N/A - Hello everyone, I'm back already with a new chapter, surprising, isn't it? Thank you for your feedback on the previous chapters. It makes me so happy to read your comments every time.
For those interested, there's a Discord server for this fanfiction. It allows me to interact with you all and sometimes get inspiration from your ideas. I share drafts ahead of time on this server, so feel free to join.
Here's the Discord link: /K6NmYSF27k
For those who have noticed, I'm not a native English speaker, so I first write my text in my native language and then translate it into English myself. Google Translate helps me out from time to time, but unfortunately, it's not 100% reliable.
I therefore ask for your help from those who have the time and kindness to assist me with the translation. You're more than welcome to join.
POV: Tanya Degurechaff
Location: Egghead
In the quarters she occupied on Egghead, Tanya Degurechaff meticulously adjusted her uniform. Her movements were swift and precise, but her mind was far from at ease. The news of the imminent assault by the Whitebeard Pirates had struck like a thunderclap. Since then, she had locked herself in her room, silently planning her next move. The small space was filled with notes, maps, and miniature models she had constructed to anticipate various scenarios. The cold, mechanical glow of her computation orb pulsed faintly on the desk, ready to be used.
As she secured the strap of her uniform, a voice called from the other side of the door.
"Captain Degurechaff, Admiral Kizaru requests your presence in the command room immediately."
Tanya responded in a calm but sharp tone. "On my way."
"I'm being summoned more and more these days. I hope he's finally going to tell me to assist with the evacuation," she thought as she closed the door behind her.
She grabbed her orb, attaching it to her gear with particular care. Though she had spent time experimenting with the combination of her magical abilities and her Devil Fruit power, she knew this battle would leave no room for error. Whitebeard's name was legendary a monster of raw power that no one could afford to underestimate.
In a matter of minutes, she made her way through the sleek, ultra-modern corridors of the Egghead facility. The scientists and assistants she passed by looked tense, likely more concerned about the potential destruction of their precious research than their own safety.
Arriving at the command room, she found Kizaru as always lounging in a relaxed posture. His sunglasses gleamed under the cold lights of the room as he turned to face her.
"Ah, Captain Degurechaff, always so punctual. I appreciate that."
His tone was as nonchalant as ever, but Tanya wasn't fooled. Beneath that carefree demeanor lay a calculating mind and overwhelming power.
Kizaru gestured toward a holographic map displaying Egghead and the surrounding waters. Several red markers indicated the positions of the approaching Whitebeard ships. He tapped lightly on the map before speaking.
"Here's the situation. As you know, Whitebeard and his men are heading straight for us. Their goal? Maybe just to wreak havoc, or if I had to guess to get their hands on Vegapunk or his research. Maybe even on you."
"Me?" Tanya repeated inwardly. "Why would they want me? I'm not even a high-ranking officer. Does Whitebeard actually believe I'm considered a Marine hero? I thought he was smarter than that..."
Kizaru turned his gaze toward her, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
"Your task is simple: contain the attackers. Use your abilities to minimize damage to the infrastructure. But listen carefully if Whitebeard himself shows up..."
His tone grew heavier, emphasizing the gravity of his words.
"You retreat. Immediately. Is that clear?"
Tanya crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow slightly. "At least, unlike Admiral Sakazuki, he seems to care about the lives of his subordinates. That's a refreshing change."
"Understood, Admiral. But may I ask why not deploy our full force and eliminate the threat outright?"
Kizaru let out a long sigh, stretching lazily before replying as if he had all the time in the world.
"Well, you see, even for us admirals, facing that old Whitebeard head-on is... how should I put it... a tedious task. If things escalate, I'll step in. But our priority is maintaining control over Egghead. That's a direct order from the World Government."
Tanya nodded, though a slight irritation lingered in her mind. Fighting under such strict conditions wasn't her style. She preferred having full control, and the freedom to maneuver as she saw fit. But orders were orders.
"I'll handle it," she stated simply before turning to leave the room.
As she strode through the facility's corridors, she felt tension building inside her. Kizaru's orders were clear, but she couldn't shake her frustration. Her strategic instincts told her to neutralize the threat immediately, but that option had been taken off the table. Still, the idea of retreating against Whitebeard was almost... reassuring.
She clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus. The key, as always, was to turn the situation to her advantage.
Back in her quarters, she meticulously prepared her equipment. Her computation orb was now fully operational. She had spent countless hours refining her mastery, and she was confident in her ability to maximize the synergy between her magic and her Devil Fruit power.
A few hours later, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the blaring sound of an alarm echoing throughout the base. A metallic voice rang out from the speakers:
"Enemy ships detected within a ten-kilometer radius (6.21 miles). All personnel, report to your stations immediately."
Tanya straightened up, grabbing her gear. She took a deep breath and headed toward the rally point. The icy calm of her mind took over, even in the face of the impending chaos. To her, every battle was an equation, a problem to be solved with ruthless precision.
On her way, she passed several guards, their faces tense with fear and uncertainty. Tanya, on the other hand, was a figure of unwavering confidence and determination. She knew that many were relying on her to lead the operation. It was a role she had taken on countless times before and she had never failed.
Under the ominous sky of Egghead, Tanya Degurechaff stood on the western docks of the island, surrounded by a handful of men that Vegapunk had reluctantly lent her. The waves crashed against the rocks in a rhythmic violence, carried by the salty wind. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with a mix of apprehension and resolve. Kizaru's orders echoed in her mind: contain the pirate assault, prevent unnecessary casualties, and retreat if the situation spiraled out of control.
But Tanya had no intention of merely holding the line. She wanted to prove once again that her tactical brilliance and extraordinary abilities could turn any situation in her favor.
Her eyes scanned the horizon with an icy intensity. Behind her, the soldiers whispered among themselves, trying to steady their nerves. The tension was palpable, almost tangible. But Tanya remained calm. Her mind was working at a staggering speed, analyzing every variable, every possibility. The pirates were approaching. She could already sense their arrogance, their confidence that they could invade the island unchallenged. The thought almost amused her.
She tightened her grip on her computation orb and reviewed her strategy: prevent the enemy from landing en masse and causing havoc on Egghead. Every ship sunk or immobilized would weaken their chances of success.
"Stay focused !" she ordered in a sharp tone. "When they arrive, we strike fast and hard. There's no room for mistakes. Follow my orders, and you'll survive. Disobey... and you may as well start digging your own grave."
Her words had the desired effect. The soldiers around her straightened up, their faces set with newfound determination.
Finally, the silhouettes of the enemy ships emerged on the horizon. Ten massive vessels sliced through the waters, their imposing hulls adorned with the emblem of Whitebeard: the iconic skull with its curved white mustache. A cold thrill ran through Tanya. She had seen that emblem during the Great War, in reports, in newspapers but now, it was here, within reach of her power.
"Ten ships, huh?" she murmured to herself, a barely perceptible smirk forming on her lips. "It's almost insulting that they think that will be enough."
She raised her orb, channeling her magic through the object. The air around her crackled with an electric tension. The soldiers watched in awe as luminous energy coursed along her arms and into the orb. With surgical precision, Tanya called upon her Devil Fruit powers. A golden glow enveloped the materials in her hands, gradually solidifying into a familiar shape of a precision rifle, a replica of the one she had wielded in her second life. The cold metal beneath her fingers sent a strange wave of nostalgia through her, mixed with a near-childlike satisfaction.
She lifted the rifle, checking its mechanisms with meticulous care. Every detail was perfect, from the stock to the barrel. She had recreated this weapon not just out of habit but because she knew no other tool was as reliable in her hands.
"Their arrogance will be their downfall," she thought. "They have no idea who they're dealing with or what I've had to endure to survive until today..."
The ships drew closer, their forms becoming clearer. At this distance, she could see the figures moving on the decks armed pirates roaring in anticipation. Tanya selected her targets: the two lead ships at the vanguard. If she could neutralize them quickly, it would create enough confusion to slow the entire fleet.
"Get ready," she commanded, her voice calm but authoritative. The soldiers behind her raised their weapons, prepared to follow her lead.
Tanya focused, channeling her magic into her orb. The surrounding air grew even heavier as if the very atmosphere was bending to her will. The sky above the enemy ships darkened slightly, a golden glow gathering in the air. Then, she fired.
