"It really… really is you, Ozz!!!"
Buggy cried like the sky was falling, so enthusiastic that even Ozz was a little helpless. He could only pat Buggy's shoulder to comfort him.
"It's me, Buggy. Long time no see."
"Of course it's long! It's… it's been almost ten years!!!"
If Ozz hadn't left word before he disappeared, after so many years, plenty of people would've assumed he was dead.
Even those who didn't know him well had slowly forgotten that once, there had been a "king" on the sea.
Only Buggy…
Buggy had always believed nothing would happen to Ozz. One day, sooner or later, he would return to this ocean.
Because he was Ozz!!!
The man even Great Captain Buggy acknowledged!!!
He just never expected the wait to stretch nearly a decade.
Now they were in their thirties, creeping toward forty, no longer young.
"Stop crying. I'm back now, aren't I?"
Ozz slung an arm around Buggy's shoulders and laughed loudly.
"Come on, Buggy! Let's have a feast!!!"
Slowly, Buggy crawled out of that overwhelming rush of reunion, a grin returning to his face.
"Right, right, the feast! I've been preparing for this day the whole time!!!"
All of a sudden, the Buggy under Ozz's arm lit up with excitement. He split apart instantly, scattering into pieces that floated up around Ozz, fist clenched as he shouted toward his men.
"Boys! Bring me the newest batch of Perfect Orange Juice! Now, hurry!!!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!!!"
Ozz blinked at the scene, then laughed as he patted Buggy.
"So you've really been ready at all times, huh? Well… thanks."
"What?!"
Buggy immediately looked offended. His head floated right up beside Ozz, mouth wide, expression sour.
"Us? Saying thanks? What's that supposed to mean, Ozz?!"
Buggy was always like this. In front of Ozz and Shanks, he never cared who they were out in the world.
Because they'd grown up together.
"Alright, alright, my bad."
Ozz didn't mind at all. He smiled, sat cross legged, and waited for Buggy's surprise.
Soon Buggy's circus crew came panting over, carrying several large wooden barrels.
Buggy shot forward, circling the barrels like a showman, then flung his arms wide like a star taking the stage.
"Now… watch closely, Ozz!!!"
He spoke with solemn conviction, like he was announcing a historic event.
Ozz played along, clapping.
"I've asked merchant ships about every place in the world that grows the best oranges and tangerines! I bought tons of seeds, and finally, here in the East Blue, I cultivated the most perfect oranges!!!"
A white gloved hand, split from his body, flew out. One hand held a cup, the other twisted the barrel spigot.
A stream of delicate, crystalline orange juice poured out, so pure it showed no pulp, no residue, nothing. Even the appearance alone was enough to make your eyes brighten.
"Looks delicious."
Ozz accepted the cup Buggy handed him. It was filled to the brim. On the glossy surface, you could faintly see Ozz's smiling reflection and Buggy's eager face.
Gulp, gulp…
Buggy studied Ozz's expression closely, barely hiding his anticipation.
"Ah…"
"So?!!"
Buggy forced a confident smile, baring a row of bright white teeth, trying to look profound and unshakable.
But inside, he was nervous.
What if Ozz had tasted something even better?
Ozz downed the entire cup in one go, then fell silent for a moment.
That silence made Buggy's heart jump into his throat.
"Hey, hey, hey… what's the verdict?! Don't tell me it's… not your taste?!"
Cold sweat broke out on Buggy's face.
But Ozz only shook his head quietly, handed the cup back, and said calmly,
"Please give me another."
"Huh??"
"Another cup. This orange juice…"
"It's the best I've ever had."
Ozz looked completely serious.
And he truly was shaken.
This wasn't just "good."
This was absurdly good.
The stronger a person was, the sharper their senses became. The finer their awareness of every detail, every fluctuation, every sensation in their own body.
So the moment Ozz tasted it, he was genuinely stunned.
This was the most perfect, most delicious orange juice he had ever drunk in his life.
The sweetness, the smoothness, the texture… everything had been refined to an extreme.
Even back in his most extravagant, most indulgent "emperor era," he'd never experienced something this peak.
Not because it was impossible.
Because no one would be insane enough to chase perfection in something like this.
To reach this level, you'd have to obsess over everything: the seed selection, the cultivation, which fruits to pick, which flesh to use, the processing, the filtration, the preservation… all of it, pushed to the limit.
Only then could someone like Ozz, with top tier Observation Haki and top tier perception, say without hesitation:
This is the world's most perfect orange juice.
"Really?!!"
Buggy's grin nearly split his face in half. Hearing Ozz say that, he practically started floating, cheeks turning red from excitement.
"Then today we drink until we're satisfied!!!"
"Ohhhhh!!!"
Drinking the best orange juice in the world, with the best friend in the world, Ozz and Buggy threw a riotously happy banquet.
Among the underlings, plenty recognized Ozz. Their faces flushed, their hearts pounding.
Laughing, they whispered to each other like they'd witnessed a miracle.
"Hey, hey, hey! Is this real?! Captain Buggy is brothers with Black Spear?! That's a pirate even scarier than the Four Emperors!!!"
"Of course it's real! He's Captain Buggy!!!"
"The future Pirate King has to be Captain Buggy!!!"
Buggy drank too much, bottle in hand as he chugged nonstop. He split into pieces in front of Ozz, stretching himself tall, posing like some towering legend.
"The future Pirate King? Of course! That's me!!!"
Ozz laughed, delighted.
"Is that so? Buggy, I'm going to take you at your word."
Buggy burped loudly. In front of his best friend, he didn't back down even an inch. He slapped his chest, swaying, voice thick with drunken pride.
"Just watch, Ozz! I'll become Pirate King in the flashiest way possible! Shanks, that bastard, what right does he…"
He didn't even finish.
Buggy slumped, completely out cold.
With a single glance, Ozz steadied Buggy's falling, scattered pieces, gathered them up, and put him back together.
The sea breeze drifted by. Moonlight spilled over Ozz sitting there, and Buggy asleep in front of him.
Ozz took another sip of orange juice.
Maybe it really was that good.
A soft smile curved his lips.
"Buggy… I…"
"I've always believed you can do it."
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