Chapter 137: Shaking the World
Don Chinjao is dead.
This news swept across the entire West Blue like a hurricane, spreading rapidly to the first half of the Grand Line, the other three seas—East, South, and North—and even reaching the New World.
Don Chinjao—a great pirate who'd once battled Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard in their era—might be unfamiliar to the younger generation, but veterans remembered him vividly. His powerful Hasshoken technique, with impact force rivaling Whitebeard's震震 shockwaves, was truly legendary.
But such a great pirate had been defeated in direct combat by a youth not even twenty years old. The shock reverberated across the seas.
The entire world was stunned.
Everyone now knew one name:
"Dragon Slayer Rhodes!"
Many understood that with his talent and potential, if he didn't die young, he would likely become a supreme figure capable of dominating the seas!
In Dressrosa, at the Royal Palace,
the Donquixote Family had gathered to discuss how to handle this incident and the Dragon Slayer who'd risen like a blazing comet.
They had to proceed with extreme caution, as significant animosity existed between them.
The Dark World's billion-berry bounty for the death of Top Executive Diamante remained unclaimed.
The atmosphere was heavy with tension.
The Donquixote Family's executives were exceptionally well-informed, regularly interacting with the world's highest echelons and possessing clear understanding of the global power structure.
To defeat Don Chinjao head-on in decisive battle—this Dragon Slayer's power undoubtedly exceeded that of multiple Top Executives combined. Even Doflamingo himself could likely only suppress Rhodes, not kill him.
"I heard Don Chinjao was already in his seventies or eighties. Could his advanced age have prevented him from displaying his full power?"
speculated Lao G, who'd been rescued from Impel Down and taken over Diamante's responsibilities.
He couldn't bring himself to believe it.
Before his imprisonment, Rhodes had been merely a rising talent with a somewhat bright future.
Defeating him and Gladius combined had been impressive, but still within acceptable parameters. Any Top Executive should have been able to suppress or even defeat Rhodes at that stage.
But he never expected this.
Just four or five months later—barely emerging from Impel Down—he discovered his former enemy had trampled over Don Chinjao's corpse to roar onto the world stage!
It felt like a surreal dream.
"Perhaps not at absolute peak strength, but probably seventy to eighty percent of it,"
Trebol said coldly, his face grim, his usual relaxed demeanor completely absent. "Before the battle, King Charles of the Kano Country used their national treasure to restore a significant portion of Don Chinjao's combat power."
"Even so, it was chemically forced recovery. Could the intense battle have caused some side effect, allowing the Dragon Slayer to exploit a weakness and achieve victory? After all, he's a swordsman—specialists in devastating offense," someone suggested hopefully.
"Even if that's true, the Dragon Slayer was able to kill Don Chinjao in direct confrontation, which means he possesses strength comparable to a great pirate," Trebol stated flatly.
Indeed.
Don Chinjao might have had some disadvantages, but Rhodes—who'd slain him in head-on combat—was undeniably formidable.
This was... an opponent even Doflamingo couldn't afford to underestimate.
As for ordinary executives, even the highest-ranking ones—they would have to retreat if confronted!
"Fufufufufu..."
Doflamingo, who'd been silent throughout, suddenly spoke. His laughter was sinister yet also tinged with confidence and overwhelming presence:
"Don't be so nervous."
"This world operates on the law of the jungle."
"Since the Dragon Slayer has awakened Conqueror's Haki, we're destined to meet eventually. It's simply a matter of determining who's stronger and who's weaker. A clash is inevitable."
Many possess the qualities of a king on these seas, but there can only be one true King.
In any given era, all those who possess Conqueror's Haki are inherently rivals. Regardless of current status or position, ultimately a victor must emerge.
Worrying accomplished nothing. Striving to grow stronger was the only path forward.
Sensing Doflamingo's domineering, kingly aura radiating from him, all the executives present lowered their heads, their fears gradually subsiding.
They were the world-renowned Donquixote Family, wielding influence in both the legitimate world and the underworld. They wouldn't be intimidated by a newly emerged powerhouse!
Setting aside other considerations, based purely on personal strength, Doflamingo was absolutely confident in his ability to suppress Rhodes—though he wasn't certain he could kill him outright.
Alabasta, the Royal Palace.
The reformed Baroque Works was thriving, radiating influence across a vast maritime region centered on Alabasta.
Robin proved to be a skilled administrator. After acquiring Haki training methods, she hadn't hoarded them selfishly but generously distributed them to senior agents like Mr. 1.
Mr. 1's power already possessed incredible potential, and after obtaining the Haki training method, he'd improved by leaps and bounds—slaying numerous pirates attempting to invade Alabasta and earning a fearsome reputation.
King Cobra and Princess Vivi had initially worried about loyalty issues.
After all, Mr. 1 had grown too powerful—capable of overthrowing the kingdom if he chose. Even if he wouldn't do so himself, ambitious subordinates might push him toward seizing the throne.
But all these concerns instantly evaporated when news reached them of Rhodes slaying Don Chinjao.
Robin remained perfectly calm, clearly keeping everything under complete control.
In this world where strength reigned supreme, as long as the leader was powerful enough, subordinates found it difficult to harbor thoughts of rebellion.
"Even Don Chinjao has fallen by your hand. What heights will you reach in the future?"
Robin casually brushed hair back from her forehead, gazing at the vast ocean in the warm breeze. A flicker of curiosity and anticipation crossed her eyes.
Given her unique circumstances, to walk freely in the light, she needed the protection of someone among the world's most powerful.
And Rhodes was undoubtedly walking the path toward supreme power.
The decisive battle atop Mount Kano had profound worldwide impact, arguably becoming the most discussed event in recent years.
"The Battle of the Century," "A Clash Across Eras," "The Battle Between Old and New Kings"...
The news impacted not only Alabasta, the Donquixote Family, and Momousagi at the New World's G-5 Branch, but also every major force worldwide.
Among lower and mid-level organizations, forces similar to Baroque Works had almost universally established an iron rule: "Never provoke the Dragon Slayer swordsman!"
Major powers like the Donquixote Family, Gild Tesoro's Gran Tesoro, and the Germa Kingdom had all taken notice and now regarded Rhodes as an equal.
However, for the Yonko pirate crews that dominated the New World,
there was only mild interest at best.
In this world, great pirates weren't exactly rare, but there were only four Emperors of the Sea!
In the eyes of these supreme powers, the so-called Don Chinjao—already in his seventies or eighties—was no different from any other washed-up veteran. The Yonko wouldn't even need to act personally; their commanders could handle such opponents.
In summary:
Rhodes was less than twenty years old, yet already this powerful!
The world trembled at the implications.
(End of Chapter)
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