Kurozumi Orochi had indeed thought so. Whether it was Kaido or Ron, as long as circumstances allowed, he was fine with standing on either side.
But he did not know that Ron had never believed him from the start.
It was not a matter of how much trust there was, but simply whether there was any trust at all.
"Y-You... what are you talking about? Why can't I understand you?"
Kurozumi Orochi forced a stiff smile, attempting one last struggle.
"Kaido and Oric aren't here right now. I'm the only one in Wano Country, and I'm no match for you. What good would lying to you do me?"
"No, no, General Kurozumi. I understand you far better than you imagine."
Ron shook his head, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "You're a businessman, and what businessmen love most is taking risks!"
"It is a preference born from the fundamental principle of profit. I don't believe you can't see the difference between rebelling alongside Kaido and Oric, and following the Marines."
"You ask what I gain? Isn't it obvious? One option is surviving now. The other is surviving in the future and continuing to be your little emperor."
Cold sweat instantly streamed down Kurozumi Orochi's face. Ron had hit every point.
"So from the very beginning, I never thought you had sincerely surrendered. I only wanted to hear what bargaining chips you had and pry out some information... But since you're even pretending to be stupid and betraying your own principles as a businessman on a matter like this, then there's nothing left for us to discuss."
"Damn it! You tricked me?"
Kurozumi Orochi's soul nearly fled his body as he recalled what he had just revealed.
Kaido's troop deployments, Oric's hidden secrets—whether Ron truly joined forces with