One piece :I open the locks of the heart

As we found ourselves at the heart of the protective circle in the First District of Traverse Town, the changes were immediately noticeable. Every Sans-cœur present seemed to have undergone a significant transformation, appearing far more intimidating and formidable than their previous counterparts.

Rondouillards: These massive creatures were now even more imposing. Their armor appeared reinforced, each metallic plate gleaming faintly in the dim light. Their eyes, once almost harmless, now shone with a fierce, calculating glow. They gave the impression of being living tanks, colossal beings ready to crush anything in their path.

Elemental Sans-cœur: The Nocturnes Rouges, Opéras Jaunes, Rhapsodies Bleues, and Requiems Verts had taken on even more elegant and menacing forms. Their bodies were more defined, their silhouettes shimmering with pure energy. The Nocturnes Rouges flickered with living flames, their movements resembling an infernal dance. The Opéras Jaunes radiated a golden, crackling glow, as though they were the embodiment of lightning. The Rhapsodies Bleues appeared almost ethereal, with watery trails following their movements, while the Requiems Verts exuded a calming but deceptive aura, like a serene forest before a storm.

Soldiers: These standard Sans-cœur warriors had evolved into true predators. Their dark, gleaming armor, paired with their piercing yellow eyes, evoked a militia of ruthless creatures. Their movements were more fluid, and their stance betrayed heightened agility, making them far more formidable.

Luffy came to a sudden stop, observing the creatures with a mix of excitement and challenge. "Wow, they look way stronger than last time!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist against his shield, adorned with a straw hat. His grin widened as he added, almost laughing, "This is going to be fun!"

Nami, on the other hand, took a slight step back, her eyes wide. "They're... so different! It's like they're on a whole new level now…" she murmured, a hint of nervousness in her voice. She raised a hand to adjust her magical weapon, visibly ready to defend herself, but her expression betrayed a mixture of fear and determination. "Jordan, are you sure we can handle this?"

I smiled as I studied the Sans-cœur, a mix of pride and tension in my voice. "They're definitely more impressive than what we've faced before." I spun my Keyblade in my hand before turning to Nami and Luffy. "But that's exactly why we're here. Don't forget, we've become much stronger since the last time. Luffy, Nami… let's show them what it means to stand against the Straw Hat Pirates."

I raised my Keyblade, pointing at the Sans-cœur gathering at a reasonable distance. "Be ready. This isn't just a simple game anymore. It's Hard Mode, and we're here to win."

Nami nodded, taking a deep breath as she prepared her spells, while Luffy laughed heartily, clearly excited about the upcoming battle.

"Luffy, this time we really need to act as a team," I said, grabbing my captain's arm just as he was about to charge headfirst into the fray. "Remember Hard Mode on the Island of Destiny? No slip-ups here, or we're done for."

Luffy immediately stopped, his childish demeanor fading to reveal a rare but impressive serious expression. He looked me straight in the eyes, his confidence unwavering. "I'm listening, Jordan. You always have good plans. You're the strategist, so tell me what to do." His calm and resolute tone made me smile despite the rising tension.

"Thanks, Luffy," I replied, touched by his trust. I pointed to the Sans-cœur, which had already spread out into precise formations. "Look closely. The Nocturnes Rouges, Opéras Jaunes, Rhapsodies Bleues, and Requiems Verts are grouped around the Rondouillards and Soldiers. Each team consists of 20 Soldiers, 4 Rondouillards, and 4 elemental Sans-cœur of each type."

As we stood within the protective circle in the First District of Traverse Town, the difference was immediately apparent. Every Sans-cœur had undergone a significant transformation, becoming more menacing and dangerous than before.

Nami, paying close attention, stepped forward slightly, her gaze following where I pointed. "So, as usual, the priority is to take out the Requiems Verts to prevent them from healing the others, right?" she asked, confirming my thoughts.

I nodded with a smile. "Exactly. And with these formations, it's going to be tricky. Nami, this setup is the worst for you because, aside from the Rondouillards and the Soldiers, the other enemies are barely affected by magic, and they can intercept your spells."

Nami groaned slightly but nodded with determination. "Alright, then I'll focus on the timing. I suppose you have a plan for that?"

I turned to Luffy, who was already eyeing a group within range. His determined eyes narrowed slightly, a sign that he was thinking. Then, suddenly, he turned to me with a mischievous smile. "Hey, Jordan, can I attack them from the circle? Just to test their resilience."

I let out a small laugh at his bubbling enthusiasm. "Go ahead if you want. Target the two Requiems Verts on the right. I'll take care of the ones on the left at the same time."

Luffy nodded, gripping his shield as if preparing to strike. "Perfect. Let's do this. I want to see what they're really made of."

I turned to Nami and gave her a wink. "Stay ready, Nami. Once we've eliminated the Requiems, you can go after the elementals without a problem."

