The sea churned like a storm as the fleet advanced. Ships creaked under the strain of cannons, binders, and hunters preparing for what many whispered would be suicide.
Hunnt stood at the edge of the deck, leaning against the railing. Arthur and Clove were only a few paces away, Arthur's expression sharp and focused. Pyro crouched low on Hunnt's shoulder, ears flat against the rising wind.
Then the sea split.
Zorah Magdaros rose from the deep like a mountain come alive, molten fire spilling from cracks in its rocky hide. Its sheer size dwarfed the fleet, turning hunters into ants before a god.
Chaos erupted instantly. Cannons fired, ballista bolts whistled through the air, and commands were shouted over the storm of roars and waves.
Arthur gripped his sword, eyes wide with awe. "By the stars… it's enormous!"
Hunnt said nothing, his fists clenched tight, Observation Haki flowing instinctively as he tracked the movement of the colossal beast. Every tremor of its steps rippled through his senses.
"Hunnt!" Arthur called. "Help with the binders!"
Hunnt nodded, sprinting across the deck. Pyro leapt down, scampering toward a ballista. With surprising dexterity, the little felyne loaded bolts almost twice his size, grunting with comical effort.
"Meow-meow!" Pyro cried proudly as he fired a shot that struck Zorah's shoulder, sparking against the rocky armor.
Hunnt smirked faintly, pulling a heavy chain into place and helping Arthur fire the binder. The massive bolts flew true, slamming into Zorah's hide and holding—if only for a moment.
---
But the Elder Dragon barely noticed. With a guttural roar, it shifted its body, snapping chains like twigs. The shockwave sent hunters sprawling across the deck. Hunnt caught himself on the railing, his muscles straining.
Arthur stumbled but was steadied by Clove, who hissed angrily at the sight of Zorah.
Darric's voice boomed from the next ship over. "Keep firing! Don't give it a second to breathe!"
Hunnt's eyes sharpened, his instincts screaming at him. For a split second, he considered unleashing his full strength—his haki, his hidden techniques—but he forced himself still.
Not yet. If I show too much now, everything changes.
Pyro darted back onto Hunnt's shoulder, panting. He pawed at Hunnt's cheek, his eyes serious despite his tiny form.
Hunnt exhaled slowly. "Alright. Just enough to help, then."
He pushed forward, fists glowing faintly with Armament Haki—just a touch, just enough to strengthen the chains as he reinforced a binding shot. When the chains latched this time, they held longer, dragging Zorah's massive form toward the Barrier.
Hunnt hid the glow beneath the chaos, his strength unnoticed by those around him.
---
The battle raged for what felt like hours, fire and smoke filling the sky. By the end, the fleet managed the impossible: Zorah was lured toward the Barrier. The first stage was a success.
Hunnt stood quietly at the railing, his fists sore, his expression unreadable. Arthur patted him on the shoulder. "Good work. I don't know how we managed it, but… we did."
"Meow," Pyro purred, leaning into Hunnt with exhausted pride.
Hunnt gave him a rare smile. "Yeah. We did."
But deep down, Hunnt knew this was only the beginning. The New World held greater threats, and his secret would not stay hidden forever.