So it really is like that…
After Ace defeated that Shichibukai who never appeared in the original story, he too received a summons from the World Government. He simply turned it down, that all. So now that they've come looking for me, I guess it not that surprising?
But the problem is…
"I'm not a pirate, nor do I plan to become one, and I have no intention of forming any kind of force. That privateering license is completely useless to me."
Sherwin curled his lips, clearly uninterested in the invitation. Putting aside the fact that the title of Shichibukai was nothing more than a high-ranking disposable pawn the World Government used against the Four Emperors,
according to the original timeline, this system would be abolished in just a few years. Holding the title of Shichibukai for a while meant absolutely nothing to Sherwin.
"Hawkeye isn't a pirate either, and he doesn't have a bunch of Felynes around him like you do, yet he still became a Shichibukai," Cody pointed out.
"But he was wanted before he became a Shichibukai, wasn't he?" Sherwin wasn't that easy to fool.
"I don't have a single bounty on me. I'm just a bounty hunter who makes a living catching pirates. Even without becoming a Shichibukai, there no issue with that."
"Of course we've considered that," Cody said as he poured Sherwin a cup of black tea, speaking unhurriedly.
"That why the higher-ups decided to grant you a certain degree of immunity. For example, that King Beckley from the South Blue you took out — if similar incidents occur in the future, as long as you don't go too far, we'll cover for you. In fact, if you and Morgans hadn't exposed Crocodile case early, we had originally planned to suppress that news as much as possible."
"Beckley? Wasn't that guy taken out by someone named Claude?" Sherwin immediately feigned ignorance.
"Heh…" Cody took a slow sip of his tea, lifted his gaze, and gave Sherwin a meaningful smile.
"You hid it well, but in front of a CP agent like me — someone specialized in intelligence — you're still a bit too green."
Sherwin raised an eyebrow. There was something hidden in Cody words — could it be that this old man actually knew Robin was with him?
Since he couldn't be sure what Cody truly meant, Sherwin decided to stay silent.
"You did disguise yourself quite well before," Cody continued, breaking Sherwin faint hope, "but once we learned about that little girl Bonney Fruit ability, it wasn't difficult to deduce the true identity of 'Claude.' If we really wanted to investigate, those old geezers from the Sorbel Kingdom wouldn't be able to withstand CP interrogation."
Then, almost casually, Cody shifted his tone. "Of course, we're not going to do that. King Beckley was merely a deposed monarch who'd been in exile for years.
The World Government won't overturn its previous conclusions over someone like him. The Celestial Dragon he once tried to curry favor with has long forgotten his existence.
So even if you refuse the title of Shichibukai, you don't need to worry about us coming after you or the people from Sorbel Kingdom."
Sherwin, who had been a little tense, finally let out a quiet breath of relief. Since Cody had already said this much, there was no need to keep denying anything.
He countered, "If the World Government isn't planning to pursue the matter, then doesn't that mean I have even less reason to become a Shichibukai?"
Cody sighed, then continued in his same slow, persuasive tone. "But can you be sure you won't run into similar trouble again? Think about little Klee and those Felynes around you.
They're easy targets for nobles who enjoy collecting rare creatures or unique races. If you become a Shichibukai, as long as you don't cause too big a scene or directly attack a Celestial Dragon, the World Government won't make things difficult for you."
"Conditions that generous?" Sherwin frowned. He didn't believe the World Government could ever be so kind. "Then what do I have to do in return?"
"In most cases, the World Government won't demand much from you," Cody explained.
"Take Crocodile for example. Even after he formed Baroque Works — a criminal organization — we didn't interfere. Or Doflamingo, the Heavenly Yaksha.
He Joker, a well-known broker in the underworld, and he done plenty of illegal things in secret. But since he hasn't crossed the World Government bottom line, we've simply let him do as he pleases."
As Cody spoke about them, a faint trace of displeasure showed on his face — clearly, those weren't views he truly agreed with.
Then Cody continued explaining, "The original purpose of establishing the Shichibukai was to counterbalance the Four Emperors and the ever-growing number of pirates.
But most of the other Shichibukai were pirates themselves. So even after gaining that title, they rarely made any deliberate moves against other pirates.
Hawkeye Mihawk and Jinbe the Sea Knight have both privately interacted with the Four Emperors, yet we still didn't interfere… Of course, that also because their strength makes interference impossible."
So CP still doesn't know about Doflamingo secret dealings with Kaido, huh…? No, wait — at this point, the SMILE Fruit is still in development. Their trade probably hasn't started yet.
Still, with Doflamingo iron grip over Dressrosa, even if CP discovered anything later, Sugar would just silently turn those agents into toys.
As Sherwin was deep in thought, Cody pursed his lips and went on, "But your situation is different. First, you're a bounty hunter by trade — you rarely show mercy to pirates, and your relationship with them is naturally antagonistic.
In addition, you've already clashed with one of the Four Emperors, Big Mom. Even among the other Shichibukai, you've had small run-ins with the Snake Princess and Doflamingo."
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "See the pattern? Aside from not having any ambition to claim territory in the New World, your situation actually fits the World Government ideal image of a Shichibukai.
So even if you do something slightly out of line, they won't take it too seriously. If you ever come into conflict with one of the Four Emperors,
the World Government might even turn a blind eye if you secretly eliminate a few Marines, CP agents, or even royalty. They might even step in to clean up the aftermath for you…"
"Of course, whether they'll use that as leverage against you later is another matter entirely," Cody added with a faint smile.
To be honest, Sherwin was a little tempted. Especially after Cody added that last part — it somehow made the offer sound even more credible.
If things were truly as Cody promised, then when he went after Wapol later, he wouldn't have to be so cautious about hiding his actions. He could finally operate more freely, without having to restrain himself as much as he did now…
He paused for a moment, deliberately keeping them in suspense before continuing, "That to let Nico Robin enter the Grand Line and then allow those pirates searching for the One Piece to fight over her. And I…"
Cody pointed to his own nose, "am the one responsible for 'driving' her into the Grand Line."
"So do you understand now?" Cody picked up the teapot and refilled Sherwin empty cup.
"Back then, I intentionally placed Nico Robin on your ship to let her escape. I originally thought that after she parted ways with you, you two would never cross paths again.
But to my surprise, you met again in Alabasta—and this time, you even accepted her. I suppose that a kind of fate too…"
Cody let out a helpless sigh, then his expression turned serious again as he looked at Sherwin and said solemnly,
"What I said earlier was what CP7 Agent Cody said when recruiting Hunter Sherwin. But what I'm about to say now… is advice from 'Mr. Nice Guy' Cody to you, kid."