(A/N : Honestly, the design of future sight through Observation Haki creates problems. Every time I write a scene like this, I have to wonder whether the other person should use it, so I've decided not to bother.)
Shanks had long since figured out how Cain's Human Path worked.
He simply abandoned Observation Haki altogether and relied purely on his physical combat instincts, drawing Gryphon in time to block Cain's surprise attack.
Just as Shanks expected, Cain's strike carried no Conqueror's Haki.
That made him absolutely certain Cain was being controlled.
Only someone under another person's influence would spout such bizarre nonsense.
And judging from the fact that he had not used Conqueror's Coating, perhaps Shamrock's group had not yet gained access to Cain's full strength.
Shanks still had no idea how they could control Cain without planting a visible mark, but his incoherent speech and sudden hostility looked exactly like other controlled victims Shanks had encountered.
There could be no mistake.
'Could it be some new kind of invisible mark?'
While Shanks considered the possibility, Cain did not stop attacking.
The instant their weapons collided, Bella—who had been hiding inside Cain's weapon—seized the opening.
Freezing air surged along Gryphon. In the blink of an eye, it spread from the blade to the hilt, climbed onto Shanks' arm, and began encasing his entire body in ice.
Since Shanks had deliberately stopped using Observation Haki, he had not noticed Bella hiding inside the weapon at all.
'Was she controlled too?'
At the same time, Cain disengaged and charged directly toward Uta, determined to get her away from this place.
Shanks shattered the ice covering him in an instant, a cold light flashing through his eyes.
'So Shamrock's true target really is Uta.'
His thoughts raced, but his hands never slowed.
He swung Gryphon horizontally, and a razor-sharp wave of sword pressure sealed every route Cain could use to approach Uta.
Because of the sudden battle, Beckman and the others had already moved Uta behind them, keeping her safe for the moment.
Cain narrowed his eyes at Shanks and reached the exact same conclusion.
'So Shamrock's true target really is Uta.'
At that moment, both men shared one identical thought.
They had to move the battlefield away from Windmill Village.
Cain acted first.
He pulled out several Beli coins with one hand while swinging his weapon with the other.
Bella released a vast wave of icy mist from within it.
Then Cain activated Human Path Pro.
The mental shock instantly struck Shanks' senses, combining Observation Haki with the force of Conqueror's Haki and driving directly into his perception.
Worse still, the technique was triggered through a forced connection.
Even if Shanks refused to consciously use Observation Haki, the impact of Cain's Conqueror's and Observation Haki still dragged his instincts into responding and threw his senses into immediate disorder.
Shanks released his own Conqueror's Haki and forcibly endured the dual-layered mental assault.
Seeing the supposedly controlled Cain freely wield Conqueror's Haki caused his brow to tighten.
He understood one thing perfectly.
This battle could not be allowed to continue.
Yet his hands were tied.
If he used Gryphon's sword techniques, he risked accidentally killing Cain.
Even if he held back enough merely to drive him away, the shock waves might harm the people below.
Ordinary close-range punches and kicks, meanwhile, would probably be dodged.
At that critical moment, an idea suddenly entered his mind.
It was an unorthodox technique Rayleigh had personally taught him—a method the old man had spent considerable effort developing specifically to deal with Roger whenever the captain became too slippery.
Unfortunately, Roger had died without ever witnessing it.
Shanks immediately gathered a vast amount of Conqueror's Haki into his right foot.
"Take this! Supreme Dragging Slip—"
Wait.
Where were his slippers?!
Shanks abruptly remembered that he was currently wearing tall leather boots, not sandals.
The essential weapon required for the technique was completely absent.
His surprise attack stalled halfway through, and Cain immediately seized the opening.
Shanks had coated only his foot in Conqueror's Haki, leaving his lower leg unprotected.
Cain partially transformed one arm into a dragon's limb, grabbed Shanks by the calf, and hurled him into the sky.
He did not hesitate.
Bella shot out of his weapon, and Cain jumped onto her back. Resting his weapon over one shoulder, he surged upward after Shanks with Conqueror's Haki raging around him.
Seeing Cain rush after him, Shanks actually relaxed.
A thousand meters above the ground was perfect.
No matter how violently their Conqueror's Haki clashed, Uta and the crew below would remain unharmed.
The two began trading blows high in the sky.
Shanks truly lived up to his reputation. Even without the ability to fly, every clash with Cain gave him enough force to remain suspended in the air for a few more moments.
Black-and-red lightning from their Conqueror's Haki repeatedly exploded between the clouds.
The sharp ringing of colliding weapons pierced the heavens, and even from a thousand meters below, everyone on the ground could see the battle clearly.
"By the way, why did those two suddenly start fighting?" Lucky Roux asked curiously while staring upward.
"Why else?" Hongo replied casually, planting his hands on his hips. "The boss stabbed Cain in the ass earlier, so Cain's probably holding a grudge."
"What did you just say?! Explain that properly!"
Uta instantly exploded.
She grabbed Hongo by the collar, her voice rising several pitches in panic.
Then she abruptly released him, crouched down, clutched her head, and began wailing.
"No! That's impossible! Shanks isn't that kind of person!"
"He clearly promised me he was going on a date with Makino! Why would he secretly make a move on Cain?!"
"Is there really no way to save them? If Shanks insists on forcing Cain…"
"Forcing him to do that? Wait… if that really happens, will Cain start hating me?!"
Uta muttered frantically while gripping her head.
It was not entirely her fault that her thoughts had gone so far.
Shakky had simply taught her far too much.
The moment Uta imagined Shanks cornering Cain inside a locked room, goosebumps spread across her entire body and a deep chill of disgust ran through her.
Then she suddenly remembered that forbidden plan.
'That's right! The Eye of the Moon!'
'The Eye of the Moon can save Cain—and Shanks too!'
"Hey, what's wrong with Uta?" Beckman asked as her behavior grew increasingly strange. He immediately shouted toward Hongo, "Explain yourself properly! Or does Shanks really have unusual preferences?"
"Oh! Right!"
Hongo finally realized what had happened.
Doctors were supposed to protect their patients' privacy, but everyone here was close enough that it probably did not matter.
He hurried over and explained the entire story behind the wound on Cain's backside—the same incident Cain had specifically asked him to keep secret.
Uta instantly understood.
Then she conjured an enormous, unbelievably powerful megaphone from thin air, raised it to her mouth, and shouted toward Cain in the sky.
"CAIN, STOP FIGHTING! DON'T BLAME SHANKS FOR THE WOUND ON YOUR ASS! I DON'T MIND IT AT ALL!"
"Hey, Uta! That was supposed to stay secret!" Hongo shouted frantically.
Unfortunately, every word was broadcast perfectly through the enormous megaphone.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?" Uta turned and demanded.
"How was I supposed to know you'd summon a giant megaphone and announce it to everyone?! Now the entire village probably knows Shanks stabbed Cain in the butt!"
"Hey, you two!" Beckman interrupted with a dark expression. "Can't you see the megaphone is still switched on?"
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