Chapter Text
It was exceptionally ornate, intricately designed with golden swirls curving into a stiff ivory envelope. On the smooth side, black letters in the typical font of Marine posters stamped out (STRAW HAT) MONKEY D. LUFFY. The flap of the envelope was sealed with glittery navy blue wax, the emblem of the World Government pressed firmly in the center.
“I believe I know what this is Luffy,” Robin stated as she examined the envelope that was delivered to them by a News Coo just moments ago.
“Awfully bold of them to send this just after we declared war on them,” Zoro said, arms folded as he frowned at the envelope as if it personally insulted him.
(In a way, it was sort of an insult wasn’t it? Imagine asking a notorious crew to join you after you attempted to execute two of their nakama. It was an outright stupid and foolish decision.)
“They’re terrified of us I’m sure of it,” Nami said, running the tip of her finger along the golden tracks. “...I wonder if this is real gold…”
“OW! Not all of us are mind readers Nami-sis!” Franky exclaimed, holding Chopper up on his shoulders so he could peek at what everyone was looking at. “Mind telling us what you’re telepathically communicating about?”
“Ah, sorry Franky. It’s just that Luffy received an invitation to join the Seven Warlords.”
A beat of silence.
“EEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH?????!!!!!!” Sanji and Usopp exclaimed in shock, passing through the doors of the Sunny’s galley at the same second Nami gave her explanation to Chopper and Franky, who also gave out the same shocked exclamation.
“W-w-w-wait!” Usopp stuttered, hands stuck out in the front of him and waving for everyone to pause. “ Luffy? A Warlord? That’s –”
"Absurd,” Sanji finished, lighting a smoke. “Especially considering what just happened.”
“We should just throw the letter away. Luffy’s not gonna accept. Right, Luffy?” Nami looked at her captain who was sitting on the swing and gently pushing himself back and forth.
“...I thought all the positions were filled already?” Luffy questioned, tilting his head to the side.
“No, there’s only six. Remember Crocodile who you beat up like 4 months ago? He was a Warlord and because of his whole Taking Over an Entire Kingdom and Driving Them to Civil War thing, the position was revoked.” Usopp answered.
“Ah yeah, the sandman with the bananawanis.”
“Is that really how you remember him?” Usopp sweatdropped, remembering how tough an opponent he was to beat. Of course, they’ve beaten far stronger people than him since then, but Crocodile was their first real taste of what the rest of their journey would look like. Surely a struggle and beatdown like that would be memorable.
“Why should I remember a guy who hurt my friends aside from knowing whose face to beat up?”
“Fair enough.”
“He also stabbed me in the stomach, poisoned me and tried to drown me in a whirlpool of sand.”
“He did what?”
“ Ignoring Crocodile,” Zoro waved his arm as if to physically dispel the man from the presence of the ship. “What do you plan to do, Luffy? The invitation was to you, not us so only you can decide if you want to join them or not. We’ll have no choice but to follow.”
“Are you seriously entertaining this shitty moss? After what they’ve done to Franky and Robin-chan?” Sanji growled, lifting his leg up.
“Zoro’s correct.” Robin said. “The invitation was given to Luffy, ergo it’s his choice. We can give the opinions we wish but ultimately, the final say is Luffy’s.”
This seemed to placate Sanji as he put his foot down, but he still shot Zoro a nasty glare.
“Robin, open it.” Luffy said.
Some of the crew members had startled, interpreting it as the possibility of Luffy saying “yes” but Nami held up a silencing hand and was quick to remind them of what Robin and Zoro had just finished saying. The letter itself was also a stiff and crisp ivory, bordered in gold and a stamp of officiality shimmering brightly at the bottom caught Robin’s eye long before the words themselves. It was simple and elegantly designed. Robin briefly wondered if such a standard of beauty was applied across all invitations or was such a privilege given only to Luffy as a way to ease into this.
