Since everyone understood where the others stood, there was no need to waste words.
Chris simply cut straight to the point. That made things much easier.
As expected, Ochoku shook his head.
He waved a hand and said softly, "I've been retired for years. I have no desire to return."
"The seas no longer need an old man like me."
"I already told you when I lost to you: Ochoku, a relic of a bygone age, has left the stage of history."
"This is your generation's world. Go fight for it yourselves."
Chris had already anticipated that answer.
Ochoku had made his position perfectly clear.
Jinbe stepped forward in his wooden sandals and said with a calm smile, "Old friend, don't be so quick to refuse."
"I think you should give it some serious thought."
"Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin are still active in the New World."
"Are you really content to spend the rest of your life in seclusion?"
"This young man standing before you might be able to help you realize the dream you never fulfilled."
Bartholomew Kuma nodded as well and said expressionlessly, "Chris is no ordinary pirate."
"He isn't recruiting you merely to rule over the New World."
"His goal is to change the entire world."
"Are you really unwilling to play a part in that?"
Seeing that Ochoku remained unmoved, Dracule Mihawk spoke up too.
He walked up to Ochoku and said casually, "You don't need to worry about the Big Mom Pirates or the Beasts Pirates, either."
"Chris has already driven both of them away."
"For your sake, Chris has made enemies of both crews at once."
"With that much sincerity, won't you at least consider it?"
After a moment, Ochoku narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "You all say Chris is different from