Chapter 336: The Great Swordsman's Slash
Rhodes became a Great Swordsman, shattering Kaido's attack with a single strike. Not only was the area around Chesterton Island in awe, but people around the world watching through various channels were equally stunned.
"Rhodes is as monstrous as ever."
Seeing the sword strike that cleaved through the dragon-shaped energy pillar on the screen, Rayleigh took a sip of his drink, shaking his head and smiling.
He'd been following this young man ever since Rhodes slew Diamante and became famous throughout the Sabaody Archipelago.
He'd personally witnessed the rise of the Thunder God Swordsman during the Paramount War.
Becoming a Great Swordsman was within Rayleigh's expectations, but he hadn't expected it to happen in such dramatic fashion.
"A trendsetter of the times, at the forefront of the storm. As long as he survives, miracles will happen!"
Rayleigh murmured, his eyes somewhat distant. After a long silence, he sighed deeply, remembering the Straw Hat boy still striving on his journey.
Shanks had a good eye—Luffy's talent was indeed formidable. Even with Rayleigh's high standards, he could hardly find any major flaws. He even saw glimpses of Roger's former glory in him, showing great potential to become Pirate King.
"It's a pity he was probably born in the wrong era..."
Not only Rayleigh, but also the Five Elders of the World Government, Dragon the Revolutionary, and others were closely monitoring the situation.
Dragon's feelings were similar to Rayleigh's, but the Five Elders were different.
They remained calm, observing the world from their lofty positions, having witnessed the rise and fall of era after era.
They were accustomed to seeing all kinds of prodigies emerge on the waves of history, shaking the world.
Though in their memory Rhodes ranked among the most monstrous talents, they weren't afraid. The World Government was their backing.
Besides, Rhodes might not even leave Chesterton Island alive today!
The Battlefield
After unleashing that earth-shattering sword strike, Rhodes didn't remain in the high sky enjoying the view, but slowly descended.
"Is this... the feeling of a Great Swordsman?"
Rhodes held his sword in one hand, and though his body remained physically unchanged, he experienced a strange sensation.
He and the sword in his hand seemed perfectly integrated, as if they were one. The sword felt like an extension of his body, or even a part of it, giving him a sense of perfect harmony—much like the legendary unity of man and blade, a state of complete mastery.
In Rhodes's previous understanding, swordsmanship and martial arts, no matter how profoundly described, were ultimately just ways of wielding power.
A master of martial arts could unleash far greater force with the same amount of strength.
The same was true for swordsmanship—the two were merely different types of combat techniques, essentially similar.
But now it seemed his previous understanding was somewhat flawed.
Swordsmanship and martial arts at their peak seemed to possess a power that transcended the ordinary, like Garp, who despite not exerting much visible force, still possessed immeasurable power.
Therefore, though Rhodes's raw strength and Armament Haki hadn't increased, he'd easily shattered Kaido's attack.
"Skill approaching the Dao?"
Rhodes tilted his head, not pondering deeply, instead looking toward the distant dust cloud.
There, a tall, dark figure slowly rose. He shuddered, unleashing a terrifying burst of energy that instantly dispersed the surrounding dust, revealing a massive, mountain-like body.
A deep sword wound was visible on his chest and abdomen, blood flowing freely, exposing stark white bone—a truly gruesome sight.
But Rhodes knew this level of injury was nothing to Kaido. It would heal quickly.
"Great Swordsman..."
Kaido wasn't stupid. He understood why Rhodes had suddenly unleashed an attack far exceeding his previous ones.
"Interesting, very interesting."
He laughed heartily, showing no disappointment or humiliation at being used as a stepping stone. Instead, he seemed excited, his fighting spirit burning fiercely like flames, even bordering on madness!
"Come on, let's fight! Either you die... or I die!"
BOOM!
The next moment, he moved. His massive body shot forward like a cannonball, tearing through space and shattering everything in its path with incredible speed.
Kaido of the Beasts was known for his immortality and was also the most warlike of the Yonko. Fearless and adhering to the philosophy of "kill them all, or be killed trying," he remained consistently the most dangerous figure in the New World.
Provoking Big Mom, Whitebeard, or Shanks still offered escape routes. As long as you fled to the Four Blues or Paradise, these people usually wouldn't pursue you.
But Kaido of the Beasts was different. Even if you escaped to Marine Headquarters and were captured and imprisoned in Impel Down, he'd still come for you!
"Come on, let's have a life-or-death ultimate showdown!"
Rhodes was equally fearless, laughing loudly as he brought his sword down.
BOOM!
When the silver sword light collided with the crimson fist energy, an unprecedented explosion resounded across the island, like countless cannons firing simultaneously.
Rhodes's strikes after becoming a Great Swordsman were simply too powerful. Kaido of the Beasts, after all, wasn't primarily known for offensive power. Though his attacks were strong, they still fell short.
CRASH!
After only a brief two-second stalemate, Rhodes blasted Kaido backward, leaving two conspicuous tracks seven or eight meters long on the ground.
Rhodes swayed slightly before regaining his footing.
"The Thunder God Swordsman has become a Great Swordsman. His slashing power has undergone a transformation, and his attacks are now sufficient to suppress Kaido of the Beasts."
Sengoku said in a deep voice upon witnessing this.
"However, Kaido of the Beasts isn't known for powerful attacks. In terms of offensive power, the other Yonko all surpass him!"
"What makes Kaido of the Beasts strongest in one-on-one combat has always been his monstrous physique and unreasonable regenerative ability."
"The outcome remains uncertain!"
Sengoku's analysis was reasonable and well-founded, and the nearby Marines all nodded in agreement.
Gion frowned even more deeply. The Marines understood Kaido of the Beasts' immortality better than anyone.
After all, they'd captured Kaido before.
They'd tried various methods to execute him—poison gas, high-yield explosives, multiple Marine Admirals attacking simultaneously—nothing worked.
It was despair-inducing vitality.
The World Government had sent the genius scientist Dr. Vegapunk, but even with Vegapunk's brilliance, it was futile.
Eventually, when they captured Kaido again, they just held their noses and tossed him aside, utterly exasperated!
"Your slash had no effect, you little runt."
Kaido glanced at his fist, noticing a sword wound with blood flowing freely. He didn't care, laughing arrogantly.
"Really?"
Rhodes ignored Kaido's provocation. He flashed forward, his body moving with his sword, instantly appearing beside Kaido and slashing downward.
Kaido sneered, clenching his fist and striking sideways, his fist friction against the air creating bursts of scorching flames.
Though his martial prowess was inferior to Rhodes's swordsmanship, Kaido was exceptionally gifted, his strength far exceeding ordinary people. In pure explosive power, he was only slightly inferior.
But he seemed to have forgotten what Rhodes excelled at most!
(End of Chapter)
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