Chapter 335: The Pinnacle of Swordsmanship!
At this moment, Rhodes was also somewhat astonished and confused.
What was happening?
Kaido's Armament Haki had completely disappeared!
Suddenly, he paused slightly, recalling his sparring match with Iron Fist Garp, noticing a similarity in their states.
"Could this be the highest level of Armament Haki?"
Rhodes's eyes narrowed, uncertain, because Kaido's power was clearly unstable, far inferior to Garp's mastery.
"Perhaps he forcibly achieved it through some special means!"
He reacted quickly, his mind sharp, and soon grasped the situation.
Armament Haki was a derivative power resulting from a sufficiently strong physique—a potential possessed by everyone in the pirate world. If one's physique reached its absolute peak, accomplishing things beyond normal expectations wasn't impossible!
"It's your honor to witness this state."
Kaido said, his voice slightly distorted. As his words spread, an invisible force unconsciously dissipated, shattering the air and cracking the earth.
This was power beyond normal limits, power he couldn't fully control, severely unstable.
He was confident that if he could freely control this power, he would definitely become the strongest being in the world—invincible.
WHOOSH!
He moved in the next instant, then vanished.
This caused Rhodes's pupils to contract to pinpoints, his Observation Haki to fluctuate violently, and his Conqueror's Haki to unconsciously surge, almost freezing the surrounding air.
Simultaneously, Kaido's massive body appeared before Rhodes, his fist striking toward him.
BOOM!
The fist tore through the air, bursting with crimson light as if igniting a fiery inferno—a truly astonishing sight.
Even before the fist arrived, fierce force and scorching heat assaulted him, causing a slight stinging sensation on Rhodes's face.
He reacted swiftly, slashing horizontally with his sword, meeting Kaido's attack head-on.
CLANG!
Sword and fist clashed, and Rhodes felt tremendous force, like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting, before being sent flying by Kaido.
Cough.
Rhodes used Geppo to stabilize himself, feeling tightness in his chest, and couldn't help but cough up blood.
He was shocked—Kaido's power amplification was immense!
Now he was certain that Kaido had definitely used some special method to forcibly reach the highest level of Armament Haki. Otherwise, his strength couldn't have increased so dramatically.
"Hmm, you actually caught that punch. Surprising. No wonder you're the strongest of the new era."
Kaido spoke, his voice becoming somewhat hoarse and unstable. As he spoke, power continuously leaked out, exploding through the air and creating whirlwinds.
"However, I didn't perform very well just then. Now that I've adapted, I should be even stronger."
Kaido was clearly using this power in actual combat for the first time, constantly adjusting as he fought.
This was a form of contempt, using Rhodes as a whetstone. From beginning to end, he never thought Rhodes could defeat him—or rather, the concept of defeat simply didn't exist in his mind.
"..."
Rhodes wasn't angered by Kaido's words. Kaido used him as a whetstone, and he was doing the same.
He remained expressionless, using his special energy to heal his internal injuries.
Though this injury was relatively minor, in a battle at this level, any injury could have devastating cascading consequences.
In peak-level battles, victory or defeat often began with small injuries, accumulating until they affected life and death.
Why was Kaido of the Beasts strongest in one-on-one combat?
Because no one could surpass him in injury accumulation.
His regenerative ability was too strong!
Often, while his opponents suffered injuries that significantly impacted their combat effectiveness, he remained fully functional. Therefore, in one-on-one fights, naturally, no one could defeat him.
This was a somewhat underhanded fighting style.
It wasn't the overwhelming power of Whitebeard in his prime, who could dominate the world and sweep away nearly everything.
This was why Whitebeard was the undisputed strongest king of the Great Pirate Era.
"Special energy is limited. I can't compete with Kaido of the Beasts in regenerative ability!"
This thought flashed through Rhodes's mind. Facing Kaido who'd activated his Supreme Beast Armament, he launched the first attack.
WHOOSH!
He stepped through mid-air, the atmosphere seemingly solidifying, creating ripples of energy. Simultaneously, Rhodes flashed across the sky like lightning, slashing his sword toward Kaido's head.
"You've got guts."
Kaido grinned maliciously, his face full of ferocity. Then, ignoring Rhodes's attack, he used his massive, millstone-like hands to slam down toward Rhodes's head.
Seeing Kaido's hands clasped together in a crushing motion, Rhodes raised an eyebrow.
If Rhodes were to behead Kaido, Kaido might not necessarily die.
But if Kaido crushed Rhodes's head between his palms, Rhodes would definitely die.
