Cooperation?
Ivan stepped into the office, his expression grim.
Charlotte Linlin glanced at Yi Fang with some doubt. "What's wrong?"
Ivan's face was ugly as he spoke. "Boss, someone is coming."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. Someone's coming? Was there any need for such an expression?
"Who?"
Ivan's tone grew serious. "It's the leaders of Wang Zhi's crew."
Charlotte's expression changed slightly. Good grief... He had expected this sooner or later. The matter of the QG drug must have finally drawn suspicion.
But he quickly composed himself. Right now, he was under the flag of Golden Lion Shiki—he couldn't afford to make enemies recklessly. And besides, they had no proof.
With that thought, he wasted no time and cleared his throat. "Let them in."
"Understood, boss."
Charlotte let out a quiet sigh. Troubled times, troubled times… It never ended. And all of this was thanks to Golden Lion Shiki.
If it weren't for Shiki, why would he be in such a passive position? Forced to expose himself, entangled in the power struggles of others…
Being famous is a poison that eats you alive. But avoiding it? Impossible.
Charlotte rubbed his temples, feeling the pressure.
Before long, Ivan returned, leading a bald man into the office.
The newcomer grinned. "Captain Charlotte, I am Yepi, a leader under Captain Wang Zhi."
Charlotte frowned. Yepi? The name sounded ridiculous.
"I don't recall any dealings between us," Charlotte said bluntly.
Yepi chuckled lightly. "I'm here to discuss a cooperation on behalf of my captain."
Charlotte narrowed his eyes. "Cooperation? You should be asking Captain Shiki. I don't see what you and I have to discuss."
Yepi shook his head and spoke softly. "We've investigated you, Captain Charlotte. As far as we know, you had no choice but to join the Flying Pirates."
Charlotte's eyes flickered coldly.
These words… What a blatant provocation.
Though, admittedly, it was true. The moment he joined Shiki's ranks, it was inevitable that others would see him as bound to the Golden Lion.
Still, for Yepi to openly say it like this—it was clearly a test.
"Oh?" Charlotte leaned back, keeping his voice casual. "Are you threatening me?"
Yepi shivered slightly. He knew well that anyone recognized by Shiki wouldn't be weak.
"Captain Charlotte, you misunderstand. This is simply an opportunity for mutual benefit."
Charlotte, however, wasn't pleased at all. Yepi had clearly come well-prepared.
Something's off… What is he really after?
"Speak," Charlotte said, his tone sharp. "What kind of cooperation?"
Yepi smiled. "It's simple. We wish to establish a transfer station here."
Charlotte's brow furrowed. This was… unexpected.
He scrutinized Yepi, searching for any hint of deception, but found none.
"A transfer station?" Charlotte scoffed. "Don't you have your own supply lines? Don't joke with me."
He was becoming more and more certain—there was something deeper at play. A transfer station alone didn't justify all this effort.
Yepi's expression remained calm. "To be frank, our crew has been facing suppression. We're left with little choice."
Charlotte didn't believe a word of it.
Wang Zhi, suppressed?
Even if Wang Zhi wasn't among the absolute strongest pirates, he was still powerful enough to hold Beehive Island—a territory only a true powerhouse could maintain.
This is just empty talk.
Seeing Charlotte's skepticism, Yepi added, "It seems you don't believe me, Captain Charlotte."
Charlotte didn't hesitate. "Of course not. You clearly have another agenda."
Yepi sighed, shaking his head. "Whether you believe it or not, our situation is real. I came here in good faith."
Charlotte sneered inwardly.
If he hadn't known that Wang Zhi would hold onto Beehive Island for decades—only losing it to Blackbeard in the future—he might have actually fallen for this nonsense.
But now?
This so-called sincerity was laughable.
Charlotte tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, pretending to weigh the pros and cons. Yepi stood in silence, waiting.
"Forgive me, but I refuse this cooperation," Charlotte finally said. "If Captain Shiki found out, the consequences would be… unpleasant."
These pirates were not people to trust lightly.
Besides, Charlotte didn't want any deeper entanglements with Wang Zhi. A deal like this would only attract unnecessary attention—especially from the Navy.
No amount of profit is worth that risk.
Moreover, Shiki had already dragged him into trouble. It was only fair to use him as a shield now.
Yepi's face stiffened slightly, but he soon recovered. "Does Captain Charlotte truly wish to remain under someone else's flag forever? Your talent is wasted in another man's shadow."
Charlotte's eyes turned cold.
What an irritating man.
He chuckled, his tone mocking. "I won't agree unless Captain Shiki himself allows it. You can leave now."
The rejection was final.
Yepi opened his mouth as if to argue, but seeing Charlotte's firm stance, he could only shake his head helplessly.
"That's a pity, Captain Charlotte."
He turned toward the door, but before leaving, he added, "If you change your mind, you're welcome to contact us. There may be other opportunities for cooperation."
With that, he strode out.
Charlotte narrowed his eyes.
Other cooperation?
There was no doubt about it—Yepi had ulterior motives. Every word he spoke had been an attempt to probe or entice.
A dangerous man.
Not long after, Ivan returned. "Boss, they're gone."
Charlotte glanced at him. "What do you think their real goal is?"
Ivan hesitated, then said, "Most likely, they're testing to see if we really have the QG drug."
Charlotte nodded.
There was no doubt—Wang Zhi had begun to suspect.
Luckily, everything had been handled discreetly, with strict secrecy and the Heberfil Family's cooperation. There was no clear evidence for Wang Zhi's men to grasp.
But whether that was their only objective, Charlotte couldn't be sure. There were too many unknowns.
"Hah…"
Charlotte exhaled slowly.
Dealing with pirates was exhausting.
"Ivan, double the security around the laboratory. No leaks. No risks."
"Understood, boss."
Charlotte trusted Ivan's ability, but a lingering unease gnawed at him.
For some reason… something just felt wrong.
"Ivan, investigate Wang Zhi's crew movements."
"Yes, boss." Ivan bowed and left.
Charlotte leaned back in his chair, eyes dark with thought.
This won't be the last time they come knocking.