The first shot was devastating. A sphere of radiant energy tore through the air at blinding speed, striking one of the ships dead center. The explosion that followed was spectacular a deafening blast accompanied by a blinding flash of light. Wood shattered like glass, sending debris and bodies flying in all directions. Within seconds, the ship was reduced to little more than floating wreckage.
Tanya didn't hesitate. Before the explosion had even faded, she had already aimed at the second ship. A second shot rang out, just as precise and destructive as the first. This time, she targeted the sails, reducing them to ashes in an instant. The ship lost momentum, coming to a halt in the water as the pirates on board descended into utter panic.
The soldiers behind her stood frozen, eyes wide, unable to look away from the devastation before them. Tanya, however, remained unfazed, her mind already calculating the next moves.
"Two down. Eight left to deal with."
She lowered her rifle, now damaged from the two devastating shots she had just fired, and surveyed the remaining ships. The pirates were disoriented, unable to pinpoint where the attack had come from. Tanya seized the opportunity to order her men to strengthen the defenses and prepare for the inevitable arrival of the survivors. She knew the other ships would eventually retaliate, but that was precisely what she wanted. By forcing them to focus on her, she could dictate the terms of the battlefield.
"They think numbers are their strength, but they're nothing more than a disorganized horde," she thought, a cold smile curling at the edge of her lips. "I regret having used my orb in front of everyone."
She shrugged, murmuring to herself, "I'll just say it's a Devil Fruit ability..."
The cries of the pirates echoed across the water, mingling with the crashing waves and the distant rumble of explosions. To Tanya, it was a familiar sound, almost comforting. The battle had only just begun, but she was ready to prove once again that she was an opponent even legends should fear.
POV: Vista, Commander of the 5th Division
Location: Off the coast of Egghead Island
The salty sea breeze carried a biting chill as Vista, the commander of Whitebeard's Fifth Division, stood on the deck of the third ship in the fleet. His keen gaze pierced through the morning mist shrouding Egghead, his instincts honed by years of battle. A veteran of countless skirmishes, he could sense when a situation was about to spiral out of control. Today, that feeling weighed heavily on him.
The fleet moved in formation, a testament to the discipline and raw power of Whitebeard's crew. The white sails, adorned with their captain's infamous insignia a skull with the signature mustache flapped in the wind as murmurs passed through the ranks. Everyone knew that the assault on Egghead would not be a simple raid. This was a fight for honor, for vengeance, and to remind the world of Whitebeard's unmatched legacy.
Vista stood firm, his black cape fluttering slightly behind him, his twin swords hanging at his sides. Even amidst the tension, his expression remained calm and composed. Yet, he could not shake the growing sense of unease creeping up his spine.
Just as he was about to order his men to heighten their vigilance, a blinding flash split the sky. A thunderous explosion followed, shaking the sea like a crack of doom. All eyes turned forward to the two lead ships. What they saw left the crew frozen in horror.
The first ship had been struck by an unfathomable force. Wood splintered into a storm of debris, bodies were hurled skyward like ragdolls. Vista, a man well-accustomed to the brutality of war, felt his stomach tighten at the sheer scale of destruction.
"What the…?" he hissed, gripping the railing until his knuckles turned white.
Before the first explosion had even settled, a second blast followed. This time, it struck the sails of the second lead ship. In an instant, the fabric ignited, and the main mast collapsed, leaving the vessel dead in the water.
"To arms!" Vista roared, breaking the stunned silence. "Prepare to retaliate!"
But the command felt almost meaningless. There was no visible enemy. The attacks had been executed with unnatural precision, and Vista quickly realized this wasn't mere artillery. No, this was the work of someone with terrifying power.
His thoughts raced back to the briefing the night before. He recalled the name Captain Tanya Degurechaff. A young Marine officer, frequently mentioned in recent reports, shrouded in mystery. He remembered her cold, calculating stare from the photographs. There had been no mistaking she was like a living weapon.
"It's her," he muttered, his jaw tightening. "She's testing us."
Around him, the crew scrambled to man the cannons, but Vista raised a hand, stopping their frantic movements. He knew firing blindly would accomplish nothing. They were facing an enemy who not only wielded overwhelming firepower but also understood the art of psychological warfare.
"Captain Vista!" a young pirate shouted, scanning the horizon. "I don't see anyone! Where is the enemy?!"
