The pinnacle of pirates! Beginning as a trainee in Roger's crew

"...What?"

The moment that name was spoken, the Five Elders froze, exchanging glances with one another.

But Shamrock simply smiled, calm and confident, a presence uncannily reminiscent of Shanks.

"I'll admit it. At our age, he's the only one worthy of being my rival.

Perhaps only I can personally step in and recruit him."

Born with the same monstrous talent that once let Shanks stand at the pinnacle of the sea, Shamrock was arrogant undeniably so.

He even claimed that only he could subdue Ozz.

But to the Five Elders...

They glanced at one another again, and in that quiet glance lay a single, unanimous thought:

That's... pretty much impossible.

They acknowledged that, as the son of Figarland Garling, Shamrock was one of the most gifted individuals they'd ever seen. Just like Garling in his prime, this boy had the potential to become a true king among the Celestial Dragons' forces.

One day, he might even rival Garling's once-unrivaled might.

But to dominate Ozz?

That was a different story.

In terms of raw talent, Ozz's willpower and capabilities weren't any weaker than Shamrock's.

At just nineteen, Ozz's Conqueror's Haki was already on the cusp of mastery. His strength had reached levels that once rivaled the greatest emperors of the sea.

The footage from the battle in Totto Land, sent back by the World Government's spies, had left the Five Elders in grim silence.

Even fighting in a style he wasn't particularly good at straight-up, head-on combat Ozz still managed to seriously injure two Emperor-level monsters. His Conqueror's Haki shattered the land beneath his feet like it was paper.

Watching that footage, even the Five Elders had quietly wondered:

If we fought him one-on-one... could we win?

One of them might lose.

Two might be safe.

Five?

Still not guaranteed.

But against Shamrock?

Nusjuro glanced at the cursed blade resting on his shoulder and thought he alone might be enough.

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Ozz arched a brow in amusement.

A Celestial Dragon, huh?

He'd never seriously considered that before.

But now... it did sound kind of fun.

"World Noble. Celestial Dragon. Saint Ozz."

Just thinking about it made his lips curl upward in an intrigued smile. It wasn't that he craved the privileges that came with the title summoning Admirals, bottomless coffers, CP bodyguards.

After all, as the ruler of the underworld, Ozz could easily enjoy luxuries far more extravagant than anything a Celestial Dragon could offer.

No. What tempted him was the novelty of it all.

A Celestial Dragon... with D in his name, funding the Revolutionary Army, and still technically an active pirate?

Now that was a twist he could enjoy.

Maybe... I'll show myself.

As Ozz scanned the room, Saint Marcus of the Five Elders spoke calmly.

"Ozz isn't someone who can be easily controlled. Even as a member of the Figarland line, there are things we've had to tread carefully around."

In other words, he was saving face for the Five Elders.

This was the man who had made even them, the world's highest authorities, scramble and panic. And now this kid was saying he could just waltz in and make Ozz a subordinate?

He might as well try to recruit them while he's at it.

Utterly clueless.

But Shamrock didn't see it that way.

As the future heir of the Figarland family, defeat was a foreign concept to him. He was blazing his own path to emperorship. Among his peers, there had never been a worthy opponent.

He'd heard all the rumors about Ozz, sure. But in his eyes, they were just feats made possible by a devil fruit.

He didn't deny that devil fruit powers were a part of one's strength. But when it came to pure swordsmanship and Haki he was confident he wouldn't lose.

"I heard he's here in the Holy Land. I'll seek him out myself, and prove it to all of you..."

On the Empty Throne, Imu sat unmoving.

No emotion flickered across their face.

Perhaps, aside from the events of 800 years ago and the name Joy Boy, nothing from this "mortal realm" could stir them anymore.

"You may handle this matter as you see fit."

Clearly uninterested, Imu had no intention of interfering. And with the ancient monarch uninvolved, Shamrock wasn't about to be intimidated by a few grumpy old men.

"I will challenge him. As long as he accepts"

"I accept."

The voice cut through the air like lightning.

Everyone turned, stunned.

A flash of motion then a single gleaming arrow tore through the silence, aimed at the source of the voice.

A reactionary strike. Swift and ruthless.

From the King of the World.

But Ozz was faster.

Eyes glowing scarlet, black cloak fluttering, and clad in a dark crimson nobleman's suit, he vanished before the arrow could even reach him.

Not dodged.

Evaporated.

Not even the ruler's arrow could scratch him, not when faced with the power to traverse space itself.

A moment later, his composed figure reappeared silently behind the Five Elders and the Figarland duo.

"What the... Ozz?!"

The Five Elders recognized him instantly. So did Garling and Shamrock after all, they'd seen his face enough times on bounty posters.

Only Imu's eyes narrowed, their gaze cold and piercing as it locked onto Ozz.

"You've uncovered the secret of Lord Imu's existence. For that alone, you must die!"

Garling drew his sword without hesitation, eyes full of killing intent. The invitation to recruit Ozz was forgotten.

He had violated a truth no one was allowed to know.

"Hold it, Garling! Ozz has known about Lord Imu for some time already!"

One of the Five Elders stepped in, voice firm.

He had seen the King's earlier attack fail to even scratch Ozz. And if they couldn't subdue him... then they had to not start a war.

Especially not here, in the most secretive place of the Holy Land.

"What?!"

Garling froze, blinking. Then, seeing that Imu made no move to attack further, he slowly lowered his blade.

Shamrock had been about to draw as well, but Garling raised a hand to stop him, shaking his head.

Because in that moment...

Imu and Ozz were locked in eye contact.

"A fascinating ability. You knew of me already? Was it through the Poneglyphs? The Final Island?"

Imu's voice was quiet, contemplative, studying Ozz like a riddle.

"That... was probably just my Observation Haki. I was born with the kind that sees far into the future."

When in doubt, blame it on Haki. Ozz was used to that excuse by now. There were so many kinds who was to say one didn't let you glimpse the distant future?

"It would seem... among all Observation users I've met, you see the farthest.

No wonder they speak of you so often in my presence."

Perhaps it was because even Imu couldn't guarantee they could defeat Ozz on the spot.

Or perhaps it was Shamrock's earlier words that shifted Imu's perspective.

Either way, Imu's tone changed.

"So then... will you?

Become a Celestial Dragon.

Join the Holy Knights."