Even if he didn't die, he would certainly suffer catastrophic head trauma and fall into an uncontrollable state of disorientation.
Actually, Rhodes felt his head would explode like a watermelon.
Trading injury for injury with a monster like Kaido was extremely unwise.
Therefore, Rhodes abandoned his charge and dodged to the side.
CLAP!
The next moment, Kaido clapped his hands together, unleashing a burst of violent power that created a visible shockwave fanning outward.
Wherever it passed, rocks crumbled, ancient trees were uprooted, and all obstacles were blown away.
Seeing this, Rhodes's eyes narrowed again. His premonition had been correct.
Going head-to-head with a brute like Kaido would definitely result in his death first.
"Quick reaction, little runt."
Kaido said, his eyes flashing coldly as he scrutinized Rhodes, trying to see through him.
BOOM!
The next moment, he moved. Space itself seemed to explode, the sound deafening. He traversed the battlefield as if flying, directly closing the distance.
In the process, trees exploded, vegetation turned to dust, and rocks blocking the way shattered. He was like a possessed demon—utterly domineering.
Kaido pushed his speed to the limit, using ferocious methods to end the battle as quickly as possible.
In his view, this decisive battle had been dragging on for too long.
BOOM!
Rhodes also moved, showing no fear. He used electromagnetic acceleration, instantly breaking the sound barrier and surpassing it.
Absolute speed converted into terrifying kinetic energy, combined with his own power beyond human limits—enough to easily suppress Jack the Drought.
Rhodes employed all his power, pushing his strength to absolute limits.
He wanted to achieve a breakthrough under Kaido's intense pressure and reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship!
CRASH!
The two collided again. The area was devastated, mountains shattered, and earth and rocks turned into waves, carrying giant trees and other debris dozens or even hundreds of meters into the air.
This wasn't like mountainous terrain anymore, but more like a vast, churning ocean. The soil violently undulated, surging toward the sky, waves crashing, and debris piercing the air!
Two incredibly powerful bodies fought from east to west, and from west to south, destroying everything in their path. The enormous island trembled, shaken by their power, seemingly on the verge of shattering.
Waves several meters, even tens of meters high, surged on the sea. The ocean churned, and terrified fish fled in panic.
Under the onslaught of these massive waves, some less capable ships, no longer qualified to spectate, fled the area in disarray.
"This is terrifying!"
Some powerful pirates with bounties in the hundreds of millions showed astonishment. With their strength, they could dominate Paradise, and weren't unknown figures in the New World, yet now they were barely qualified to even watch.
Sengoku and Shanks both wore serious expressions, and the rest remained silent.
They knew this battle had reached its most crucial moment!
In the Battlefield
Rhodes's clothes were tattered, his skin flushed and steaming from the intense battle.
He'd lost count of how many mouthfuls of blood he'd coughed up. He only knew he instinctively channeled his special energy throughout his body, repairing wounds while simultaneously clashing with Kaido in fierce combat.
While Rhodes was in such a sorry state, Kaido was also suffering, his body covered in sword wounds. However, due to his monstrous regenerative abilities, his injuries constantly healed, often completely recovered within moments—an astonishing feat.
From appearances, Kaido held a significant advantage. If this continued, Rhodes would undoubtedly be defeated—a conclusion reached by everyone watching.
But Rhodes remained expressionless, devoid of joy or sorrow.
Upon closer inspection, a sharp, almost ethereal, sword-like glint seemed to flicker in his eyes, both real and unreal—quite mysterious.
"ROAR!"
Kaido roared, sensing Rhodes's special state. Shocked, he showed no mercy, seizing an opportunity to gather his power and send Rhodes flying into the air.
While Rhodes was still airborne, Kaido paused slightly, then twisted his waist and delivered a devastating punch.
"BOOM!"
The fist tore through the air at high speed, bursting with crimson light. A compressed, high-pressure column of red energy shot skyward like a dragon, seemingly piercing heaven and earth—terrifying beyond measure.
A clamor erupted among the spectators. This punch was too astonishing. Some powerful pirates thought they couldn't withstand it and would be instantly obliterated!
Even Sengoku's expression changed, his brow furrowed, and he looked at the battlefield with extremely grave eyes.
Facing this scene, Rhodes, already hundreds of meters in the air, remained calm—excessively calm.
He stood in mid-air, bathed in brilliant lightning, obscuring his face.
"Sword... rise!"
Rhodes released his left hand from the sword, gripping the hilt only with his right, the tip pointing diagonally downward.
WHOOSH!
The longsword's aura surged, extending over ten meters, flickering through space, drawing dazzling sword beams.
