Ozz had a certain fondness for characters like this.
They were very weak, yet at certain moments, their resolve was incredibly strong. It was as if they carried tremendous fortune on their backs, always managing to play some strange role in desperate situations.
One of Ozz's closest friends, Buggy, was exactly that kind of likable person.
"M-M-M-Me?"
Facing Ozz, Usopp could barely speak properly.
The so-called Sniper King was just a title he had gained by chance two years ago.
Being called Sniper King in front of Black Spear himself...
The first thing Usopp felt was not honor, but terror.
I'm definitely going to die!
Beside him, Doflamingo's expression turned strange.
A title even Lord Ozz acknowledged?
Sniper King...
How bold.
There was another detail too. That classic "Sashiburi da na" was not something Ozz used with just anyone.
Only when he encountered someone he found truly interesting would Ozz say that catchphrase.
"The Straw Hat Pirates' Sniper King..."
Doflamingo's face darkened. He felt this was becoming extremely troublesome.
His fingers twitched continuously, sharp strings weaving around his fingertips as killing intent surged in his heart.
But in front of Ozz, he still chose not to suddenly attack and eliminate this massive threat.
What he did not know was that his decision to temporarily spare Usopp would later make him regret it with overwhelming intensity.
Sadgeo, whose face was still stained with blood, also became interested in the "Long-Nose Tribe" in his hand.
He even had the thought of inviting him to join.
In the end, however, he gave up.
Because he could sense that Usopp was far too weak.
After putting Usopp down, Sadgeo held onto his straw hat, clearly in a bad mood.
He had come to Green Bit and gained nothing so far. Instead, he had been beaten up, and Poseidon had been taken away from him.
It was not until Ozz seemed to say something to him that he finally became happy.
His eyes even lit up.
Because of Observation Killing, Doflamingo, Sanji, and the others could not hear clearly.
Only Usopp, who was a little closer, vaguely heard a few words.
Vegapunk.
The true Nika.
Sadgeo left.
He deceived a small portion of the dwarves and took his followers and the Sea Kings with him.
As for Shirahoshi, she was escorted back toward Fish-Man Island by two Super Giant Sea Kings.
Before leaving, she left some of the Super Giant Sea Kings behind to continue obeying Sadgeo's commands.
In a way, he barely retained the power of Poseidon.
"As for you lot..."
Ozz looked at Doflamingo and the others, scratching his head as if he found it troublesome.
"Do whatever you want."
"Eeeh!"
Usopp was terrified. Was he supposed to fight the Navy and Doflamingo together with Sanji and Law?
After that, Ozz stopped caring.
Because when there was a desperate situation, there was him.
The only man capable of clashing with Buggy's Conqueror's Luck.
And reality proved exactly that.
Usopp was successfully rescued by the dwarves. Nami, Sanji, and the others escaped.
Only Law refused to leave. Perhaps because he insisted on settling things once and for all, Doflamingo kept him behind.
...
Meanwhile, in Block D of the Corrida Colosseum, the development of events had become extremely strange.
Not only was there the great swordsman duel between Zoro and Kuina, but Cavendish had somehow fallen asleep at the edge of the arena.
An evil aura instantly enveloped his body.
His second personality emerged.
He even seemed to deliberately target the two figures holding black blades.
After a fierce assault, black-red Haki flashed across the arena.
At some unknown point, Cavendish's wicked face had changed into one with rolled-back eyes as he fainted.
"This..."
Zoro frowned.
Aside from Kuina and himself, there was no one left standing in the arena.
That Haki just now was...
He looked at Raven, the blade he had switched into his hand, which had just clashed against Kuina's Wado Ichimonji.
"What kind of terrifying Haki is hidden inside this sword...?"
Kuina was also stunned.
She looked at Wado Ichimonji, whose blade had been dyed black after being infused with Ozz's Conqueror's Haki. Her mind was unsettled.
Just now, the Haki from Teacher Ozz on both blades seemed to have collided.
After a brief daze, she slowly sheathed her sword.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Zoro reached out one hand, seemingly confused.
Kuina smiled at him.
"You've advanced, Zoro. Originally, I was only supposed to appear in the finals.
"Every contestant in Block D besides you has already lost consciousness."
The accidental clash between Raven and Wado Ichimonji seemed to have awakened a terrifying power. Black-red lightning from the same source swept through the arena.
These contestants, who were not even at commander level, Cavendish included, had all lost consciousness.
"...I see."
As if holding back frustration, Zoro removed the bandana from his head and looked at Kuina unwillingly.
"I look forward to settling things with you in the finals."
Kuina nodded as well.
"I believe I'll give you a surprise, Zoro."
...
At the same time, in another sea area of the New World.
The air was filled with sweets and fragrance. Songs and laughter rang out everywhere.
Unlike Dressrosa, which was currently trapped in chaos and complicated tension, Totto Land was like a true paradise, forever filled with joy.
"Mama mama mama!"
A huge, obese figure sat on the throne, holding the latest newspaper in her hand. Beside her, teacups and cakes danced cheerfully.
"Mama, did something good happen?"
"Yes, yes! You look so happy!"
The Homies chattered in front of their queen.
"Mama mama mama! That's right. And it's not just one thing."
Big Mom was smiling happily.
The first newspaper she held showed a young man wearing a straw hat with a bright, radiant smile.
"A criminal branded extremely evil by the World Government actually likes gathering different races too. That suits my taste perfectly. And he even wounded a Navy admiral..."
"If there's a chance, I should invite him to a tea party."
After laughing happily, Big Mom looked at another piece of paper.
It was an intelligence report.
"And then..."
"A marriage alliance with the Vinsmoke Family of the North Blue. If it succeeds, we'll be able to obtain their scientific power, won't we?"
"The one Pudding is marrying is..."
"Oh?"
As if she had seen something extremely surprising, Charlotte Linlin froze for a moment. Then light shone from her eyes.
"It's actually... Ozz's son?"
She thought back to many years ago, to that invitation to have a child together that had ultimately ended in failure.
"Maybe that regret... can finally be made up for."
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