As if to validate what Ozz had just said, a colossal storm began to brew on the horizon, tearing across the sky and sea like a furious god's wrath.
"Nani!?"
Even the most powerful rulers of the New World—those who claimed they could shake the heavens—had to bow before this force of nature.
Countless ships, previously held aloft by the powers of the Float-Float Fruit, were caught in the storm's grasp. And of course, Golden Lion Shiki, the self-styled master of the skies, was no exception.
Swept into the roaring tsunami, his strength suddenly failed him—just as a flying helm came hurtling through the air...
"We're setting sail, everyone!!!"
Crafted from the legendary Adam Wood, the Oro Jackson stood firm amidst the chaos. And with an advance force of devil-fruitless warriors leading the charge, not even a tidal wave could halt the progress of the Roger Pirates.
The scene left Buggy and Shanks dumbfounded, jaws slack with disbelief.
"Oi—!"
The kitchen door slammed open with a crash as Buggy barreled in. The poor door, often mistreated, now looked like it might give up at any second.
"Ozz!"
Buggy's face was flushed with a mixture of excitement and disbelief as he rushed in, eyes wide with awe. "Ozz, are you serious? That storm that saved us—was it really my luck that caused it?!"
Ozz, who had been hiding in the kitchen for a secret feast, had a hunk of meat in one hand and a bucket of milk in the other, guzzling down nourishment like a black hole. Despite the mountain of food he'd devoured, his stomach showed no signs of bulging.
He had sensed Buggy's arrival long before, thanks to his Observation Haki, so he wasn't surprised—just a bit amused. Buggy really had taken his words to heart.
Maybe Buggy did have some kind of Conqueror's-level luck. After all, how else could a guy with his level of power end up as a Warlord of the Sea—and eventually, one of the Four Emperors?
Still, Ozz figured their safe escape had more to do with Captain Roger's destiny-fueled aura than Buggy's supernatural luck. If Buggy played a role, it was likely just a minor one.
But Ozz wasn't about to say that out loud.
He was too tactful for that—plus, Buggy was one of his rare, true friends.
"Of course it was you," Ozz said seriously, turning to Buggy. "Come on, think about it. With your strength, you've managed to make it onto this ship—and survive all these insane battles without a scratch. If that doesn't say something, what does?"
Buggy paused, processing the words.
He still remembered what Ozz had said back then—clear as day.
"Don't your lives have anything to shout about?"
That kind of spirit—even if he wasn't strong—was something a real pirate should have.
Buggy fell silent for a moment.
He wasn't sure if Ozz was praising him… or mocking him.
But after thinking it over…
He chose to believe in Ozz.
Sure, Ozz teased him sometimes, but Buggy knew he was genuine. He had helped him more than once when danger struck—unlike Shanks, who still tricked him into doing chores with fake treasure maps. (They fought about it often—though Buggy never won.)
Buggy smiled, the corners of his mouth curling up uncontrollably. He plopped down next to Ozz, ready to join him in some good old-fashioned loafing.
Truth be told, on the whole ship, Ozz was the one Buggy liked hanging out with the most.
Shanks was too annoying. And the rest of the crew, well—they only seemed to care about prodigies like Shanks and Ozz. It made Buggy want to give up his dreams more than once.
Only Ozz never looked down on him. He spoke kindly, never made him feel small.
Sure, Ozz made him help with chores sometimes, but he always gave Buggy real treasure maps or shared the loot afterward. He never treated him like dead weight—he believed in him.
To Buggy, Ozz wasn't just a crewmate.
He was the best friend he had.
"You really like milk, huh, Ozz?" Buggy asked, rubbing his red nose.
He took a swig from the milk bucket, only to frown slightly. It was a little sweet, but not all that exciting.
"Ah? This?" Ozz wiped his mouth. "Not really. I don't like milk that much."
"Then why drink so much of it?" Buggy asked, suspicious.
"Because milk makes you grow taller, duh!"
Ozz laughed.
"I want to hit three meters someday. I'm sick of having to look up at all those monsters out there—it's embarrassing!"
"That's the reason?" Buggy blinked.
"Of course! Actually, my favorite drink is orange juice." Ozz raised his cup. "Cheers."
They clinked cups and chugged together.
Buggy suddenly stood up, his face flushed with a strange mix of determination and embarrassment. He clenched his fists, and his eyes burned with sincerity.
"Ozz! When I become a great pirate, I'll buy you the best orange juice in the world!"
His face turned red, but he forced himself to hold Ozz's gaze.
Ozz burst into laughter. "Sounds good, Buggy. You're definitely gonna become someone big. And when I've hit rock bottom, I'll come mooch off you."
Buggy nodded seriously, taking him at his word.
"You've got it, Ozz. You'll always be my vice-captain!"
He meant it.
But deep down, remembering the strength of Ozz and Shanks, his heart wavered.
Could someone like him really deserve to chase dreams?
The two sat together, chatting and eating, their hands behind their heads.
Before they knew it, the sun had set.
Eventually, the ship's cook—sensing trouble—stormed in with a mop, face twisted in rage, and dragged the two slackers out of the kitchen.
But seeing Ozz patting his belly with no physical change, and Buggy—who had somehow ballooned into a ball—he could only sigh.
Ozz had some kind of monster metabolism. Buggy… not so much.
In the end, Ozz had to carry him back to his quarters.
After saying goodnight, Ozz finally returned to his own room to take a shower and wash off the blood and grime from battle.
But the moment he had nothing to do…
That itch returned.
He really wanted to mess around with his Conqueror's Haki.
Back when he first learned Geppo, he'd spent entire days bouncing through the sky, enjoying the feeling of flight.
Eventually, Jabba-ossan got fed up with the constant poof poof poof overhead and smacked a lump onto his head.
Now that it was nighttime, he figured releasing Conqueror's Haki would only earn him a crew-wide beating—so he restrained himself.
Instead, he looked into the mirror.
His body, covered in minor scars, radiated explosive strength.
"Zheng—"
Black Armament Haki surged across his arms, gleaming faintly under the room's lamp.
"When we get to Wano, I'll learn Ryuo next. Then… Advanced Conqueror's Coating."
Ozz admired the power crackling across his skin, while mapping out his road from Vice Admiral-level to Yonko Commander... and then to Yonko...
And eventually—to King.
By now, thanks to his monstrous physique, ordinary training no longer helped him much. Progress had slowed to a crawl.
From here on, only aging, further physical development, and the teachings of even stronger masters could sustain his rapid growth.
Well—maybe there was one more way.
Ozz glanced toward the small treasure chest hidden beneath his bed.