Chapter 100: Complete Destruction
"High-tech medicine?"
Rhodes narrowed his eyes as he observed the scene.
Medical technology in this world, like many other fields, was inconsistent at best—capable of developing sophisticated potions and pills in some areas, while others remained stuck at the level of medieval European doctors, limited to basic surgery and bloodletting.
But as Nightwind used the potion to heal his wounds, Rhodes had already purged the remaining toxins from his system.
He clenched his fist, feeling the surge of power return, and a dangerous smile crossed his lips.
He slowly grasped the hilt of his sword, thunder quietly building within. Though his stance remained motionless, he radiated an aura of extreme danger, like a tiger coiled to strike.
"Recovered already?"
Seeing this, Nightwind decisively retreated without hesitation, his hands repeatedly striking the air around him.
Almost instantly, Rhodes launched his attack.
Raikiri Style!
Silent and traceless.
A bolt of lightning-infused sword energy broke the sound barrier, creating a brilliant sonic boom as it tore through the sky like actual lightning.
In a split second, it had crossed dozens of meters and slashed directly toward Nightwind.
Buzz!
At that moment, as if triggered by some invisible mechanism, a tremendous explosion erupted in front of the lightning sword energy—like dozens of artillery shells detonating simultaneously in a thunderous roar.
Amidst the blazing flames, the lightning sword energy swept through, crushing everything in its path, but the explosion's shockwaves inevitably slowed its advance.
Whoosh!
Nightwind, seizing the opportunity, quickly dodged the sword energy, then turned and fled without hesitation.
He was an assassin, after all. Fighting a swordsman head-on would be suicide—unless he was completely insane.
But even this simple movement caused him to cough up blood as his chest wound reopened.
"A pre-planned escape route?"
Rhodes's eyes narrowed.
Based on Koala's intelligence reports and Nightwind's combat performance, he was most likely a Paramecia Trap-Trap Fruit user.
Hunters set traps to capture their prey.
The Trap-Trap Fruit materialized this concept, involving spatial manipulation and allowing traps to be set in the void, making them nearly impossible to detect.
This ability was perfectly suited for an assassin, allowing for pre-arranged traps and escape routes—both offensive and defensive capabilities.
The drawback was that it required considerable time for setup and planning, and the traps couldn't be created from nothing; they required explosives, poisons, and other physical materials.
"Geppo!"
Rhodes considered for a moment, then suddenly launched into the air.
He pursued Nightwind from above, unleashing bolts of thunder.
Crack! Crack!
The lightning triggered hidden trap after hidden trap, filling the sky with explosions of flame and multicolored toxic mist. Rhodes's eye twitched, while Nightwind's face turned pale.
He hadn't set any traps in midair!
BOOM!
Rhodes, wreathed in crackling electricity, resembled the legendary Thunder God himself. He casually unleashed bolt after bolt of deep blue lightning, each one swirling with devastating energy as it tore through the atmosphere.
The number of traps was finite, and Nightwind, gradually losing his cover, was struck repeatedly by lightning. His body became increasingly charred, his injuries worsening with each hit.
Finally, he could run no further and collapsed to the ground. Barely lifting his head to look at Rhodes, he spoke in a strangled voice:
"You... you win."
Hearing this, Rhodes remained calm, with no intention of engaging in conversation or letting his guard down.
He brought his hands together, gradually forming a terrifying sphere of lightning that shimmered with silver-white radiance.
Fearsome electrical currents pierced the air, and terrifying arcs of electricity raged in all directions. The mere sight of it was enough to make one feel electrocuted.
Whoosh!
The next moment, the lightning sphere shot through the air, instantly crossing the distance and striking Nightwind.
BOOM!
Like a miniature sun exploding, it unleashed a breathtaking burst of light and heat, instantly turning the impact site to glass. Endless streams of electricity radiated outward, scorching the earth black.
"Is... is the fight over?"
Only then did the distant spectators dare to peek out, their faces filled with lingering fear.
While Rhodes's battle with Nightwind wasn't as grand and epic as his fight with the black dragon, it had been equally thrilling—especially that silent, deadly poison mist.
Vivi and Yukiko also emerged from nearby the barbecue courtyard, having watched from a safe distance.
"Sister Vivi, did Brother Rhodes win?" Yukiko whispered.
"Yes, I believe he did." Vivi was also somewhat uncertain. She was too weak to fully comprehend a battle of this caliber.
Yukiko's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she licked her lips eagerly. "Then can we eat dragon meat now?"
"Uh..."
Vivi was stunned, then belatedly processed what had just happened.
Dragon slaying!
Rhodes had just slain a black dragon that had been terrorizing the harbor, seemingly unstoppable!
After the shock came an intense wave of joy.
Baroque Works was a massive organization, and Crocodile a fearsome pirate. Vivi had initially worried that Rhodes would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers, but now that concern was largely dispelled.
If even a black dragon couldn't stop him, what could a sand crocodile possibly do?
Back in the arena, Rhodes landed and scanned his surroundings, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
"Let me try something."
His body glowed with blue light as strands of electrical energy gathered into threads, spreading outward in ripples. He then infused them with his Observation Haki.
He concentrated, sensing carefully.
After a moment, Rhodes's lips curved slightly, and he threw a punch toward empty air.
A fist formed of pure lightning instantly shot forward, striking an apparently empty space three meters ahead.
Bang!
The lightning fist exploded, scattering electrical arcs everywhere.
Amidst the blazing light, something strange glimmered faintly.
"Still not dead, I see."
Rhodes smiled, slowly approaching. He then extended both hands, now coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, and gently grasped at the air.
Armament Haki wasn't just effective against Logia users—it could also counter certain strange Paramecia abilities.
Snap!
The sound of catching something solid transmitted through the air, though it seemed greatly muffled, as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Rhodes snorted coldly and suddenly pulled hard.
Buzz!
The space before him suddenly rippled like water, and then a figure was forcibly dragged out by Rhodes.
Looking closely, it was Nightwind!
Nightwind was in terrible condition—breathing shallowly, his body charred and reeking of burned flesh.
Even with his ability to hide in spatial rifts, he had clearly taken massive damage and was on death's door.
Upon seeing daylight again, Nightwind's expression changed drastically. But before he could form another thought, Rhodes stomped down on his chest, instantly crushing his heart with a sickening crack.
"You... you..."
Nightwind's eyes widened as he clutched desperately at Rhodes's pant leg, seemingly unwilling to accept defeat. He opened his mouth to speak, but only coughed up blood.
Rhodes slowly stepped back, hands clasped behind him, and silently watched the elite assassin's final moments.
Nightwind had been no weakling. If Rhodes hadn't immediately dealt him a crippling blow at the start, significantly weakening him, the battle wouldn't have ended so decisively.
However, strategy and planning were inherent parts of combat—Nightwind had simply underestimated Rhodes.
With Nightwind's defeat, the black dragon's attack on the harbor finally came to an end.
The reporters present were all beside themselves with excitement. In a flurry of writing, they instantly transmitted detailed accounts of the battle to their newspaper headquarters, complete with dramatic illustrations.
Such a sensational story naturally received the highest priority from newspaper editors, who printed special editions overnight and distributed them worldwide via News Coo.
Overnight, the name of the Dragon Slayer spread across the entire world!
(End of Chapter)
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