"Of course. Before Vice-Captain Shirogai Yamikuro is granted the title of Seven Warlords of the Sea, there's one last requirement from the World Government."
Brannew looked directly at Shirogai, his expression calm but firm.
"You must challenge one of the Four Emperors… and leave the battlefield alive. The World Government doesn't care about the result, only that you survive. This will prove that you have the strength to contend with an Emperor."
At those words, the expressions of the Straw Hat crew changed drastically.
Nami clutched her head, mouth wide open. "Challenge one of the Four Emperors?! Are you serious? That's suicide!"
Usopp turned pale, his knees trembling. "The Four Emperors? The Pirate Emperors?! Shirogai, don't agree to this! I've got a deadly disease that triggers when I even think about an Emperor!"
Zoro, on the other hand, leaned on his sword with a grin. "The Four Emperors? Sounds like a fight worth having."
Sanji flicked the ash off his cigarette with indifference. "A clever move by the World Government. Once we've made enemies of the Emperors, there's no going back. They're boxing us into a corner."
Chopper turned to Luffy, tilting his head curiously. "Luffy, who are the Four Emperors?"
Luffy grinned. "They're the four strongest pirates besides the Pirate King, right? I know one of 'em!"
"Oh, I see."
Shirogai smiled. "Challenging the Four Emperors, huh? A fitting test. Pirates who survive such an encounter often go on to become legends. Those who don't… well, their bones feed the sea."
Brannew remained composed despite the Straw Hats' reaction. "It's just a test. The World Government only grants the title of Shichibukai to those who are strong enough to deserve it."
He added with a slight smile, "Honestly, we have full confidence in Vice-Captain Shirogai, 'The Plunderer'. You simply set out at sea too recently and haven't yet shaken the world. This challenge will elevate your prestige. It benefits you just as much as it does us. I trust you understand."
"I do. Of course I do."
Shirogai smiled, but his eyes remained cold. "And what exactly do I gain in return? Is it just the title of Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Shirogai!"
The Straw Hats looked at him in surprise.
His words hinted that he was seriously considering the offer.
Brannew was thrilled. It seemed Shirogai was intrigued. Now, the pirate would likely ask for a few terms—a natural part of any negotiation.
He nodded slowly. "Naturally, you may make additional requests. I'm not authorized to negotiate directly, but the higher-ups are waiting on the Den Den Mushi."
Brannew pulled out a small, dark-gold Den Den Mushi and placed it delicately on the table.
"You may use a private room to speak with them. They ask that no one else be involved in the discussion."
As he said this, his gaze drifted toward the Straw Hats—his meaning clear.
"Hey!" Nami snapped. "What do you mean 'no one else'? We're his companions!"
"Exactly!" Usopp shouted. "Shirogai would never abandon us for some private deal!"
But to their shock, Shirogai picked up the Den Den Mushi and smiled. "Alright."
Thud.
Usopp dropped like a sack of bricks.
He scrambled up, wide-eyed. "Shirogai, you—"
Shirogai turned to them with a calm smile. "Do you trust me?"
Their expressions softened. They answered in unison.
"Of course."
Shirogai nodded. "Then let me handle this. I have some questions for them."
With that, he stepped into the cabin alone.
Inside the boys' quarters, Shirogai shut the door and glanced toward a corner of the room. "Eavesdropping isn't a good habit, Robin-san."
He snapped his fingers, coating the room in Armament Haki, completely isolating it from external sound.
In the corner, a petal-shaped ear vanished silently.
Up above in the cockpit, Robin sat upright and smiled faintly. "As expected… I was discovered."
The dark-gold Den Den Mushi blinked awake, its eyes silently surveying the room.
After a moment of stillness, a calm, aged voice came through. "[The Plunderer] Shirogai Yamikuro, are you ready to accept the title of Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Seated on the couch, Shirogai smiled faintly. "Gorosei?"
A pause.
Then the Den Den Mushi replied, "Indeed. You, who just set sail from the East Blue, already know of our existence… Interesting. Your background must be far from ordinary."
Shirogai's voice remained cool. "My background is irrelevant. Let's talk about what you're offering."
Another silence followed.
The Gorosei hadn't expected that. Most pirates came to them with lists of demands. Shirogai, however, wanted them to speak first.
An authoritative voice responded, "We've observed that your crew maintains close ties with Princess Vivi of Alabasta. Therefore, the region surrounding Alabasta will be granted as your sphere of influence. You may plunder merchant and pirate vessels freely in that sea."
Shirogai's eyes narrowed. His tone turned sharp. "Is that it? That's the extent of the World Government's generosity? Just a hunting ground?"
Another voice, older and more elegant, spoke up. "You may also make one request—anything that does not violate our principles."
Shirogai's tone turned curious. "Oh? Anything?"
"[Yes.] Anything not in conflict with our will."
Shirogai leaned closer to the Den Den Mushi, eyes gleaming. "Interesting. Even if I asked… to become the Pirate King?"
___
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