Chapter 109: Ancient Sword Style
Just like Vice Admiral Momonga before him.
Whether in swordsmanship, dual-type Haki, or physical strength, he undoubtedly surpassed fighters like Diamante.
This flawless system of strength allowed him to face any emergency with composure, and even a figure of Doflamingo's caliber couldn't defeat him quickly.
By comparison, although Rhodes had always pursued the path of complete mastery, he still clearly fell short in several areas.
Whether in physical strength, Haki, or swordsmanship, he was slightly inferior.
"In that case, you'd better be prepared," Momonga said with a gentle smile, though his eyes suddenly turned cold.
As Rhodes watched in fascination, a strange aura suddenly emanated from Momonga's blade. This presence seemed both ethereal and tangible—invisible to the naked eye, yet distinctly perceptible!
"Sword Intent?!"
Rhodes's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the phenomenon. As the sword intent was released and intensified, the cyan light flickering on Momonga's blade gradually deepened, finally transforming into a brilliant azure!
A sharp, piercing gleam flashed, and even the wind seemed to carry a razor's edge, causing a slight sting against the skin.
"Interesting."
"So it can enhance the cutting power of slashing attacks?"
Rhodes's eyes gleamed with interest as he praised softly.
This was his first encounter with true sword intent.
Momonga's sword intent was clearly not some flashy technique, but pure, concentrated cutting power.
He followed the same path as Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman. With a blade in hand, nothing cannot be cut!
"Haaaah!"
Vice Admiral Momonga let out an unprecedented battle cry, his eyes blazing with intensity. He suddenly raised his sword overhead, holding it in a perfect vertical line with his body, an ancient stance radiating mystical power.
At this moment, his energy and spirit were perfectly unified, as if condensing all his strength into a single point.
"Kodai Kenpō Ōgi: Zan-zan!" (Ancient Sword Style Secret Technique: Mountain Cleaver)
Sword energy erupted skyward, reaching dozens of meters in height. The brilliant azure energy shook the very earth, seeming to rend the heavens themselves. The people of Rain Dinners, watching from afar, gazed in wonder and amazement.
Vice Admiral Momonga now had only Rhodes in his sight. He took a thunderous step forward that shook the ground, then unleashed a devastating slash. The terrifying sword energy seemed capable of splitting heaven and earth apart!
Witnessing this spectacle, Rhodes couldn't help but reveal a mixture of excitement and gravity.
He concentrated intensely, also gripping his sword with both hands, and channeled his swordsmanship, Haki, and the power of thunder to their absolute limits. Then, he struck!
This sword technique had no name.
It was pure release—the uttermost expression of Rhodes's power.
The sword energy, also dozens of meters in length, pierced through the air with dazzling thunderous light, blazing like the sun itself and leaving dreamlike trails of light and shadow in its wake. Wrapped in tremendous momentum, it slashed forward.
BOOM!
The two sword energies collided.
The very air trembled, the earth groaned as if unable to withstand the combined impact of both attacks.
The sword energies cleaved against each other, crackling and humming in chaotic resonance like two intertwined ribbons of destruction. Finally, with a tremendous explosion, they shattered, unleashing a terrifying gust of wind that swept in all directions.
Within this maelstrom, brilliant deep-blue lightning erupted, weaving a devastating wave of energy that destroyed everything in its path before breaking through the windstorm and charging toward Momonga.
Rhodes had actually overpowered him!
"What?!"
Momonga's pupils contracted in disbelief. He had already overestimated Rhodes's strength, but he hadn't expected that his ultimate technique—empowered by his sword intent—would still be met and overcome head-on!
And it was the same type of slashing attack.
In his perception, the power of thunder was Rhodes's equivalent of sword intent. Both men had simultaneously employed their sword intent, both had launched devastating slashing attacks, yet even this renowned Vice Admiral had been defeated.
His shock didn't slow his reaction time.
However, that previous strike had cost him enormous energy, leaving him capable of only a single defensive swing to sever the incoming lightning. Even so, he inevitably sustained injuries.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Arcs of electricity danced wildly across his form. Fortunately, Momonga's hairstyle was already quite unusual, so outwardly, it didn't seem to change much.
"You win," Momonga said as he sheathed his sword, his composed face filled with genuine admiration.
That strike had been his strongest secret technique, unleashing his swordsmanship, willpower, Haki, and physical strength to their absolute limits. Its power was like an avalanche, hence the name "Mountain Cleaver." Yet Rhodes's swordsmanship had still blocked it directly.
In a duel between swordsmen, this was tantamount to decisive defeat.
Any continued battle would simply be a contest of physical endurance and Haki reserves.
Upon hearing this, Rhodes shook his head, also sheathing his sword as he replied calmly:
"I simply took advantage of thunder's inherent properties."
"Your swordsmanship surpasses mine."
He understood perfectly well that while his own swordsmanship might soon enter the ranks of elite swordsmen, there remained a significant gap compared to veteran masters like Momonga.
This time, despite being at a fundamental disadvantage, he had managed to gain a slight edge thanks to thunder's extraordinary destructive power.
Lightning inherently symbolizes violence and destruction, possessing unparalleled destructive force.
Especially when sword energies clash, it provides decisive advantage.
"A loss is a loss—no amount of explanation changes that," Momonga said, taking Rhodes's words as modest comfort. "Are you truly not considering joining the Marines? With your potential, you could become an Admiral, or even Fleet Admiral."
He genuinely valued Rhodes's talent and potential. At only seventeen years old, he could match one of Headquarters' finest Vice Admirals. What would he be capable of at twenty, or even thirty?
Momonga simply couldn't fathom the possibilities.
"It's a matter of personal philosophy. I won't be joining the Marines," Rhodes replied, shaking his head without elaborating further, then gestured for Vivi and the others to approach.
For safety's sake, Robin wore a half-mask to conceal her identity.
"Greetings, I am Nefertari Vivi, Princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta," Vivi introduced herself before beginning to recount Crocodile's conspiracy to usurp the throne.
From the Dance Powder incident to the incitement of the rebel army, every detail was clearly explained.
Robin also produced documentary evidence and handed it to Momonga for review.
"I see..." After examining the documents, Momonga couldn't help but glance at Rhodes with a hint of surprise.
Rescuing a princess—what a classic tale!
Youth truly is wonderful, Momonga mused internally, then stood contemplating for a moment before saying, "This matter involves too many complex factors. I cannot make this decision alone. I must report directly to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Please do," Vivi responded with the graceful bearing of royalty, her every gesture radiating aristocratic refinement.
Meanwhile, Robin glanced at Crocodile lying motionless on the ground like a defeated beast, then at Rhodes standing beside her with his calm expression. A flicker of amazement crossed her features.
"He actually won."
"It seems this new employer's combat prowess is genuinely reliable."
Robin's eyes shimmered as a growing sense of belonging took root within her.
Her unique status had earned her the World Government's attention. Only those with true power could afford to protect her.
Although Rhodes didn't yet possess overwhelming influence, his unlimited potential made it almost certain he would become a top-tier figure in the future. Such an employer was clearly several levels above Crocodile, who possessed nothing but ambition while lacking the strength to back it up.
*(End of Chapter)
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