"You actually know how to work?"
Seeing Ozz in action, it wasn't just Little Sand who was surprised even Hawkeyes raised an eyebrow.
After following this guy for so many years, when had he ever seen him take anything seriously?
Was the sun rising from the west side of the ocean now?
But watching Ozz moving through the streets, hopping from one business to the next, Mihawk couldn't help but question his own preconceived notions.
Maybe he had misjudged him…
Crocodile, having never witnessed Ozz's extravagant habits firsthand, wasn't all that shocked. He just assumed Ozz was a lazy bum on the ship but knew how to pull his weight when it counted.
Fair enough seemed reliable enough when it came to actual business.
Following Ozz's lead, the group soon arrived outside a bustling auction house.
It wasn't small and it looked surprisingly legitimate. Entry even required a financial check.
The guards posted at the entrance looked decently strong though decent only by average standards.
Without even basic Haki, they were only fit to stand watch at the gate. Still, they were good enough to keep out riffraff who couldn't cough up a few million berries.
Wearing sunglasses, Ozz and the others queued up like everyone else, taking the chance to experience the entire process themselves. That way, they'd understand every aspect of their business and manage their people more effectively.
The line moved quickly, and soon it was Ozz's turn. Instead of showing ID or bank slips, he casually handed over a piece of paper.
"What's this? Proof of ownership? Bank certificate?"
The guard, barely glancing at his face, took the paper with practiced ease and then froze.
It was a wanted poster.
"Wh..."
The guard looked up, only to be greeted by a lower face that was unmistakable to anyone with ties to the underground world.
His eyes bulged, mouth gaping open.
Ozz simply smiled, bringing his fingers to his lips in a quiet "zip it" gesture.
The two guards' mouths snapped shut.
Literally.
It wasn't until Ozz and his companions had entered the auction hall that they were finally able to open them again. Even then, they were drenched in cold sweat.
"What do we do? Should we report this to Lord Doflamingo?!"
The guard next to him punched him straight in the head, a steaming welt instantly forming.
"You idiot! If Lord Ozz doesn't want to draw attention, you want to go against his wishes?
Who's the bigger boss to you, huh Doflamingo or Ozz? Think carefully!"
"O-okay…"
Inside the auction hall, it didn't take long before a sharp-eyed staff member recognized the trio sitting quietly in the back.
Not everyone here was completely dense, after all.
Soon, they were invited to sit front and center in the VIP section. But Ozz waved it off, and the three of them casually picked a seat near the back.
Ozz crossed his legs and lounged comfortably.
It was his first time attending an auction. He wasn't too concerned about being recognized the event was about to start, and these people didn't have time to run background checks anyway.
He sat there enjoying the free fruit and impromptu massage services delivered by eager staff.
All around, curious glances kept flicking in their direction.
"Who is that guy? Even getting bonus services?"
"I'm a wanted pirate with a 50 million bounty, and they didn't even send a girl to rub my shoulders! What is this nonsense?!"
"Maybe he is some big shot. Looks kind of familiar…"
"Big shot? Please. I'm the heir to a noble family from a World Government member nation!"
The guests were abuzz, craning their necks to get a better look.
But Ozz and the others had chosen a dimly lit corner, and no one could quite make out their faces. In the end, they gave up.
Just then.
A procession entered, figures surrounded by layers of protection, riding on the backs of towering slaves like they were astronauts in space suits.
The entire room fell silent.
"Tch. A bunch of peasants…"
The two Celestial Dragons, satisfied with the hush that followed their arrival, swept their eyes across the room with disdain and strutted toward the front row.
"So arrogant…" Ozz chuckled, a smirk curling his lips.
"Want us to take them out?" Little Sand and Hawkeyes asked at the same time. Even they were surprised by their own synchronicity.
"No need. We'll have some fun soon enough."
Ozz smiled lazily.
He wasn't opposed to offing a Celestial Dragon. After all, his predecessors had slaughtered plenty back at God Valley.
But there was no need. He had a good enough relationship with the World Government these days might as well extend them a little courtesy.
"Saint Grim, the Holy Land's been pushing for your return. They said we shouldn't appear on Sabaody Archipelago any longer…"
A man in a black suit clearly CP, from the look of him whispered carefully to one of the Celestial Dragons.
"Nani!?"
Saint Grim's face twisted in rage.
The CP agent paled.
Bang!
A puff of smoke curled into the air. The man in the suit collapsed in a heap.
No one moved. No one dared.
Even the auction staff waited until the Celestial Dragons had passed before quietly dragging the corpse away.
A mere house slave. Killed by a Celestial Dragon. No one would care.
"The order was to leave in ten days!
You lowly scum how dare you contradict the great Celestial Dragons?!"
To Grim, the mere suggestion had made him lose face in front of his peer.
They finally reached the front row. Moments after they sat, the auction officially began.
The opening lots were mostly antiques and rare collectibles. The Celestial Dragons weren't interested, and only a few nobles or merchants placed bids.
"Three million berries going once!"
"Three million berries going twice!"
Just as the auctioneer prepared to call it sold, a voice rang out from the very back of the hall.
"One million!"
Heads turned.
"What the hell? That trinket's worth, maybe four hundred thousand on a good day! One million?!"
Ozz didn't care about the whispers around him. It was his first auction and frankly, he had way too much money and not enough ways to spend it.
Naturally, he won the bid without contest.
It was a gemstone ring.
Ordinarily, auction items were only handed over after final payment at the end.
But Ozz was no ordinary guest. The staff brought it to him immediately.
"Leave the rest of the items with you. I'll collect them when I leave."
"Of course, Lord Ozz."
He took the ring and, without hesitation, handed it to Little Sand. It was clearly a woman's style and she happened to like wearing rings.
"Oi! I don't want this kind of crap!"
Little Sand snapped, but somehow, the ring had already found its way onto her pinky finger.
"Aw, don't say that. It's my first auction prize, you know."
Technically, the auction house itself was part of Ozz's own holdings anyway…
"Tch…"
And that was just the prelude.
What came next would show them the true meaning of…
Spending money like water.
…
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