Disdain filled Rocks' eyes as he stared at Chopper, who had just finished explaining his transformation.

"So it's the Human-Human Fruit?" Rocks muttered, disgust clearly on his face. "Completely useless for a human..."

If it had a model—say, Buddha or Oni—it might have been divine. But this was just the standard version: a pure Human-Human Fruit.

"If you had to give it a name," Rocks scoffed, "maybe... Human-Human Fruit: Landlubber Form. Or Commoner Form."

With his interest gone, Rocks kicked Chopper hard. The little reindeer flew into a tree and collapsed, unconscious.

A folded newspaper slipped from Chopper's pouch.

Rocks stooped down and picked it up with mild interest, flipping through it.

The headlines were hard to believe.

The World Government had confirmed that the Navy and the Four Emperors would clash at Marineford in a full-scale war.

Rocks blinked slowly. Then he erupted,

"What kind of madness is this?! The world's gone insane!"

After calming down, he briefly considered going himself.

But the image of Uchiha Chiga flashed through his mind.

"...No. Not with that monster around. I'd better bide my time."

Rocks turned away. Now more than ever, he needed to build his own forces.

The death of Wapol, tyrant of Drum Kingdom, made no waves across the world. All eyes were locked on Marineford.

Seven days passed in tense silence.

---

Marineford,

On the broad stone plaza, countless Marines stood in formation, eyes fixed on the sea.

The Seven Warlords had gathered—all except for Doflamingo.

Atop a raised platform sat the four Marine Admirals.

Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru surrounded Uchiha Chiga, seated at the center, elevated slightly above the others.

Though they shared the same rank, the seating arrangement made something clear:

Chiga's presence eclipsed the rest.

Yet not one Marine questioned it.

Anyone who doubted it could try taking on a Yonko alone.

The Admirals sat composed.

Akainu and Kizaru crossed their legs, their postures stiff and commanding. Aokiji slouched lazily, arms resting on the chair. In contrast, Chiga leaned with one elbow on the armrest, legs crossed, eyes closed as if napping.

But no one mistook it for arrogance.

The entire event was being broadcast live across the world through Visual Den Den Mushi—and Chiga was the face everyone wanted to see.

---

Cocoyasi Village.

Dozens of villagers were gathered around the broadcast screen, eyes glued to the footage.

When the camera showed Chiga, a buzz spread through the crowd.

Nami tugged on Nojiko's sleeve, squealing,

"Nojiko, look! It's Chiga-nii! He's so cool!"

Nojiko smiled gently, eyes locked on the screen.

"I see him. He looks like he's sleeping."

"Hmph! He's probably pretending, but that's what makes him cool! Hehe!"

In contrast, Bell-mère looked tense. She understood what was at stake.

She stared at Chiga and whispered,

"Please… be careful."

---

Mary Geoise.

Inside a lavish Celestial Dragon palace, Nerona was seated on a plush sofa, clutching a custom-made Chiga plush doll.

Her eyes locked onto the screen, cheeks flushed.

The two black-clad attendants beside her winced as she barked,

"Bring the Mushi closer! I want to see his face!"

Sweating bullets, they obeyed. The camera zoomed in on Chiga's relaxed posture.

Nerona's expression turned dreamy. She leaned so close her nose almost pressed against the screen.

The two attendants turned away in silence, knowing better than to comment.

But suddenly, the feed switched—to the sea.

Dark silhouettes appeared on the horizon.

Nerona froze. Then she erupted,

"IDIOTS! Get Marineford to aim the Mushi back at Chiga! I don't care about anything else!"

The black-clad men hesitated, but under her fury, they had no choice.

They dialed.

But no one answered.

Because the war... had begun.

---

The first Yonko to arrive was Whitebeard.

Standing at the bow of the Moby Dick, the world's strongest man gripped his Murakumogiri.

Beside him, Marco furrowed his brow.

"Old man, the others haven't shown up yet. What now?"

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes at Chiga, who sat unmoved in the distance.

He laughed.

"Doesn't matter. Let's give them a warm welcome, eh? Kurararara!"

With a grunt, Whitebeard raised his fist and struck the air.

Cracks of light spread like spiderwebs through the sky.

A massive shockwave surged outward, distorting the atmosphere.

The sea instantly rose—forming a towering tsunami that loomed over Marineford like a falling mountain.

Gasps filled the plaza.

Soldiers stared upward, paralyzed by the sheer scale of the attack.

Even the Visual Den Den Mushi feed trembled.

---

The camera snapped back to the Admirals.

Aokiji stood up, ready to freeze the wave with his ice.

But then, Uchiha Chiga opened his eyes.

Purple Rinnegan, eleven tomoe spinning like constellations, came into view.

Everywhere—across the world—hearts steadied.

Some viewers, wearing Rinnegan-colored contact lenses, stood on their toes with excitement.

Chiga's expression remained calm, voice low but firm:

"Shinra Tensei."

---

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