Entrance A
A soft breeze drifted through.
Black hair and a strand of blond fringe swayed lightly.
Ozz, dressed in a white shirt, snapped his fingers. The friction sparked a flame and lit his cigarette.
He took a slow drag and exhaled.
"Father…"
Before seeing Ozz, Sanji had a thousand things he wanted to say.
But now, looking at this "dad" who was almost identical to the one in his memories, and who even looked about the same age as him, Sanji didn't know what to say anymore.
Should he thank him for the care back then?
Should he bring up the tragedy of Alabasta?
In the end, Sanji said none of it. He simply reached for his lighter, intending to light one himself.
At that moment, a cigarette was flicked toward him.
Sanji instinctively caught it. On closer look, it was a premium brand, the kind that screamed expensive.
"Sashiburi dana, Sanji."
Ozz wasn't holding a sword or a gun. One hand in his pocket, cigarette at his lips, he smiled.
"You know why I'm here. The sea isn't a place for rookies like you."
"Go home. Don't make Sora worry."
Sanji fell silent.
A long time passed.
Then he still didn't step back.
"Robin-chan, Franky, you two go find Luffy and regroup."
"I'll hold Father here."
Sanji took a step forward.
That single step declared everything.
He wouldn't submit.
"Sanji…" Franky tried to say something, but Robin stopped him. Her pupils were trembling, forcing herself not to panic.
"Franky, calm down. We ran into him first, so all we can do is hurry and find Luffy and the others."
"Sanji-kun alone is too much!!!"
Only then did Franky grit his teeth and halt.
She was right.
Only by gathering everyone together would they have a chance. They had to move now.
As the two of them rerouted and ran off in another direction, Ozz merely chuckled, with no intention of stopping them.
They didn't seriously think only his side had "met" him, did they?
Let them go.
There were more surprises ahead anyway.
Ozz's gaze followed them.
Sanji mistook it for Ozz about to strike and immediately launched forward.
"This is the only way!!!"
"Father, I have my own crew now. I set sail for my dream. I'm not turning back because of a few words!!!"
With that, he kicked at his "father."
Ozz was honestly impressed.
"…Such an unruly brat."
Ozz extended one long leg and casually caught the kick.
His mouth curved upward.
"If you can't even beat the eighteen or nineteen year old me, then you should head home early."
"Stop playing pirate games already!!!"
Right now, Ozz's body age wasn't much different from Sanji's.
It gave Sanji the illusion that he was clashing with someone in the same tier.
"Then prepare yourself!!!"
"Concassé!!!"
Sanji leapt into the air. His leg became a blur, raining kicks down at that figure like afterimages.
He fought with everything he had.
Still, he couldn't touch even a corner of Ozz's clothes.
Then Ozz flicked out a lazy kick of his own.
Sanji grabbed his leg and grimaced in pain.
His bone… cracked?!
What kind of monster body is this?!
"No choice…"
Sanji understood.
He had to go all out.
As he spun at high speed, friction with the air ignited flame along his leg, burning with a fierce red glow.
"Then watch closely, Father…"
Diable Jambe!!!
This was Sanji's strongest move right now!!!
In the blazing light, Sanji suddenly noticed Ozz's expression.
Calm.
Even… amused.
Sanji was still confused when Ozz lifted his foot.
"Diable Jambe? I can do a little of that too."
Under Sanji's horrified gaze, Ozz's long hair fluttered in the wind, white shirt crisp and effortless, as black flames and lightning slowly coiled around his leg.
Demon King Wind Leg!!!
…
Entrance B
"Th this is…!!!"
Usopp collapsed onto his butt, staring at the tall figure with one hand resting on the sword at his waist.
"This is the enemy?!"
Brook drew his cane sword, his expression turning heavy.
"I figured we'd run into him eventually. I just didn't think we'd be the first…"
Zoro stepped forward, eyes sharp as blades as he stared at the tall man.
"But…"
He bared his teeth in a grin.
"Since I met you first, then I'll bet my life on it, yeah, Master?!"
"Still as reckless as ever, Zoro."
Facing the green haired swordsman who had already drawn steel, Ozz replied calmly.
"But… you're a proper swordsman now."
"So I'll answer you with the courtesy you deserve."
His blade left its sheath. A black sword gleamed with cold light in his hand.
"If you stay this weak…"
"I'll have to reconsider whether that black blade should remain entrusted to you."
Sweat appeared on Zoro's face. He tied the black bandanna around his head and spoke to Usopp and Brook.
"You two go find Luffy."
"Tell him Master is at Entrance B."
"What comes next is a swordsman's battle!!!"
Brook and Usopp hesitated, but when they saw how serious Zoro's eyes were, they finally nodded.
"Got it! We'll bring Luffy and the others to help!"
"Hold on, Zoro!!!"
Usopp sprinted off.
Zoro kept his eyes locked on Ozz.
Ozz still didn't move to stop them.
"Now it's a fight to the death!!!"
Zoro dropped into a deep stance. The power up posture of Three Sword Style took shape, his gaze nailed to Ozz's seemingly casual silhouette.
"This path to becoming the world's greatest swordsman…"
"I won't yield to you, Master!!!"
Three Sword Style: Oni Giri!!!
Boom!!!
The heavy strike was stopped by Ozz with a single casual swing.
Then came a storm of slashes.
Steel crashed on steel again and again, but still they couldn't break through the defense of "Ace."
One Sword Style: Lion's Song!!!
Two Sword Style: Iaijutsu: Rashomon!!!
Three Sword Style: Black Rope: Dragon Twister!!!
Zoro called out technique after technique, attacks pouring like a raging downpour.
Ozz blocked with one hand, lazily.
His other hand even had time to cover his mouth for a yawn.
Only when Zoro widened his stance and drew out the ominous aura from Enma and Sandai Kitetsu did Ozz finally turn a bit more serious.
"Demonic Aura… Nine Sword Style…"
Asura: Blades Drawn: Dead Man's Game!!!
Zoro's eyes burned with unstoppable momentum.
"Why are you mumbling all that nonsense…"
Facing Zoro, already wounded, Ozz lifted his blade and cut once.
Divine Departure!!!
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