Chapter 295: Confrontation
A port city, a nearby beach.
"He's here?"
Rhodes sat cross-legged on a blue stone, sensing a faint purple aura emanating from afar, and couldn't help but smile.
Although he knew Issho was a Paramecia-type Zushi Zushi no Mi user from his knowledge of the original timeline, he'd never seen him fight at full strength, so testing him personally was necessary.
A moment later, Rhodes saw Issho fly over, his coat of justice fluttering in the wind, quite impressive.
From his flight posture, it was clear Issho had specifically developed flight-related abilities and should be quite skilled in aerial combat.
Rhodes's heart tightened—an opponent skilled in aerial combat wasn't easy to handle.
Like Shiki, as long as he didn't make a foolish mistake, he was nearly invincible.
Issho approached, sensing the person before him.
Young and vigorous—these were characteristics of youth. Such a person shouldn't be exceptionally strong, but in Issho's perception, the aura of the person before him was unfathomable, giving him a very strong sense of threat.
Issho hesitated slightly. Such a presence was unparalleled in the world—there was only one—but he shouldn't be in West Blue.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're the Thunder God Swordsman, aren't you? You're incredibly audacious, daring to appear alone in West Blue and even actively plunder Heavenly Tribute."
Issho's tone was low. If it was this person, such confidence was understandable.
"Plunder? No, no, no..."
Rhodes's expression remained calm as he looked at the man he'd once wanted to recruit, and smiled, saying,
"Having come this far, you should understand that Heavenly Tribute is nothing more than legalized plunder by the World Government from its member nations.
Take Vastaya, for example. Every year, countless people die, countless people are displaced, forced into crime just to meet Heavenly Tribute demands.
I'm simply redirecting the hard-earned resources of these people where they're actually needed."
Issho paused for a moment upon hearing this. He certainly understood the true nature of Heavenly Tribute, and it was from his disgust for this legalized plunder that he'd gone ashore to clear his mind after the ship docked, wanting to avoid witnessing it again.
"Regardless, it is my duty to fight today,"
Issho said in a low voice.
"Duty? Protecting those scum who wantonly bomb civilians?"
Rhodes's smile vanished, his expression turning serious. He sensed from Issho's tone that this man wouldn't be swayed by words.
He had his own convictions, no less resolute than Sakazuki's.
"Change will come. I will dedicate my life to it, unwavering and resolute."
Issho spoke each word clearly, drawing his shikomizue, ready to fight Rhodes.
This was his first mission as a Marine Admiral, and the first time he'd faced a truly formidable enemy since assuming the position.
"Thunder God Swordsman, let's settle this! This isn't about justice—it's simply a matter of opposing sides."
Issho's voice echoed, carrying a hint of worldly wisdom.
He was blind, yet seemed to possess insight beyond sight, able to perceive a person's true nature.
In his perception, Rhodes's will was incredibly pure and upright, far removed from the villainous image portrayed in reports.
It's unfortunate I didn't meet you sooner—perhaps we could have become friends.
Issho sighed inwardly, and wisps of pale purple light gradually spread outward.
The ground beneath him sank, as if struck by invisible, immense force—a terrifying sight.
At that moment, rapid footsteps approached from afar, and Rhodes saw a Celestial Dragon arrive with CP agents.
Click!
The sound of weapons being readied rang out, and the CP agents' firearms were all aimed at Rhodes.
Despite being targeted by hundreds of guns and weapons, Rhodes's expression remained unchanged, even showing a hint of mockery.
Issho spoke:
"You have no right to interfere. Fall back, as far as possible!"
He then stared intently at Rhodes, not daring to relax his guard for a moment.
The Marines had clashed with Rhodes many times and knew his capabilities best.
Although Issho had only recently joined the Marines, he'd read Rhodes's intelligence and knew this man's speed was unparalleled, even surpassing Admiral Borsalino, the Pika Pika no Mi user.
But he'd forgotten one factor.
The arrogance and recklessness of Celestial Dragons never discriminated.
"Die! How dare you steal Heavenly Tribute!"
the Celestial Dragon roared, pulling the trigger violently.
BOOM!
A dark red muzzle flash erupted, followed by a deafening explosion.
A unique, elongated projectile suddenly streaked across the sky, incredibly fast, hurtling toward Rhodes.
It was the same advanced weaponry the Celestial Dragon had used to destroy the building earlier.
Faced with this, Rhodes remained completely unfazed, even somewhat amused.
Not angry—just finding it rather entertaining.
It was like an adult encountering an ant on the street verbally challenging them, even attempting to bite while doing acrobatics.
The adult's first reaction wouldn't be feeling threatened,
but rather intrigue.
"Look, the ant can do acrobatics!"
That's exactly what Rhodes was thinking.
Whoosh!
Before the projectile even reached them, Issho struck first, unleashing a purple light wave that instantly froze the projectile mid-flight.
BOOM!
Encountering immense resistance, the projectile exploded mid-air, kicking up dust and debris.
"Fall back! Do you want to die?!"
Issho realized how problematic his "allies" were. Weren't they afraid of provoking the person before them?
If the Thunder God Swordsman's speed was truly as intelligence indicated, he wouldn't be able to prevent this person's slaughter of the CP agents.
If Rhodes took a Celestial Dragon hostage, Issho would also be in serious trouble.
Sensing the undisguised coldness in Issho's tone, the Celestial Dragon shuddered, his face turning pale, unable to utter a word.
The CP agents, recognizing the danger, quickly escorted the Celestial Dragon away.
In truth, they'd been alarmed when the Celestial Dragon fired, as they'd now recognized their opponent:
the Thunder God Swordsman!
A terrifying monster even the Fleet Admiral couldn't defeat!
After retreating to a safe distance, one CP agent immediately contacted the CP0 captain in the royal capital.
"Don't worry, I haven't stooped to taking hostages."
"Let me see your strength, Issho."
Rhodes crossed his arms, drawing Raijin and Kongōmaru, his body crackling with lightning and gleaming with silver light, bathed in golden radiance.
He slowly walked toward Issho, his aura increasing with each step.
From afar, it seemed as if an incomparably massive, towering presence was descending.
"..."
Sensing the change in the aura before him, Issho's expression turned extremely serious. He could feel that Rhodes's terrifying presence was undoubtedly the strongest enemy he'd ever faced in his life.
After a brief moment of consideration, Issho had no choice but to move. He noticed Rhodes was building momentum, and if he didn't interrupt, he feared facing a devastating attack.
Whoosh!
Issho's speed was equally extreme, only slightly slower than Rhodes's. His body shimmered with faint purple light, like a bolt of lightning, and he vanished from his position instantly.
Rhodes also had to stop gathering power and unleash a sword strike.
CLANG!
The impact of clashing blade against blade rippled outward, scattering fine sand across the beach.
Both were exceptionally skilled swordsmen, their control of power incredibly precise. Therefore, while the spectacle lacked the overwhelming grandeur of Rhodes's weapon clash with Jack, it still carried a chilling, razor-sharp atmosphere, sending shivers down the spines of the CP agents watching from afar.
On the beach, two of the world's top combatants engaged in a breathtaking duel!
(End of Chapter)
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