One Piece: With Sign-in System

After indulging in a feast of tender, succulent roasted meat, Ron lay sprawled across a rocky outcrop by the shore, basking in the golden sunlight with a look of pure satisfaction on his face.

"When do you plan to visit Amazon Lily?"

Seated nearby, Silvers Rayleigh took a sip from a metal flask of liquor, his keen eyes watching Ron with interest.

Ron chuckled. "Anytime. But have you given any more thought to what I asked you?"

Rayleigh took another swig before replying, "I'm old now. At most, I can help you hold off a few Admiral candidates."

"That's more than enough."

Ron grinned, his confidence unwavering.

Rayleigh gazed at him thoughtfully, a flicker of nostalgia hidden behind the reflection of his glasses. "So, you're really planning to wage a war that could topple the World Government, huh? Even an old man like me is starting to feel a little fired up."

"How confident are you in this?"

"Hard to say for now. It all depends on the forces we can gather." Ron's expression turned contemplative. "Rayleigh, what do you know about the Five Elders? Do you have any insight into their strength?"

"The Five Elders..."

Rayleigh stroked his chin, falling into deep thought.

"They sit at the very top of the World Government's hierarchy. Even meeting them is nearly impossible for most people. Their abilities and power are shrouded in mystery. Even back in my days aboard Roger's ship, we never directly encountered them, so I don't know much about their true strength or secrets."

"I see… got it."

Ron nodded, filing away the information.

Rayleigh's gaze sharpened with curiosity. "Ron, kid… do you really have Pluton in your possession?"

Ron smirked lazily. "No. I don't even know where that thing is. But Robin does."

He stretched his arms over his head and added nonchalantly, "She believes it's better left undisturbed. And honestly? I agree. I don't have any real use for a weapon like that."

Rayleigh took another slow sip of his drink, his eyes twinkling with approval.

This was the answer he wanted to hear.

True powerhouses believed in their own strength.

Only the weak, or those who sought absolute tyranny over the seas, would covet a weapon of indiscriminate slaughter like Pluton.

"That may be true, but now that the World Government has leaked the information, every power-hungry lunatic out there will be coming for you."

Rayleigh swirled the liquor in his flask as he continued, "From what I hear, Big Mom and Kaido are already showing signs of forming an alliance—because of you. You're too much of a threat."

He took a slow sip. "If those two join forces, the might of the old Rocks Pirates will return to the world. Won't that throw a wrench in your plans?"

Ron remained unfazed.

"Not at all."

His voice was calm, unwavering. "If we wage an all-out war against the World Government, the victor will dictate the fate of the world. Powerhouses at the level of the Yonko won't be able to sit on the sidelines. They'll have only three choices: join us, join the World Government, or form their own coalition."

His lips curled into a confident smirk.

"Among these three options, siding with the World Government is the least likely. The other two… don't really interfere with my plans."

Rayleigh's eyes gleamed with interest.

Ron continued, his tone steady.

"Big Mom is unpredictable, but Kaido…" He let out a small chuckle. "That guy dreams of starting the greatest war the world has ever seen. Even if he and I are enemies, I doubt he'd refuse an opportunity like this."

"In fact, he might even become one of our biggest assets."

Rayleigh nodded slowly.

Yes. Kaido was exactly that kind of man.

Ron then narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice turning thoughtful.

"Kaido, Whitebeard, and Big Mom—I can more or less predict their moves."

"But…" He paused for a moment, then asked, "Rayleigh, what about Red-Haired Shanks? I can't quite figure out what he'll do."

Rayleigh took another sip of his drink, a small smile playing at his lips.

"Shanks, huh…"

Rayleigh thought for a moment before speaking.

"A few years ago, I ran into him once at Sabaody Archipelago.

He's strong—almost unfathomably so. His power now is completely different from when he was just a young apprentice on Roger's ship. It's honestly a little surprising how much he's grown… hahaha!"

Rayleigh let out a hearty laugh.

"That said, his personality hasn't changed much. He's still carefree, generous, and easygoing. His clothes, his demeanor—completely unrestrained. That part of him really does remind me of Roger."

Ron shook his head. "That's not much of an answer."

He stood up, stretching slightly.

"Seems like I'll have to head to the New World and meet him myself."

Ron's mind wandered to the events from the original storyline—the scene where Red-Haired Shanks met with the Five Elders.

That was something worth paying attention to.

And then there was Imu...

The mysterious ruler of the world. A figure that even the Five Elders feared.

Ron touched his eyes lightly.

Fifteen more days.

That was all that remained before his Tenseigan Eyes would fully awaken.

"Let's go. Next stop—Amazon Lily."

…

Marie Geoise.

As Rayleigh led Ron's crew toward Amazon Lily, events were already set in motion elsewhere.

Deep within the sacred grounds of Pangaea Castle, in the most secretive and forbidden depths…

The Room of Flowers.

The true ruler of the World Government, the supreme leader of the Celestial Dragons, sat upon the Empty Throne—a figure draped in an impossibly long black robe.

Imu.

Below the towering steps leading to the throne, the Five Elders knelt, their heads bowed in reverence and submission.

"Great Lord Imu… have you decided who shall be erased from history this time?"

"If you have made your decision, please… speak the name of the one who is to vanish from this world."

From the Empty Throne came a voice—calm, distant, yet carrying an undeniable weight of supremacy.

"The authority of the Celestial Dragons must never be challenged.

The one who dares must be removed.

You already know who that is."

The Five Elders lowered their heads even further.

"As you command."

With that, they departed.

And in the silence that followed, the figure in the black robe slowly rose from the Empty Throne.

Step by step, Imu descended the grand staircase, entering the flower-filled chamber.

A butterfly fluttered gently through the air, landing on her outstretched, gloved hand.

The soft rustling of petals filled the room.

Behind, lying on the ground, was a sword—its blade impaling a bounty poster.

The sharp tip had pierced directly through the face on the photograph.

A young man with jet-black hair.

Ron.