Chapter Fifty-Nine: Splitting Forces, Ultimate Sniper

October 17, 2237 — Southern Front, Indian Sector, Military Camp — 9:00 AM

“Gentlemen, the holiday is officially over! I hope you can return to your normal duties,” Lieutenant Anthony began his pre-battle briefing. “Regrettably, if we’re speaking strictly by rank, I no longer have the authority to command Lieutenant Thunder Mingchuan. However, since all of you—except for Winchester, the warrant officer—are sergeants, I will remain your commanding officer until the end of the Indian operation.” After settling these formalities, Anthony announced the mission: “It’s simple. Destroy the other two Devil Fruits and search for a suspected main base’s air-raid shelter. We can’t remotely locate any surveillance equipment inside; we know nothing about what’s happening in there. You only need to explore. Once we have intel, we’ll air-drop explosives and blow it up directly.” Anthony made it clear there was no need to attack the shelter—just a brief reconnaissance would suffice.

Yet, the team seemed dissatisfied. “Come on! Why bother just exploring? Leave it to us—we’ll clear out everything inside,” George, apparently provoked by Mingchuan and Winchester’s ranks, insisted they could handle the whole shelter themselves. Mingchuan ignored him entirely: “Winchester and Colt, follow me to the eastern site. The rest of you, take the west. Since Winchester and I stole one of the enemy’s Devil Fruits, your side should face fewer opponents than ours. Try to assist us after you complete your mission.”

“Understood!”

Without a helicopter, Mingchuan led Winchester and Colt into the jungle. As soon as they were spotted, treefolk began to emerge ceaselessly from the foliage, quickly forming a formidable battalion. Winchester, shielded by Colt, expertly kept up his Eagle Eye barrage. Mingchuan, agile as a snake, danced through the chaos, his blade slicing a path like a bolt of lightning. Meanwhile, with Mingchuan’s signal, the group led by Thompson quietly infiltrated the forest.

“Is this a Devil Fruit?” The four, unfamiliar with the item, stared at the heart-shaped object, which seemed to pulse as if alive, their minds racing with wild speculation.

“We’re surrounded!” Thompson shouted. “Protect the fruit!” As Wenxin and Bob braced for battle, a blazing pillar of light shot skyward.

“Forget protecting it—just blast it! We’re here to destroy,” George said, lowering his still-smoldering cannon. For reasons unknown, half the enemies vanished.

“Let’s go! Head to the main base and settle the score with the boss!”

On the other side, the trio found themselves beset by the full enemy force.

“Up the trees! Quick!” With nimble movements, they leapt fifteen meters above the ground, Mingchuan and Colt each plunging a blade into a trunk for support, so Winchester could shoot from above.

“Hold, Winchester! Save your ammo—search for the fruit. That’s our priority,” Mingchuan ordered. Soon, Winchester located it.

“Coordinates: X108, Y206, Z3. The angle is bad—can’t snipe.”

“Send me the image!” Mingchuan commanded, as if confident he could hit it. Indeed, a normal person couldn’t aim, nor even spot the tiny red dot in the lower left corner of the feed.

“Alright! Leave it to me!” Mingchuan, with his mysterious confidence, leapt onto a tree, hurled his blade, then sprang again. Winchester watched as Mingchuan dangled upside-down before him, and drew his RC-6.

“Bang!” A bullet fired from the RC-6, striking something dead-on.

“Hit—hit it?!” Winchester was stunned; Colt, hearing this, shivered, amazed that an upside-down shooter could hit an almost invisible target hundreds of meters away with a pistol.

“All my modified guns are sniper rifles, so be sure to use that weapon often!” Mingchuan had already caught his sword as it flew back.

At that moment, a pillar of light drew Mingchuan’s attention. “Looks like George’s team has finished their mission. Let’s head out!” With a single command, Mingchuan led Winchester and Colt toward the enemy’s main base.

——— Author’s Note ———

I won’t be home much these next four days, so updates may be slow. Please don’t send any knives...