She smirked, looking both nervous and conspiratorial. "Alright. But don't come crying to me if you get overwhelmed."

Luffy laughed heartily, then raised his fist in encouragement. "We're the Straw Hats, and we're going to crush them. Jordan, show me what you've got with your Fractionnement!"

I smiled at my captain, feeling that familiar wave of camaraderie and trust. "You too. Show me that shield isn't just for decoration. Let's go."

And with that, we launched our first offensive.

Our initial attack went almost unnoticed until the moment of impact. The first two Requiems Verts we targeted vanished instantly under mine and Luffy's strikes. I wasted no time and took out a third with a precise Keyblade strike, taking advantage of their disarray.

Luffy, focused, reared his fist to strike again, but a Soldier leapt into the trajectory, trying to intercept his attack. Before it could become a problem, a bolt of lightning struck the Soldier, reducing it to smoke. I glanced over and saw Nami with a satisfied smile, her staff still crackling with magic.

Luffy's punch completed its arc, smashing the final Requiem Vert, which dissipated immediately. With their support gone, the Sans-cœur squad became disorganized, spinning around as if searching for something.

"It looks like they can't see us as long as we're near the protective circle," I observed, catching my breath. "That's helpful here in the First District. But in the second, we won't be able to count on that safety. We'll need to adapt."

Luffy nodded, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "So what's the plan, Jordan?"

I raised my Keyblade, studying the remaining Sans-cœur. "Luffy, you handle the elementals close to the ground. Protect Nami as much as you can. Nami, focus on the Soldiers and Rondouillards. Stay mobile and keep your distance."

Nami nodded, her face set with determination. Luffy, on the other hand, flashed a grin. "And you?"

I began to levitate slowly, rising just above the group. "I'll take to the skies."

But barely had we started to execute our plan when the four Opéras Jaunes, previously hanging back, suddenly ascended into the air. Their shrill voices resonated, forming a magical barrier that attracted Nami's lightning spells. She groaned in frustration as her bolts bounced off uselessly.

"They're blocking my spells!" she shouted, stepping back slightly to dodge a Soldier's attack.

"I'll handle it," I replied, diving toward them. I fired dark projectiles in their direction, but the Opéras Jaunes were quick and easily dodged.

Luffy, noticing the issue, leapt into the air with impressive power. "No problem, Jordan, I'll smash them!" he yelled, stretching his arms toward two of the Opéras Jaunes. "Gum-Gum… Hammer!" His arms came crashing down on them, pulverizing two in a single blow.

I seized the opportunity to focus on the other two. Using Fractionnement, I sent my arms hurtling toward them at high speed. Distracted by Luffy, the Opéras Jaunes couldn't react in time and disappeared under my attack.

With the Opéras Jaunes eliminated, Nami regained her effectiveness. She unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning into a group of Soldiers that had moved in close, annihilating them instantly. Meanwhile, Luffy charged at a Rondouillard, bashing it with his shield before hurling it into a wall.

I took to the air, finishing off the remaining elemental Sans-cœur. With the elementals and Rondouillards defeated, only a few Soldiers remained, which we quickly dispatched. The first squad was defeated.

As we defeated the last Sans-cœur in the first district, Luffy let out a triumphant shout, raising his arms in the air. "One down! That wasn't so hard."

Nami crossed her arms, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "That was just the first. They're going to get tougher. Stay focused, Captain."

I landed beside them, a small grin on my face. "One squad down, nine more to go. We started strong, but don't get complacent. That's when they'll catch us off guard."

We continued our efforts, systematically clearing out the first district after nearly two hours of grueling combat. Fatigue began to set in, and though Nami remained sharp, she was clearly exhausted. Luffy, on the other hand, wore a wide grin, clearly thrilled by the action.

When we entered the second district, a new challenge awaited us: twenty squads of Sans-cœur, double the number from the first district. I noticed a flicker of fear in Nami's eyes, though she tried to mask it.

"How many MP do you have left, Nami?" I asked gently, guessing that she had likely overused her thunder spells to neutralize the Soldiers.

She lowered her gaze slightly, almost ashamed. "Barely enough for four more Thunder spells," she murmured.

I stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. You're improving your reserves with every fight. It's tough training, but it's paying off. And think about Koby in a situation like this. He'd struggle a lot more starting out."

She offered a faint smile at my attempt to comfort her, but I froze as I noticed Luffy staring at me curiously, one eyebrow raised.

"Damn it, Luffy!" I exclaimed, suddenly remembering something crucial. "We can't take too long. I told Koby to meet me in five hours where we landed." I looked between my two companions, quickly weighing our options. "We'll use numbers to speed things up."

Without hesitation, I summoned two Darkside, their massive forms rising from the shadows, and 400 hard-mode Ombres. The air around us grew oppressive with their appearance, and even Luffy and Nami seemed impressed by the spectacle.

