Ochoku: So It Was You, Ron!!!

In the town, atop a rooftop.

Ochoku enjoyed the cool breeze, took a bite of the pizza in his hand, and held a small flask in the other. From time to time, he took a sip, squinting at the smoke and dust gradually dissipating in the distance, a thoroughly relaxed smile on his face.

"Hehehe..." Ochoku chuckled, extending his long tongue to lick the sauce from the corner of his mouth. "Has the commotion died down? Is the show already over? Honestly, if that's all, then that guy was far too weak."

After saying that, he shook the flask, listened to the sound inside, and took another swig.

Ochoku was not afraid of any unexpected developments, because the "condition" that could create an "accident" was firmly in his grasp.

Ron wanted to "prove his innocence"? As long as that "condition" remained in his hands, Ron would never be able to prove it.

Even if Whitebeard, Kaido, and Stussy were willing to testify, without "evidence," Roger would never listen.

"Buru buru~~"

"Buru buru~~"

Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi in Ochoku's arms began to ring.

Ochoku paused slightly, stuffed the last small piece of pizza into his mouth, and chewed it unhurriedly. Then he wiped his hand on his clothes before slowly taking out the Den Den Mushi and answering it.

"Hey, bastard, I've been waiting a long time for your call," Ochoku snapped.

The other side did not indulge him and immediately cursed back, "Bastard, do you not know why it took so long? You... why didn't you tell me about Ron earlier?"

Ochoku sneered. "Who could have expected that guy to be so strong? Besides... I had no obligation to do so. You screwed up. That only means your Navy is incompetent."

"You..." The person on the other end sounded furious, as though he had been choked speechless. After two seconds, he managed to squeeze out a single word.

"Hey," Ochoku interrupted, his tone turning serious. "Where's my payment?"

The other side fell silent for a moment before replying in a low voice, "What are you in such a hurry for? I've already arranged for someone to deliver it to the location you specified."

Ochoku smiled in satisfaction. "That's more like it." After a pause, he added, "Hey, Sengoku, let's discuss another deal."

The Den Den Mushi fell quiet for a moment before Sengoku's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of caution. "What deal?"

"I have a woman here named Annika. She was one of the slaves your people were escorting, but this woman is the target the Kuja Pirates want to rescue."

"Hm?" Sengoku pondered for several seconds, no emotion detectable in his voice. "What do I want her for?"

"Hehehe... Don't try to lower the payment by claiming she's 'useless.'" Ochoku saw through his trick at a glance, his tone faintly mocking. "You know better than I do what use she can serve. I believe someone as smart as you will definitely make this deal with me."

The other side of the Den Den Mushi remained silent for a long time.

So long that Ochoku thought he had hung up. He lowered his head and glanced at the Den Den Mushi, its face still mimicking Sengoku's expression. "What? Or are you really not interested?"

After a long while, Sengoku's voice finally drifted over. "How do you want to complete this transaction?"

"It's simple." Ochoku's tone became lighter. "Give me the payment first. When I leave this island, I'll tell you where she's being held."

"What if you're trying to trick me?"

"Hehehe..." Ochoku laughed. "This isn't a one-time deal. I believe we'll cooperate more and more often, because no matter when or where, I can tell you what Rocks intends to do."

Sengoku hesitated for a while before finally uttering one word. "Fine."

The next second, he added in a colder voice, "However, Ochoku, let me make this clear. If you dare to scheme against us, I guarantee Rocks will be the first to learn that you've betrayed him."

Ochoku's smile did not change as he continued, "Don't worry... I have no reason to do something like that."

He was right. Why fight that bunch of monsters from the Rocks Pirates over scraps when cooperating with the Navy earned him so much more?

Rocks gave him risk, while the Navy gave him real money. He understood that calculation better than anyone.

"Fine. Don't contact me unless it's necessary, and don't expose yourself beside Rocks." Sengoku offered a reminder.

He still valued Ochoku as a chess piece. If used properly, he could help the Navy avoid many unnecessary losses.

"How is that possible?!"

Ochoku suddenly jolted in fright, his voice rising sharply. His eyes locked onto a nearby street, where a golden figure was moving swiftly through the crowd.

"What do you mean, how is that possible?" Sengoku asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. I'm hanging up."

Ochoku quickly ended the call and clumsily stuffed the Den Den Mushi back into his clothes.

That shouldn't be possible, right?

That bastard Roger... didn't make a move against him?

Ochoku instinctively shrank back, hiding behind a chimney, terrified that Ron would spot him.

"Tch!!" Ochoku snorted disdainfully. "I overestimated you, Roger. I even risked myself to pass that information on to you... and this is how you repay me?"

Just as Ochoku cursed inwardly, Ron on the street suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

Ochoku's breath caught instantly. The moment Ron turned around, he immediately concealed himself.

Ron did not see anyone, but his [Malice Perception] clearly sensed an extremely intense malice coming from that direction.

"Who? Roger?" Ron muttered, his brows knitting slightly before he rejected the thought. "No... Roger didn't leave in this direction."

As soon as he spoke, his figure flashed and vanished from where he stood.

Ochoku had already climbed down from the rooftop, trying his best to make his expression appear natural.

Unfortunately, he had not taken more than a few steps.

Whoosh!!!

A golden figure descended from the sky and landed in front of him.

Ochoku froze at first, his steps halting.

But very quickly, a smile appeared on his face.

"I was wondering who it was." Ochoku shook the flask in his hand and said casually, "So it was you, Ron."