Chapter 142: The Power of Zoan Devil Fruits Unleashed!

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Clint soared through the skies, the wind rushing past him as his mighty falcon wings carried him higher and faster than he'd ever imagined. The exhilaration of flight was unlike anything he had experienced before—freedom and power rolled into one. But even amidst the thrill, duty called. His excitement barely contained, Clint reached for his communicator, knowing there was someone who needed to hear about this immediately.

"Director," he began, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "It's done."

"Really now?" Nick Fury's voice crackled through the device, a hint of intrigue evident in his tone. "Which fruit did you go with, Barton?"

"The Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Falcon," Clint replied without hesitation, his words carrying the confidence of someone who knew he'd made the right choice.

Fury was silent for a moment, clearly processing the information. "A Zoan-type fruit?" he finally said, a note of surprise slipping into his typically measured voice. "Didn't peg you for one to go the animal route. I figured you'd go for a Paramecia-type—something more straightforward."

"Yes, Director. A Zoan-type fruit," Barton confirmed, his tone unwavering. "And I've got to say, it's worth every ounce of gold I paid. This one's a game-changer."

"I see," Fury replied, his voice regaining its usual authority. "Get back here immediately. I'll need to see these new abilities for myself. Where are you now?"

"Still in transit. Where should I meet you, sir?"

"Base Three," Fury stated curtly.

The mention of Base Three was enough to remind Clint of the stakes. Base Three wasn't just any S.H.I.E.L.D. installation—it was one of Fury's most closely guarded secrets, entirely off the books. It existed in the shadows, known only to a select few who had proven their absolute loyalty.

That kind of caution had become Fury's modus operandi ever since the catastrophic discovery of Hydra's infiltration. The revelation that Brock Rumlow and a staggering 70% of his Strike Team were Hydra agents had sent shockwaves through S.H.I.E.L.D. It wasn't just the scale of the betrayal that had shaken Fury—it was the realization that Hydra had embedded itself so deeply, hiding in plain sight for years.

The fallout had forced Fury to question everything: every operative, every protocol, every assumption he'd ever made about the organization he commanded. Could S.H.I.E.L.D. even be salvaged after such a betrayal? Fury didn't have the answer to that yet, but he knew one thing for certain—trust was now a luxury he couldn't afford to give freely.

To counteract the damage, Fury had turned to extreme measures. Using his Glare-Glare Fruit powers—a Devil Fruit ability that allowed him to see the true intentions of those around him—he'd personally vetted a small circle of agents whose loyalty was beyond question. Barton, along with Natasha Romanoff, Phil Coulson, and Maria Hill, had passed his scrutiny. Everyone else? They were under constant surveillance, and their every move was carefully monitored.

Despite the chaos Hydra had caused, Fury had learned to play the long game. He knew rooting out the remaining Hydra agents was a marathon, not a sprint. Until then, he'd maintain the façade of normalcy, pretending S.H.I.E.L.D. was running as usual, all while quietly rebuilding its foundation from the ground up.

"Understood, sir," Clint replied, his voice firm. "I'm on my way to Base Three now." With that, he angled his wings and soared higher, heading toward the rendezvous point with purpose and resolve.

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Base Three

Clint arrived at the secluded facility, ensuring his approach remained undetected. He scanned the perimeter one final time before stepping inside. As expected, Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff were already there, waiting for him.

"Director," Clint greeted with a sharp nod, then turned to Natasha, his lips curling into a small smirk. "Nat."

"Finally," Natasha quipped, crossing her arms. "You sure took your time."

Fury didn't waste any words. "Let's skip the pleasantries, Barton," he said, his single eye gleaming with curiosity and anticipation. "Show us what this Zoan-type Devil Fruit can really do."

Natasha rolled her shoulders and stretched, her gaze locking onto Clint. "You ready, Hawkeye? Don't hold back. I want to see everything you've got."

Clint chuckled, flexing his fingers as he stepped into the center of the room. "Careful what you wish for, Nat. This time, I might actually take you down."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Big words for someone who's been all talk until now. Let's see if you can back them up."

Without hesitation, Clint activated his newfound power. With a single thought, massive, powerful wings erupted from his back, the sleek feathers catching the light as they spread wide. His transformation was swift but commanding like he'd been using the Bird-Bird Fruit for years.

Natasha took a defensive stance, but before she could react, Clint launched into action. He sent a shockwave through the air with a single, mighty flap of his wings.

*Bam!*

The force of the gust hit Natasha like a freight train, hurling her backward. She slammed into the wall with enough force to rattle the facility's reinforced structure. Despite the impact, Natasha rolled to her feet gracefully, her movements fluid as ever, though her eyes betrayed her surprise.

"Well, that's... new," Natasha muttered under her breath, brushing herself off. "Not bad, Clint, but don't think I'm going down that easy."

From the sidelines, Fury observed with measured interest. "Impressive," he said, his voice calm but laced with approval. "That kind of raw power is no joke."

Clint hovered in the air, his wings carrying him effortlessly. His hands had morphed into razor-sharp talons, glinting ominously in the overhead light. "That was just a warm-up," he called down to Natasha, his voice brimming with confidence.

Natasha's lips curved into a sly grin. "Good. Because I'd hate for this to end too quickly."

She darted forward, her movements a blur as she closed the gap between them. Clint didn't flinch. He swooped lower, his wings cutting through the air with precision as he slashed at Natasha with his talons. She dodged, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a roundhouse kick aimed at his midsection.

Clint twisted mid-air, evading her attack with ease. "You're going to have to do better than that, Nat."

"Oh, don't worry," she shot back, her tone playful yet determined. "I'm just getting started."

Clint leaped into the air with breathtaking speed, his enhanced reflexes and agility catching Natasha off guard. In one fluid motion, he dove toward her, his razor-sharp talons gleaming as they extended, aiming directly for her shoulders.

Natasha's instincts kicked in just in time. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike. Clint's talons slammed into the ground with a resounding crunch, leaving deep gouges in the reinforced concrete floor. The sheer power behind his attack was undeniable.

"Quick, aren't you?" Natasha said with a smirk, pushing herself up into a crouch. Without missing a beat, she fired her Widow's Bite. The electrified cable shot toward Clint like a coiled snake, its crackling energy promising a nasty shock.

But Clint was already on the move. With an effortless twist in mid-air, his falcon instincts guided him clear of the attack, his wings spreading wide to carry him higher.

"Not bad, Nat," Clint called down, his voice laced with playful confidence as he circled above her. "But if you think that's enough to catch me, you're going to be disappointed."

Natasha's eyes narrowed, but her grin remained. She adjusted her stance, watching his movements closely, calculating her next strike.

*Crackle!*

Before Clint could react, Natasha redirected her Widow's Bite, sending a surge of electricity through the tether. This time, it found its mark, enveloping Clint in a web of crackling energy. Sparks flew as the attack coursed through his body, lighting up the dimly lit facility.

For a moment, Natasha allowed herself a small sense of victory—until she noticed something strange.

Clint didn't even flinch.

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Next Chapter:The Clash Between Devil Fruit Users

Next Next Chapter: Hydra Sets Its Sights on the Home of the Devil Fruit

Next Next Next Chapter: Crossbones Visits the Home of the Devil Fruits

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