Half a day later, the two Marine warships continued sailing across the sea.
Aside from Lucas leisurely enjoying his afternoon tea, the members of CP9 had also been transferred aboard.
Tina and Smoker hadn’t even bothered putting handcuffs on them.
Instead, they simply tossed them into a corner of the deck.
After witnessing Lucas’s strength firsthand, however, Spandam and the others had completely lost their earlier arrogance.
They quietly shrank into a corner, making themselves as inconspicuous as possible.
"Chief Spandam..."
"What do we do now?"
Fukurou was the first to break the silence after unzipping his mouth.
"Wasn’t the Fourth Admiral supposed to be someone with ’Lucci’s potential’—someone only slightly stronger than Lucci?"
"Is Lucci really that strong?"
"Because... that Admiral seems way stronger."
Jabra and Kumadori both wore gloomy expressions, unable to find a response.
Grinding his teeth, Spandam said bitterly,
"No."
"I’ll find a way to settle this score."
"That guy is strong."
"But don’t forget—Lucci became famous long before he did."
"And Lucci is a Devil Fruit user."
"The fight happened too suddenly."
"Jabra never even had the chance to use his Devil Fruit."
"Otherwise, Lucas wouldn’t have won so easily."
Within CP9, Rob Lucci had always been recognized as their strongest operative.
Even so, Jabra and Kaku had constantly competed with him and were considered CP9’s other main combatants.
Hearing Spandam’s confidence in him, Jabra’s eyes lit up slightly.
Unfortunately, Fukurou spoke up again.
"It’s true Jabra didn’t use his Devil Fruit..."
"But..."
"The other guy didn’t even use his hands."
Silence fell over the corner.
For once...
No one could think of a single word to refute him.
"They really never learn, do they?"
Tina smiled—a rare sight.
"But that owl-looking guy actually made a good point."
"I rather like him."
"I never imagined the new Fourth Admiral would be such an unusual person."
"Hmph."
Smoker snorted.
"You’re still laughing?"
"Don’t forget what happened today."
"We still have to submit a report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"CP9 may have been in the wrong..."
"But if this isn’t handled properly, we’ll be held responsible as well."
The smile immediately disappeared from Tina’s face.
Rubbing her temples, she sighed.
"I don’t mind fighting pirates."
"But writing reports gives me a headache."
"Smoker..."
"Why don’t you write this one?"
"Me?"
Smoker nearly bit through his cigars again.
If he knew how to write reports...
He would have transferred to Marine Headquarters and become a Vice Admiral years ago.
Would he still be stuck as a captain in Loguetown after all this time?
"Commodore Tina... Commodore Smoker..."
Koby stepped forward, saluted properly, and handed over a document.
"Admiral Lucas already finished the report."
"It’s... a little brief."
"You can just send this one."
Tina and Smoker exchanged surprised looks.
Neither had expected Lucas to take the initiative.
If an Admiral had personally written the report...
No one would blame them for it.
But...
The instant they opened the report...
Both froze.
"A little brief?"
This wasn’t merely brief.
It was practically priceless in its economy of words.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host. You have successfully completed your first escort mission while checked in as an Admiral.
Bonus Reward: 500,000-Berry Performance Bonus.
Current System Currency: 1,100,000.
The familiar system notification echoed inside Lucas’s mind.
His eyebrows rose slightly.
Even his afternoon tea paused midway.
The extra 500,000 Berries had been something he fully expected to receive.
What surprised him was that the system had already judged the mission complete.
They hadn’t even reached the Red Line yet.
Still...
The reward had already been deposited.
Looking at his 1,100,000 System Currency, Lucas immediately became interested.
Ever since the system upgraded from Bronze Treasure Chests to Silver Treasure Chests...
He had never opened one.
Previously, he had only just barely met the exchange requirement.
Now...
He could finally afford it.
Unfortunately...
His 5,000,000-Berry monthly salary wouldn’t be paid until the end of the month.
Otherwise...
He would have gone on a spending spree.
Even so...
Looking at the exchange requirement now within reach...
Lucas decided to gamble.
"System."
"Can I exchange for a Silver Treasure Chest now?"
Ding!
Host currently possesses 1,100,000 System Currency.
Exchange requirements met.
Exchange now?
Lucas’s eyes lit up.
Without the slightest hesitation, he answered,
"Exchange immediately."
Ding!
Please wait, Host.
Ding!
1,000,000 System Currency deducted successfully.
Congratulations! You have obtained one Silver Treasure Chest.
Silver Treasure Chest Drop Rates:
70% chance: Rewards from the current world.30% chance: Rewards from another world.
The rarer the reward, the lower its drop rate.
Good luck, Host! May fortune smile upon your opening!
The corners of Lucas’s mouth twitched.
Everything had sounded exciting...
Right up until that final sentence.
It instantly reminded him of countless loot-box scams back on Earth.
Still...
Looking at the gleaming Silver Treasure Chest floating inside his consciousness...
He took a deep breath.
Then he made up his mind.
After all...
He had always believed in one thing.
A single draw can create a miracle.
One draw is all it takes.
He only had one Silver Treasure Chest.
But...
Maybe...
Just maybe...
This would be the miracle.
"System."
"Open the Silver Treasure Chest."
Ding!
Please wait, Host.
Ding!
Silver Treasure Chest successfully opened...
A brilliant golden light burst forth inside his consciousness.
As Lucas stared at the opened chest...
Listening to the system notification echoing in his ears...
He froze.
He was...
Very familiar with whatever had just appeared.