Chapter 84: The New Strongest Creature-Seraphim Ozz?

He had the most brilliant mind in the world.

Not just in science and technology, but in matters of human nature and interests as well. He could see everything with startling clarity.

Even so, he had to admit it.

The power of money was hard to refuse.

Especially when it came from someone powerful.

After all, wasn't Vegapunk himself being controlled by the World Government through similar means?

Of course,

Vegapunk's suspicions weren't unfounded either.

If the Free Army, and perhaps even the future Revolutionary Army, had all their military expenses and funding controlled by Ozz, the king of the underworld...

And if Ozz's strength was something they couldn't even challenge...

Then things got very interesting.

Would it still be Dragon's Revolutionary Army?

Or would it become Ozz's Revolutionary Army?

The kicker was that Ozz was still on friendly terms with the World Government. He was even heir to the throne of one of its member nations.

A hidden hand uninterested in ruling the world directly, placing bets on both sides...

Would the old guard of the World Government crush the rising forces?

Or would the new blood overthrow the decaying regime?

Tough call.

But no matter what, he probably wouldn't lose either way.

After wrapping up his business with Dragon, Ozz turned toward Vegapunk.

"So... Dr. Vegapunk, do you need financial support?"

"Well..."

Vegapunk hesitated. Ozz's smile seemed kind, but it gave him an ominous feeling.

Like making a deal with the devil.

Honestly, Ozz gave off a more unsettling vibe than even those World Government bureaucrats.

"You should really think it through," Ozz said with a coaxing tone. "An unlimited budget. All I ask is that I can borrow some of your results now and then.

Don't worry, the World Government won't find out."

He spoke with such ease because he knew exactly what it meant for a scientist to have unlimited funding.

To put it bluntly... it was like throwing a thirty-year-old virgin into a red-light district with a free pass.

Once the conditions were right, it was impossible to stop before exhausting every last drop of energy.

Sure enough,

After a brief pause, Vegapunk gave in to the temptation.

For a moment, he even considered betraying the World Government and throwing in with Ozz.

After all, the World Government's "Heavenly Tribute" mostly went toward funding the Celestial Dragons and the Navy. Research funding, though significant, was still limited.

But Ozz was different. His wealth overflowed to the point where he didn't even treat money like it mattered. His ability to make money on the seas rivaled and possibly surpassed the World Government itself.

He was every scientist's dream sponsor.

The first task Ozz commissioned Vegapunk with was to upgrade his black rifle.

"Don't bother turning it into a laser weapon. Just make it easier to use, longer range, better efficiency.

And don't worry about recoil."

Ozz wasn't joking. There wasn't a gun in the world he couldn't handle. In fact, if it didn't ruin his image, he could probably wield a naval cannon on his shoulder and keep it steady with brute strength alone.

As for continued funding, Ozz would have people deliver it to Vegapunk regularly.

In exchange, Vegapunk promised that if he developed any cutting-edge tech, Ozz would be among the first to use it on par with the World Government.

For example...

"Mr. Ozz, I wonder if you'd be interested in a certain research project."

"Oh?" Ozz looked at him, curious, as Vegapunk tucked the gun away.

"It's still a preliminary concept," Vegapunk said, "but I've made some breakthroughs in cloning technology..."

Ever since Stussy had been created, Vegapunk had pursued the goal of perfecting clone science.

His vision was to not only replicate a subject's strength, but also integrate special racial traits and apply his early work in Devil Fruit replication.

"If you're willing, your blood might become the pinnacle of this technology."

The moment he heard that,

Ozz immediately got the picture. His expression grew a little odd.

A Seraphim Ozz?

Cloned with his current talents and Devil Fruit abilities, plus the racial advantage of the Lunarian people?

With Ozz's natural gifts, if you added the Lunarian race's terrifying recovery and defensive power, there really wouldn't be any weaknesses left.

A kid with a ten-year-old's face matching an Admiral in combat?

Might even become more of a monster than he was...

Forget it. The idea of someone out there flaunting his handsome face across the seas just made his skin crawl.

"Let's talk about that later. Show me a successful prototype first."

He decided to stall for now.

Vegapunk understood. After all, without results, it was only natural to be skeptical.

Everything was going more smoothly than Ozz had expected.

Maybe it was because he gave too much money, or maybe the power gap was just that overwhelming.

Everything felt... harmonious.

As Dragon and Vegapunk's people began counting the mountains of Beli,

Mihawk, uninterested in all that, turned to Ozz and asked,

"So... where to next?"

"Next, huh..."

Ozz thought for a moment, then reached into his coat and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.

"That depends on whether Morgans has disappointed his new boss."

Click.

"How's that thing I asked you to handle going, Morgans?"

"Lord Ozz! Are you referring to those underworld figures, or...?"

"All of them."

"Well, quite a few of the underworld's top dogs have agreed to submit. People like Umit and others...

But some refused. They said, 'Who the hell is Ozz?' There are bigger players involved, and they're not about to offend those types."

"Oh?" Ozz raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Big players, huh? Who exactly?"

The moment Ozz asked that, Morgans perked up. His bird-like face broke into a wicked grin.

Finally.

Hahahahaha.

Back when he was calling these people, some of them mocked him for being Ozz's lapdog, saying he was losing his edge.

It infuriated him.

But now? Now it felt so damn good.

Those clowns didn't know what they were talking about. How could they possibly compare to someone in the information business like him?

Ozz's terror wasn't something those rats, too scared to leave their own hideouts, could even imagine.

Of course, some of the small fry could be dealt with directly by Morgans and his people. But others... weren't so easy.

"There are quite a few, Lord Ozz...

But the one name that keeps coming up the most is..."

He paused, voice turning almost reverent.

"A rising power in the New World, someone who's already being seen as a new contender for dominance...

Former member of the Rocks Pirates.

Charlotte Linlin!"

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