“I will read the letter out loud Luffy-san, so it is best that you pay attention.” Robin said as she briefly glanced over the letter. The words were thin and curly, phrased in a sophisticated manner that the Archeologist knew that the Captain—that her Captain, would have a struggle reading.
“Greetings Monkey D. Luffy,” She began.
[Greetings Monkey D. Luffy,
It is with a certain level of hope that this letter finds you in good health.
Following your declaration of war against us at Enies’ Lobby, it has been unanimously decided that an olive branch be extended towards you in the form of an invitation to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Your very presence poses a threat to the peace and justice that the Marines of the World Government are obligated to uphold. No further elaboration on this point will be given as it is true without question. Of course, a pirate of your caliber would see being viewed as a threat as exciting and worth celebrating. However, this is a serious matter that necessitates critical thinking.
Given that the Seven Warlords is a facet of the Three Great Powers that falls under the jurisdiction of the World Government, there are several duties and requirements that you must uphold and fulfill. Your duty would be to apprehend notable pirates or any other criminal, whether that be bounties you pursue on your own or any bounties that the World Government has specifically requested of you to pursue. Whether you turn in the aphrendee alive or dead is of little to no consequence. To keep your position, you are required to turn in 20% of any profits that you make from bounty hunting or any other activity, attend all Warlord meetings to which you are summoned and to fight in all battles and wars on behalf of the World Government should your presence be requested.
Standard benefits following the agreement to these terms are as follows: a frozen bounty and freedom to pursue any activity that you wish without Marine interference provided said activity does not directly oppose the World Government. You are permitted to ask for other additional benefits as long as they are reasonable. Keep in mind that failure or violation of your duty and requirement results in the position’s immediate rescindment. Under normal standards you are able to make an appeal to keep your position, but as for you Strawhat Luffy, no such grace will be given.
Should you accept the position, you will be taking the place of Sir Crocodile whose position was revoked for reasons you’re well aware of. See to it that you understand that this is a mutually beneficial partnership that takes everyone’s best interest into heavy consideration. A swift and clear response is expected of you.
Regards,
Fleet Admiral Sengoku]
“Regards, Fleet Admiral Sengoku.” She concluded.
Once Robin had finished reading, the deck of the Sunny remained quiet, each Strawhat pondering on what Sengoku had to say. There were various facial expressions situated across each Straw Hat ranging from annoyance to thoughtful consideration. Usopp was the first to voice his opinion.
“I think the letter could use some work,” He said. “The transition between the first and second paragraph is way too abrupt! Who goes ‘you suck, anyways here is what the job we’re offering you entails?’”
Nami groaned. “Seriously, Usopp? Of all things to focus on, you choose poor transitioning ?”
“Hey! Delivery can make or break a case you know.” Usopp raised his hands up and turned his head slightly.
Chopper raised his hoof up, then answered. “I-I know that the Marines are awful, but I genuinely don’t understand why accepting would be a bad idea? We can still do what we want.”
“Not quite,” Zoro said. “Luffy’d be the dog of the government, having to answer to their every beck and whim. He’d have to drop everything he’s doing to attend some meeting with stuffy marines and other dogs, let alone fighting on their behalf.”
“Not to mention giving up my–I mean, our treasure,” Nami interjected.
“Oi, oi. You calling Mihawk a dog? I’m sure the man who nearly bisected you wouldn’t appreciate that comment.” Sanji said in his usual attempts to piss off Zoro.
“Shut the hell up, Love Cook! That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
SLASH! KICK! SWING!
“What is with men and their frustrating ability to hone in on the wrong damn point!” Nami growled out, all shark teeth as she punched Zoro and Sanji on their heads. A red hot goose egg appeared on both of their scalps, steaming.
“You’re really quiet Luffy-bro!” Franky said. “Are you thinking up a SUPERRRR way to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” He wished it was ‘no’. Those Marine bastards could take their suggestion and shove it up their asses.
