Chapter 143: The Clash Between Devil Fruit Users

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*Whoosh!* 

The air itself seemed to split as Clint surged forward, his body crackling with the remnants of electric shocks that would have left anyone else writhing in pain. But not him. He was unstoppable, a force of nature, his momentum unbroken as he hurtled toward Natasha like a predator locked onto its prey. His movements were so fast and fluid that he became little more than a blur—a shadow streaking across the space between them. 

Still crouched low and recovering from her previous stance, Natasha barely had time to register his approach. By the time her sharp instincts kicked in, it was already too late. Clint was on her, his speed overwhelming, his presence dominating the space around them. There was no time to dodge, no room to maneuver. He was simply too fast.

A fierce gust of wind roared ahead of him, slamming into Natasha with enough force to make her stiffen instinctively. Her body braced for impact, her mind racing to calculate her next move, but there was no escape.

*Whoosh!* 

And then, in the blink of an eye, he was there. Clint's half-human, half-hawk form loomed over her, his piercing eyes locked onto hers. His razor-sharp talons, glinting in the light, stretched toward her neck with deadly precision. But they stopped—just millimeters away from her throat. The message was clear: if this had been a real fight if he hadn't held back, Natasha's throat would have been torn apart in an instant.

She had lost. 

Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most skilled and feared operatives, had been decisively defeated. It wasn't even close. She and Clint had been evenly matched in the past, their sparring sessions a dance of equals. But now? The gap between them was glaringly undeniable. Clint's newfound power had elevated him to a level she couldn't hope to reach—at least, not without a similar advantage.

And that advantage? It came in the form of a Devil Fruit.

The 150 kilograms of gold Clint had spent to obtain it? It was worth every single coin. The power it granted him was beyond anything Natasha had ever seen, and it had transformed him into something more than human. Something extraordinary.

"Alright," Natasha finally broke the silence, her voice light but edged with amusement as a sly smile curved her lips. "I'd say you definitely got your money's worth with this one."

Clint responded with a smirk, smoothly retracting his sleek, feathered wings. "Told you it was worth every ounce of effort."

Her gaze lingered on him momentarily before she asked, "So, how does it feel?"

Clint retracted his talons effortlessly, his avian features twisting into a proud grin. "Feels like I was made for it."

Natasha didn't hesitate, her tone sincere and tinged with genuine admiration. "It's impressive. Seriously impressive."

Standing off to the side, Nick Fury observed the exchange with his usual stoic demeanor, though his subtle nod betrayed his approval. This was precisely the kind of power he had envisioned when he first learned about the potential of Devil Fruits. It was a game-changer, and Clint was living proof of that.

But Fury, ever the strategist, wasn't about to let the moment pass without addressing the practicalities. "Barton," he said, his voice low and measured, "does this form interfere with your archery?"

Clint's faint smile widened, and instead of answering directly, he let his actions speak for him. With a powerful leap, he launched himself into the air, his wings unfurling once more. As he gained altitude, he drew his bow mid-flight, his movements fluid and precise.

*Thwack!* 

The arrow shot through the air like a streak of light, its trajectory flawless. It struck Natasha's wrist-mounted Widow's Bite with surgical precision, dislodging it cleanly without so much as grazing her skin. The message was clear: Clint's accuracy was as deadly as ever, even in his transformed state.

Hovering briefly above them, Clint allowed himself a moment of satisfaction before descending gracefully onto a nearby rooftop. As he touched down, he seamlessly reverted to his human form, standing tall and exuding a quiet pride as he glanced back at Fury and Natasha.

This Devil Fruit—the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Falcon—was a decision he didn't just stand by; it was one he knew he'd never regret.

"You're showing off, you know," Natasha called out, her eyes narrowing in a mock glare, though a faint smirk betrayed her amusement.

"Damn right, I am," Clint shot back unapologetically, his grin growing wider.

