One Piece: Legendary Family

Chapter 31: Cooperation?

Ivan entered the office.

Charlotte looked at Ivan with curiosity, "What's going on?"

Ivan had a somewhat grim expression, "Boss, someone is here."

Huh? Someone came?

What kind of situation is this? Why the serious face?

"Who?"

Ivan looked at Charlotte seriously, "An officer from Ochoku's pirate crew has arrived."

In an instant, Charlotte's expression changed slightly. Ah, no wonder—the issue with the [QG] medicine had finally aroused suspicion from the other side.

But Charlotte quickly calmed down. Now, he was under the orders of the Golden Lion, Shiki, so there was no need to confront them.

Besides, they had no evidence.

Thinking about this, Charlotte didn't hesitate any longer and cleared his throat, "Let him in."

"Understood, boss."

Charlotte sighed lightly. These times were full of troubles.

Every day, something didn't let him rest, cursed Golden Lion, Shiki.

If it weren't for him, he wouldn't be in such a passive situation, forced to be noticed and appear on the lists of other forces.

Fame is like a poison that only harms him. For him, avoiding it was the best, but fate always seemed to play tricks on him.

Charlotte couldn't help but rub his temples that were starting to ache.

Not long after, a bald man appeared in his office accompanied by Ivan.

"Captain Charlotte, I am Yepi, an officer from Ochoku's pirate crew." The bald man smiled as he spoke.

Yepi, huh? The name already sounds suspicious.

"I don't know why you're here. I don't recall us having any contact."

Charlotte got straight to the point.

The bald man, Yepi, smiled slightly, "Captain Charlotte, I'm here on behalf of my captain to discuss a cooperation with you."

Charlotte seemed a bit intrigued.

"Cooperation? You should talk to Captain Shiki. I don't see what we could have in common to cooperate on."

Yepi shook his head and spoke softly.

"I have investigated you, Captain Charlotte. According to what we know, you joined Shiki's pirate crew against your will."

Charlotte's face tensed. They had investigated him, huh?

Since he appeared under the orders of the Golden Lion, Shiki, this was inevitable.

But for this guy to mention it so openly was a threat.

"Oh, are you threatening me?"

Charlotte straightened his posture. Though he seemed relaxed on the outside, he was becoming more alert, his tone far from friendly.

Yepi felt intimidated. He knew someone who had gained Shiki's approval wouldn't be weak.

"Captain Charlotte, don't misunderstand me. I just wanted to get to know you better for a better cooperation."

Despite Yepi's gentle words, Charlotte didn't feel any more pleased. This guy was probably prepared for anything.

So much insistence, what the hell did he really want?

"Speak. What kind of cooperation?"

Yepi smiled slightly, "Actually, we want to establish a transit station here."

Charlotte clearly showed his surprise. This cooperation wasn't what he expected.

Charlotte showed a skeptical expression, looking for any sign of deceit, but found none.

"A transit station? Don't you have your own channels? Don't make me laugh."

Charlotte was increasingly convinced that this guy had bad intentions. Did they really just want a small transit station?

Any force with a fixed territory would have its own special channels. Such insistence on a transit station made no sense.

"To be honest, our pirate crew has been under a lot of pressure. This is a forced choice."

Charlotte didn't believe a word. Although Ochoku wasn't at the top level of power, he was still a great pirate, not far from the level of the strongest. Otherwise, he wouldn't be on Hachinosu Island.

All of that was pure lies.

Seeing that Charlotte didn't believe him, Yepi continued, "It seems Captain Charlotte doesn't believe me."

"Not at all. I'm afraid you have other intentions."

Charlotte didn't hesitate to say it.

Yepi sighed, "Captain Charlotte, even if you don't believe me, this is the truth. I'm here with sincerity."

Charlotte felt a coldness in his heart, an internal mockery.

If he didn't know that Ochoku was only defeated by Blackbeard in his old age, he might believe him.

Therefore, he clearly wasn't telling the truth, not a bit of sincerity, what a joke.

Charlotte's fingers tapped lightly on the table, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Yepi could only wait in silence.

"I can't accept this cooperation. If Captain Shiki finds out, the consequences would be terrible."

Charlotte bluntly refused.

These great pirates were not easy to deal with.

And he didn't want more trouble with these great pirates, so visible, it was easy to attract unwanted attention, especially from the Navy.

He didn't want to fall into that trap for any reason.

No matter how much money, it wasn't worth the unease.

Besides, Shiki had already troubled him, so using him as a shield wasn't so bad.

Yepi's face hardened, then slowly said, "Does Captain Charlotte really wish to live under someone else's control? We know you have great potential."

Charlotte's face darkened, what kind of joke was that?

"I will never accept that, unless Captain Shiki approves it. Get out."

Charlotte didn't hesitate to dismiss him. No matter what plans this guy had, he didn't want more trouble.

He just came to annoy him.

Yepi opened his mouth, but didn't say anything else. He could only sigh and shake his head, "Captain Charlotte, what a pity."

"Please, Yepi."

Ivan stepped forward, extending a courteous hand to escort him out.

Yepi didn't stay any longer and, before leaving, said loudly, "Captain Charlotte, if you change your mind, contact us. There might be other ways of cooperation."

Then he left without looking back.

Charlotte narrowed his eyes, it was clear this guy had no good intentions, always trying to provoke him.

Besides, that "other cooperation" had a clear meaning.

Not long after, Ivan returned.

"Boss, he's gone."

Charlotte looked at Ivan, "What do you think he wants?"

Ivan shook his head, then said, "Probably testing if we obtained the [QG] medicine."

Charlotte nodded, not saying anything more.

That was undeniable, Ochoku was already suspicious.

Fortunately, they had been discreet and security measures were strict, with the Hiberfield family closely united, giving them no chance to act.

If there were other motives, Charlotte couldn't know, the clues were scarce.

"Ugh!"

Charlotte let out a sigh, dealing with pirates was exhausting.

"Ivan, increase the surveillance, especially in the lab. Everything must be kept secret."

"Don't worry, boss."

He never doubted Ivan's capabilities, only a slight unease remained.

He didn't know why, but he had a feeling something wasn't right, a feeling he couldn't describe.

"Ivan, investigate Ochoku's pirate crew."

"Understood, boss." Ivan got to work immediately.

(End of chapter)

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