Nami and Sanji both grimaced at the prospect of saying ‘yes’ but just as Zoro said, it was ultimately Luffy’s choice. Deep down, they felt that Luffy would say ‘no’. He had to. It was simply not in his nature to follow anyone except his own desires. Luffy who was as expansive and all encompassing as the sea, obeying and heeling to no one. He was a storm and all anyone who was whisked in his presence could do was ride the wave and trust that they wouldn’t capsize under all who he was. Aligning himself with the Marines would be a suffocation of that storm and a betrayal of his own moral standing. Wouldn’t it?
“I’m thinking…” Luffy said, “...how joining would help my nakama!”
Another beat of silence.
“WHAT?!” The Strawhats exclaimed collectively sans Robin and Zoro was silent and only eyebrows only rose in surprise.
“The Marines hurt my nakama, but they also have secrets my nakama wants! So if I become a Warlord, then my nakama would be safe to go and take what they want from the Marines without risk of getting hurt. And then once they take what they want, I’ll resign!”
“But….what about you?” Nami asked.
“What about me? I don’t care about what the Marines want but if it will help my nakama achieve their dreams, I’ll do it and if they don’t I’ll say ‘no’. Zoro was half right and half wrong. I do get the final say as captain but what good is a captain’s say if his decisions are selfish and hurt his nakama? Following people just because they’re your leader is stupid. You have to like them and trust that they’ll take care of you too otherwise there’s no point. ” His gaze flickered to Usopp, Robin and Nami as he said this.
“Well…there are several historical documents hidden away in Marineford that I would very much like to take a look at,” Robin said, breaking the silence in the face of Luffy’s rather sound logic.
“Getting a headstart in knowing any bullshit fruit powers those Marines have will allow us better preparation,” Zoro grumbled, remembering how that Marine with the Rust-Rust Fruit suddenly came out of nowhere and killed Yubashiri.
“If I can acquire Seastone bullets…” Usopp trailed, his line of thinking following Zoro’s.
Nami put a hand under her chin. “ ‘Borrowing’ money from their treasuries doesn't count as “directly opposing the World Government” right? Plus we can make any extra request we want.” Nami couldn’t believe she was actually considering this, but if Luffy wasn’t totally opposed then she wouldn’t mind taking advantage of the opportunity.
Chopper wanted medicine, Sanji wanted recipes and maps (a reason Nami also agreed with) and Franky said he didn’t want anything from the World Government (what he wanted they couldn’t give him back) but was willing to take whatever it was that would help his nakama achieve their dreams. As each Strawhat listed wanted what they wanted, Luffy’s smile only grew bigger and bigger, assuring himself that he made the right decision.
“It’s settled then!” Luffy exclaimed, jumping from the swing and pointing his hand in the air. “I’ll accept!”
“Sanji-kun, please get some paper and a pen for Luffy to write his response and…turn on the kettle for a cup of tea. I have a headache.” Nami said.
“Right away Nami-swan!” Sanji clasped his hands together, hearts in his eyes and all around him as he twirled towards the kitchen.
“Stupid Love Cook.” Zoro muttered under his breath and rolled his eyes, too quiet for the blond chef to hear.
Once Sanji had gotten the paper all the Strawhats sat around the kitchen table to help Luffy construct a response. After several minutes of bickering, fighting over who got to write it (as Luffy’s handwriting was absolutely atrocious) spilling ink and Nami punching Zoro and Sanji for wasting it, a letter was finally constructed. Usopp was the one who wrote the response.
“...I’m not writing this over.” Usopp said flatly, looking at his once neatly written letter ruined by Luffy stretching over the table and splattering ink to scribble a post script message to Garp. He ended up sliding the paper across the table just as Zoro was resting his cup down, which, by a miracle, resulted in a stain around the Jolly Roger rather than through it. Usopp managed to find a space to squeeze in an apology for the mess so they wouldn’t seem completely barbaric.
