One Piece: Heaven-Defying Talent

Joz had always taken pride in his defensive power, but during the Summit War, Chiba had shattered his diamond defense with a single punch, leaving him somewhat unconvinced.

Especially now, after consuming the Spiritual Elephant Pill Chiba gave him, his physique and diamond defense were significantly strengthened. Joz was confident Chiba wouldn't be able to break through his improved diamond form again.

What's more, with his String-String Fruit in its awakened form, it would be hard for Chiba to even get close.

Grinning, Joz said, "Well then, Captain Chiba, if you can't handle our attacks, you better call it off."

Vista stroked his beard, smiling, "Captain, are you sure you want the three of us to team up?"

"Enough talking. Let's get going," Chiba replied, casting the Lightning Dragon Swimming Technique and soaring out towards the sea's depths.

Vista activated the power of his multiple-fruit awakening, floating after Chiba. Joz transformed into white silk threads with his String-String Fruit, wrapping himself around Vista's feet to follow. Ace, meanwhile, turned into a large flaming bird, flapping his wings to chase after them.

This time, Chiba led them on a journey that took an entire day, far out to sea, where only uninhabited islands dotted the waters.

Chiba had chosen this remote location to prevent any unintended destruction from affecting populated areas along the coast.

Landing on a small island, Chiba waited as Ace, Vista, and Joz arrived, encircling him.

Vista stroked his beard, grinning. "Captain, can we start now?"

Eager to test Chiba's strength, Vista imagined what it would be like to finally push their captain to his limits.

Chiba smiled calmly. "Let's get started—all three of you, attack at once."

Without hesitation, Vista drew his dual swords. But as soon as he did, Chiba's figure disappeared.

"Behind you," Chiba's voice sounded. Vista's face turned pale, and he barely had time to raise his swords when Chiba's fist landed on his head. Unable to dodge, Vista was sent flying, crashing into the ocean.

"Vista, you're too careless. That's not good enough," Chiba remarked with a smirk.

Joz and Ace exchanged uneasy glances.

"What speed," Ace muttered. It seemed that Chiba's recent breakthrough had made him even more formidable.

"We have to move quickly," Joz realized, unleashing his String-String Fruit ability and shooting countless threads to surround Chiba from all sides.

"Nice move, Joz," Ace called, using the cover of the silk threads to fly toward Chiba.

Chiba clenched his fist, his Armament Haki coating his fist in black and red lightning. As he punched forward, the threads disintegrated upon contact.

"What?!" Joz was shocked, watching as his seemingly indestructible threads crumbled against Chiba's black-red energy.

He recognized this as the same lightning he'd once seen Garp unleash—a devastating force that had even countered Whitebeard's Shock Fruit.

Could it be that Chiba's Haki now rivaled Garp's?

Chiba's Haki shattered the String-String Fruit's threads effortlessly and continued towards Ace.

Seeing this, Ace's expression shifted, and he punched forward, shouting, "Fire Fist, Golden Crow!"

A massive three-legged flaming bird, the Golden Crow, materialized, spreading its wings over a hundred meters wide. Flames blazed around it, heating the air and the sea below, even causing steam to rise.

Vista surfaced from the sea, squinting up at the intense heat. "Ace, are you trying to boil the ocean?"

The immense three-legged Golden Crow charged toward Chiba, its fiery wings casting light across the sea.

Chiba felt the scorching heat and nodded. "Impressive power, but it lacks precision."

With that, he punched the flaming Golden Crow. His black and red lightning struck the fiery bird, and with a massive explosion, the Golden Crow burst into flames, raining down fire from the sky.

The flames fell into the sea, causing the water to boil. Steam rose, and fish leapt in a frenzy before succumbing to the heat.

Chiba looked at the trio, unimpressed. "Is that the best you've got? I'm a bit disappointed."

Vista grinned slyly. "Captain, you might want to look up."

Following Vista's gaze, Chiba realized a huge shadow was cast over him. His Observation Haki activated, and he saw a massive meteorite hurtling down.

From the sea, Vista had summoned the meteorite using his multiple-fruit abilities.

Ace and Joz also looked up, seeing the enormous flaming meteor streaking down, trailing fire. It was larger than a house, and the friction with the air had turned it into a blazing inferno.

With the meteor accelerating under Vista's influence, it covered miles in mere moments, closing in fast.

Ace's face turned pale. "Damn it, Vista! Are you trying to kill us all?"

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.