Vista narrowed his eyes, searching for any sign of any movement. Nothing. The beach and the port appeared abandoned. Yet, he was certain the attacks had come from there.
"This is a waiting game," he said aloud, more to himself than to his crew. "They want us to lose our composure. Don't give them that satisfaction. Stay sharp."
His mind worked furiously. Whitebeard's crew had fought Marines, Warlords, and even Admirals. But this Marine officer seemed unlike anything they had ever encountered.
His gaze drifted toward the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's flagship, which remained further back as per Marco's orders. Even from a distance, Vista could sense their captain's fury, a simmering rage beneath his stoic expression.
But Vista knew better than to let emotions dictate his actions. He was a commander, and his priority was ensuring the survival of his men. He took a deep breath, steadying his resolve.
"What are your orders, Captain?" another crewmate asked, face pale.
"We move forward," Vista decided after a moment. "No reckless charges. Stay in formation and keep your eyes open. This enemy is no ordinary foe we can't afford to be careless."
He unsheathed his swords, twirling them briefly in his hands. The sun glinted off the polished steel, a silent promise of retribution. He knew Tanya Degurechaff was a formidable opponent, but he was ready to face any demon to uphold the honor of his crew.
As the ships cautiously advanced, the wreckage of the destroyed vessels and the lifeless bodies of their comrades floated on the water's surface, flames still licking at the debris. Vista clenched his teeth, silently vowing to return every strike.
The hushed murmurs among the crew reflected the growing tension, but his expression remained unreadable. He had fought many battles, but this one felt different an eerie mix of uncertainty and grim determination.
Their objective was clear: Egghead Island. But their opponent had already demonstrated their terrifying power. Vista had watched, with chilling precision, as golden beams of energy tore through the air and reduced two of their ships to cinders.
Then, before he could fully process the losses, another light appeared, and a new attack was unleashed.
This time, it was different. The ship to their left took a direct hit, its hull erupting into a fiery explosion. Vista saw men, his comrades vanish into the flames or get thrown into the sea. It was a sight unbearable to anyone who had known the camaraderie of Whitebeard's crew. These men were his brothers. Every loss was more than just a tactical setback it was a wound to their very spirit.
But amidst the destruction, Jozu's intervention marked a shift in the battle. The Third Division Commander, his body shimmering like a diamond, intercepted the second blast with unshakable resolve.
Vista could still hear the sound—the impact of the energy beam colliding with Jozu's diamond-coated skin. It was unlike anything he had ever heard before, a strange, crystalline resonance as if fate itself had hesitated in the face of Jozu's sheer resilience.
The battle was far from over. But now, at least, the pirates had their answer.
Tanya Degurechaff was not an opponent they could take lightly. And if they wanted to win this fight, they would have to give it everything they had.
As Jozz straightened up, unharmed, a smirk crossed his usually stoic face.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to stop us," he said, his voice loud enough to carry beyond the flames and shadows.
Vista allowed himself a small smile in response. Jozz had a natural talent for rallying the crew, even in the darkest moments. However, Vista knew this battle was far from over. The real confrontation, the one that would decide the outcome, was still on the horizon.
As their ship pressed forward, Vista scanned the faces of his men. They were tense, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. He couldn't blame them. They had lost comrades and watched their allies sink before their eyes, yet they had no choice but to keep moving.
"Listen to me!" he suddenly called out, his voice cutting through the crashing waves. "What you see before you is the strategy of an enemy trying to divide us. But we are Whitebeard's crew! We never back down, even in the flames of hell! Position the surviving ships behind Jozz's and show these cowards what it means to sail under our father's flag!"
A chorus of cheers erupted. The men, though weary, drew new strength from his words. Vista knew how important this was. A desperate crew could never win a battle but a united crew could move mountains.
His mind flashed back to the previous day's briefing. Marco had stood before them, a newspaper in hand, displaying several photos of Captain Tanya Degurechaff. A frail, childlike figure, but with eyes that burned with an icy intensity.
"Captain Tanya Degurechaff," Marco had said, his voice heavier than usual. "Do not take this name lightly. She will be on this island and will almost certainly take part in its defense. She's not just a soldier. Don't let her appearance fool you. She is as dangerous as she is unpredictable. Let me remind you she is responsible for the deaths of Ace, Jinbe, Squardo, and many of our brothers."
