"Vice Admiral Momousagi, would you like to join Fairy Tail?"
Sugisawa Yuuto extended the invitation casually. There was no pressure—it was perfectly fine if she refused. But if she accepted… well, that would be a bonus.
Momousagi Gion blinked in shock at Yuuto's unexpected directness. For a moment, she couldn't help but laugh.
Not only is he trying to recruit Lark and Peacock… now he's aiming for me?
Still… she, Lark, Peacock, and Hina were all formal Marines. Jumping into a precarious 'pirate' guild from such an established position? What audacity!
"I am Vice Admiral Momousagi Gion, alternate Admiral of the Naval Headquarters. I was sent by the Five Elders and Marshal Sengoku to recruit Fairy Tail's President Sugisawa Yuuto to take up the mantle of Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Gion's tone was serious, and she handed Yuuto a formal letter of appointment.
"I told you—I refuse!" Yuuto waved the document aside casually, not even glancing at it. From the start, he had understood the purpose of Gion's visit.
The title of Shichibukai was one of the three major powers in the world, no doubt, but in Yuuto's eyes, it was merely a tool of the World Government. Fairy Tail would never become a vassal of anyone, especially not the World Government. That was non-negotiable.
"Do you realize what you just declined?" Gion asked, astonished. She expected him to hesitate a little. Yet Yuuto's refusal was blunt, clean, and unwavering.
"This doesn't concern me. But now, you're being invited by me—the president of Fairy Tail," Yuuto said seriously.
"The title of Shichibukai could make your future operations much easier. Don't you want to know about that?" Gion pressed, earnest.
"This sea belongs to the government. No matter who you are, you need government approval to operate legally. Without it, you're considered a pirate. If you don't want to be a pirate, you need a legitimate title."
"Vice Admiral Momousagi," Princess Vivi spoke firmly, "my father, the King of Alabasta, has submitted Fairy Tail's application to the Marines. Fairy Tail is officially recognized by Alabasta!"
"Really?" Hina nodded, confirming. She had been the one to submit the papers. With a powerful nation like Alabasta backing them, Fairy Tail could, in theory, operate legally at sea.
Of course, the approval of higher authorities was still needed. Under normal circumstances, a nation recovering from a Shichibukai disaster would bend over backwards to please the government.
But this situation was different. Yuuto had rejected the Shichibukai offer, giving neither the Marines nor the government face. Even with Alabasta as a guarantor, the paperwork would likely be rejected. Fairy Tail, in that case, would still be an unrecognized fleet at sea.
"Why is it like this?" Vivi shook her head, incredulous at the potential rejection.
"Accepting the Shichibukai title is the only way Fairy Tail can legally operate at sea!" Gion said firmly.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi… are you threatening me?" Yuuto smiled.
"No, I'm just explaining the pros and cons. The final decision is still yours, President Yuuto," Gion replied calmly.
"I see. So if I don't become a Shichibukai, then Gion Vice Admiral, Peacock, Skylark, and Miss Hina won't join Fairy Tail?" Yuuto pondered aloud.
Everyone: "???"
"Whoever says I have to become a Shichibukai before joining—we'll join anyway!" Peacock muttered, the corner of her mouth twitching in disbelief. How much did this guy want them in Fairy Tail?
"And if there's no benefit at all… then just add a fart! You're in!" Yuuto waved dismissively.
"Hmm~" Mirajan chuckled. Nami, Vivi, and the others exchanged looks. Yuuto had never seriously intended to push them—he had been deliberately changing the subject, sidestepping the Shichibukai issue entirely.
Gion realized this too. She would no longer try to persuade him with polite reasoning.
"It seems our negotiation has broken down. Even so, I respect President Yuuto's choice," Gion said, calm yet guarded.
"Then please leave," Yuuto gestured.
"Not yet—I have another matter to attend to!" Gion's eyes fell on Robin.
This is it… Robin clenched her fists nervously.
"Nico Robin, Devil's Child, since I met you here, I will not ignore this," Gion said decisively.
"Yeah, yeah…" Yuuto shook his head helplessly. He had kept up a careful act to distract Gion, avoiding direct conflict with the Marines over Robin. It wasn't fear—he simply wanted to protect Robin from feeling responsible for Fairy Tail's trouble.
Now… conflict was unavoidable. Yuuto would no longer hold back.
"So… you want to take Robin away?" Yuuto stepped to her side and gently took her trembling hand.
"See this mark?" he said, showing the Black Fairy Tail logo on Robin's hand to the Marines.
"This is the symbol of Fairy Tail—the mark of a partner. Robin is officially one of us now. If you want to take her, be prepared to fight me and all of Fairy Tail!"
The moment his voice fell, an aura erupted from Yuuto—so fierce it seemed to split the sky. The wind stopped. The clouds stilled. Even Marine elites like Hina and Peacock widened their eyes, momentarily unable to breathe or speak.
Until now, Yuuto had seemed like a friendly, approachable man.
Now… he was a man who had once defeated Kelkedar, radiating authority and raw power.
"As expected of someone who can defeat Shichibukai Kelkedar… but as Naval Headquarters Vice Admiral, I must take responsibility for justice!" Gion inhaled deeply, her expression firm.
Bang! The famous sword Jinpiluo unsheathed, gleaming in the sunlight.
...
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