Robin folded the letter neatly once the stain had dried and slipped it into a standard envelope, licked the edge and sealed it. On the smooth side, Usopp wrote MARINE HEADQUARTERS- FLEET ADMIRAL SENGOKU. It was by no means as beautiful looking as the invitation but it was sufficient. It took about 20 minutes for the News Coo to return, expecting a response. Luffy handed the News Coo the envelope and it flew off to deliver the package.
Suddenly, Usopp screamed, dropping to his knees and causing some of the other Strawhats to jump.
“What, Usopp?!” Sanji barked out, worried.
“I made a spelling mistake!” Usopp clutched at his face.
“Oh, I thought it was something serious.”
“This is serious! I think I’m gonna die of embarrassment!”
As each Strawhat attempted to console Usopp, the only thing Zoro was thinking about was how everything was going to change from now on.
Sengoku wasn’t expecting a response. Not after the utter disaster that happened just a little over 3 weeks ago. It was a foolish idea he must admit but it was an idea that Garp simply would not stop pressing him about. The Fleet Admiral knew Garp only did it to ensure that some semblance of safety would befall on his grandson and it was for that reason alone he shot it down initially. Yet, the more Sengoku thought about it, the more beneficial it seemed for a super power like Straw Hat to be at least generally aligned with the Marines. Garp suplexed a desk out of happiness when Sengoku told the Vice Admiral that he agreed to send out an invitation.
“This doesn’t mean I expect a response from them,” Sengoku said. “They may very well just ignore it and send no reply.”
Garp shrugged. “You’ll never know if you don’t try.”
When an officer came to deliver a letter to him, Sengoku didn’t think much of it. He had letters delivered to him daily. Some of which he straight up ignored, knowing what to expect and the majority of them he briefly skimmed. Rarely there was a letter he read in its entirety. He stuffed a rice cracker in his mouth, opened up the partially torn envelope and promptly spit all of the soggy crumbs onto his desk.
[Greetings, Fleet Admiral Sengoku
We, the Straw Hat Pirates write this letter on behalf of our captain, (Straw Hat) Monkey D. Luffy to confirm that he has agreed to accept the position as a Warlord of the Sea. He understands his duty and the consequences of not following through and has expressed willingness to fulfill the requirements expected of him.
Regarding the extra benefits, he has requested that not only his bounty be paused but also the bounties of all members of his crew be paused as well. He also requests that a buffet of primarily meat be provided for him at any and all Warlord meetings he is summoned to. Should anything else come to Luffy's mind we will notify you.
Apologies for the ink stain and tea stain.
Regards,
The Straw Hate Pirates]
It was messy and smelt of orange cinnamon but it was an acceptance . Sengoku sat back in his chair in disbelief, running his hands through his afro as far as it could go before it got stuck. This was…this was good. This was a good thing that was happening and mentally Sengoku thanked Garp for his insufferable insistence. They finally had some sort of leash on that storm of a pirate. But Sengoku was a realist, not an idealist. There was no way that this wasn’t a two edged sword. He didn’t know the reason why Luffy would accept. The more logical side of him grew suspicious and felt they only accepted to perhaps try to further a goal of some sort and the Fleet Admiral wondered if he allowed Garp to persuade him into outsmarting himself. On the other hand, Luffy could no longer directly oppose the World Government without repercussions and had no choice but to fight the battles requested of him. As for the extra requests regarding food, Sengoku didn’t have much of an issue fulfilling it. Hawkeyes and the Pirate Empress always requested wine. As for freezing the bounties of his entire crew…Sengoku supposed he’d have to allow it. It was the only way to get Strawhat to fully agree. What was meat and extra frozen bounties in comparison to having a modicum of control (or the illusion of it). Either one was better than nothing.
Sengoku should’ve had the foresight to bolt his desk down to the floor before breaking the news to Garp. The Vice Admiral suplexed his desk and threw it into the wall out of happiness.
“Finally! It was about time my idiot grandson listened to my advice!” Garp exclaimed with laughter, eating all of Sengoku’s rice crackers.
“I have a feeling I made a mistake,” Sengoku sighed, taking a bite out of the last cracker left in the box