In short,
based on their assessment of Ozz's current threat level and potential capabilities,
they even cast aside their lingering doubts about whether Ozz might have reached Laugh Tale.
After all, if they let Ozz's destruction run unchecked, the World Government's control over the seas would unquestionably slide into a perilous state.
At that point, Lord Imu…
Thinking about this dire consequence, the Five Elders no longer maintained their usual imposing and defiant airs before their subordinates and the Navy. Instead, cold sweat appeared on their brows, their pupils trembled uncontrollably.
So during their conversation with Ozz, they showed no hint of condescension.
They were seasoned politicians
well aware that pride and face are the most useless things in the world.
"So, what's your verdict?"
They waited silently for Ozz's reply.
"Erase all grudges, become a legalized pirate? Sounds like an enticing offer, but... I refuse."
A faint smile appeared on Ozz's face as he dropped the unexpected bomb.
"What!?!?"
The Five Elders furrowed their brows, feeling played. They exchanged glances.
Whether from the standpoint of interest or the World Government's dignity, this was the last thing they wanted to hear.
Anger and displeasure flashed in their eyes.
After a long silence,
Wochury Saint's cold voice once again came slowly through the Den Den Mushi,
"Dotor Ozz, you should understand even if we can't touch you, your assets and friends in the Sabaody Archipelago live right under the Government's watchful eye..."
When bribery fails,
it's time to threaten.
Though they couldn't reach Ozz directly, intelligence collected by the spies revealed that Ozz maintained strong ties with people like Shami in the Sabaody red-light district.
If they could leverage those bonds,
even the mightiest would have to dance to their tune.
Just like Roger and Whitebeard men of loyalty and strong feelings.
As seen from later actions, the World Government indeed favored this tactic, using Ace as bait to lure Whitebeard.
And from the intelligence, the feelings between Ozz and those red-light district women, if leveraged...
"Go ahead, kill them if you want."
Ozz's sudden words cut through their thoughts.
What?
Wochury Saint's expression stiffened.
Some of the other Elders looked as if they had anticipated this.
The Den Den Mushi showed Ozz's face still smiling, but whether by their own imagination or not, a faint chill seemed to cling to his expression.
"The people in the red-light district? They're just my income sources. Do as you please.
But if you make me unhappy, I'll uproot every single Marine base in the New World, then seize the Heavenly Gold, and after that, I'll destroy the allied nations..."
Ozz's face barely changed; his gentle smile remained.
His tone was as casual as if he were talking about eating or drinking.
But what he said caused the Five Elders' hearts to sink collectively.
No use...
Emotional blackmail like this just wouldn't work on Ozz.
They quickly reached this conclusion.
The negotiation hit a deadlock.
But Ozz's next words felt like the final slap sealing their bruised faces.
"Honestly, you don't need to treat me as the number one enemy."
Ozz shook his head helplessly. These crafty old men were truly tiresome, always recycling the same few moves.
He didn't want to drag it out the execution was about to start.
"I have no interest in overthrowing the World Government, nor Imu, Joy Boy, the Void Century, or the 'D' none of it.
Everything I do is mostly on a whim, for fun.
Though from your perspective, such unpredictability might seem threatening, but..."
"As long as the World Government shows me respect, I'm more than willing to show the same to you."
"Click."
The Den Den Mushi was hung up.
On the other end, inside the halls of power,
the Five Elders were silent for a long time, their eyes heavy with unshakable gravity.
"Dotor Ozz... where did he hear all this? Did Roger tell him?"
"Not necessarily. Maybe on the Final Island..."
"A troublesome fellow. Looks like we'll have our hands full from now on."
"However, he shows no obvious hostility. Perhaps sometimes he could be useful to us. In some matters, we might yield appropriately."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
The Five Elders conferred and finally decided the World Government's stance toward Ozz
moderate tolerance and concession.
This was the smartest course of action they could devise for now.
...
"Hey, Ozz! Over here! Where'd you disappear to just now?" Shanks and Buggy had already squeezed to the front row, waving at the belated Ozz.
"Nothing, just made a phone call."
"Don't wander off. Captain Roger is about to appear!"
The three of them stood on the stage.
As time ticked away, the execution drew nearer.
During this time, Ozz noticed many familiar faces.
Moria, with his sharp teeth and devilish appearance though not yet the pirate world's top fatty, but ambitiously aiming to become Pirate King.
In Ozz's view, somewhat overestimating himself.
The Green Cloaked 'Cold Sweat King,' Monkey D. Dorag, watching quietly from afar, his face not yet marked by the great beatings from Karp.
A young, fair-skinned Hawk-Eye, the future world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
Doflamingo should have been here, but since Ozz had given him a lesson, he was still in confinement, unable to attend.
And then...
Hmm?
Ozz spotted a figure somewhat familiar, yet he wasn't entirely sure.
A slicked-back hairstyle, a horizontal scar on the face, wearing a greatcoat these traits matched one person perfectly, but...
Lady, who are you?
Not far beside him stood a sultry woman.
Ozz hardly dared to believe it.
Is this really my fifty-fifty old Sha?
Her sexy and fiery figure, her icy-cold face, the scar only enhancing her beauty, giving her the aura of an underworld queen.
So it was true.
Croco-dial really did get Ivankov to perform that surgery...
At that instant, Ozz's playful spirit reignited.
What if Ivankov didn't just operate on Crocodile?
Croco-kda?
Or, what if he did this surgery on others...
Ozz was shocked at the wild idea flashing through his mind. Too crazy.
"Hey, Ozz, what're you spacing out for?"
Feeling a couple of nudges, Ozz reflexively looked toward his two close buddies,
Buggy?
Shanks?
...
(First, a bow to everyone)
(PS: Crocodile's character setting here is my own little headcanon because it's still uncertain. A possible backstabber too. Many readers like it, others don't.
So if you don't accept it, just mentally filter it as male, he won't be the heroine nor act against his character, and it won't affect the story.)
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