One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

"Yes, Lieutenant General Garp."

Vice Admiral Onigumo stepped forward, unfurled a parchment scroll bearing the World Government's emblem, and read aloud in a cold, hard voice:

"Upon investigation, it has been confirmed that Crocodile violated the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea Code of Conduct' during his tenure as a member state of the World Government by illegally interfering in the affairs of the Kingdom of Alabasta, instigating internal strife, and plundering national resources. His actions constitute 'theft of a nation' and have caused significant damage to the lives and property of the people of that country."

"From the date of this announcement, Crocodile is hereby officially stripped of his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and all related privileges."

"Given the Straw Hat Pirates' proactive intervention in the Alabasta incident, their efforts to stop Crocodile's illegal activities, and their assistance in restoring order and protecting the people of the country..."

"Following a comprehensive assessment by the World Government and the Navy Headquarters, we are now formally extending an invitation to the Straw Hat Pirates:"

"We propose that the Straw Hat Pirates assume the vacant position of Shichibukai, enjoy corresponding legal privileges, and undertake the obligation to defend the seas and respond to the World Government's call."

Chapter 99 Monkey D. Luffy, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea (Seeking monthly votes~)

"W-what!?"

Vice Admiral Onigumo's cold, official pronouncement echoed in the scorching desert air, the last few words striking the hearts of every member of the Straw Hat Pirates like a heavy hammer blow.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea...invited...us?"

Usopp was the first to cry out, his eyes wide open as if he had heard something unbelievable.

He picked at his ears, wondering if the aftershocks of the battle had damaged his hearing.

"Huh?" Zoro's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his brow furrowed, and a flash of undisguised disgust crossed his eyes. "Are you kidding me? You want us to be the World Government's lackeys?"

Sanji exhaled a long smoke ring.

He didn't immediately show any resistance, but instead looked at V.

He occasionally serves as the strategist in the Straw Hat crew, and subconsciously senses that this opportunity might not be a bad thing.

as predicted.

Upon hearing Onigumo's explanation, V immediately revealed a smile of interest.

"You want us to become Shichibukai?"

His prosthetic eye flashed with an almost imperceptible light as he began to quickly scan the navy personnel.

Why did the plot deviate so much?

Others might not know, but V, being a time traveler, already knew...

The Seven Warlords of the Sea appear to be a group of pirates specifically chosen by the Navy to disrupt the possibility of pirate unity and to fight against the Four Emperors.

But that's just the navy's official explanation.

The Navy's true objective was not to recruit pirates, but to obtain the bloodline factors of powerful pirates to help Vegapunk complete the Seraph Project.

Now that the plan is nearing its end, the existence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is becoming increasingly meaningless to the Navy.

The Seven Warlords system may even be completely abolished in two years.

That's why the Navy's control over the Seven Warlords of the Sea has become increasingly lax in recent years.

However, at this juncture, the Navy actually went out of their way to recruit the Straw Hat Pirates to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea...

There must be more to this than meets the eye.

But...

V's eyes sparkled.

Just as Luffy was about to speak and reject the Navy's invitation, he suddenly sent Luffy a message through his brain:

"Wait a minute, Luffy, don't refuse yet!"

The sudden message startled Luffy.

Immediately afterwards, V's messages began to pour out of the large group:

"This invitation from the Seven Warlords of the Sea might be a good opportunity for us!"

"Huh? Are we really going to become the Navy's lackeys?" Usopp, who had the ID "Sniper King," immediately asked.

Sanji then sent a message:

"Is it about the deep-sea prison?"

“That’s right!” V replied immediately.

He wasn't surprised that Sanji had thought of this.

Because V has stated more than once that if there were enough trading points, the Straw Hat crew's strength could definitely increase several times over.

The deep-sea prison is one of the few places in the world where V can recklessly harvest trading points.

V had mentioned these things in casual conversations over tea and meals.

They just didn't expect... this opportunity to be presented to them so quickly.