Fury, watching the banter unfold, nodded to himself once more. Barton's abilities weren't just an upgrade—they were a game-changer.

"Alright, that's enough," Fury interjected, his commanding tone cutting through their exchange. He gestured for them to follow. "Let's get back to work. My office. Now."

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Once they were seated in his office, Fury leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk. His tone was firm, leaving no room for debate. "Your Devil Fruit abilities must remain classified. No one outside this room is to know, understood?"

"Understood," Natasha replied with a small nod, though her expression suggested she had reservations. "But, sir, the shopkeeper who sold me the fruit knows my identity. And let's not forget everyone in the Devil Fruit chat group—they're all aware of my abilities." She paused for emphasis. "If someone really wanted to dig, uncovering the truth wouldn't take much."

Fury's face remained unreadable, his calm demeanor unshaken. "I'm aware of the risks, Romanoff. We can't control everything. But that doesn't mean you get to be careless. I still expect you to act with discretion."

For a moment, Fury's gaze lingered on Natasha. Her Devil Fruit ability, while powerful, wasn't inherently tied to her identity. If push came to shove, she had the means to vanish and resurface under a new alias. It wouldn't be the first time.

Turning his attention to Clint, Fury seemed to evaluate him silently. He didn't voice the assumption that Clint had avoided any online groups or unnecessary exposure. That trust was implicit. Barton understood the stakes and the importance of keeping his newfound abilities under wraps.

Switching gears, Fury leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming more matter-of-fact. "Natasha, we've got a situation in New York. There's been a double homicide on 62nd Street. A couple was found dead in an alley, and the circumstances are... unusual."

Natasha's brow arched slightly, curiosity flickering across her face. "Unusual, how?"

"Witnesses reported seeing a 'monster' attacking them," Fury explained, his voice steady but weighted with implication. "I want you on this personally."

"A monster?" Natasha repeated, skepticism evident in her tone.

In the past, such descriptions might have been dismissed as exaggerations or urban legends. Sure, superhumans and anomalies existed, but full-blown monsters? Those were the kinds of stories people told after a few too many drinks.

But the world had changed.

The arrival of Devil Fruits had added an unpredictable element to the mix. The 'monster' could very well be another Fruit user—someone with powers that blurred the line between man and beast.

The thought lingered in her mind, particularly after witnessing Barton's transformation. Though impressive, his half-human, half-falcon state would certainly look monstrous to the uninitiated. 

Natasha's gaze sharpened as the weight of the assignment sank in. "If it's a Fruit user, they'll be dangerous."

"No doubt," Fury said. "That's why I need you to figure out what we're dealing with—and fast."

He didn't need to say more. The stakes were clear, and Natasha was already thinking about the possibilities. The game had shifted, and monsters were no longer the stuff of myths—they were part of their reality now.

"I understand," Natasha said with a firm nod, her expression resolute.

"This mission requires absolute discretion," Fury emphasized, his tone brooking no argument. "I'll arrange the necessary cover to keep this off the radar."

He leaned forward, fixing them both with a sharp gaze. "If this 'monster' turns out to be a supernatural entity—something like a vampire or otherworldly creature—Barton, you're to assist Natasha in eliminating it. However," he paused for emphasis, "if it's a Devil Fruit user like yourself, I want them captured alive. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," Natasha and Clint replied in unison, their voices steady and assured.

Fury's expression softened slightly, though his focus remained sharp. "Good. You're dismissed. Begin immediately."

Fury signaled the end of the briefing with a simple wave of his hand. He watched as his two most trusted agents left the room, their steps purposeful and their resolve clear.

As the door closed behind them, Fury allowed himself a moment to reflect. This was no ordinary mission. Between the growing prevalence of Devil Fruits and the mysteries they introduced, the rules of engagement were changing rapidly. But if anyone could handle the complexities of this new world, it was Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton.

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

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

Next Next Next Chapter: The Punisher 

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