Chapter 167: When Did You Get the Illusion That I Wasn't Using My Ability?
Whole Cake Island, Whole Cake Chateau.
The top of this massive castle, symbolizing the supreme authority of Totto Land, is the venue Big Mom values most for every "Tea Party".
But now, a small banquet was being held here in advance.
"Mamamama."
Big Mom's huge mouth let out a unique laugh. "Haven't seen you for so many years... I didn't expect you to become an ability user too, Ochoku—didn't you hate ability users the most back then? You didn't even go to God Valley because of that."
As she spoke, she looked at the man in front of her.
A man with a sinister and ugly face, long hair, wrinkles on his neck, and a forked tongue.
He wore very loose clothes, covering almost his entire body except for his neck and head.
"Linlin, you remember such trivial things clearly?"
Hearing Big Mom's question, he replied with a hoarse voice.
"Mamamama, just curious... The guy famous as a 'Martial Artist' who established a sect suddenly becoming an ability user surprised me for a while."
Her words referred to old matters long forgotten by this era.
Yes—decades ago, the Rocks Pirates executive "Pirate Guru" Ochoku (Wang Zhi) was a great pirate from Kano Country, famous as a martial artist.
Renowned for his powerful physique and outstanding martial skills, he was said to have mastered almost all fighting techniques of Kano Country with incredible talent. He established the "Martial Fight Sect" to teach martial arts, recruiting many pirates eager to become stronger, earning the title "Pirate Guru".
He and his followers originally believed in the creed that "Ability is just a hindrance".
But such a guy suddenly became an ability user after the Rocks Pirates disbanded.
"Gulp gulp... Haa..."
Hearing this, Ochoku downed a glass of sweet wine.
Then, he exhaled deeply, looking at Big Mom. "Does that matter? What's wrong with pirates pursuing power?"
"Should I become a 'Stepping Stone' for some young Marine's rise like that guy Shiki?"
He said.
"Mamamama, true enough—Shiki being defeated by Zephyr's disciple... no one expected that."
Big Mom nodded, putting a Homie cake screaming "Ah, getting eaten by Mama, must leak filling quickly" into her mouth. "However, I heard that after you became an ability user back then, you were assassinated by powerhouses within your sect?"
"A bunch of clowns who couldn't see the situation clearly."
Ochoku sneered.
But his hand clenched unconsciously.
Then, he changed the topic immediately. "Compared to that, Linlin—let's confirm again about the 'Alliance'."
"Totto Land and Pirate Island form a pirate alliance, hunting 'The Zodiac' together and snatching Neverland."
"After that, all rare beasts on Neverland and other Zodiac members belong to you. I only want half of the Fountain of Youth and Hitsujii."
Speaking of this, a trace of burning desire flashed in his eyes.
"Ah..."
Hearing "The Zodiac" and "Neverland", Big Mom grinned.
Crunch.
She chewed and swallowed the cake. "Originally, I didn't plan to give anything related to The Zodiac and Neverland to anyone, but the intel you brought is indeed valuable, Ochoku—worthy of Pirate Island."
"Pity your subordinates are useless, can't even catch a small fry called 'Biki' (Tail-Fire Tiger)."
Her words explained the key intel Ochoku brought.
Ochoku's "Pirate Island" Hachinosu was a very special island on the sea.
Since the Rocks era, this island has been the symbol of "Pirates".
The rule of this island was simple—power reigns supreme, no basic laws, purely a chaotic pirate paradise.
Any pirate could land, feast, drink, and theoretically challenge Ochoku to claim the island.
This unique order allowed many pirates to come and go, with all kinds of people mingling there.
This made the island a rare "Information Hub" on the sea—its advantage in intel gathering, especially illegal intel, was almost unmatched, surpassing even the "World Economic News Paper".
The news Ochoku brought to Whole Cake Island was... not long ago, a certain great pirate's illegal business on his turf was destroyed.
The perpetrator was reportedly just a gambler there to play, but upon discovering the organ and slave trafficking hidden beneath the casino, he acted decisively, pulling down a meteor to erase the casino and the great pirate together.
"This... cough, I am a member of the Sheep Division under The Zodiac's Hitsujii, Biki."
When asked for identity, the person answered so.
The key lay here.
Ochoku's intelligence network instantly linked the codename "Biki" with the "Meteor Rain" that shocked the world during the Neverland incident.
Thus, he confirmed the previously speculative claim.
Neverland was indeed the work of The Zodiac—even Neverland itself was related to one of The Zodiac, "Hitsujii".
This was why he decided to seek an alliance with Big Mom.
Of course, he wasn't convinced by Big Mom's words now.
"According to my intel, that guy called Biki is very strong..."
He said.
"Not even a Top Executive, how strong can he be?"
Big Mom scoffed. "Besides, Du Feld (Loan Shark King) already dealt with the Top Executive 'Nezumi'. He'll send the corpse to me tomorrow."
Ochoku: "..."
He stood up, somewhat annoyed. "Anyway, that's the situation—alliance reached, caught up enough, I won't stay longer."
He stood up, turning to leave.
But...
"..."
He seemed to remember something suddenly, pausing slightly.
"By the way, Linlin—one last question."
"Hm?"
Big Mom, enjoying dessert, looked up puzzled.
"About The Zodiac's 'Star Lord'—did you see him at God Valley?"
Ochoku asked deeply.
