Chapter 78: The Old Man Gets Carried to the Top, and That Smirk Just Won’t Stay Down

Hearing that obsequious voice dripping with flattery, Ozz couldn't help but smile.

"Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time?"

"Bad time?!? Are you kidding me?! Having someone as distinguished as yourself call me, it's the honor of my life~!"

The Den Den Mushi mirrored Spandine's sycophantic grin with unsettling accuracy.

This guy definitely had what it took to climb the ladder. No wonder the Gorosei liked using him.

But Ozz hadn't called just to hear him grovel. He'd already heard his fair share of sweet talk from the girls in the red-light district.

"There are two reasons I called. First, I'm planning to replace the current king and noble class in the Kingdom of Dromos, and bring the country into the fold of the World Government.

Oh, and…

It's gonna be the kind that doesn't pay the Heavenly Tribute."

Spandine raised an eyebrow, visibly relaxing.

He'd braced himself for something big turns out it was just a change of monarchy…

"???"

Wait a second…

Spandine froze, eyes bulging like they were about to shoot out of the Den Den Mushi. His mouth gaped open, stunned beyond words.

It took him a while to recover before he managed a deferential but nervous response:

"U-uh, Mr. Ozz, sir, that's really… not something I have the authority to approve. A matter like this would definitely need to be escalated to the top brass of the World Government…"

Despite the smile plastered across his face, Spandine was secretly in utter shock.

The rest of it was one thing but…

That infamous Black Gun Ozz now wanted to become a king of a member nation!?

Could the hallowed Round Table of the World Government really accommodate a figure like that?

"No, no, no…"

Ozz waved his hand dismissively, then turned the Den Den Mushi to face the old man beside him, Zeek.

The old man seemed a bit thrown off, not understanding what Ozz was trying to do.

"The one who's actually going to be king is this gentleman right here."

"EH?!?"

Before Spandine could even react, Zeek leapt back in a panic.

"You can't just throw a crown on me! I'm just an old man!"

Ozz found his reaction amusing, but didn't try to talk him down. Instead, he turned back to the Den Den Mushi and said:

"The one who'll take the throne of Dromos is none other than the great Captain Chicken Dotor, Zeek! A sea-faring legend, and former member of the Rocks Pirates!"

He spoke with genuine pride as he introduced the old man's titles, momentarily rendering Spandine speechless.

Even if it wasn't as earth-shaking as Ozz himself taking the crown, each of those titles hit harder than the last.

Especially the last one…

That was a man who'd once stood toe-to-toe with the three mightiest forces of the previous era the World Government, the Navy, and the Pirate King and lived to tell the tale. The uncrowned titan of the last generation.

"If that's the case, then I can take the liberty of drafting an application… but ultimately, the final decision will still have to come from the Five Elders…"

Spandine's voice grew smaller with each word.

Ozz got the gist basically, it was above Spandine's pay grade. If the proposal got rejected be it because of Zeek's history, the refusal to pay tribute, or simply fear of Ozz then Spandine was pleading not to be the scapegoat.

Being caught between Ozz and the Gorosei was the last place he wanted to be.

But Ozz remained confident. He said with a smile:

"No need to worry about all that. Just pass along one message with the application."

"Anything you say, sir."

Spandine gulped.

"Tell them: that favor the World Government owes me consider it cashed in."

Ozz was certain the Gorosei wouldn't refuse. Dromos was in the New World after all way beyond the World Government's reach in this era of Great Piracy.

Without the Heavenly Tribute, there'd be no real protection offered anyway. All he wanted was the formal status of a member nation.

As for real protection?

That came from the name Ozz a name that struck fear into the heart of the sea.

And the reason he was doing this?

Ozz figured… it was just for fun.

One day, he and the old man a survivor of the Roger crew and a survivor of the Rocks crew would both sit at the Reverie table, officially protected by the Marines.

The image alone was hilarious.

Of course, there were practical reasons too.

He wanted to give the old man and the townspeople something lasting. A legacy that would bring peace and security for the next twenty years at least. A reward for the generation that had looked after Ozz.

Even the stray dogs in town could be brought into the palace guard and fed royal grain.

They'd guarded the village for generations wasn't it time they got theirs too?

What was this called again?

Ah, right.

When one man ascends, his chickens and dogs rise with him.

The Kingdom of Dromos, which had just undergone a massive upheaval, was somehow already back to normal.

Credit where it was due: Ozz's overwhelming presence and sky-high bounty list had scared everyone into compliance.

Even the World Government's own agents had to sneak away with their tails between their legs.

"Oh come on, old man it's just a coronation! How long are you going to keep dragging your feet?!"

Inside the royal palace, Zeek kept trying to refuse the throne, saying things like he was too old, not suitable, and so on.

The townsfolk were starting to panic.

If he didn't become king, how the hell were they supposed to become nobles?!

"You lot… Honestly, I think Ozz should be the one taking the crown. I'm way too old for this."

"Old man, I don't have time to play king, I've got a sea to conquer~" Ozz replied with a playful smirk. "You hold onto the spot for me, yeah? I'll take over once I'm done.

Oh and as king, you can pick a wife from across the entire country. No more sneaking around!"

Trust Ozz to know exactly where to hit.

Sure enough, Zeek faltered.

If it's for Ozz… to help him build a base…

Then maybe… just maybe…

It definitely wasn't about the wives.

Even so, he was clearly tempted.

But outwardly, he still made a show of resisting.

"Geez, you're such a pain."

Finally, Ozz ran out of patience. He snapped his fingers, and Zeek's clothes morphed into regal finery. In an instant, the old man was sitting atop the throne.

Ozz and Mihawk flanked him on either side, watching the townsfolk awkwardly perform their ceremonial bows. They exchanged a glance and both had to stifle their laughter.

"You guys… Honestly! I'm far too old for this nonsense… You're making life very difficult for me!"

Despite his grumbling, Zeek couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from creeping upward.

With Ozz standing beside him, protecting him every step of the way.

He'd finally been carried to the top.

So thought the newly crowned King Zeek, nurtured and raised to power.

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