"Ye Chen, what do you want? Tell me your terms!"
Sengoku remained calm. He spoke warmly, like a kindly elder. He did not seem angry; he even had a smile on his face.
Thump...
Ye Chen's heart jolted. His opinion of Sengoku rose sharply.
He had toyed with the Celestial Dragons right there in the hall, yet Sengoku could still smile and talk to him. A man who could smile while seething inside was a dangerous man.
"Who are those people?"
Ye Chen pointed toward Hancock and the others. Seven people sat there, each striking in their own way. Some were powerfully built, while others carried themselves with imposing poise. In truth, Ye Chen had guessed who they were as soon as he entered.
There were seven of them, including Hancock and Tyrant Kuma. They could only be the Shichibukai, one of the three great powers alongside the Marines and the Four Emperors.
"Oh, them? They're the Shichibukai invited by Headquarters."
Sengoku still looked composed, but doubt stirred within him, along with a faint sense of unease.
Sure enough, Ye Chen nodded, then his eyes darted about. "You want me to settle down? Fine. I can settle down for good—as long as you agree to let me join the Shichibukai!"
"What?"
Before Sengoku could respond, Onigumo shot to his feet. His eyes went wide. He could hardly believe Ye Chen had asked to join the Shichibukai.
"Ye Chen, do you have any idea what you're saying? After everything you've done, a hundred deaths wouldn't be enough. And you think you can join the Shichibukai?"
Akainu gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. Despite his gloves, drops of searing magma fell to the floor with a hiss. In moments, they burned a hole through the solid stone.
"The