One Piece: Rinnegan Is My Golden Finger.

Chapter Title: Forces in Motion, Shadows Awaken

"Nani!? What nonsense are you spouting!?"

Big Mom stared at Kaido, wide-eyed in disbelief. The Kaido standing before her seemed far from the fearless warrior she once knew. Was he really giving that man so much credit?

Kaido downed several large gulps of sake, setting the jug down with a dull thud.

"You haven't fought him, so you don't understand. He's terrifying. To be honest, I can't think of anyone who could take him on."

"Has this Purple Kirin's strength really reached that level?" Big Mom asked, voice lowering.

"It's worse than I described. I went to Marineford just to see for myself what that monster intends to do."

"So you're still refusing to form an alliance?"

"Tch, it's pointless," Kaido said, but then exhaled slowly. "Still, I owe you a favor. If you want an alliance, then fine. Let's do it."

Big Mom raised her sake jug and clinked it with Kaido's. Despite the sound of an agreement, her face remained solemn—eyes filled not with victory, but worry.

---

Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick...

Inside the captain's cabin, Whitebeard and Shanks sat across from one another, calmly discussing the upcoming war. Outside, the senior officers of the Whitebeard Pirates and Red Hair Pirates waited silently on deck.

Shanks had brought along a carefully compiled dossier—detailed intel on Uchiha Chiga.

Whitebeard examined the document, his eyes narrowing as he read the list of abilities attributed to the Admiral.

"Space type abilities from the Door Door fruit, Gravity Manipulation from Gravity fruit, Asura, Bomb, Even thunder from Rumble-Rumble, Dark-Dark..."

There were nine Devil Fruit abilities recorded—possibly more. The eleven tomoe embedded in Chiga's Rinnegan suggested two more unknown abilities yet to be revealed.

And more frightening than the fruits was that Rinnegan—a power far beyond any Devil Fruit. No one knew its true limits.

Combined with Chiga's Haki—said to surpass even Shanks'—Whitebeard was left genuinely impressed.

"This man... he's a monster."

Shanks nodded solemnly, hand brushing the stump of his left arm. More than anyone, he understood Chiga's power.

But unlike Kaido, Shanks wasn't weighed down by fear. The Four Emperors stood united—together, they were a force capable of shaking the world itself. No matter how powerful Chiga was, he couldn't possibly decide the entire outcome of this war alone... right?

If only Shanks had seen Madara's rampage in another world, he'd know: even one man could overwhelm tens of thousands.

Looking down at Chiga's photo, Shanks murmured,

"Let's see if you really have the power to end an era."

Whitebeard glanced over.

"Aren't you thinking about eating a Devil Fruit yourself? It shouldn't be hard for you to find one that fits."

At that, Shanks grimaced in disgust.

"I'm not touching that thing."

"That?"

"Don't worry about it," Shanks said flatly. "I've made my own preparations. And they're more than enough."

Whitebeard blinked, puzzled. But seeing the grim look in Shanks' eyes, he chose not to pry. They were allies now, and if Shanks had something up his sleeve, that could only help.

Once their conversation concluded, Shanks stood to leave. Before stepping out, he glanced back and added,

"Don't drink for the next few days. Keep yourself in shape. We can't afford any mistakes."

Whitebeard frowned.

"You brat, getting too full of yourself now? Trying to tell me what to do?"

But something about Shanks was... different.

Suddenly, a dark ring of black shadow formed around his left eye. Turning, he said in a chilling voice,

"You're underestimating the threat. You have no idea what kind of enemy we're about to face."

A strange pressure filled the room. It wasn't Haki, but something else entirely. Even Whitebeard—the strongest man in the world—felt a wave of discomfort. His eyes sharpened.

"Who... are you?"

"I..." Shanks' voice faltered. His gaze became vacant, as if he were confused by his own presence.

Acting swiftly, Whitebeard unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. The immense wave washed over Shanks like a shock. The shadow around his eye slowly faded.

Shanks collapsed to his knees, his breath ragged and shallow.

Without hesitation, Whitebeard stepped forward and caught him before he could hit the floor.

"Hey! You okay?"

Shanks nodded weakly, whispering,

"Thanks."

"What the hell just happened? That wasn't you—"

"You're overthinking it. I've just been under a lot of pressure lately. Probably just fatigue..."

"Then what was that pattern around your eye?"

"It was Armament Haki," Shanks lied flatly. "Thought you'd recognize that by now."

"..."

Whitebeard didn't believe him—not even for a second. But Shanks clearly didn't want to talk. And Whitebeard wasn't going to force it.

A heavy silence hung in the air.

Once he'd recovered slightly, Shanks gently pulled away from Whitebeard's grasp.

"Don't worry. If things turn against us during the war... that will be our key to turning the tide."

Without waiting for a reply, Shanks walked out of the cabin.

Outside, Beckman was waiting. Upon seeing Shanks' pale face, he immediately stepped forward and draped a black cloak over his shoulders.

"Did something happen with Whitebeard?" Beckman asked in a low voice. "We felt an intense pressure coming from the cabin."

"It's fine," Shanks muttered. "Let's go back."

---

The Flower Chamber – In the Holy Land

Far away, in the dim Flower Chamber, Im sat on his throne.

His eyes suddenly snapped open—blood red, each pupil surrounded by two concentric black rings.

He smiled.

"So... you couldn't suppress it after all? Enjoy the power, Shanks. You always said you hated it. But in the end, you had to use it. How ironic."

A mocking voice echoed within his mind, one he despised.

"Aren't you afraid he'll use that power to defeat Uchiha Chiga? Wouldn't that ruin your plans?"

Im sneered coldly.

"Chiga isn't someone you defeat so easily. If anything, this will push him to evolve even faster. Trash like you should know your place. Be quiet."

With that, Im's form melted into the shadows, leaving the Flower Chamber in cold, consuming silence once more.

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