Vista had felt a chill at those words. Marco wasn't the type to exaggerate, and the fact that he was issuing such a serious warning meant this enemy was truly formidable.
Then, Whitebeard himself had spoken. The towering pirate, his body covered in battle scars and the weight of time, still commanded a presence that demanded respect.
"My sons," he had said, his voice rumbling like distant thunder, "Today, we face a powerful enemy. But we have faced worse. No matter their powers or their tactics, we are Whitebeard's crew. As long as we fight together, no force in the world can defeat us."
Those words had lifted the crew's spirits. Vista had felt reinvigorated, ready to face whatever lay ahead. But now, as he looked upon the smoldering wreckage of their allies and felt the rising tension, he wondered if their enemy had more tricks up their sleeve.
The ship advanced carefully, navigating through the floating debris of the destroyed vessels. Vista kept his eyes on the water, searching for any sign of movement. The enemy was hiding somewhere on the island, and it was clear they could strike from a distance.
Tanya Degurechaff.
Her name echoed in his mind like a puzzle he needed to solve.
"Captain Vista!" a crew member suddenly shouted. "Look over there!"
He snapped his gaze to where the pirate was pointing. In the distance, another faint glimmer. It was weaker this time, but enough to trigger his instincts.
"Prepare the cannons!" he roared. "Be ready to return fire!"
But before the shot could land, Jozz stepped in once again. His diamond-coated body gleamed under the light, effortlessly blocking the attack. However, Vista could tell even Jozz was beginning to feel the strain. Each strike was getting more precise and faster.
As the tension mounted, Vista couldn't help but analyze the situation. This wasn't just a fight it was a strategic display of power. And at the center of this war was Tanya Degurechaff, a fragile-looking yet utterly lethal opponent. Vista clenched his fists, determined to do whatever it took to protect his crew and honor their captain's name.
The waves crashed against the remaining ships, rocking them amidst the chaos of battle. The sea, their longtime ally, had become an unpredictable battlefield. The sky was still clear, but the air carried a heavy charge an unshakable sense that something monumental was about to unfold.
"Captain Vista! We've pinpointed the origin of the attacks!" a crew member called out, peering through a scoped rifle. "She's positioned on the rock formation next to the lighthouse!"
Vista's eyes immediately locked onto the location. After a few seconds, he spotted her. A small silhouette perched on the cliffs, their infamous opponent Captain Tanya Degurechaff. She looked even smaller than he remembered, but he knew better than to be deceived. Reports, newspapers, and the accounts of battle-worn survivors all agreed on one thing this girl was a nightmare.
And she proved it with every passing second.
A bright flash. The scream of another shot.
In the blink of an eye, another misaligned ship one not shielded by Jozz was obliterated.
Vista barely had time to turn his head before the vessel erupted into a fiery inferno. Flaming debris rained down in every direction, some landing on their deck. He heard the screams of men thrown into the sea, others crushed under the force of the blast.
"Damn it… She's toying with us!" one of the pirates spat.
Vista gritted his teeth. This was a massacre. They were losing men before even setting foot on land, and it was no accident. This was psychological warfare. She wanted to break them mentally to make them understand they were at her mercy before the real fight even began.
"She's targeting the weakest…" he murmured to himself.
Vista realized it instantly. Their enemy wasn't firing randomly. She knew exactly where to strike the most vulnerable ships, the ones carrying the most men, the ones trying to take cover behind sturdier vessels. She was eliminating them one by one, systematically.
"We need to move now!" Marco ordered, his blue-flamed wings unfurling.
But before they could coordinate a proper counterattack, a fourth shot rang out.
Vista caught sight of another light streaking through the air. His instincts screamed at him to turn just in time to see the shot heading straight for the ship to their left.
The explosion was devastating.
A towering wall of fire erupted into the sky as the hull splintered apart. The force of the blast sent a shockwave across Vista's deck, forcing him to raise his arms against the rain of burning debris. He heard the cries, the desperate calls for help—bodies flung into the churning sea, others lost to the inferno.
And then he noticed something a second shot.
This time, it was heading straight for their ship.
