Chapter 83: Ozz the Tycoon, Money Is Just Paper to Him

Thanks to Uncle Gaban's connections in Elbaf, and bolstered by Ozz's own formidable strength and status,

the giants showed no hostility. In fact, they ended up warmly inviting Ozz to return to Elbaf for a visit.

Naturally, Ozz agreed without hesitation. He would definitely return one day but not now.

There were still too many things on his plate.

From a distance, Dragon and Vegapunk watched this bizarre interaction unfold.

Under their gaze, Ozz and the giants had already become fast friends.

In fact, Ozz's emotional intelligence was so off the charts, and his silver tongue so smooth,

that even the bold and brash warrior woman, Gerd, quickly found herself chatting enthusiastically with him.

By the end of it, she even pulled Ozz into a crushing hug, burying his entire head in a canyon of muscle and curves.

he nearly suffocated on the spot.

Ozz could have resisted.

But why would he?

Still, the giants hadn't come here just for a social call,

so Ozz didn't keep them long.

Before parting, he simply left them with a line:

"Tell Saul not to worry about little Robin. She's doing just fine."

After seeing the giants off, Ozz turned and rejoined Dragon and Vegapunk.

Standing beside them now was a stern-looking young man, a black blade strapped across his back.

"My bad, Little Hawk. I forgot to bring you and the ship along when I teleported."

Mihawk merely crossed his arms and closed his eyes, saying nothing.

Clearly, he couldn't even be bothered to argue with Ozz.

The group strolled across the scarred, ruined lands of what had once been Ohara.

Seeing Ozz and Mihawk approaching with such undeniable presence,

Dragon finally couldn't hold it in anymore.

He asked, his tone heavy with caution:

"So… someone like you coming to find us what exactly do you want?"

He stared hard at Ozz's expression, every muscle taut with wariness.

"Just a small matter," Ozz replied lightly.

They came to a flat clearing amidst the ruins, and with a flick of his sleeve,

a boulder materialized behind Ozz. He sat down effortlessly atop it, a relaxed smile on his face.

"I just heard that someone under your command has a rather interesting ability."

Dragon narrowed his eyes.

"You mean…"

"Yeah. The Queen of Queers, Emporio Ivankov."

Hearing that, Dragon's expression immediately shifted.

His tone turned righteous, even a bit defensive.

"Ivankov is my comrade. I'm not handing him over to you!"

As his voice rose, Armament Haki instantly flowed over Dragon's arms,

and gusts of jade-green wind began to swirl around him.

Mihawk silently drew his sword, Yoru, its edge gleaming ominously

he looked ready to unleash a hundred-meter slash at the drop of a hat.

"Relax, would you?" Ozz said calmly, motioning with his hand.

"I never said I wanted to take him. I just have a few things I need to make clear."

Perhaps it was Ozz's unshaken demeanor,

or maybe it was the discreet signal Vegapunk gave him,

but Dragon finally eased off, letting the power in his hands slowly dissipate.

"I'm not some evil pirate out to burn and plunder," Ozz chuckled.

"Sure, I'm confident I could overpower the lot of you if I wanted,

but why bother picking a fight I don't need to? I'm not in the business of making enemies for no reason."

Then.

With a snap of his fingers,

dozens of treasure chests appeared before them, packed so tightly together they almost covered the clearing.

All of them were open.

And inside were stacks upon stacks of Berries.

So many that they shimmered like gold under the light, dazzling to behold.

"What the…"

Dragon's eyelid twitched as he watched Ozz casually flick his fingers.

He glanced at Vegapunk, whose tongue was half-hanging out of his mouth.

Unable to help himself, Dragon stepped forward and grabbed a random stack of bills.

Every note was crisp, freshly printed, marked with the highest denomination

the smell of ink still clung to them.

A bit pungent…

But to Dragon, it was more intoxicating than the rarest gourmet feast.

The Revolutionary Army was broke.

Vegapunk's eyes sparkled too.

Sure, the World Government funded his research without restraint

but there were always strings attached.

If it weren't for Dragon's team being dirt poor, he wouldn't have kept moonlighting for the World Government.

After all, what scientist doesn't love funding?

No matter how brilliant your mind, you can't invent miracles without resources.

Even the cleverest cook can't make a feast from thin air.

"I may lack many things," Ozz said, the corners of his mouth curving into a grin,

"but money isn't one of them."

Crossing his legs, he summoned another fat wad of cash into his hand,

then nonchalantly tossed it into the wind, letting the bills scatter like cherry blossoms.

He didn't even blink.

Dragon, on the other hand, nearly choked.

That throw alone… had to be worth tens of thousands of Berries!

Snapping to action, he immediately used his powers to summon a breeze that swept all the bills back.

Ozz merely shrugged.

Because the truth was once you control global industries like entertainment, gambling, funerals, adult services, transport, media, loans, storage, arms trafficking, brokerage...

You come to realize something strange:

Money… really does become an infinite number.

Even without fully taking over the underworld,

Ozz had already inherited the vast networks and assets held by Morgans, Sammy, Doflamingo, and others.

He was already a trillionaire.

And once the rest of those key figures submitted to him?

That number would multiply several times over.

With the power of the underground world at your back.

You'll never run out of money again.

"I know you guys are struggling," Ozz said, his tone casual.

"So take these treasure chests as my investment."

Before Dragon could even smile, Ozz lifted a finger and added,

"But I do have some conditions."

With a sharp snap, the treasure chests all slammed shut in unison, locks clicking tight.

Because let's be honest.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

And if there is?

It's probably laced with rat poison.

Dragon didn't seem surprised.

He simply waited, calm and patient, for Ozz to continue.

"I want Ivankov to refrain from performing any gender transformations without my explicit approval,"

Ozz said coolly.

"And I want him to operate only on people I send his way. No questions asked."

Dragon blinked.

Not because it was unreasonable

but because it was almost too reasonable.

That's it?

He was practically giddy.

To think that Ivankov's oddball ability, which Dragon had always found a little... unremarkable,

could draw this level of investment?

"I can answer on Ivankov's behalf. He'll agree to those terms!" Dragon replied hastily,

almost as if he feared Ozz might change his mind.

Not only did this bring them funding,

but it also built a connection with someone of Ozz's caliber.

It was a win-win no, a win squared for the Revolutionary Army's future.

"Don't celebrate too soon."

Ozz's smile faded slightly, eyes narrowing.

"If I ever find out he's been performing surgeries behind my back "

"Disbanding your little army would be the least of your worries."

Off to the side, Vegapunk stuck out his tongue with a wry smile, his gaze tinged with resignation.

Still too young, Dragon…

You let him buy you off. Now that he controls your financial lifeline...

You'll pay for it later.

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