Chapter 117: Super Ferocious
A massive golden-patterned python coiled itself atop an ancient tree branch, its head raised and tongue flicking out, exuding a menacing aura.
The middle-aged man remained relaxed, effortlessly dodging the serpent's every attack. Then, his fingers formed into claws and struck, leaving trails of bloody wounds across the snake's body.
This was a unique martial arts technique, similar to Sabo's Dragon Claw Fist, though far less refined and powerful.
Seeing the man struggle slightly, Rhodes took a few steps forward, intending to finish off the serpent as a quick snack, but was stopped by the nearby figure in white.
"Little brother, what are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
The voice was distinctive—soft and melodious, almost coquettish.
Even a blind person could tell it was a woman's voice.
"Little brother?"
Rhodes rolled his eyes and casually replied, "Little sister, how old are you exactly? Are you really older than me?"
The girl froze at being exposed, but quickly recovered. She was clearly aware that anyone with half a brain could see through her disguise.
"Well, I'm still older than you! You're no more than seventeen or eighteen, and I'm twenty this year!"
A hint of pride flashed across her face.
"..."
Rhodes was left speechless, unable to retort!
His young age really was his greatest weakness.
"Didn't you see how big and fierce that snake is? We wouldn't be responsible if you got swallowed whole," the girl said with an exaggerated fierce expression, trying to frighten Rhodes.
Rhodes: "..."
Little girl, does your family know you're this adorable?
As the two conversed, the serpent found itself completely overwhelmed in its clash with the middle-aged man. The man suddenly leaped high into the air, swooping down like an eagle, his clawed hands striking down to instantly grasp the snake's vital points.
"Hah!"
He roared, releasing his power. The snake's head was torn clean off, its entire body crashing to the ground.
The girl's eyes sparkled as she clapped enthusiastically.
"Uncle Hans, your Eagle Claw technique is amazing! Can you teach me sometime?"
Hans casually tossed the serpent's corpse to the ground.
He turned with a smile. "Your Highness, this martial art isn't suitable for young ladies. Once mastered, it deforms your fingers quite severely."
"But a girl's hands won't be pretty if they're deformed," the girl—apparently named Yuffie—said with a pout.
Hans glanced at Rhodes, his brow furrowing slightly.
However, seeing Rhodes's youth and harmless demeanor, he didn't try to drive him away. Instead, he offered a warning:
"Young man, there are many powerful beasts in the forest above this valley. It's best not to wander around carelessly."
With that, Hans started a fire and began preparing to cook the serpent, evidently intending to have a meal before the tournament.
Watching this scene, Rhodes shook his head. What could he say? Could he announce that he was so powerful he could kill this serpent with a single glare?
"Let's see if there's anything else good to eat nearby."
Unleashing his Observation Haki, he swept through the surrounding forest like radar, searching for prey.
However, perhaps because of the tournament gathering, the concentration of so many humans had frightened most beasts away, leaving the nearby forests largely devoid of game.
Rhodes frowned in disappointment.
Yuffie, noticing Rhodes's hesitation, assumed he also wanted to eat some snake meat but was too young and shy to ask directly.
"Little brother, come eat with us," Yuffie said with a friendly smile.
She had a natural fondness for the young, handsome, and well-mannered Rhodes.
"I should warn you—I have a big appetite."
"No problem! Being able to eat well is a blessing."
Yuffie soon regretted her generous offer, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Rhodes's appetite was truly enormous. He'd already consumed about seventy percent of the entire serpent by himself and still looked unsatisfied.
Hans was equally surprised. He stared at Rhodes with keen interest and declared:
"Young man, with an appetite like that, you'll definitely achieve great things in the future!"
Greater food intake builds greater strength!
And physical prowess was the most direct indicator of power.
Yuffie's eyes also gleamed with renewed interest.
Hans ranked among the elite fighters recruited by the Kano Country's royal family. He was formidable and possessed a discerning eye. There weren't many young men in the entire West Blue who could earn such high praise from him.
Rhodes was slightly taken aback, finding the assessment method rather amusing in its simplicity.
The martial arts tournament would begin in the afternoon.
So after finishing their meal, the three of them didn't rush down the mountain. Instead, they sat by the fire and chatted. Of course, it was mostly Yuffie doing the talking, with Hans occasionally responding. Rhodes, being unfamiliar with them, simply listened quietly without interrupting much.
During the conversation, Rhodes learned their identities:
Yuffie was the Third Princess of the Kano Country, and Hans was a royal guard.
Suddenly, Yuffie asked, "Uncle Hans, who's stronger—you or my eldest brother?"
When the First Prince was mentioned, Hans couldn't help but show a flicker of genuine admiration.
"The First Prince possesses exceptional talent. He's already mastered Armament Haki at just twenty-five, and his combat prowess is truly remarkable. I'm afraid I'm no match for him."
Upon hearing this, Yuffie's face lit up with joy and pride. She admired her eldest brother above all others.
Not only was he incredibly gifted in training, but his strategic mind and wisdom were also extraordinary. He was practically guaranteed to become the next King of the Kano Country, with fame spreading throughout the West Blue.
"With talent like that, he must be the best in the entire world, right?" Yuffie pressed the topic enthusiastically.
"The entire world?" Hans chuckled helplessly. "You underestimate the geniuses that roam the seas."
"Rumor has it that recently, a super genius appeared on the Grand Line. A true prodigy! At only seventeen years old, he earned the title of Dragon Slayer and made his name known throughout the entire Grand Line!"
"Is he really that amazing?!" Yuffie's eyes widened in disbelief.
"With that person's talent and potential, he has a high probability of reaching the absolute pinnacle in the future—perhaps even rivaling entire nations by himself!" Hans said solemnly. "If we truly came to blows, I'm afraid he could defeat me without even using a single finger."
"That's incredibly strong!" Yuffie covered her mouth in astonishment.
She had always believed her eldest brother was unrivaled, but who could have imagined such a monster existed beyond the West Blue?
"The seas are teeming with talented and powerful individuals. Every year, the Supernovas emerging from the Grand Line are all exceptional prodigies. The Four Blues, in comparison, are simply too peaceful and stable."
Hans shook his head with a sigh.
"Combat is the greatest catalyst for growth! Despite their vast territories, the Four Blues—with their stability, peace, weaker average strength, and lower combat intensity—are unlikely to produce true dragons. The guardian deities and supreme powerhouses of every great nation have almost universally conquered the New World before returning home."
"In our Kano Country, perhaps only the master of the Happo Navy can surpass this Dragon Slayer swordsman," Hans sighed, though a hint of pride remained in his eyes.
The Happo Navy held a prestigious position in the Kano Country, protecting its people from pirates and serving as guardian deities of the nation.
All successive leaders, even the kings themselves, treated them with utmost courtesy.
Naturally, royal guards like Hans held great respect for them.
"It would be wonderful if I could meet this Dragon Slayer swordsman someday," Yuffie said with a longing expression.
Such young heroes were the most attractive to girls her age.
Watching the older man and young woman sighing wistfully, the muscles at the corners of Rhodes's mouth twitched slightly, and his normally indifferent expression nearly cracked.
Stay low-key! Stay low-key!
He was the Dragon Slayer swordsman—a legendary figure should be magnanimous about such things.
Besides, they wouldn't believe him even if he told them.
This is exhausting...
(End of Chapter)
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