"Send CP0."
Inside the Room of Authority, after a brief pause, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro gave his recommendation. The austere elder adjusted his glasses. Cold steel flashed along the blade in his hand. As a swordsman, his judgments were always sharp and direct.
The other Five Elders hesitated. Nusjuro continued.
"If Ozz is still alive and merely in hiding, eliminating this impostor will serve as a friendly signal."
His analysis was thorough. An old monster seasoned by ages of intrigue, he played stratagems to perfection.
"And if"
"If Ozz has truly disappeared, this will deal a heavy blow to what remains of his power. The World Government's prestige will crest again."
No one enjoys bowing their head.
Not even the World Government that had so often seemed spineless scenery behind Ozz.
If they could have it their way, they wanted Ozz gone and the seas back under their voice and rule. No ruler likes living with a gun pressed to his brow.
Nusjuro's plan quickly won the others over. They nodded one by one. It was a move with room to advance or retreat.
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
…
Ten thousand meters beneath the sea.
Fish-Man Island.
Chaos churned. Cries of pain echoed. Underworld outfits and pirates who revered Ozz had flocked here in answer to a single call.
They meant to deliver a small taste of the Black Emperor's awe to the fish-men.
"Nothing but fish-men and they dared offend Lord Ozz."
"Do you even know who he is? Once a crewmate of the Pirate King. A man even the World Government must respect."
"Fisher Tiger. How dare he."
Gathered by "Ozz," these crews treated him as banner and faith. They vented their fury at any stain on the Black Emperor's majesty without the slightest restraint.
Even among the fish-men, the beating turned hearts bitter. Why had Tiger done this?
If he had not taken it upon himself to act, Fish-Man Island would not be suffering this calamity.
Without the top fighters of the Sun Pirates to shield them, Ozz's underlings beat the fish-men like children. After a few short years of peace, Fish-Man Island was trampled by the very figure its people had once called a guardian god.
"Lord Ozz, we have captured many beautiful mermaids for you."
Unlike his subordinates who burned, robbed, and seized, "Ozz" sat at the prow with an even face.
He hid his excitement with all his might and tried to wear a look of calm detachment.
Just like the real Ozz.
Eighteen-year-old Bentham had already drifted a long while upon the Grand Line.
As a boy he had sailed out with only youth and confusion. Then he met that man.
The Black Emperor, Ozz Dotor.
A warrior whose strength shook the seas. A man who faced Marine Headquarters alone for his captain's sake and split the sky with a single blade at an execution.
Deed after deed sent ripples across the world. A man who stood up without hesitation for those he cared for. He became young Bentham's idol.
One day he would be the same. A true man who would take a blade for the ones he loved.
To that end he even used his Devil Fruit to become a dazzling beauty and slip into the bars of the red-light quarter, hoping to see Lord Ozz up close. By chance, while serving him a drink in disguise, the back of his hand brushed Ozz's long hair.
From that day, he kept the idol's face in his heart with reverence, a visage to worship whenever he needed resolve.
Who would have thought that after a mere year or two of Ozz's absence, troublemakers would stir the seas until people dared whisper the Black Emperor was dead and they could do as they pleased.
He was Bentham, Mr. 2 Bon Clay. He lived by loyalty and by his own fervent devotion.
How could he allow the boss he had chosen in his heart to be slandered or slighted.
After watching and waiting, he found that not one of Ozz's lieutenants had stepped out to defend Lord Ozz's name. So he took the risk. He wore that face to rally the wavering. He would make these ungrateful fish-men who ignored Ozz's sincere heart taste fear.
As Ozz's devotee he also knew the boss's bearing. He raised a hand and let a faint smile touch his lips.
"I have no interest in that. Stand down."
Cool and distant. Nothing to betray him.
His lackeys lit up with worship, grinning as if their faces could not hold it, much like the future throngs who would cheer for Buggy.
"As expected of Lord Ozz. Even the most beautiful mermaids cannot sway him. What a man of iron will."
"A living legend."
"To be commanded by Lord Ozz, it feels like life has meaning."
From afar, King Neptune led the Royal Army and watched the marauders ravage Fish-Man Island, unable to do anything but shed tears of grief.
Neptune himself longed to apologize and sue for peace face to face, but he could not even approach. A giant underling stepped in front and barred him.
"We cannot let you disturb our king."
For all the dents in his authority and two full years out of sight, Ozz's foundation remained firm. Countless masters were still willing to fight at the call of the Black Emperor's name.
The situation slid toward chaos. Just as tensions neared a breaking point, a single arrival changed everything.
From the distant deep, a coated pirate ship glided toward Fish-Man Island.
The flag was ordinary, the sort flown by a nameless crew. Yet the figure at the bow, arms folded across his chest, seized every eye.
"Another pirate at a time like this."
"No. Look at the man standing at the prow."
Older now, features honed, a lavish hat tilted low. One hand lifted the brim to reveal eyes calm and knife-sharp.
Rings within rings, hawk's eyes that pierced straight through a soul. A great black cross-blade rested upon his back. His whole bearing was that of a solitary noble.
He looked down upon the battlefield and spoke in a voice cool and magnetic.
"I came in haste, but only to confirm one thing."
"Ozz."
"Is he truly here?"
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The tides are shifting, and secrets linger in the dark... Step into the shadows early on P@treon, where the next chapter awaits before the world sees it.
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