Chapter 145: Precision Random Teleportation
In the world of pirates, Devil Fruits can awaken.
Zoan-type awakenings dramatically enhance recovery speed and physical vitality.
Paramecia-type awakenings allow users to affect objects and environments beyond their own bodies—such as Doflamingo's ability to transform surrounding buildings into strings for attack.
As for Logia-type awakenings, they haven't been explicitly documented yet, but it's highly likely they involve manipulating or directing natural phenomena themselves.
"Natural lightning?"
At that moment, Rhodes—sensing the change in his Thunder Mastery—couldn't help but smile.
In the original story, Enel was a prodigy who cultivated the Goro Goro no Mi to its apparent limits even on Skypiea, reaching a maximum output of 200 million volts. However, natural lightning can reach up to 1 billion volts!
The two were simply on completely different levels.
Gazing at the storm clouds gathering in the sky above, Rhodes felt a mysterious connection forming between himself and nature—between himself and heaven and earth—like achieving unity with the universe itself.
Then, he spoke a single word calmly:
"Thunder."
BOOM!
The void seemed to explode.
A brilliant silver lightning bolt instantly pierced through the dark clouds, shooting forth with tremendous fury, slicing across the sky. It then branched into multiple forks that illuminated heaven and earth, crashing violently into the sea.
A terrifying thunderclap followed moments later, resonating for miles in every direction.
The electric eel Sea King below nearly lost consciousness from sheer terror. The lightning struck less than a hundred meters away. That devastating power exceeded even the larger Sea Kings dwelling in the Calm Belt. Compared to that, the creature's own electrical discharge was like an ant before a giant.
"..."
Rhodes remained silent. He'd clearly aimed at the electric eel Sea King, yet missed by a full hundred meters!
That was a significant margin of error. He'd need considerable practice before applying this in actual combat.
"Besides, thunderclouds don't just appear on command. I can't simply search for nearby storms every time I fight."
"Looks like I need to study weather patterns and meteorology."
Rhodes pondered while continuing his practice.
He traversed the air using Geppo, striking wherever he pointed, thoroughly enjoying himself.
BOOM!
Lightning bolts crashed down continuously, roiling the sea, sending massive waves surging outward while nearby creatures fled in absolute panic.
As the bombardment continued, Rhodes's technique gradually refined itself, bringing his accuracy within acceptable margins.
"That should do it."
Looking at the sea beneath him—bubbling and nearly boiling from repeated strikes—he nodded with satisfaction and ceased his practice.
"Now to test the Door-Door ability's maximum range!"
With that thought, Rhodes channeled a tremendous amount of willpower, opening a rectangular door in empty air and stepping inside.
Seeing the demonic human finally depart, the electric eel Sea King cautiously opened its eyes, stopped playing dead, and swam hurriedly toward the Calm Belt.
Too dangerous out here!
Absolutely terrifying!
After walking perhaps several hundred meters through the alternate dimension, Rhodes finally reached its end. With a soft click, the door opened and he stepped through.
"Huh? Why does this look like a bathroom?"
Rhodes paused in surprise, then shifted his gaze to encounter a figure both familiar and unfamiliar.
Familiar because he recognized the face. Unfamiliar because the person was completely naked.
There was no scream, as might be expected from a woman in such circumstances.
On one hand, Nojiko was known for her bold and straightforward personality. On the other, she was simply bewildered.
She'd just finished bathing, and suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere—opening a door?
Wait... why did she think "opening a door"?
There should only be empty wall there!
She felt utterly confused, but unexpectedly, this strange yet vaguely familiar man spoke first.
"You have a lovely figure, but shouldn't you put some clothes on first?"
His gaze swept across her exposed body—never before seen by any man. That look, almost tangible in its intensity, sent a shiver across Nojiko's skin, finally snapping her back to reality. She quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself, pressing her legs together tightly.
However, the towel was clearly insufficient, barely covering the essentials, which somehow made her appear even more alluring.
Rhodes appreciated the view briefly but didn't continue staring. Instead, he opened the bathroom door, stepped outside, and looked around the house.
As expected, this was Cocoyasi Village—hometown of the genius navigator and thieving cat Nami.
The healthy beauty who'd been slow to react was Nami's adoptive sister, Nojiko.
He waited outside for a while before Nojiko finally dressed and emerged.
To his surprise,
Nojiko didn't appear angry at all. Instead, she seemed calm—almost eerily so.
"Did you recognize me?"
Rhodes tilted his head, regarding her with interest.
"The Dragon Slayer swordsman. The newest Shichibukai. The rising star of Sea "
"Stayed overnight at the royal palace. Fond of beautiful women..."
Nojiko calmly recounted Rhodes's public history. The first part was fine, but the latter portion gave Rhodes a headache.
So no matter which world's news media, they all loved gossip?
In Nojiko's recitation, his combat record was somewhat vague, but the details about his alleged fondness for women were remarkably specific and coherent—as if reporting established fact.
"So?"
Rhodes didn't refute the claims, simply regarding her with a half-smile.
"Although I don't know how you ended up here..."
A flash of determination and deep-seated hatred appeared in Nojiko's eyes.
She said in a low, steady voice:
"I'm going to ask you for a favor. It should be trivial for someone of your strength. If you agree, I'll do anything for you—anything you want!"
As she spoke, Nojiko casually began removing her clothes again, letting sunlight illuminate her graceful figure as she gazed at Rhodes with calm yet desperate persistence.
She refused to miss this heaven-sent opportunity.
Nami had endured hatred and worked for Arlong's crew for so many years to save enough money for the village. How could Nojiko begrudge offering her own body?
However,
Rhodes had no interest in mere physical transactions. Otherwise, with his prestige and power in the Kano Country, he could have enjoyed a different beautiful woman every single day of the year without repetition. And with queen-like figures such as Yuffie, or even someone as striking as Hela...
He looked at Nojiko with clear, smiling eyes. "Kill Arlong?"
"How did you know?!"
Nojiko exclaimed in shock.
The Dragon Slayer swordsman was clearly a West Blue figure. How could he possibly know about events in the East Blue—especially affairs of a small, insignificant village?
"Put your clothes back on and let's talk properly. Instead of trying to seduce me with your body, why not make me some tea?"
Hearing this, Nojiko raised her head slightly and met Rhodes's eyes directly. She was stunned.
Because she saw no lust whatsoever in Rhodes's gaze—only a hint of sympathy and understanding.
This unexpectedly kind look made Nojiko blush slightly. She hurriedly redressed, feeling inexplicably flustered.
At that moment, a voice suddenly called from outside the door.
"Nojiko! I'm home!"
(End of Chapter)
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