"Yeah… that could work. It's not like I've got anything urgent going on."
Ozz heard the suggestion, rubbed his chin, and smiled with clear interest.
Vegapunk was still busy, occasionally sticking out his tongue as he glanced at Ozz.
"So, um… you really want to go take a look at that century that was completely erased, Mr. Ozz?"
Ozz nodded.
"Why not?"
"I've heard that back then, there were kings everywhere… and a war so absurdly huge it makes today look like child's play."
Vegapunk had researched it too after reading what Ohara had left behind. He knew the gist: one enormous kingdom standing alone against twenty, and losing in the end.
That failure was what paved the way for the current overlords of the world.
The Celestial Dragons, and the World Government.
"But…" Vegapunk still had concerns.
From the ancient ruins, and from the colossal ancient robot he had personally examined, it was clear enough.
That era had been stronger than the present.
"…As far as I know, the monsters of that age were even more terrifying than the sea we have now. And even that recluse within the World Government…"
Vegapunk stuck out his tongue, and when he mentioned that existence, fear flashed in his eyes. Sweat even appeared at his temple.
He knew about Im.
Eight hundred years ago had been a time when demons and gods walked the same road. Danger was everywhere.
Even the legendary Sun God Nika, the figure Vegapunk admired to the point of yearning, had met a bleak end in that age.
"A challenge is part of the fun of living, isn't it?"
Ozz did not care. If anything, he was itching for it. He rolled his neck, a rare fire lighting up in his expression.
As his strength rose, the so-called "high-end matches" became fewer and fewer. Even fighting top-tier commanders and Emperors no longer tempted him that much.
But if he went back and crossed hands with the Twenty Kings…
Or even Joy Boy himself…
Now that would be a real challenge.
As for the possibility of losing, Ozz had considered it too. But if he could not win, he could still run, right?
Sure, he might run into some ridiculous "bugged" monster or a weird mechanic, like actually meeting Joy Boy in person.
But he was a pirate. Since when did pirates fear death?
If Ozz feared death, his spirit would never have reached this level in the first place.
"If I really go this time…"
Ozz lifted his gaze to the ceiling, silently calculating. He had to be back before the year 1520 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
Otherwise, he would miss too many interesting scenes.
Before the main story began, Ozz's knowledge was limited. But once Monkey D. Luffy truly set sail, that was when the sea would get lively.
"…I'll probably be gone for a lot of years."
Good thing Ozz had already "stepped down." If he vanished for that long while still sitting on the throne, the sea would explode with trouble.
People would assume he was dead. Subordinates would start getting ideas. Betrayals, power grabs, chaos.
But with the Seven Warlords under him, all absolutely incapable of betraying Ozz, guarding his little patch of territory for him, he was very much at ease.
"Alright then."
"Let's do it. I'll make the trip."
Ozz was the type to decide on a whim, and once he decided, he moved immediately. He started calling his people through Den Den Mushi.
…
Some abandoned ancient castle.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump.
Dracule Mihawk was chopping vegetables.
On an expensive sofa beside him, a small girl floated back and forth while hugging a stuffed doll, eyes wide as she stared at the desserts on the table.
Mihawk, in a white dress shirt, did not look over. He was focused on cooking.
So little Perona stretched out a finger, planning to dab a little and taste it.
"You can't eat dessert before the meal."
A flat, slightly magnetic voice sounded.
It startled Perona so hard she almost dropped her doll. She looked over.
Mihawk's hands never stopped. He did not even turn his head. Yet he still knew she was trying to steal a bite.
Perona puffed out her cheeks and pouted, glaring at his back.
"You're seriously not cute at all, Uncle Mihawk!"
"If Lord Moria hadn't agreed, I wouldn't be here keeping you company!"
Mihawk, the sea's wandering swordsman, loved traveling the world to challenge famous blade masters. After a visit to Alabasta, he heard rumors on Moria's turf about a renowned swordsman, now turned into a puppet, who had once wielded a black blade and slain a dragon.
Mihawk went to test that rumor for himself.
And while he was at it, he checked on Perona.
It was something Ozz had promised. "Take care of the little one when you can."
So Mihawk, in passing, helped Moria babysit. He even brought her along in that ridiculous little coffin-boat, drifting back to his newly chosen home.
Perona complained as a few of her Negative Hollows floated over, drawn by her will, bobbing messily around Mihawk.
"Make those ghosts quiet down."
Mihawk frowned.
He remembered very clearly how those "harmless-looking" ghosts had made him embarrass himself in front of Ozz.
Just seeing them annoyed him.
"If you're really that greedy, then wait for dinner. Desserts are bad for a child's teeth."
Mihawk was about to say more when the Den Den Mushi on the table started ringing.
"Bero bero bero…"
He set down the knife and picked up the receiver.
Click.
"Long time no see, little hawk."
The call connected, revealing a smiling face with eyes glowing a sinister crimson.
Anyone who used that nickname…
Mihawk did not need to think twice.
There was no second person in this world.
"What kind of trouble are you dumping on me this time? Just say it."
Mihawk did not indulge him, tone cold.
Because Ozz, that bastard, usually spent his time wandering and having fun.
He only called when he needed Mihawk to clean something up.
Mihawk knew him too well.
"Hahahaha…"
Ozz laughed, not awkward at all. Pure understanding between them.
"As expected of my most trusted little hawk."
"Yeah. I'm leaving the sea again. For a while. Probably a long time."
"How long?"
"Probably years. Not sure."
Mihawk fell silent. His golden eyes, ringed within ringed circles, stared into those crimson eyes. There was a hint of helplessness, but in the end he still nodded.
"Fine. I understand."
No extra words were needed.
As Ozz appeared less and less on the sea, Mihawk's reputation had risen until it was no less than the Emperors themselves.
That was part of why Ozz could slack off so shamelessly.
"Thanks, little hawk."
Mihawk had long since gotten used to Ozz's nonsense. He let a small smile tug at his lips, sharp confidence in his gaze.
"It's nothing."
"At worst…"
"It's just something to keep my boring life from rotting."
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