He had only seconds to react.
A powerful roar cut through the chaos.
Jozz the Third Division Commander threw his ship into the path of the incoming blast, his entire body hardening into a gleaming, impenetrable diamond. With a sharp, decisive movement, he positioned himself between the shot and their hull.
The impact resonated like a titanic clash, striking Jozz's armored chest and triggering a shockwave that rippled through the air. Vista saw him grit his teeth under the force of the blow, his legs sinking slightly into the wooden deck—but he held firm.
The shot had been stopped.
A few seconds of tense silence followed as everyone held their breath. Then, Jozz let out a heavy exhale and straightened, shaking off the residual energy clinging to him.
"She's starting to piss me off…" he muttered, rolling his massive shoulders.
Vista sighed, half relieved, half frustrated. They had avoided another loss, but their situation was still dire.
And he knew it… They were being slaughtered.
That's when Whitebeard moved.
The captain, who had been standing still up until now, had watched the battle unfold with no visible emotion. But his eyes… His eyes burned with a murderous intensity.
Slowly, he raised his fist. A hush fell over the battlefield. Even the sound of the waves seemed to fade for a moment.
Vista felt a shiver run down his spine.
Whitebeard slammed his fist into the air in the direction of the island. Instantly, the space before him cracked apart, shattering into fragments.
The sea itself roared in response. The shockwave was immediately colossal. The ocean rumbled beneath their fleet, and suddenly, a massive tremor rippled through Egghead. The ground quaked, fractures splitting the coastline and tearing deep into the island's interior.
The earthquake was monstrous. Vista watched as cliffs fractured, entire chunks of rock breaking off and crashing into the sea. High above, where Tanya had taken position, the tremor must have been devastating.
But most importantly… Her precision had been compromised.
A small smile tugged at Vista's lips.
"That's our father…" he whispered.
Around him, their men erupted into battle cries, emboldened by the sheer power of their captain. They were not helpless. They had the world's strongest man on their side.
Whitebeard turned slightly toward Marco, who stood at his side.
"Go !" Vista called out to his men. "It's our chance !"
Marco nodded before taking off into the sky, his blue-flamed wings illuminating the air.
"EVERYONE, TO THE SHORE!" he shouted.
A chorus of roars answered him.
Vista secured his twin swords at his waist, taking a deep breath. The ship closed in on the island's coast, the hull scraping against the rocks upon impact.
Without hesitation, the first wave of pirates leaped into the shallow water and charged toward the shore.
Vista took one last glance behind him. There was no turning back now.
It was time.
They were going to take Egghead.
The sand crunched beneath Vista's boots as he moved swiftly across the quake-ravaged beach. The island still trembled in sporadic aftershocks, the air thick with dust and the scent of salt.
Behind him, the crew surged forward, fanning out to assault the visible installations. Their objective was clear: seize Egghead and capture Vegapunk.
But for Vista and Marco, there was a more pressing target.
Captain Tanya Degurechaff.
They had seen her position shaken by the earthquake. There was no way she had emerged unscathed.
"She's still up there, I'm sure of it," Marco said, his eyes fixed on the heights where the young girl had been.
Vista gave a silent nod. He could see the debris scattered across the cliffs, precarious chunks of rock teetering on the edges. And yet… No sign of her.
"If she's alive, she'll retaliate," he muttered grimly.
Marco nodded. "Then we get to her first before she picks us off one by one."
They picked up their pace, weaving through the rubble and torn buildings left in the earthquake's wake. Behind them, the battle had already begun.
Whitebeard's pirates clashed with Egghead's defensive forces and Pacifistas. But Vista couldn't spare them a second thought.
His mission was clear: Find and neutralize Tanya.
Adrenaline surged through his veins. He knew this girl wasn't an ordinary opponent. What he didn't know was whether she was still in fighting shape after the chaos of the quake.
He slowly unsheathed his twin blades, then followed Marco toward the island's heights.
There, perched atop a crumbling ruin, was the small blonde girl. Her sharp, icy eyes analyzed every movement with calculating precision.
Her rifle looked damaged, but it still gleamed under the sun, charged with an unfamiliar energy. From her elevated position, she held a strategic advantage that Marco and Vista had to strip away immediately.
