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

"A Celestial Dragon, huh…"

Ozz narrowed his eyes slightly, then pinched his chin with one hand, as if considering the offer.

"Can I just be a figurehead? I've gotten used to doing things my own way."

He cast a glance toward Shamrock's cold gaze, then shrugged with feigned helplessness.

"After all, I don't like taking orders from people weaker than me."

The moment he said that, the Five Elders and the Figarland father and son all widened their eyes in disbelief, staring at Ozz in stunned silence.

He said that… in front of Lord Imu?!

On the Empty Throne, Imu narrowed their eyes ever so slightly. But Ozz didn't avert his gaze. He stared right back, unafraid.

Sure, taking the title "Saint Ozz" was a spur-of-the-moment decision. But being someone else's subordinate? That was a whole different story.

And Ozz wasn't feeling particularly threatened.

Was it confidence in his own strength? His teleportation fruit? Maybe.

But really? It was all about pay-per-view foresight.

If he couldn't see the future or sensed danger ahead, he'd just warp a few hundred kilometers away. He was all about survival.

Who knew what kind of shady abilities this ancient schemer Imu might be hiding? Or if they had some bizarre fruit powers or relics stashed away?

Fortunately, Imu didn't seem hostile. Likely because Ozz wasn't a D.

Seeing that Lord Imu didn't react much, the others began to ease up.

The Five Elders looked unsurprised.

Shamrock, however, furrowed his brows. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword.

What did he mean, "taking orders from someone weaker"?

When Ozz said that, he hadn't even looked at the current Holy Knights Commander, Garling.

He was looking at Shamrock.

After all, it was Shamrock who'd proclaimed he would subdue Ozz. In this new era, it was Shamrock who was the rising star.

Imu noticed the tension instantly.

They were curious too. This bold young man who dared to haggle over terms in front of the Empty Throne just how capable was he?

Could he be one of the few who might help end the D's legacy?

"You may…"

Imu's voice, neither male nor female, echoed with a lofty, distant cadence.

"If you can defeat the strongest of the young Celestial Dragons, then yes, you may be granted the title. Exceptional strength deserves exceptional privilege."

Ozz and Imu both understood the game.

Ozz wasn't truly interested in joining the World Nobles. He just thought the title would be fun to play with, and had no intention of taking orders or becoming their loyal dog.

So he didn't make any wild demands. He'd help out when he felt like it on a whim.

Imu, on the other hand, saw right through that. But Ozz's sheer potential was too dazzling to ignore. If war came, every extra piece was worth something.

Still, they weren't going to give him anything important just a ceremonial title, nothing like a commander's position.

And so

Ozz, Shamrock, and Garling left together, heading toward the Holy Knights' designated training grounds.

Behind them, the Five Elders stood with complicated expressions, watching as Imu remained in contemplative silence.

Still, they didn't interrupt.

In their view, bringing Ozz into the Holy Knights even just in name could only be a good thing.

Sure, he couldn't be controlled. But at least he'd be associated with them. If nothing else, it would give the Five Elders more leverage when dealing with affairs at sea.

They were already footing the bill for so many useless nobles in the Holy Land. One more wouldn't hurt.

"Bring me his file."

Just as the Five Elders exchanged subtle glances, Imu spoke.

They looked up instantly, cold sweat beading on their foreheads as they met Imu's gaze.

"Yes, Lord Imu."

Without delay, they dispatched someone to retrieve Ozz's full dossier and presented it with the utmost reverence.

An order from Imu was absolute.

Imu flipped through it casually. Truth be told, Ozz's record was remarkably impressive. He was already one of the most dangerous individuals on the seas.

And if Imu had to be honest, there was only one person who, at this age and level of talent, would've absolutely crushed Ozz.

A man who once stood alone against twenty nations, who had once left even Imu trembling in fear.

Joy Boy.

The Sun God.

Aside from him, even figures like the former Five Elders or Garling himself the so-called "geniuses" of the Celestial Dragon bloodline couldn't compare to Ozz at the same age.

A future king of the new era?

Perhaps. But Imu had seen too many eras come and go.

"Unrivaled Observation Haki… overwhelming strength… and a personality as sharp as a blade.

He reminds me of someone I once knew…"

Imu murmured.

And those words sent a chill down the spines of the Five Elders. Their eyes widened, blood vessels bursting across their sclera.

To be considered a "comrade" by Imu?

They could think of only one group that might qualify: the original kings who helped establish the World Government centuries ago.

They remembered Ozz was supposedly an orphan raised by pirates.

"A pity… he's not of that bloodline. This sea never lacks for talent."

Imu finished with a note of quiet regret, then set the dossier aside.

Their lofty figure rose slowly and walked through the circle of nineteen embedded royal blades, descending from the Empty Throne.

The Five Elders stepped respectfully to the side and followed in silence.

…

The training grounds of the Holy Knights were located on a remote plateau atop the Red Line, far from the Holy Land and rarely visited.

Garling led the two younger men there, drawing the attention of many stationed knights.

"Is that… Lord Garling and Shamrock? Who's that with them?"

"A new Celestial Dragon? Doesn't ring a bell…"

"Wait, wasn't there a rumor that Shamrock had a long-lost brother raised outside?"

"No way. That guy doesn't even have red hair."

Garling paid no mind to the whispers, heading straight toward the largest open field. Ozz, meanwhile, took his time surveying the place.

The number of knights wasn't that large.

Men and women both, but as expected of Celestial Dragons none of them looked particularly freakish. At the very least, no grotesque deformities.

Actually, many of the women looked… pretty decent.

Well, aside from their personalities.

Most of them were total brats.

Garling wouldn't be fighting. He was simply fulfilling Imu's command.

Had Ozz actually needed to face off against Garling, a man said to rival Roger and Whitebeard at their peak, he might not have been so confident.

Garling was a monster.

His Conqueror's Haki and swordsmanship were absurd. He was a true six-attribute juggernaut, on the same level as Roger, Whitebeard, and Shanks.

And Shamrock?

He was molded in their image.

He wouldn't be weak either.

"Dotor Ozz!"

Shamrock took a step forward, voice firm, sword already in hand.

"If you lose… join the Holy Knights. Become my right hand!"