"I just don't understand... Why would the Holy Land issue such an order?"
Completely unaware that Ozz was already in bed with the Five Elders, the Navy continued treating him as their greatest hypothetical threat scrutinizing and debating how best to deal with him, should the day come when the World Government lifts their restrictions.
But Commander Kong knew better.
Soon to retire and take up a post in the Holy Land himself, Kong had already caught wind of the deeper politics at play. As the Navy's highest-ranking officer with direct communication to the Five Elders, he had long since sensed a shift in the winds.
And so, he cut Brannew short mid-briefing, halting the analysis of Ozz and his crew.
"Move on to the next agenda," Kong said.
Brannew dared not argue. He gave a sharp nod and moved on.
"As you're all aware, the World Government's new Reverie is just around the corner. The Navy's responsibility in protecting the participating nations remains substantial.
Captain Meikawa Naiku will oversee the escort for the North Blue…
Rear Admiral Hichikawa Okazaka for the South Blue…
…"
"And next, Vice Admirals Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino…"
As soon as he named the three, the entire conference room erupted.
"What?!"
"The three Admiral candidates, each assigned to escort a single kingdom? Even Alabasta didn't receive that level of protection!"
"Something's definitely off!"
Strangely, the three officers themselves remained calm and expressionless.
Borsalino sipped his tea, a faint curl at his lips. Sakazuki sat with arms crossed, his cap obscuring his face. Kuzan slouched back in his seat, utterly uninterested.
After all, it made little difference which kingdom they were assigned to.
But the moment the actual destination was announced, all three froze in shock.
"All three of you will be escorting the royal family of the Kingdom of Duramos."
Boom!!
A thunderous blast shattered the conference table in front of them, reduced to flaming splinters by a sudden outburst of elemental fury.
"Fleet Admiral, isn't this going a bit too far? I'm concerned…"
Sengoku rubbed his forehead in exasperation, looking from the dazed Borsalino to the fuming Sakazuki and Kuzan.
Anyone with half a brain could see what was happening.
Though the Kingdom of Duramos was nominally ruled by Old Zeek, everyone knew the true master and crown prince was Ozz himself.
Sending three men who viewed him as their mortal enemy to serve as his royal escort? That was practically a setup.
Sengoku knew this couldn't be Kong's doing.
It had to be a direct order from the World Government the only ones with the authority to orchestrate such arrangements.
Kong glanced at Sengoku's troubled expression and sighed.
"There's nothing we can do. With the World Government's guarantee in place, Ozz won't make any moves at the Reverie.
What we need to ensure now is that Kuzan and Sakazuki stay level-headed.
Borsalino, I'm not too worried about."
But that was easier said than done.
These men had nursed their grudges for years especially Kuzan, whose history with Ozz dated all the way back to his time as a Navy recruit.
Letting bygones be bygones? Unrealistic.
"I'll issue them a direct order. No choice now," Sengoku muttered, massaging his temples.
Kong chuckled quietly.
"Right? The Navy's internal drama is enough to turn your hair white. I should know.
Luckily, I'm just about out. Soon, you'll be in charge, Sengoku."
But the promoted man didn't look particularly thrilled.
"Easy for you to say. The sea ahead is anything but calm…"
Maybe it was the looming storm of the Great Pirate Era, or the increasingly erratic actions of the World Government.
Either way, Sengoku's expression was heavy, not with ambition, but with burden.
"And then there's Ozz. Even if he hasn't thrown the seas into chaos… he's still a problem."
Kong nodded in agreement.
"A man like Rocks… but with none of the ambition. That alone is the best bad news we could hope for."
Sengoku glanced around at the slumbering Garp, the composed Tsuru, the dejected Zephyr, and the soon-to-be Admirals, each bearing different emotions.
In that moment, he felt a rare flicker of uncertainty.
What exactly was the Navy's future supposed to look like?
…
Ten Days Later.
As a New World member nation, the Kingdom of Duramos wasn't large but thanks to Ozz, it was thriving.
"Still some time left before the Reverie. Up for a round, Hawkeye?"
"Of course."
Dressed in his ornate, gold-trimmed cloak, Dracule Mihawk stood tall and proud. He was never one to back down from a challenge. In fact, it had been far too long since he last crossed swords with Ozz, and he too was curious to see how much stronger they'd become.
"Fufufufufufu… What a terrifying swordsman. His very aura is enough to chill the bones."
Lounging at the edge of the ship, Doflamingo had now been sailing with them for a few months and was beginning to understand the crew's personalities.
He still liked picking fights with Crocodile the most maybe their tempers just naturally matched.
"Don't lump me in with you, you twisted bastard. Keep it up and I'll gut you."
Crocodile didn't even try to hide his disdain, casting Doflamingo a sideways glare as the golden hook at his side gleamed coldly.
"Hmph. Says the one with just as high a bounty as mine…"
"Shut up!!"
Elsewhere, on a remote island in the Duramos region, two titanic clashes broke out simultaneously.
Black and green sword auras slashed through the air. And this believe it or not was them holding back. At full strength, they could reshape the entire landscape with a single bout.
"Such monstrous Conqueror's Haki…"
Mihawk had once believed that mastering Conqueror's Infusion meant he could go toe-to-toe with Ozz. But now, his expression grew heavier.
He kicked off the ground, blade in hand. His sword, Yoru, gleamed with black lightning, and his eyes narrowed with solemn focus.
Even the sword itself seemed to respond, Haki surging along the blade. Black-and-red lightning crackled around its edge, magnifying its already formidable presence.
But even so, he paled in comparison to the force standing opposite him.
If Mihawk's aura was lightning, then Ozz's was a full-blown thunderstorm.
"Ozz!! They say you might be the World's Greatest Swordsman. Then let me test your swordplay again!!"
In the next instant
The clash of Yoru and Ace two Supreme Grade Black Blades shook the air.
Yet their blades never even touched.
Instead, a burst of Conqueror's Haki surged between them, splitting the very sky.
A sight not seen since the legendary duel between Roger and Whitebeard.
…