On the other side, Tesoro was stunned after hearing the exchange between Morgans and Caelan.
"The pirate who suddenly appeared and was instantly killed… was Ochoku?!"
He stared at the head Morgans had taken away, remaining in a daze for a long time.
Frankly speaking, Ochoku was someone on the same level as him, a man whose strength could definitely be called formidable.
And yet, this very man had appeared right in front of him, only to be killed in seconds by Caelan before Tesoro could even see him clearly.
Seconds.
If Caelan could kill Ochoku in seconds, could he also kill him just as easily?
Tesoro glanced at Caelan, feeling a heavy sense of fear in his heart.
Caelan, known as the God Slayer, had earned the title by killing the Celestial Dragons who called themselves gods.
But now that Tesoro had witnessed his true strength, he realized something.
With this kind of overwhelming presence, even a real god standing in front of Caelan would have to be cautious about their life.
Even if he used Caesar to create a legion of ability users, could he really replace someone like that?
For a moment, Tesoro felt uncertain.
There were some opponents whose strength could not be overcome, no matter how many forces you gathered. It was like throwing eggs at a rock—no matter how many, the rock would remain unbroken.
"Forget it. No need to think so far ahead. Even if I can't replace him, being second or third is fine."
Tesoro quickly adjusted his mindset, comforting himself.
As long as he could mass-produce artificial Devil Fruits, his power would grow significantly.
It was still possible for him to become the fifth or sixth Emperor alongside the Yonko.
Moreover, Caelan killing Ochoku had created a powerful deterrent, which was also good for him.
At least, it meant he would be safe for the next two days in Dressrosa.
"I have two days of absolute safety. That's enough time to prepare."
Regaining his confidence, Tesoro began planning.
Now, with the powerful warning of Caelan killing Ochoku, he was certain that at least until he left Dressrosa, nothing would happen to him.
Two days was a bit tight, but still enough to transfer Caesar.
…
Not far from Tesoro, Lu Feld and Peclo were both sweating.
"This is terrifying!"
They stared at Ochoku's head, feeling a cold chill run through their bodies.
Most people in the New World had heard of Ochoku's reputation.
Once a cadre of the Rocks Pirates, three of the current Yonko had shared the same background as him.
His strength was certainly far above that of the kings of the underworld.
And yet, such a great pirate, with such a deep history, had been killed instantly on the spot, not even causing a ripple.
"If he can kill Ochoku in one move, killing us would be child's play."
Peclo looked at Caelan in horror.
Even someone like him, who usually treated human life as worthless, felt a deep fear now.
The so-called Major Undertaker only assassinated lesser figures.
Compared to Caelan casually killing Ochoku while chatting, it was worlds apart.
"It would take him just one move to kill us."
Feld spoke bitterly.
As a king of the underworld, he had never imagined there could be someone so strong that his life could be taken with a single wave of the hand.
"Feld, this doesn't look good. We need to be more careful."
Peclo warned in a low voice.
Caelan's decisive execution of Ochoku showed extraordinary resolve.
Anyone who wanted to act recklessly in Dressrosa had to be ready to die.
Their plans against Tesoro would have to be far more restrained now.
"Indeed. Until we leave Dressrosa, we'll do nothing but keep watch."
Feld's voice was deep and serious.
Caelan's lightning-fast kill of Ochoku was the best warning.
They had been wary before, but still held on to a sliver of hope.
People were like that. They only truly wake up when they see someone suffer for real.
Fortunately, they weren't the ones on the receiving end.
"I'm considering withdrawing my forces from Caelan's territory."
Peclo's tone was firm.
His power lay in assassination networks. It was unlikely Caelan would tolerate such an organization within his sphere.
If he angered Caelan by accident, the consequences would be dire.
"I've been thinking the same thing."
Feld agreed it was better to stay away.
His work relied on ruthless methods for lending and collecting. That sort of underground activity easily stirred trouble.
In most places it didn't matter, but inside Caelan's territory, it was best to tread carefully.
It would be safer to withdraw entirely.
"Then we're of one mind."
Peclo managed a bitter laugh.
"I guess we're just two scared cowards now," Feld said self-mockingly, then pointed toward Caelan and whispered, "There's only one true hero here."
"Yeah, the only real hero."
Peclo and Feld exchanged a look, both feeling a strange sense of kinship.
For now, their temporary alliance to target Tesoro had grown stronger.
Faced with this great devil who could erase them with one gesture, they no longer had any sense of superiority as kings of the underworld.
They looked at Caelan with quiet fear, worried that at any moment, he might raise his hand and wipe them from existence.
The two kings who once dominated the underworld now behaved like obedient children in front of him.
…
Up in the audience seats.
"He killed Ochoku instantly?"
Kaido looked at the familiar head and spoke softly.
This was an old acquaintance. Back when Kaido was just a trainee in the Rocks Pirates, he had sparred with many of its members, and Ochoku was no exception.
At that time, Kaido had yet to obtain his Devil Fruit and had not fully grown, so he was often defeated by Ochoku.
He knew well that this great pirate's strength was almost equal to that of his current All-Star, King.
For Caelan to kill him instantly proved he was truly a formidable opponent, worthy of being on par with the Yonko.
Facing such a man, Kaido felt the long-lost bloodlust in his heart begin to stir. His desire to fight grew strong.
"No hurry. After we take Caesar, then we'll fight him."
He etched Caelan's face into his memory, looking forward to the day they would clash.
…
Elsewhere in the audience.
"This warning is powerful."
Katakuri's gaze shifted to the head now hanging at the entrance, his tone deep.
It was easy to imagine that anyone who saw Ochoku's head would think twice before acting recklessly in Dressrosa.
Katakuri himself had never intended to cause trouble here, and now, seeing the risks, he certainly would not.
But inwardly, he raised Caelan's danger level another notch.
"Good thing we didn't act."
Smoothie patted her chest, still shaken.
She had thought about stirring things up and taking advantage of the chaos earlier.
She never expected Caelan to be so fierce and overwhelming that a famous pirate would die without the slightest suspense.
Fortunately, Katakuri had stopped her. Otherwise, she might be the one hanging at the entrance now.
'Though maybe your fate would have been different.'
Katakuri glanced at his sister in thought.
With her looks, she might have been tied up and sent to Caelan's room instead.
But that outcome would hardly be a good one either.
(To be continued.)
***
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