One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. The figures standing before us—Tatsuo and Kara—were no longer the allies we had once trusted. They were the enemy now. And I couldn't shake the feeling that we had walked straight into a trap.

"You should have stayed out of this," Tatsuo said, his voice calm yet laced with a dangerous edge. "You never understood what was really at stake. You're just pawns in a game much bigger than you."

I glared at him, anger bubbling inside me. "You think we're pawns? No, Tatsuo, we're not the ones who've been playing others. You betrayed us. You betrayed everything we fought for."

Tatsuo didn't flinch. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk. "Betrayal is such a strong word. But I suppose that's what it feels like when you realize the truth."

Kara stepped forward, her cold eyes scanning each of us. "The Navy's plans were just the beginning. We've been working with them, sure, but there's a far more dangerous force at play here. You won't even know who to trust by the time this is over."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my emotions in check. They had already made their move, and we had no choice but to fight back. There was too much at stake now.

"Enough talk," Smoker said, his voice low and dangerous. "If you want a fight, we'll give it to you."

Before anyone could react, Tatsuo's soldiers raised their weapons, the barrels trained on us. I could feel the heat of their intent, the sharpness of their focus. This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

But we couldn't back down now. Not after everything we'd been through.

Selene, ever the strategist, quickly assessed the situation. "We need to take out their leader first," she said, her eyes flicking between Tatsuo and Kara. "Without them, the rest will scatter."

"Agreed," I said. "Smoker, let's take Tatsuo. Shira, Selene, handle Kara."

Smoker nodded, his grip tightening around his weapon. "Let's end this."

⚔🔥🔥🔥

The battle erupted in an instant. Tatsuo moved with surprising speed, his tactical gear enhancing his agility as he leaped forward, his eyes locked on Smoker. A fierce clash of weapons rang out as Tatsuo parried Smoker's strikes, each blow heavier than the last.

I faced Kara, who stood her ground, her mask still hiding her true emotions. She didn't move, didn't flinch, as though she knew what was coming but wasn't afraid. Her calm demeanor was unsettling.

"You really don't get it, do you?" Kara said, her voice icy as she spoke. "This isn't about power or control. This is about survival. The Navy's plans are just a small part of the bigger picture. If you think you can stop this now, you're already too late."

I gritted my teeth, my sword held steady in my hands. "If you think you're the only ones who can see the bigger picture, then you've already lost."

I lunged, the blade cutting through the air, but Kara was faster. She dodged with fluid precision, her movements like a dance. With a swift motion, she drew her own weapon—a sleek, curved sword that shimmered in the moonlight.

The clash of metal echoed as our blades met, sparks flying from the force of our strikes. Kara's skill was undeniable, but I wasn't backing down. Every slash I made, every move I executed, was fueled by the betrayal I felt, the need to protect everything we had fought for.

"How does it feel?" Kara taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "To be on the losing side, fighting for something that's already been decided?"

"You've underestimated us," I snapped, pushing forward with renewed strength.

Meanwhile, Smoker and Tatsuo's fight raged on. Tatsuo was relentless, each of his attacks precise and calculated. But Smoker's smoke abilities were proving to be a challenge, the swirling mist obscuring Tatsuo's vision and making it harder to land a hit.

"You can't hide forever, Smoker!" Tatsuo yelled, frustration building in his voice. "You're nothing without your smoke!"

But Smoker wasn't listening to him. He moved in a blur, his smoke form allowing him to slip through Tatsuo's attacks and strike back with powerful blows.

"You'll have to do better than that," Smoker said, his voice calm as ever.

⚔🔥🔥🔥

The battle between us and Tatsuo's forces intensified, but there was something I noticed—something that felt wrong. The soldiers were fighting with an almost mechanical precision, as if they were following a script, moving in sync without hesitation.

I realized then: they weren't human. Not entirely. They were the products of the Navy's genetic experiments, soldiers enhanced beyond natural capabilities. We were up against more than just human enemies now.

"These soldiers…" I said, barely able to catch my breath as I parried another blow from Kara. "They're not normal. They're part of the Navy's experiments."

Kara's smile twisted into something almost sadistic. "You're only beginning to understand. These soldiers are just the beginning. We've created a new breed of warrior. And they will be the ones to reshape this world."

I felt a chill run down my spine as her words sank in. This wasn't just about stopping the Navy anymore. This was about an entirely new order, one that we had no chance of defeating without understanding the full scope of their plans.

But before I could process everything, a familiar voice broke through the chaos.

"Enough!"

I turned in time to see Tatsuo standing tall, his weapon lowered as he glared at me. The battle had paused for a moment, the tension still thick in the air.

"I've had enough of this," Tatsuo said, his eyes hard as he glared at me and Smoker. "You're too much of a threat. But it's not over yet. Not until I see this through."

With that, Tatsuo raised his hand, signaling his soldiers to take aim once more.

⚔🔥🔥🔥

The battle was far from over. But we would fight until the very end.