One Piece: Heaven-Defying Talent

Chiba rode the black water dragon, surging through the air as he flew straight towards Ace.

Seeing this, Vista quickly drew his dual swords and unleashed a fierce slash in Chiba's direction.

Two dark beams of energy enveloped Chiba, and the powerful gravity of Vista's attack began to weigh down the Black Water True Dragon. Chiba felt an intense pressure as if his entire body had become a thousand times heavier.

Unable to maintain altitude, Chiba started descending rapidly. Meanwhile, Joz charged toward him, fully armored in diamond, like an unstoppable force intent on colliding with Chiba.

Just before Joz could strike, Chiba activated Universal Pull within himself, altering the gravity around Joz's body. The shift in gravitational force sent Joz flying off-course, straight toward Vista.

Seeing Joz barreling towards him, Vista cursed, "Why are you heading for me? Go after the captain!"

"I can't control it!" Joz shouted back, "Vista, get out of the way!"

"Damn it," Vista muttered, releasing his control over Chiba and using his fruit's awakened form to alter his energy field, just barely managing to avoid Joz's impact.

Chiba appeared beside Vista in an instant, placing his palm like a blade against Vista's neck. "You lost," he said calmly.

Vista sighed, "I lost. Captain, your strength is truly remarkable. I, Vista, concede."

Chiba retracted his hand and looked over at Ace and Joz. "Ace, Joz, do you two want to continue?"

Joz replied, looking frustrated, "I'm done. Captain, your Haki completely counters my abilities. My String-String Fruit can't get close to you, and my diamond armor can't stop your punches. I'm out."

Ace smiled wryly. "Even with all seven Golden Crows out, I couldn't match you. I don't see a point in continuing."

He added with a laugh, "Monsters like you will always be stronger than us. I'll never get my hands on the Mythical Zoan Yellow Dragon form if this keeps up."

Chiba chuckled. "Don't underestimate yourselves. Your strengths are impressive in their own right. Vista's multiple-fruit awakening will be vital in handling Kaido. Joz, your String-String Fruit can also restrain Kaido's movements. And Ace, with your awakened fruit powers, you can also apply pressure on Kaido. If you all create an opening, I'll be able to take a piece of Kaido's flesh, and perhaps even secure the Yellow Dragon form for you."

Ace's eyes brightened. "So, Chiba, you think we actually have a shot against Kaido now?"

"Not just yet," Chiba replied with a smile. "I still have a few things to handle first. Once I'm done, we'll focus on Kaido. Let's head back for now. Don't worry too much."

With that, Chiba activated the Lightning Dragon technique and vanished in an instant.

Watching him disappear, Ace sighed, "Chiba's speed is unbelievable. If he'd fought us at that speed from the start, we wouldn't have even had the chance to strike."

Vista nodded in agreement. "It's a relief that Captain Chiba is on our side. If he were still with the Marines, we'd all be behind bars by now."

Joz laughed, "But Chiba *is* our captain, and thanks to him, we're all stronger than ever. Ace, Vista, with Chiba's training, our abilities have reached Admiral level. And Ace, your strength is already on par with the Four Emperors. If you get the Yellow Dragon form, you'd be at the very peak of that level."

Ace's eyes gleamed as he clenched his fists. "Yeah, Chiba is our hope. With him, we'll become the strongest crew on the sea. Chiba will be the strongest, and he'll lead us to become Pirate King."

A day later, Chiba returned to his ship and sorted through the treasures collected by Joz, finally finding a crimson, jade-like substance. It was the claw of a flame beast, a rare material that could channel fire-elemental energy seamlessly.

Pleased, Chiba began his work.

Although Rebecca's strength had grown significantly, Doflamingo remained formidable. Chiba knew Rebecca would need an edge to decisively defeat him.

The outcome of the fight between Rebecca and Doflamingo was crucial. If Rebecca could win convincingly, it would draw attention from powerful forces worldwide, increasing the value of Chiba's Devil Fruits.

It might even lure Kaido himself, and if Kaido came to him, Chiba might gain the blood factor he needed without even fighting.

Thus, the battle between Rebecca and Doflamingo held significant importance.

Rebecca had consumed the Mera-Mera Fruit in Golden Crow form, wielding formidable fire powers. Chiba intended to forge her a supreme blade to amplify her abilities.

The flame beast's claws were incredibly tough and contained the beast's powerful fire-energy essence.

In the Pirate World, even dragons exist, and fire-elemental beasts are numerous, but they typically reside in inaccessible areas. Somehow, the Marines had managed to acquire the claws of this flame beast.

Over the next day, Chiba focused on crafting the weapon, carefully considering how to create a blade that would best suit Rebecca's power.

Finally, he summoned Rebecca and began the forging process.

By the next day, the weapon was ready.

[You have gained a deep understanding of the Flame Phoenix's claws and applied your forging expertise. Based on Rebecca's abilities, you have forged the supreme sword, Phoenix.]

[Supreme Sword Phoenix: Forged from Flame Phoenix claws, this weapon contains the essence energy of the fire phoenix. It can be activated by energy and grants the wielder the ability to undergo rebirth through fire.]

Seeing the description of Phoenix, Chiba felt immense satisfaction. Once complete, this blade would greatly enhance Rebecca's power.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

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