"Such miraculous hands!!"
At that moment, Chinjao completely threw aside things like "Garp" and "the Marines."
His powerful arms wrapped around Michael in a single motion.
He wept tears of joy, crying so hard his old face twisted with emotion.
His howling sobs even made the whole building tremble slightly.
Michael gave an awkward smile.
Was he crying this hard on purpose or what?
Without mercy, he pushed Chinjao away and sat back down.
"Chinjao, stop crying first..." Michael said with a smile. "Listen to my conditions first, then you'll have a real reason to cry."
Michael's bright, sunny smile instinctively made Chinjao swallow back his tears.
His gut told him—this couldn't be good news.
"As a Marine, you healed my head… so my grudges with the Marines and Garp are all wiped clean."
"Wiped clean? Fine." Michael nodded, then handed him the Shichibukai appointment document.
"Sign this, and everything can be discussed."
Chinjao lowered his head, looking at the Shichibukai appointment paper with a trace of confusion on his face.
The pirates of the Grand Line had already started hearing the news half a year ago—
The Marines would be recruiting seven official pirates on the seas, called the "Shichibukai."
Everyone claimed this was just a Marine plot to divide the pirates.
But in reality, every pirate strong enough was scrambling for the chance to become one.
What was the big deal? Just don't mess with civilians?
What money could civilians even bring in?
The real profit was hunting down pirates you bore grudges against and cashing in their bounties!
Plus, after becoming one of the Shichibukai, the Marines would hold meetings periodically, setting major goals and plans for the future.
In a sense, it was like getting into the official ranks.
And ranks directly under Marine Headquarters, no less.
Most pirates became pirates for survival and fortune.
If you could build ties with Marine top brass… who the hell would want to stay a pirate?!
So Chinjao looked at Michael with a doubtful gaze.
Was this young Marine… really not deceiving him?
"What's with that look? You don't seem to believe me." Michael shrugged. "You want me to slash you again?"
Feeling the lazy yet faintly murderous look in Michael's eyes, Chinjao shivered on the spot.
He remembered the helplessness he felt facing that single slash…
Now, his pointed head was restored, his peak strength returned. After years of honing himself, he was even stronger than before.
He was confident he could block that slash without exhausting too much strength.
But then what?
The second slash, the third slash…
Who knew how many times this four-winged man could unleash such strikes?
"You're sure you can make me one of the Shichibukai?"
"Looks like aside from a few who don't care much, most pirates got the news." Michael nodded thoughtfully. "But you didn't know I was the one deciding this—that's normal. After all, when I spread the word, I intentionally kept my identity hidden."
Michael had planned all this half a year ago.
In a way, he planted seeds of doubt among the pirates—
Especially the powerful ones.
Before the official announcement, none of them knew whether someone they knew might suddenly become Shichibukai and come after their heads for a bounty.
And even after the announcement, it didn't matter.
Michael spread word of the replacement system too.
For pirates, as long as you killed a Shichibukai, you could take their place.
Logical, convincing, perfectly reasonable.
Most importantly, it fit the pirates' logic to a T.
Listening to Michael, Chinjao's heart burned hot.
Someone this powerful had no need to lie to him!
Which meant… this appointment was real!
"Just sign your name, or leave your handprint, and you'll become one of the Shichibukai."
Michael nodded, while Stella, still on guard outside the door, raised her hand, sending in a pen with her power.
Without hesitation, Chinjao picked up the pen and signed his name.
It was exactly what he wanted!
They had originally been the Kano Country's naval forces. For national security, they'd become "pirates."
After years of change, the Happo Navy had become more like real pirates, but deep down, they were still soldiers of the Kano Country.
To them, the title of Shichibukai was priceless.
Michael watched Chinjao finish signing, and his lips curled into a bright, sunny smile.
"From today on, you are one of the Shichibukai."
"Thank you, Vice Admiral Michael." Chinjao's voice was filled with sincerity. "Since I'm one of the Shichibukai now, from the First Happo Navy to the Eighth, we'll stand unconditionally with the Marines."
"Right. Remember this clearly—it's with the Marines, not the World Government." Michael gave him a meaningful look as he said it.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Chinjao's forehead.
What did that mean!?
The Marines and the World Government… had conflicts?
Could they even end up at odds someday?
Did he just board the wrong ship?
"Don't be so nervous. We won't need the Happo Navy anytime soon… but there is one thing you'll need to sacrifice." Michael smiled faintly. "I heard, Chinjao, aside from your pointed head, what you're most proud of… is that legendary Jewel Ice Sheet holding all your wealth?"
Seeing Michael's expression, Chinjao instinctively swallowed hard.
"Y-Yes… but ever since Garp smashed my head, I couldn't open it again."
He wasn't lying.
After losing his pointed head, he couldn't break open the Jewel Ice Sheet anymore. His treasure was locked away, untouchable…
Why else would he hate Garp so much?
One punch not only crippled his strength but also turned his fortune into a locked-away time deposit with no withdrawal date.
"But now, you can open it."
Michael's calm words made Chinjao freeze up completely.
So curing his head, making him Shichibukai…
It was all about eyeing his fortune, huh?!
"…Vice Admiral Michael, how much will you leave me?"
"Leave you? Leave you what? I'm selling titles here—shouldn't I polish my reputation a bit too? Besides, for just a bit of money, you're buying a Shichibukai position with limitless prospects. Think it's a loss?"
"No… ugh… damn it, it's not a loss at all."
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