral toward Pangaea Castle—the central fortress of Mariejois where the Five Elders and other high-ranking World Government officials conducted their business.