"BOOM!"
At this moment, the terrifying dragon-shaped energy column had already rushed to within three meters. The ferocious dragon head was reflected in Rhodes's pupils, and he could even see fine details of the dragon whiskers and scales.
"Get out of the way!"
Everyone who witnessed this scene cried out in alarm. Koala covered her eyes, unable to bear watching.
Rhodes, wielding his longsword, lightly swung it, uttering three words:
"Sever Mountains and Rivers!"
Nothing could describe the sharpness of this sword strike!
This strike seemed capable of cleaving even heaven and earth in two. In the pupils of countless eyes, only a single, piercing silver sword beam remained.
This sword beam, like a blade cutting through water, easily pierced the crimson dragon's head, then continued downward, cleaving the dragon-shaped pillar of energy in two amidst a deafening roar.
The sword beam's momentum undiminished, continuing its descent toward Kaido of the Beasts.
Kaido was shocked by Rhodes's attack, but he didn't give up. He clenched his fist and slammed it against the incoming silver sword beam.
BOOM!
When fist collided with sword beam, it was like a thunderclap.
Rhodes's strike after breaking through to Great Swordsman was incredibly powerful. Kaido of the Beasts, having just unleashed a super-powerful attack, was completely vulnerable and was thus sent flying through the air.
Kaido crashed through seven or eight large trees before slamming heavily to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
The Yonko who reigned over the New World, Kaido of the Beasts, had his strongest attack broken through by Rhodes's single sword strike and then forcefully blasted away!
"Is he even human?"
The spectators on the sea, witnessing this, stood frozen in shock, many almost groaning aloud.
"This..."
Even Sabo, with his composure and rationality, was visibly shaken, his face filled with disbelief.
Koala, secretly observing through her fingers, was completely petrified, utterly dumbfounded.
"Great... Swordsman!"
Sengoku uttered these words deliberately, his face showing unprecedented gravity.
Vice Admiral Tsuru took a deep breath, looked at Gion, then at Sengoku, and sighed deeply: "Back then..."
"We should have forcibly brought this young man to the Navy!"
Gion remained silent, but a hint of joy flickered in her beautiful eyes. Her heart leaped with excitement, and even her tone became cheerful:
"It seems the title of 'Thunder God Swordsman' won't be taken away."
Sengoku didn't speak, but silently made up his mind, then secretly gave Tsuru a look.
Vice Admiral Tsuru and Sengoku were longtime comrades, so she immediately understood. This was a signal for her to watch Gion and prevent her from interfering with the subsequent operation.
Tsuru understood but didn't look at Gion, because she knew Gion's Observation Haki was excellent, and any unnecessary glance would alert her.
Don't blame me, Gion...
On the other side, the members of the Red Hair Pirates were also in an uproar.
"He really broke through!"
Someone shouted.
This decisive battle was comparable to an epic saga, full of twists and turns. Even the seasoned and experienced members of the Red Hair Pirates were thrilled and unable to contain their excitement.
Previously, Rhodes had been almost entirely suppressed, only managing to gain advantage with the heavenly lightning attack. However, once Kaido activated his Supreme Beast Armament, Rhodes was suppressed again, suffering frequent injuries.
If it weren't for Rhodes's seemingly unique regenerative abilities, he would likely have already perished.
But in the end, Rhodes prevailed.
Under Kaido's suffocating pressure, he defiantly broke through to the level of Great Swordsman!
The tide had turned!
"He broke through—the youngest Great Swordsman..."
Beckman bit off a piece of his cigar, lit another, took a deep drag, and exhaled a smoke ring before finally calming down. He said in a deep voice:
"I don't know if there will be others in the future, but in all the history I know, there seems to be no Great Swordsman younger than Rhodes."
Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and other core members of the Red Hair Pirates were all slightly stunned upon hearing this, revealing unprecedented shock.
Unprecedented, utterly astonishing!
Hearing the crew's murmurs, Shanks fell into a long silence, his eyes flickering.
Before witnessing this decisive battle, he'd never doubted his choice, and he felt no regret now, but a touch of melancholy lingered:
"It's not that Luffy's potential isn't strong enough—it's just that this era has produced an even more monstrous talent."
Almost all members of the Red Hair Pirates knew Luffy and the promise between Shanks and Luffy. Hearing this, they couldn't help but fall silent, letting out soft sighs filled with complex emotions.
This era might be glorious because of Rhodes, but for Luffy, it was somewhat cruel, as it would completely overshadow his brilliance.
(End of Chapter)
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