In the end, Ozz did not stay much longer.
After having Vegapunk extract a portion of the Devil Fruit power into Green Blood, he took the two fruits and left.
You borrow something, you return it, after all.
"The timing works out pretty well. I will be taking my leave now, Dr. Vegapunk."
Shouldering his pack, Ozz said his goodbyes.
He had to admit, science really was the primary productive force. Especially when it was paired with an ability like the Brain-Brain Fruit, which literally upgraded itself.
Not only could Vegapunk, in a short amount of time, sketch out the initial design for the "Dark Sun God," he could list out all the necessary materials one by one.
Most importantly, Vegapunk actually had the skill to fuse different traits into a single modified lifeform, just like with the Seraphim made from the Seven Warlords.
Ozz had, of course, thought about it.
Creating a Seraphim modeled after himself, one who possessed the Teleportation Fruit and would serve as the king leading all the "Seraphim of the Seven Warlords."
But the risk was far too high.
A teleporting Ozz with Lunarian blood… even Ozz himself could not think of a reliable way to deal with that.
He knew perfectly well how dirty his own tricks could get.
And Vegapunk was a man with ideals, someone who genuinely wanted to refashion humanity with science and bring world peace.
The odds were low, yes. But if, on the off chance, he did something in secret and set himself as the highest authority over "Seraphim Ozz"…
Well then, things would get very interesting.
Maybe, with the command of "Seraphim Ozz" in his hands and a true desire for peace in his heart, Vegapunk would really bring the pirate world into a utopia.
Not that it would necessarily be bad… but it would be terribly boring.
So until Ozz could be absolutely certain that the command authority would forever remain in his own hands, he would not consider it.
Seraphim, after all, inherited a portion of the original's will.
Like how the Seraphim version of Hancock was still proud and arrogant and still secretly liked Luffy.
It was entirely possible that "Seraphim Ozz" would inherit his own pursuit of freedom and fun and be just as good at stabbing people in the back as he was.
Seraphim and "Dark Sun God Joy Boy" were already perfect. Over the top, yes, but still within Ozz's control. They were enough to headline a movie.
Golden Lion, Tesoro, Bullet… they all had their own feature films.
Ozz wanted one too.
He had even picked out the title. Following things like "One Piece: Stampede" and "One Piece Film: Red," his would be:
"One Piece Film: Fallen Twilight"
Unlike movies centered only around the Straw Hats, Ozz wanted to put something on screen that was far bigger than the previous films. Something that would force even the World Government to personally enter the stage.
Dark Joy Boy was the surprise Ozz had prepared for this world.
If the Sun God wanted to liberate the world…
Then a Dark Sun God wanting to destroy it sounded perfectly reasonable.
Creating a final boss that was only a bit weaker than himself, then throwing it out for the entire world to tackle, was Ozz's favorite toy at the moment.
It just was not something that could be rushed.
Ozz pondered silently.
"Ozz-san, if you have the time, you could also look into the Mature-Mature Fruit," Vegapunk said, still scribbling when he walked Ozz to the exit. This was a new problem he had just thought through.
Giants, especially ancient giants, grew much slower than humans. If they let it grow naturally, ten years would never be enough. They would have to use the ability of a Devil Fruit to fast-forward the growth.
"Without that ability, I am afraid the plan will need at least thirty to fifty years."
Ozz nodded. He filed it away in his mind. He would swing by Wano Country in the future when he had the chance.
There was no rush right now.
…
Leaving Egghead, Ozz originally planned to return the Gum-Gum, or rather Nika Fruit, then collect some genetic samples from Shanks and Monkey D. Luffy before going to look for that chubby little darkness user.
But one piece of news suddenly disrupted his schedule.
The old man was having a birthday?
And not just any birthday. His sixtieth.
When Ozz received the message, he actually blanked for a moment. He had no concept of dates at all.
It was only when Sami reminded him that he remembered.
If that was the case, then he really could not skip it.
It was the old man's birthday, after all.
"Alright, alright… I will be there. See you at the party."
Click.
He hung up the Den Den Mushi.
At that moment, in the top-floor office of a tower on Sabaody Archipelago, it was not just Sami who was there.
Quite a few people had been quietly watching that call.
"Fufufufufu… since Mr. Ozz himself is going, then I absolutely have to prepare a proper gift."
Doflamingo sat with one leg crossed over the other, tongue peeking out, laughing in his usual arrogant way.
To be honest, he had heard the news early.
After all, as Ozz's only remaining family, Doctor Gick was watched by countless eyes.
Normally, no one would dare disturb the Duramos Kingdom. No one wanted Ozz to think they were up to something.
But this time was different. This was a joyous occasion and a very big one.
So going to "pay respects" was perfectly reasonable.
Doflamingo was a businessman and very sensitive to things like that.
If he showed up, Ozz might not care much either way.
But if everyone else went and he did not, Ozz would see it instantly.
Even though Corazon was gone, Doflamingo still wanted to return to being a Celestial Dragon one day. Offending Ozz was not on his to-do list.
"Tch… if not for Ozz, I would not waste time on some banquet."
Crocodile had also received the news. He sat there, smoking his cigar with a face full of impatience.
The underworld was well informed. Those who had a good relationship with Ozz were sure to attend.
Even many allied kingdoms who knew about Ozz's connection to Duramos were eager to head there and attend the celebration.
Ozz had expected as much, but he did not bother to interfere.
As long as no one came looking for trouble, it was fine.
Duramos Kingdom.
A small island nation in the New World.
Today, the atmosphere was particularly festive. The luxurious streets were packed with decorations, and the people had spontaneously taken to the roads to celebrate old Gick's birthday.
Ever since he took the throne, taxes had become almost laughably low, while the economy only climbed higher and higher.
Pirates did not attack. Wealthy people moved in and settled down.
For one reason only.
That black moon flag flying over the royal palace.
The villagers of old, now the nobles of Duramos, had organized themselves and were maintaining orderly lines.
All the guests arriving for the banquet were happily following the rules.
It was not just royal families and nobles from allied kingdoms.
Even representatives from the World Government, big names from the underworld, and quite a few infamous pirates had gathered here.
Even the Marines had sent people over, under the pretext of "maintaining security."
"The nobles here can only walk on foot, and not a single one is complaining?"
"Duramos, the so-called Paradise Kingdom, really does live up to its name…"
"I heard those nobles were just villagers originally."
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