Robin then explained on V's behalf:

"Once we become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, we can find a reason to apply to the World Government to cross the Gates of Justice and enter the Triangle Sea where Impel Down is located."

The Triangle Sea is a popular name for the location of the three major agencies under the World Government.

These three institutions are: Enies Lobby, which is in charge of justice and adjudication; the Navy Headquarters, which represents military and justice; and the Deepsea Prison, which represents repression and punishment.

Under the World Government's restructuring, these three locations are situated in a triangular formation in a closed sea area in the first half of the Grand Line.

Ordinary ships can only enter these three places by passing through the Gates of Justice.

Of course, there are other ways.

But for more than 99% of the world's population, that's a pipe dream.

Now, a legitimate opportunity to enter the deep-sea prison is presented to them.

“But… I have a feeling there’s something fishy about this invitation,” Nami expressed her concerns in the brain-computer interface. “Could the World Government have set a trap?”

"Once we accept the title, it will inexplicably attract the attention of some people, forcibly exposing the Straw Hat Pirates to the public eye..."

“That’s not a problem for us,” V replied calmly. “But I’m certain the World Government is definitely up to something.”

"We just don't know what they're planning yet."

So, does that mean danger and opportunity coexist?

Zoro stated, "Since we each have our own plans, I think I can accept the invitation."

"This is also a game of strategy, and it depends on which side has the more sophisticated methods."

Although it is just a written description, one can inexplicably feel Zoro's confident and sneer between the lines.

"So what do you think, Luffy?"

After discussing the pros and cons, V handed the final decision to Luffy.

There's actually another reason why they should join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but V didn't reveal it.

That was about the possibility that Ace might be defeated by Blackbeard and imprisoned in Impel Down.

Although Ace's strength has been further enhanced, V is not very confident that Ace can defeat Blackbeard, who is comparable to Luffy as a child of the world.

After all, anything can happen during a battle.

However, to avoid unnecessary worry, V did not explain this extremely low-probability situation to Luffy.

At worst... they'll just force their way into the deep-sea prison.

With their strength and methods, this is not a problem.

Luffy was silent for a moment, then spoke:

"So, we're not really going to become Shichibukai, we're just using this identity temporarily, right?"

Luffy was annoyed by the inexplicable twists and turns, but having experienced many things, he had come to realize that the world couldn't revolve around him forever.

If he can't accept his current unhappiness, more things will happen to make him unhappy in the future.

"Since V says this could give us a chance to become stronger, let's agree to it!"

Luffy looked up after closing the chat window.

Although the conversation covered a lot of ground, it only took the Straw Hat crew less than a minute.

"We accept the invitation from the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"

Luffy's voice rang out in the scorching desert air, carrying an indescribable calm.

He grinned, revealing his signature smile, but his eyes gleamed with determination.

After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the sand dunes.

Garp narrowed his eyes slightly beneath his dog-head hat, as if scrutinizing the deeper meaning behind his grandson's words.

He was quite certain that, given Luffy's personality, unless he didn't know what the Seven Warlords of the Sea were, he wouldn't have agreed so readily.

Judging from Luffy's expression just now, he had clearly gone through some thought.

This grandson of mine has actually started to become someone he can't figure out.

Vice Admiral Onigumo disagreed.

At least in his view, the Straw Hat crew had no reason to refuse such an invitation.

"A wise choice."

Onigumo put away the parchment scroll, his tone still cold and hard, but with a hint of businesslike softening:

"The appointment ceremony for the Seven Warlords of the Sea will be held at Marineford, the Marine Headquarters. The specific time will be announced later."

"During this period, the Straw Hat Pirates must not engage in any illegal activities and must submit a detailed personnel list to the Marine Headquarters—"

"Okay, we understand."

V interrupted Onigumo's words.

"Let's submit those tedious written notices when we get to Marineford."

"Now... let's talk about the rights we can enjoy after becoming Shichibukai!"