One Piece: Rinnegan Is My Golden Finger.

Hancock was completely enraged by Chiga's actions. She placed her hands on her chest, forming a heart shape and aiming it directly at him.

"Mero Mero Mellow!"

Heart-shaped ripples spread from her hands, radiating outward in waves that passed through Chiga.

Hancock watched confidently, certain the technique had worked. In her mind, someone bold enough to say what Chiga had just said couldn't possibly be without lust.

As long as he was attracted to her beauty, he should've been petrified instantly. She had absolute confidence in the power of her Mero Mero no Mi.

But even as the pink ripples continued to wash over Chiga, his body remained completely unchanged.

Hancock's eyes widened in disbelief. Determined, she increased the output of her power, filling the air with even more shimmering heart-shaped waves.

Yet no matter how much power she poured into the attack, the only visible result was a faint pink aura lingering around Chiga's body.

Eventually, she stopped. Even with all her pride, Hancock had to accept reality: her ability had absolutely no effect on him.

Not even her Perfume Femur, which could petrify non-living objects, had affected him earlier. There was no point in trying any other attacks.

The onlookers behind them were stunned. Especially Kalifa and Ain, who had a good understanding of Hancock's abilities. They knew how devastating the Mero Mero no Mi was—especially against men.

There was no way Chiga had no feelings at all for Hancock. They were certain of that.

Her beauty and figure were both world-class. It was hard to believe any man could be completely unaffected.

So why had her power failed?

Dracule Mihawk observed the situation with a serious expression. His sharp eyes noticed the black patterns along Chiga's neck and the back of his hand.

Although the form differed from traditional Armament Haki, Mihawk—who himself possessed advanced Haki—could tell what it was. That form was undoubtedly Armament Haki, cultivated to a level even beyond the norm. Possibly linked to Chiga's own Devil Fruit abilities.

Realizing this, Mihawk's heart sank.

Conqueror's Haki. Armament Haki. A Devil Fruit ability. And swordsmanship that hasn't even been revealed yet... Did this man have any weaknesses?

Chiga looked at the stunned Hancock and finally spoke.

"Have you finished your little show?"

His calm voice made Hancock's body tremble. She knew she wasn't his match, yet still asked stubbornly,

"I admit your strength is far greater than mine, but can you tell me why the Mero Mero no Mi doesn't work on you?"

Chiga tugged slightly at his collar, revealing two black lines running vertically along his throat.

"Don't you know? When Armament Haki reaches a certain level, it can render some Devil Fruit powers completely ineffective."

Hancock's pupils contracted sharply.

She was aware that Armament Haki could counter Devil Fruits, but in all her time wielding the Mero Mero no Mi, she had never met someone whose Haki could nullify her powers.

She had nearly forgotten such a possibility existed. Even if she had remembered, she wouldn't have cared—after all, she was practically made for her fruit. How powerful would Haki need to be to override her charm?

But today… today proved it was possible.

And worst of all, she could tell that Armament Haki was only one part of Chiga's strength.

Hancock stared at him, bewildered.

Why...? Why would someone this powerful be working for the Marines?

If someone like Chiga stood with the World Government, the Celestial Dragons' grip on the world would only grow stronger. Their arrogance and cruelty would only get worse.

Was she really destined to live her entire life beneath their shadow?

Her heart sank. Hancock stood there, face pale and expression hollow.

Seeing her in this state, Chiga temporarily set aside the idea of punishing her further. Still, a warning was necessary.

With a flash, Chiga appeared beside her. Hancock didn't move. It was as if she had accepted whatever fate awaited her.

Chiga glanced at her and said in a low, steady voice,

"You've caused enough of a scene. Be smart. You wouldn't want your secret getting out… would you?"

"What?!"

Hancock turned sharply, terror flooding her face.

That secret… the one she'd rather die than reveal—how did he know?

She stared into Chiga's strange, rippling purple eyes. A cold chill ran down her spine.

"It's your eyes… it must be your eyes. Just how many powers do you have?"

Chiga blinked. Did she think the Rinnegan could see through secrets too? He didn't even know that himself.

But it didn't matter. Let her believe what she wanted.

Hancock's strength wasn't bad. She had Conqueror's Haki and real potential. Once the Seven Warlords system was disbanded, she could be a valuable ally.

And making her submit would be easy. As long as she opposed the Celestial Dragons, she'd be on his side.

Chiga looked straight into her eyes.

"Stop resisting. I'll tell you something you'll definitely want to hear."

Hancock didn't respond. She simply stood there, powerless to resist.

She had no choice—not against his strength, not with her secret exposed.

Chiga's Rinnegan pulsed, casting a purple light across her face. Hancock's eyes lost focus, and his voice echoed inside her mind.

"Behave. I'm going to take down the Celestial Dragons."

The words hit her like lightning.

What…? This terrifying Marine—was going to oppose the Celestial Dragons?

But weren't the Marines loyal to them?

Hancock stared at him, stunned. Her mind had been shaken again and again today by this man.

Chiga didn't say anything else. A mysterious smile tugged at his lips as a massive burst of Conqueror's Haki, laced with purplish-black lightning, exploded from his body.

Everyone present was considered strong within the Grand Line.

But under that overwhelming pressure, their bodies trembled and buckled. Grunts of pain escaped from many of them.

Kalifa, Ain, and Corazon watched the others, confused as to why everyone was suddenly collapsing.

They had no idea that Chiga had deliberately excluded them from the Haki's effects. If he hadn't, they'd already be unconscious.

Hancock, closest to Chiga, bore the brunt of it. Sweat formed on her brow, but she understood what the message was.

This man wasn't made to serve others.

He was telling her—through pure force—that his ambitions far exceeded that of a typical Marine.

As she thought about his strength and young age, Hancock's face flushed slightly.

"I hope he succeeds…"

---

(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ To those that joined my P@treon and became Patrons.

Thank You ❤️.