Vista was the first to charge, his twin swords flashing in the light. He was fast, too fast for the human eye to track.
But this girl wasn't ordinary.
Without even looking, she twisted her body and fired a shot from an unknown pistol, her aim purely instinctive. Vista barely managed to adjust his trajectory in time. The bullet exploded against the rock behind him, sending burning shrapnel flying.
Marco seized the opening. He soared through the air, diving toward her with a burst of blue flames.
But with a single motion, Tanya conjured a massive wall of earth, shielding herself. Then, before Marco could react, she fired.
The bullet ripped through the air at an astonishing speed.
Marco barely had time to transform, his body dissolving into flames. The shot passed through him harmlessly.
But something was off.
Vista saw it in Marco's expression.
"She's using something strange…" Marco growled as he landed.
"Sea prism stone?" Vista asked immediately.
Marco hesitated. "I don't think so. I don't feel weak, but it… doesn't feel right."
Vista saw an opening.
While Tanya was still focused on Marco, he closed the gap with a burst of speed, unleashing a flurry of slashes.
Tanya stepped back, a transparent veil flickering to life around her.
Vista's blades struck the barrier, triggering a powerful shockwave. He barely had time to react before another volley of bullets tore through the air, aimed directly at his vital points.
With practiced precision, Vista dodged just barely. One bullet grazed his shoulder, sending a sharp jolt of pain through him.
"Tch… Her aim is insane…" he muttered, eyeing her carefully.
What startled him most was her expression.
Completely blank.
Like this was nothing new to her.
Marco straightened, launching another attack. He ascended, then sent a scorching wave of blue fire toward her. But this time, she didn't activate her shield.
Instead, she leaped back.
"… Why didn't she absorb that attack like she did mine?" Vista wondered aloud, puzzled.
"Are you kidding me?!" Marco hissed. "She can even dodge attacks like that?!"
Tanya remained silent, merely materializing her rifle once again and firing a new volley of projectiles toward Marco. But this time, an immense steel shard appeared between them. A massive figure had stepped in.
Jozz had just arrived.
His entire body had transformed into diamond, and Tanya's bullets ricocheted off his skin as though they were nothing more than rubber projectiles.
"Need a hand?" he asked with a confident grin.
Marco and Vista exchanged a knowing glance before repositioning. With Jozz joining the fray, they finally had someone who could take Tanya's shots without too much risk.
"This is just the beginning…" Tanya murmured as she placed her hand on the ground.
This time, it wasn't a rifle, but several stone spears that materialized beneath their feet, emerging from the ground and aiming to impale them. Thanks to their Observation Haki, Vista and his comrades easily dodged them.
The battle resumed with even greater intensity. The young girl, despite her apparent fragility, fought with a ferocity that commanded respect. Her movements were methodical and calculated, leaving no exploitable openings. Jozz attempted several direct attacks, but each of his blows was evaded with impressive agility.
Marco tried to surprise her by appearing behind her, but at the last moment, she sidestepped and unleashed a barrage of stone spears from her Devil Fruit powers, pushing him violently back. He crashed to the ground, rolling, his body covered in blue flames.
Vista seized an opening when Tanya was distracted, launching a cross-shaped slash with his swords. This time, he grazed her lightly, leaving a cut on her left arm, but the young girl didn't react to the injury. Instead, she materialized a second energy shield and jumped back to gain distance.
Seeing an opportunity, Jozz charged toward her at full speed, his diamond body gleaming in the sunlight. Tanya, sensing the attack, extended her hand and generated that strange transparent veil around her once again.
The impact was titanic.
Jozz crashed into the barrier, sending shockwaves that cracked the ground beneath them. Tanya staggered back from the shock, but she held her ground. Her cold gaze met Jozz's.
"Interesting…" she whispered. "You can withstand my shots, but what will you do if I increase their power?"
She raised her rifle, but instead of firing a simple bullet, she began charging an energy sphere at the tip of the barrel. The air around her crackled from the accumulated magic pressure.
Jozz clenched his fists, bracing himself to endure, but he felt a strange pressure weighing down on his body.
"Marco, now!" shouted Vista.
The phoenix didn't hesitate. He launched himself at lightning speed, striking Tanya with all his might, and sending her flying backward.