"Fire dark spheres at the enemies," I ordered the Darkside. The towering giants obeyed immediately, raising their massive arms to launch salvos of ten dark projectiles each. The Ombres surged toward the Soldiers and Rondouillards, turning the district into a chaotic battlefield.

I turned to Nami, who watched the scene with a mix of awe and nerves. "Nami, stay close to the Darkside and focus on recovering. You need to be ready for the final battle."

She nodded silently, quickly positioning herself behind the two giants, whose imposing stature shielded her from incoming enemy projectiles.

I then turned to Luffy, who looked eager to dive into the fray. "Luffy, don't overexert yourself. Use the Ombres for cover and save your energy for the final fight. We'll need you at full strength for that."

He looked at me seriously and nodded. "Don't worry, Jordan. I've got this. Those Requiem Verts won't even know what hit them." Then he leaped into the chaos with agility, methodically targeting the Requiem Verts amidst the turmoil.

As for me, I took to the skies, observing the raging battle below. The Darkside's projectiles tore through the ranks of the Sans-cœur methodically, while Luffy darted from one target to the next, swiftly eliminating the healers. I focused on the remaining elemental enemies, diving down to take out the Nocturnes Rouges and Opéras Jaunes that could hinder our efforts.

The ground battle was brutal but effective. The Ombres I had summoned overwhelmed the enemy squads one by one, preventing them from regrouping. The Soldiers and Rondouillards tried to resist, but the assault was too overwhelming.

Nami, well-protected, cast a few well-timed spells when her MP allowed, targeting the Rondouillards threatening to break our lines. "These things are really stubborn," she muttered, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Luffy, breathless but still energetic, laughed as he smashed a final Soldier under his shield. "Yeah, but look at them now. They don't stand a chance!"

I descended slowly, surveying the aftermath of the battle. "That was a solid strategy. They couldn't regroup, and we used the chaos to our advantage. Well done, both of you."

Nami gave a faint smile. "There's still the final fight… but I think I'm ready."

Luffy, on the other hand, cracked his knuckles, clearly eager. "Let's finish this and meet up with Koby. I'm pumped!"

Despite the doubled number of Sans-cœur in the second district, we managed to clear the area in two hours. Tired but satisfied with our progress, I gathered my Sans-cœur and noted that, despite the intense battle, I had only lost 42 Ombres. It was a relief, but I knew we needed to prepare for the final confrontation.

As Luffy moved toward the gate leading to the third district, I stopped him with an outstretched hand. "Wait, Luffy. Let's eat and drink before we face what's ahead." He halted, a bit surprised, but nodded with a smile.

I summoned a table and three chairs, quickly setting them with provisions: bread, dried meat, fruit, and a water flask for each of us. We sat and began to eat. Even Nami, usually more reserved, indulged in the moment, fully appreciating the food to replenish her strength.

"Honestly, Jordan," Nami began as she bit into a piece of bread, "your idea of a meal before the final fight is perfect. I didn't realize how hungry I was."

I smiled, biting into a piece of dried meat. "We need all the energy we can get for what's coming. This isn't just a physical battle but a mental one too. If we go in tired, we're bound to make mistakes."

Luffy, meanwhile, eyed Nami's food with a hungry look. Before he could reach out, I shot him a stern glance. "Luffy, no stealing from others' plates."

He immediately pulled back, crossing his arms with a pout. "I wasn't going to… not yet, anyway," he muttered, making Nami burst into laughter.

"Good to see you listening, Captain," I teased as I swallowed a piece of fruit. "You know if you touch my plate, you might not make it to the final fight in one piece."

Still amused, Nami added, "And if you touch mine, I promise even the Sans-cœur won't want to come near you."

Luffy laughed heartily, finally abandoning the idea of stealing food. "You two are really scary. But fine, I'll wait. Besides, I've still got some meat left."

We ate in silence for a while, savoring the much-needed break. After a moment, Luffy spoke, his tone more serious. "Do you think this Dark Aéris will really be strong? I mean, we've faced a lot of weird stuff, but this… this feels different."

I nodded, taking a moment to think. "Yeah, probably. Dark Sora almost trapped your grandpa, but that's why we're training. We're ready, and we have a plan. It's not like we're rushing in blindly." I placed a hand on his shoulder with a smile. "And with you on the front line, I doubt she stands a chance. Plus, I can overwhelm her with my troops if it gets too risky."

Nami looked between Luffy and me, a small smile forming on her lips. "That's true. We made it through the first and second districts because of our combined efforts. This last fight will be tough, but as long as we stick together, we'll win."

Luffy straightened up, his bright smile returning. "Then let's do it! But… after we finish eating."

We all laughed, enjoying the brief calm before diving back into the fray. With our meal finished, we stood, our strength renewed and our minds ready for the final battle.

(NDA: I hope you appreciated the new style for the Sans-cœur in hard mode.)