"If there's still no ship heading for Impel Down today… I might as well teleport and fly there myself."
It was early morning in Marineford. The streets were gradually coming alive, and in a bustling breakfast stall nestled within the residential district, Ozz sat quietly, making a private decision.
After dinner last night, with nowhere else to go, he had used Observation Haki to scan the officers' quarters. He picked out a single rear admiral who happened to be out on a mission and spent the night at his place.
Who would've thought?
Here, in Marineford—the heart of the world's naval power, where all elite marines are gathered—one of the world's most wanted pirates, with a bounty of over a billion, was casually living his best life.
You could call it the perfect case of "hiding in plain sight."
Ozz sipped his breakfast broth.
But soon, two unfamiliar yet strong auras entered the edge of his Haki range—one of them rapidly closing in.
What now?
Had they found him?
Ozz's expression didn't change in the slightest. He calmly ate his bowl of wontons, maintaining the image of a tall, decently handsome passerby.
Today, to avoid being swarmed by low-level recruits greeting him every few steps, he had deliberately skipped the marine cloak, even changing his entire outfit.
He'd strutted around high-profile yesterday and still hadn't aroused suspicion.
And now, going out of his way to lay low… they found him immediately?
That didn't add up.
Finishing the last bite, Ozz's eyes briefly flashed with a subtle red glow as he activated his Haki at full power.
So that's what this is about.
"Excuse me, sir. May I take a look at your sword?"
A female voice spoke from behind.
Ozz slowly turned around.
The speaker was a woman with long, jet-black hair. Naturally, the first thing that caught his eye was not her voice, but the long, bare legs right in front of him.
On her left thigh was a black spider tattoo—adding an unexpected touch of wildness and edge to her otherwise elegant appearance.
Judging purely by looks—and Ozz was no amateur, having spent months in various red-light districts—she could easily rival the top girls working under Sammi.
And with that marine cloak draped over her shoulders, she carried even more appeal.
An evil pirate vs. a beautiful justice-serving marine?
Now that was a fantasy worth selling.
Ozz's mind drifted.
Next time he saw Sammi, he'd have to suggest launching this as a new attraction. Guaranteed to make a fortune!
Assuming the navy didn't come knocking.
But back to reality—the marine in front of him, he actually recognized.
Rear Admiral Gion.
Ozz let his eyes roam, taking in her impressive figure before glancing toward the man standing behind her—
And then promptly looked away, unimpressed.
"Hey!!! You bastard! What's with that disgusted look?!"
The man—Gaji—was clearly fuming.
Add to that Ozz's annoyingly good looks, even hidden behind sunglasses, and the guy was practically radiating jealousy and insecurity.
"Gaji!"
Gion snapped, silencing him immediately.
She turned back to Ozz.
"Apologies, sir. Please excuse my companion's behavior. I just wanted to take a look at the sword you're carrying."
"This one?"
Ozz, noting that they still hadn't recognized him, let out a quiet sigh of relief. He couldn't help but be amazed: a simple wardrobe change, and they were totally fooled. Some things really did work everywhere.
In truth, you couldn't really blame Gion and Gaji. Since Ozz had joined the Roger Pirates, he'd hardly appeared in public after his first bounty poster was circulated.
And even during the major clashes between the Roger Pirates and the Navy near the end of their voyage, Ozz had stayed mostly in the shadows—sniping and setting traps, rarely drawing his blade in public.
He was, after all, that kind of guy.
Over the years, he'd grown significantly—his height shooting past two meters, his aura and appearance transforming drastically.
Unless he wore that iconic black military coat and carried his signature black gun, there was no way anyone could link this imposing man with the boy he once was.
That's right—
To stay under the radar today, Ozz had left behind even the black gun gifted by Master Tamm. He was dressed plainly, wearing a long coat and shades, and had only brought a single sword and some cash.
Plenty of people could recognize the black gun and uniform.
But a tall guy with a trench coat, sunglasses, and a blade on his hip? Virtually anonymous.
Seeing that they really didn't recognize him, Ozz felt today's outfit had more than earned its keep.
He had gambled on the fact that in a place as crowded as Marineford, not every officer would know every face.
And he'd been right.
"This? I picked it up by chance. Do you know the blade?"
He handed the sword over without hesitation, ignoring Gaji's wary stare. Ozz was confident he could snatch it back in an instant if things turned south.
"I do!" Gion replied earnestly, carefully examining the weapon. "There's no mistake. This is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords—Shadow Crow."
"This sword once belonged to a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral. He went missing in the New World during an encounter with the Roger Pirates. Both he and the blade vanished. I never expected to see it here!"
"Where exactly did you get it?"
Thankfully, like most people, Gion never even considered the possibility that a pirate would just waltz into Marineford. So she wasn't questioning his identity.
Well…
Ozz scratched his head.
What was he supposed to say? That he'd killed that rear admiral with one swing and took the blade for himself?
"I bought it off a traveling merchant."
Lie.
"I see…" Gion nodded, clearly accepting the story. After all, it had been years—anything could've happened.
She hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip slightly, looking up at him.
"I have a… small favor to ask."
She suddenly stepped forward, seizing Ozz's hand with both of hers and leaning in, her entire body now lightly pressing against him. Her big, pleading eyes peered up at his sunglasses with hopeful sincerity.
"I'd like to buy this sword from you. It once belonged to a hero who gave his life in the name of justice."
She was trying to appeal to his sense of morality—hoping that, as a resident of Marineford, he would understand.
"Gion, come on! That's way too close!" Gaji shouted, practically gnashing his teeth. He could only watch helplessly, constrained by the naval code of conduct that forbade attacking civilians.
Damn it!!!
If he weren't bound by rules, he'd rip this guy away on the spot.
Damn it! So jealous!!!
As for Ozz, there wasn't the slightest flicker of emotion in his eyes.
Even with Gion's curves pressing gently against him, and the faint outline of two white peaks brushing against his chest, he didn't so much as blink beneath those shades.
Please.
You think you can buy off my prize blade with sweet words and a little physical appeal?
Do I look that dumb?
He'd already graduated from the school of temptation long ago. Even if he was in the prime of his youth, Ozz had built up a rock-solid immunity to women's charms.
It had taken entire brothels to forge that resistance.
"Sorry. It's part of my private collection," he said flatly. "You marines don't do forced purchases, do you?"
"…Of course not. But—"
"Not for sale."
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