She rolled on the ground, her rifle vanishing in a shower of golden sparks. Slowly, she got up, quickly analyzing the situation.
The battlefield was pure chaos. Explosions rang out here and there, the screams of wounded soldiers blending with the clash of weapons. The dust from the ongoing battles clouded their vision, but at the center of this hellish scene, an unprecedentedly intense fight was raging.
Her breathing had grown heavier. Despite her Devil Fruit-enhanced body, signs of fatigue were showing. Her uniform was torn in several places, and her left arm seemed broken.
But despite all that, she didn't back down.
Her opponents were tough. Vista, a master swordsman, attacked relentlessly, his twin blades creating a deadly dance of steel shards. Marco, on the other hand, used his speed and phoenix form to assault her from all directions, his blue flames creating constant pressure. And lastly, Jozz, a true living wall, absorbed her shots and strikes with terrifying composure.
But this young girl wasn't just any fighter. She possessed a unique ability that set her apart from all the other warriors.
Vista knew that to defeat her, he needed an opening. Just one moment. A fraction of a second where she would falter.
She pretended to retreat, feigning a clumsy dodge to give the illusion of weakness. Vista, accustomed to spotting every flaw in his opponents, took the bait and rushed at her with lightning speed.
His mistake.
The little blonde instantly materialized a barrier between them, and Vista found himself momentarily unbalanced as his blow struck the invisible wall. Seizing this opportunity, she produced a different weapon: a fine, sharp dagger, much like those used in quick executions.
With almost inhuman speed, she lunged forward, aiming for the heart of the commander. But that was underestimating Vista's experience.
The swordsman pivoted at the last second, using one of his blades to parry the deadly strike. The steel met the young girl's reinforced arm, sending her flying away from them.
Immediately, Vista noticed an energy enveloping her remaining good arm. Cautious and sensing danger, he stepped back a few paces, but his opponent lunged at him. Her arm collided with his two swords in a terrifying clash.
A sinister crack sounded.
One of Vista's swords had shattered under the overwhelming power of her arm.
Vista's eyes widened for a moment. Even with his Armament Haki, this girl's ability had broken one of his precious blades.
But that brief hesitation was enough for Marco and Jozz.
The phoenix appeared behind Tanya and, with a powerful flap of his wings, dove toward her at incredible speed. His fiery claws dug into her side.
She attempted to break free, but at the same moment, a massive fist came down on her.
Jozz.
His diamond-covered fist crushed her with colossal power, sending Tanya crashing violently into the ground. The earth cracked beneath the impact, and a shockwave sent a cloud of dust billowing around them.
A heavy silence followed.
After the impact, Vista saw the little blonde trying to rise. Her breath was erratic, and her hands trembled slightly from the shock.
She gritted her teeth and drove her reinforced arm into the ground, forcing herself to stand. Her eyes, burning with determination, locked onto Marco, Vista, and Jozz as they repositioned to face her.
They weren't going to give her any rest. The battle had to end now.
The three commanders exchanged a look. They didn't need words to understand each other. In an instant, they lunged forward together, attacking in perfect synchrony.
Vista dashed toward Tanya, his last sword gleaming with deadly intent. Marco, in his hybrid form, dove from the sky, leaving a blue trail of flames behind him. Jozz, for his part, charged head-on, his diamond body rendering any attempt to stop him futile.
Tanya raised her arm, ready to give everything.
She blocked Vista's sword with her own weapon, the two blades crackling under the impact. At the same time, she narrowly dodged Jozz's charge, spinning to avoid the destructive collision.
But she couldn't avoid everything.
Taking advantage of the diversion, Marco struck her head-on.
His claws pierced her abdomen and at that precise moment... Vista brought his sword down.
The blade met her flesh with a grim silence.
Tanya's body stopped cold, her eyes widening in shock.
Then, her head rolled off the ground.
A heavy silence fell over the battlefield.
The three commanders stood frozen for a moment, realizing what they had just accomplished. Tanya Degurechaff, the merciless warrior, and the formidable strategist of the Navy, had just fallen beneath their blades.
The lifeless body of the young girl slowly crumpled, her weapon vanishing in a golden gleam.
"She was a formidable opponent…" Vista commented, unable to look away from the young girl's lifeless form lying on the ground.