Mihawk agreed without hesitation, which did not surprise Ozz in the slightest.
After all, they had known each other for over ten years now. They had been running around together since they were young men.
Ozz still remembered it clearly. Not long after Captain Roger's execution, that cold-faced youth had carried his blade straight into the red-light district to challenge him.
By now, that probably counted as true friendship.
As Mihawk and Ozz continued chatting, Perona drifted over. Seeing that the usually icy Uncle Mihawk was actually smiling, even if only a little, her curiosity flared up.
"Who is it? Who is it?"
She hugged her doll and stared intently at the Den Den Mushi.
"Hm?"
Hearing a girl's voice, Ozz paused. Then the Den Den Mushi shifted into a cute expression that looked oddly familiar.
"You are… little Perona?"
Ozz raised an eyebrow. He had not expected Mihawk, of all people, to secretly bring Perona home.
"Well, well. Didn't expect you to start raising a kid this early, little hawk."
Ozz's teasing look was absolutely infuriating. Mihawk's forehead twitched with visible veins.
"And whose fault do you think that is?"
"You were the one who promised Moria back then, weren't you?"
"And after that, you never took care of her even once!"
Ozz played dumb, laughing it off and glossing over the accusation.
In the end, he simply greeted little Perona, then Mihawk hung up on him without mercy.
Click.
Next was Crocodile.
"Ozz?"
When the call connected, the Den Den Mushi showed a face marked by a scar running across it, eyes filled with gloom. Only after recognizing Ozz did that sharp hostility ease slightly.
"Why are you calling?"
"Well… nothing special. Just letting you know that I'll be disappearing for a few years. I'll leave things to you while I'm gone."
"Hah…"
Crocodile exhaled smoke, legs crossed as he sat in Rainbase's office. He nodded at the Den Den Mushi.
"Got it. You really are living freely, you bastard."
He mocked Ozz lightly, a boss-like smile forming at the corner of his mouth. Draped in a black coat, he radiated underworld authority.
"Meanwhile, I still have to manage territory and work myself half to death for you."
Ozz did not mind the jab at all. He waved it off.
"Don't say it like that. When I get back…"
"I'll make sure you're taken care of properly. How about a huge chunk of territory?"
Ozz toyed with a small gadget in his hand as he casually dangled the promise in front of him.
Sure enough, for someone like Crocodile who craved power and land, nothing was more tempting.
And this was no empty promise. Later on, even a quarter of the New World would be massive enough, strong enough.
After settling Crocodile, Ozz thought about it and decided it would not be fair to stop there. Since they were his own people, he should inform the rest of the Seven Warlords as well.
Next was Little Dof.
"Fufufufu… I understand. Since you need this, Ozz, I will of course support you fully."
Inside the royal palace of Dressrosa, Donquixote Doflamingo crossed his fingers of string, licking the corner of his mouth. He looked wicked and carefree, yet his tone toward the Den Den Mushi was unusually respectful.
Still, doubt lingered in his heart.
A few years ago, Ozz had vanished from the sea for two whole years. Even with Doflamingo's information network and his position as the largest broker in the underworld, there had been no trace at all.
And now again?
For someone of Ozz's stature to disappear so often and for so long, what exactly was he doing?
But since Ozz did not explain, Doflamingo did not pry. He simply ended the call with a low laugh.
Click.
After hanging up, the smile faded from Doflamingo's face. He leaned back against the sofa, hands resting on the armrests, silently thinking.
Beside him, Sugar quietly ate grapes.
On the other side of the sofa, Viola watched Doflamingo with a complicated expression.
The more she learned about Ozz, the more hopeless she felt.
Against an enemy like that, did Dressrosa really still have a future?
…
Fish-Man Island.
"Understood, Lord Ozz. I will keep a close watch on the sea at all times."
Jinbe sat cross-legged, facing the Den Den Mushi with a solemn expression as he gave his promise.
A fish-man of such loyalty could never refuse a request like this.
"There's no need to be so serious. Everyone knows I treat my own people well."
Ozz understood Jinbe well. He knew he was honest and steadfast. After the Fish-Man Island incident, Ozz had long since stopped holding grudges.
Yet Jinbe did not relax.
"The debt you owe Fish-Man Island saved countless lives here. I am merely doing my part."
"Well… suit yourself."
…
"Shishishishishi. I got it. Perona's doing just fine with Mihawk. Thank him for me."
Some time ago, a group of reckless Supernovas with decent strength had caused Moria quite a bit of trouble. That was why he had let Perona stay with Mihawk for a while.
Now that the issue was resolved, he was more than happy to return the favor.
…
"Kuma, I'll be counting on you next."
Ozz did not bother calling Kuma. He simply teleported straight to where Ginny and Bonney were being treated and explained everything directly.
Hearing that Ozz needed his help, Bartholomew Kuma did not show the slightest annoyance. His eyes lit up instead.
"No problem at all. You've helped us so much. I've always wanted a chance to repay you…"
"I will absolutely not refuse this."
Ozz was not surprised by his reaction. He smiled and patted Kuma's arm.
"I'll be looking forward to seeing your family healthy when I come back."
…
Six of the Seven Warlords had been informed. Only one remained.
Ozz scratched his chin. After some thought, he decided to call anyway. After all, she had once been his subordinate.
He did not have Hancock's Den Den Mushi, so he contacted the Holy Land and asked CP0 for one.
His personal CP0 agent, Lipp, felt rather guilty when he received the call, believing he had failed to properly watch over Ozz's "slave."
Ozz told him not to worry.
Since he was officially a government-recognized Warlord, Ozz easily obtained the contact and dialed it.
Moments later, the call connected.
On the Den Den Mushi appeared a look of utter disdain, eyes filled with arrogance. The voice that followed was lofty and unforgiving.
"What insolent fool is this…"
"How dare you disturb me while I am bathing?"
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