Found a nearby island. Hawk and Sand disembarked.
Always dragging them along touring the world, having fun—his spirit had grown considerably. Conqueror's-level among peers.
But their strength hadn't improved qualitatively.
At most, Hawk stumbled into awakening Conqueror's.
Crocodile stagnated worse. Haki pitifully weak. Aus taught her Ryuo techniques. Rest was up to her.
"As for you..."
Aus looked at bewildered Little Ei. Rubbed his chin.
Using Vegapunk's special Vivre Card to tag him, Aus tossed him to Sami. Also passed Armament training techniques.
"Work hard. Next time, I'll find you another sister-in-law."
"...Oh."
He'd seen it. That card always pointed toward him. Definitely couldn't escape.
Then he'd use this to see the vast Blue Sea. See if monsters like Aus were common.
If common—keep laying low.
If not—this god could start yeahahahaha.
As for Boss Aus's Armament—heard that's how he caught lightning. This god would reluctantly train it.
When Sami took over this rebellious kid, he froze. Then face lit up, assigning tasks.
Enel had no idea—
Next, he'd witness an existence even more evil than gods—
Capitalists!
Following days, Aus stopped high-profile Oro Jackson travels.
Handed it to Rayleigh for safekeeping. Went out to play.
These months, Aus rarely hogged trending searches. Low profile, experiencing customs.
Either hitching rides with Belly or fists, or warping across sea surface.
Same story—Aus had face everywhere.
New World waters—
Endless sea. Pirate ship sailing slowly.
Throwing a party. Quite lively.
Only the lookout didn't join. Keeping watch.
"Huh? What's that..."
"A person? You're kidding!"
Lookout with telescope discovered something incredible. Shouted to the deck:
"Captain! Someone's walking across the sea!"
"What?! What nonsense!"
Man with braided mustaches walked to ship's edge, strange expression. Looked closely—
Even weathered many storms, still startled. Mouth gaping.
"Impossible?!"
On sea surface—tall figure with backpack, dark red suit, black coat. Strolling.
Step by step on sea. Like flat ground.
He'd clearly noticed them.
"Finally found a ship."
Scene flashed. Tall figure appeared on deck. Sudden appearance scared Zeff into instinctively raising his leg.
"Red Leg Zeff. If I didn't know you, your leg would be broken."
Aus didn't move. Just looked at that leg suspended mid-air, unable to move. Walked around, sat down to eat.
"You bastard, looking for trouble?!"
"Hey... kidding, right? Wait—"
Hot-tempered guys wanted to draw swords. Immediately stopped by companions.
"Haven't you recognized him?!"
"This is that..."
"The Black Emperor!"
"..."
"WHAT?!"
Aus hadn't expected—wandering seas so long, randomly encountering a crew he knew.
His adopted son's future other adoptive father.
Red Leg Zeff.
By looks, he'd gotten kicked around in New World. Planning to return to Grand Line's first half.
Probably after returning, he'd encounter Sanji's ship. Then adopt him.
"What? New World not going well?"
"...Yeah."
Zeff understood. That full-force kick couldn't touch this man's clothes. Gap obvious.
Might as well drop hostility.
Aus sampled Zeff's cooking like a checklist. Then let them go.
They had their mission. Where he was going was opposite their destination.
Aus heading to Wano. They returning to Paradise.
Waved goodbye. That was that.
This incident was written into Zeff's voyage diary.
[Sea Circle Calendar 1503]
[Supposed to be calm, sunny day. But big shot came aboard. That sea-shaking Black Emperor Doctor Aus. I attacked without knowing my place, hahahaha, really almost died.]
[...]
[Just like that, he was heading to Wano Country. Peaceful encounter. But curious why he knew me, left a line about taking care of Sanji.]
[Who's Sanji? Why entrust me? No answer. That legendary man just left.]
Onigashima.
Massive hulking figure sat at head. Lifting sake gourd, guzzling.
Beside him—King, Queen, officers, subordinates gathered.
Future Flying Six? Either hadn't joined or still kids.
"Spy sent word. That Kozuki Oden plans to raid us."
King held intelligence. Walking forward, reporting to Kaido.
That fool lord danced five years. Aus grew from brat to sea overlord. This guy still dancing.
Finally realized something wrong. Wanted to lead men in surprise attack to take down Kaido.
Too bad—this idiot never escaped Kaido's schemes.
But that was still Kozuki Oden. Man who sailed with Roger and Whitebeard. Even knowing in advance, had to prepare thoroughly.
Man who could contend with Kaido!
Could call him stupid. Never weak.
Everything looked great. Couldn't let tables turn now.
"Relax. Our forces far exceed theirs. Not to mention Kaido-aniki holding the line."
Orochi expressed confidence. No way they could lose. Just in case, prepared a sinister "trick."
Oden's defeat certain!
"King, Queen—you arrange the siege."
Kaido grinned savagely.
"I just want a good brawl with that Kozuki Oden bastard!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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