Stored within that box—untouched for three years—was a Devil Fruit.
A Paramecia-type: the Teleport-Teleport Fruit.
In the original story, it had once belonged to Van Augur, the sniper of Blackbeard's crew. It was practically tailor-made for a sniper—ideal for setting up long-range attacks, repositioning swiftly, and evading danger.
But for Ozz, it was far more than just a sniper's tool.
If one day he found his strength reaching a plateau, this spatial-type fruit might become his next breakthrough. Once awakened, who knew what surprises it might hold? Perhaps he could instantly teleport all enemy attacks a thousand miles away. Or shift at such speed and frequency that it mimicked Kamui-like intangibility, rendering him immune to all physical harm. Or even casually teleport a Devil Fruit user straight into the sea...
If Bartholomew Kuma could use the Paw-Paw Fruit to slap away pain and travel the globe, why couldn't a teleportation-based ability go even further?
In Ozz's eyes, Zoan Mythical-types were undoubtedly strong—but Paramecia fruits, especially those rooted in conceptual power, were far from weak.
So why hadn't he eaten it yet?
Because he was waiting.
Ozz had a suspicion—one he dared not test: what if, before the time is right, Devil Fruit users were somehow rejected by the Final Island?
After all, in the original story, Buggy had suddenly come down with a high fever right before they reached Laugh Tale, and missed the journey that led to the One Piece.
And what set Buggy apart from the rest?
He had a Devil Fruit power.
Ozz wasn't willing to gamble on that—not when the fruit would still be there in two years.
In the meantime, it made perfect sense to pour all his energy into training his Haki. After all, as Master Kaido once said: "Only Haki reigns supreme over all."
Ozz wasn't about to lose sight of what mattered most. He didn't want to become one of those flashy Devil Fruit users who looked powerful until they got wrecked by someone wielding Advanced Armament Haki.
Take Kid, for example.
Was he strong? Of course.
A fully awakened Devil Fruit user with electromagnetic railguns that could devastate entire fleets. He even seriously injured an Emperor of the Sea.
But his Haki? Lacking.
Shanks caught a glimpse of the future, found the momentary opening, and bam—one perfectly-timed Divine Departure sliced through all of it like a hot knife through butter.
Three billion bounty? Slain like a chicken.
That's why Ozz would never stop honing his Haki.
He would forge the hardest Armament, sharpen the most far-reaching Observation, and unleash a Conqueror's Haki that could rival the heavens.
And sailing with the Roger Pirates—that was the fastest way to do it. It was, in many ways, retracing Shanks' path to power...
Knock, knock...
Ozz was pulled from his thoughts by a sudden knock at the door.
"Uncle Betam?"
A strange red glint flashed in Ozz's eyes. In an instant, a mental image appeared: a plump man standing at the door.
Throwing on some pants, Ozz opened the door—just as expected, it was his sniper mentor:
Betam, the Roger Pirates' sharpshooter.
"You're still up, Ozz?"
Betam had a long, bandage-wrapped item in his hands. He patted Ozz's shoulder with familiar ease.
Ozz nodded and invited him in.
"What's that you've got there?"
"I came to congratulate you," Betam beamed. "Not everyone's born with the gift of Conqueror's Haki, you know."
With a warm smile, he handed the item over.
To his credit, Betam had always been a good teacher—one who genuinely taught Ozz how to refine his Observation Haki and sharpen his sniping skills. A true mentor, worthy of respect.
Ozz took the item in hand and immediately knew what it was.
A rifle.
And a heavy one at that.
He began to unwrap the bandages—and there it was: a sleek, jet-black sniper rifle. Sleek lines, beautifully crafted—everything from the barrel to the scope was top-grade material.
In fact, it was too good.
Seastone.
The whole damn thing was made of pure Seastone.
Holy sh—…
Ozz was stunned speechless.
He had originally planned on becoming a hybrid—a formidable Devil Fruit user who could also play sniper when needed.
But with a weapon like this?
Was it even compatible with teleportation?
Sniping with Seastone and a spatial power? Might not mix.
Still, looking at Betam's hopeful eyes, Ozz couldn't bring himself to say anything negative.
"…Yeah. This is a damn fine rifle."
Worst case, he could just keep the bandages on when using it later.
And to be fair, this thing really was a top-tier weapon. Any seasoned sniper would know the moment they held it—thousands of meters of range, no problem.
And if you infused the bullets with Haki or a fruit's power? You could probably push that even further.
"Hahaha! Of course it's a good gun! I paid a fortune for that thing back in the day." Betam laughed heartily. "But I've grown attached to my old partner over the years, so I never got around to switching. Consider it your lucky day!"
He was clearly thrilled to pass it on to someone worthy.
Because Ozz was worthy.
Conqueror's Haki users who specialized in sniping were almost nonexistent. Ozz was the first real prodigy to emerge in decades. His potential was limitless.
Betam himself had no Conqueror's Haki. That meant no matter how good he was, he'd never stand at the true peak of the world. But Ozz? He could.
Giving this rifle to Ozz wasn't just a gift.
It was an investment in the future of the sniper's legacy.
"I was planning to give it to you tomorrow," Betam said. "But I saw Shanks was still up and figured you might be too. So, I thought—why not now?"
That made Ozz raise an eyebrow.
"Shanks? What's he doing awake at this hour?"
"Probably because of you."
Seeing the confusion on Ozz's face, Betam smirked.
"Seeing you take down an enemy officer so effortlessly… it probably rattled him a little."
Then he burst into laughter.
Shanks had been raised on this ship, practically adopted by Roger himself. A prodigy with immense talent, destined to inherit the Pirate King's will.
And now?
Ozz > Shanks.
Which, in a way, meant...
Betam > Roger?
The very thought made him giddy.
"Seems like Shanks has the heart of a true warrior after all."
Which wasn't surprising.
Back when he first boarded the ship, Shanks had already been entrusted with the Straw Hat—a symbol of future kingship. He'd carried a lofty mindset even back then, seen as the heir to Roger's will.
And now Ozz had shown up—smashing through his invincible image.
He wasn't some noble genius raised at sea—he was a town kid. A wild card. A dark horse.
Like some fated protagonist of destiny showing up to humble the world's chosen sons.
If Ozz was stronger... then maybe Roger's will wasn't his to inherit.
Maybe the Straw Hat wasn't his to wear.
Shanks couldn't accept that.
Even if Ozz hadn't done anything deliberately to provoke him, the difference in strength was real. It gnawed at Shanks, forcing him to measure himself—again and again—until he could rise above it.
That night, the moment Ozz awakened his Conqueror's Haki, Shanks began training like a man possessed.
"Don't slack off, Ozz," Betam grinned. "The moment you take your eyes off the prize, someone's gonna pass you."
Not that Ozz felt any pressure.
After all, he never cared about inheriting any will. He had no grand desire to become Pirate King.
He just wanted to see the One Piece with his own eyes—for the sake of nostalgia and curiosity.
If he really wanted to claim the title, it wouldn't be hard.
Once Roger died, all he'd have to do was grab an Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale, sail back, and declare that he'd found the treasure.
Boom. King of the Pirates.
But strength? That mattered.
He'd be damned if he got blocked by Shanks while trying to show off or crack a joke.
That red-haired bastard was infamous for meddling in other people's business.
Sure, Shanks might command respect in front of others—
But in front of Ozz and Buggy?
He didn't even have a single hair of clout.