"Ah, that..."
Hearing this question, Big Mom looked solemn too.
The God Valley Incident, unforgettable even for her—after all, she witnessed the "World" there with her own eyes.
But undoubtedly...
"Star Lord... at God Valley, I never saw that guy."
Big Mom looked at Ochoku. "I don't know why the Government says he's the mastermind behind God Valley... maybe he was the one who kidnapped Shakky from 'Pirate Island' back then?"
Yes, all Rocks Pirates members knew the origin of God Valley.
Funny to say, but in fact—the kidnapping of the "Pirate Empress" Shakky from Pirate Island, eventually falling into Government hands, was the trigger for that major incident.
To this day, Big Mom didn't know who kidnapped Shakky.
"Wait... Star Lord seems to be enemies with the World Government now, doesn't look like their helper back then."
She grinned. "But it doesn't matter... just catch those guys and torture them, everything will be clear, right?"
"..."
Hearing this, Ochoku fell silent. "True."
With that, he swallowed his last doubt silently, turning to leave the top of Whole Cake Island, heading for his room.
"Welcome back, Lord Ochoku."
As the highest-status guest of this Tea Party, his guest room was one of the most luxurious on Whole Cake Island.
There was even a "Service Homie" inside and outside the room, opening the door enthusiastically for him now.
"Linlin was one of the last fighters at God Valley, yet she didn't see Star Lord either..."
But clearly, Ochoku didn't feel honored by this.
On the contrary, he felt very irritable.
Yes.
He knew Big Mom's guess just now was wrong—the person who kidnapped Shakky for the Government wasn't "Star Lord".
Because the person who planned that kidnapping was... Himself, Ochoku.
His question just now wasn't to ask about that.
He wanted to confirm a possibility that made him extremely uneasy.
"That guy couldn't still be... hm?"
Muttering uneasily, he stepped into his room.
Just as he entered, he frowned suddenly.
"Lord Ochoku, would you like something to eat..."
The next moment, Ochoku turned around without hesitation, punching the Service Homie behind him.
"Hasshoken · Nail!" (Eight Impact Fist)
BOOM!
Intense fist force blasted a huge hole in the ground before Ochoku instantly.
The Service Homie's figure shattered in an instant.
But...
"Hm?"
The next moment, Ochoku frowned.
Because he saw the Service Homie re-emerging in the air not far away.
At the same time...
"So strange."
Ochoku saw the Homie's appearance changing constantly.
In just moments, the Service Homie turned into a figure wearing a pale golden robe and a Dog Mask.
He stroked his chin with two fingers, tilting his head at Ochoku. "I shouldn't have revealed any flaws."
Hearing this, Ochoku sneered. "Hiding your identity before a top martial artist is a flaw in itself."
"Although you hid your killing intent well, perhaps undetectable by ordinary Observation Haki... as a martial artist, my instinct can detect danger."
Speaking, his gaze fixed on the Sea Beast Mask on the other's head. "However... that mask, are you..."
Speaking of this, the sharp light in his eyes was almost burning.
"I see."
Inu (Dog) nodded thoughtfully. "Katakuri seemed to have a similar reaction. Subtle killing intent, huh... learned something."
Saying this, he pointed at himself with a smile. "As repayment for the lesson, I'll answer your question—I am The Zodiac's 'Inu'..."
As he spoke, Ochoku moved.
WHOOSH!
Accompanied by a piercing sound of breaking wind.
His figure appeared above Inu's head almost instantly.
"A Zodiac guy dares to appear directly in front of me!"
His voice carried clear excitement.
"Truly... Heaven helps me!"
His fists clenched, Armament Haki gathering on them.
"Earth Tea Fist · Barrage!"
Accompanied by strong Conqueror's and Armament Haki, his fists struck out again.
But this time, he used a completely different martial art—the frequency of his punches was so high it formed a massive "Rain of Fists".
And the target of the fist rain was Inu's "Limbs".
"Break your limbs first, then capture you. Naturally, I'll know the location of Hitsujii and Neverland!"
This was Ochoku's plan.
In fact...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Every strike indeed hit Inu's body.
"Done!"
At this moment, the excitement in Ochoku's eyes became clearer.
As a martial artist, he was sure his attacks hit a human body—the sensation of declining life force, the sound of breaking muscles and bones, and the faint smell of blood, everything confirmed this.
"Whatever your ability is, you have no chance to use it!"
He laughed hideously.
But the next moment...
"Heh!"
He heard... a chuckle.
"Heh! Heh! Heh!"
Following that, he heard countless chuckles ringing out continuously.
Then, he saw incredulously.
Before him, the figure of "Inu" dispersed slowly like air.
Replacing it...
In his room before him.
Figure after figure hidden in the air emerged continuously.
"Your lesson is meaningful... I indeed need to learn to perfect the details, but..."
Overlapping voices came constantly.
The next moment, Ochoku felt killing intent.
"I was ordered to kill you; having killing intent is inevitable."
Yes.
As he said, as a top martial artist, he could detect the subtlest killing intent... this perception was even stronger than Observation Haki, purely instinct accumulated from countless battles.
But now, the situation was different.
Because now, every figure emerging in his room brought him massive killing intent in his perception.
And Inu's overlapping voice continued to enter his ears.
"Moreover... when did you get the illusion that I wasn't using my ability?"
☆☆☆
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