Chapter 112: Finally Arriving at the West Blue
The further back along the Grand Line they traveled, the fewer threats they encountered. However, as they approached Reverse Mountain, the waves gradually grew rougher, and powerful undercurrents surged beneath the surface.
Rhodes came up to the deck and stood beside Gates, monitoring the ship's course.
"The Grand Line and the Red Line divide this world into four seas: East, West, South, and North. The ocean currents from these four seas converge at a single point and flow upward into the Grand Line."
"That's Reverse Mountain."
As he spoke, a red landmass emerged from the mist ahead, stretching as far as the eye could see. It was the Red Line.
"Even though I've seen it more than once, I'm still amazed every time," Gates said with emotion.
"Look, look, Brother Rhodes, that's Reverse Mountain!"
Yukiko clutched Rhodes's sleeve tightly, her face a mixture of nervousness and excitement, her heart pounding.
For her, passing through Reverse Mountain was like riding a super roller coaster—an absolute thrill.
Even Rhodes, who had been to the Holy Land before, felt a surge of emotion. The majesty of nature was beyond human comprehension.
Unlike the Holy Land of Mariejois, which sat at the midpoint of the Grand Line, Reverse Mountain was the starting point—the beginning of Paradise and the gateway to the New World.
The final island, Laugh Tale, was likely located somewhere beyond Reverse Mountain's reach.
However, without the Road Poneglyphs, even if someone managed to navigate past Reverse Mountain, Laugh Tale would remain impossible to find.
Of course, Rhodes wasn't interested in the so-called One Piece treasure; he was merely curious about its true nature.
"Splash!"
Following the powerful current, their sailboat—under Gates's expert control—climbed safely to the summit of Reverse Mountain and finally plunged down into the West Blue.
Meanwhile, an old man reading a newspaper in front of the Twin Cape Lighthouse at Reverse Mountain's base glanced toward the mountain's canal.
He was Crocus, the Twin Cape Lighthouse keeper and former ship's doctor of the Roger Pirates.
"Hmm, seems to be that Rhodes boy Rayleigh mentioned. Why is he traveling the Grand Line in reverse? What an unusual fellow."
"Ace has joined Whitebeard's crew. I wonder if Roger ever imagined this would happen. How interesting."
Crocus set down the newspaper, a smile flickering in his slightly weathered eyes.
"I'm getting old, getting old. When you age, your mind tends to wander."
He shook his head, slowly averting his gaze.
Two days later, Rhodes and his companions arrived at Skokshan Island.
This island was roughly equivalent to Loguetown in the East Blue—the last island for pirates from the West Blue entering the Grand Line. It was usually commanded by a Marine Captain from Headquarters, and it was a prosperous island with numerous shops.
At the harbor, Rhodes was saying goodbye to Gates and the others.
He would first travel to the Revolutionary Army's West Blue headquarters to meet with the West Army Commander Morley before taking up his position in the Kano Country.
Yukiko was well-behaved, only tugging at Rhodes pitifully while making him promise to come find her when the time came. Then she obediently followed Gates aboard the ship and departed.
"Well then, finally reached the West Blue."
Rhodes turned his gaze toward the nearby town of Skokshan. He stretched lazily, a hint of relief evident on his face.
Traveling all the way from the New World to the West Blue gave Rhodes a peculiar feeling, like a max-level player returning to a starter village.
Even though the West Blue was considered the strongest of the Four Blues, to Rhodes, it was merely a slightly higher-ranked beginner area.
"No rush to meet up. Let's sample some West Blue delicacies first."
The Four Blues and the Grand Line were practically different worlds.
Not only was there a significant technological gap, but information flow was also extremely slow.
Even Red-Haired Shanks, the Emperor who reigned supreme in the New World, was still largely unknown in Foosha Village in the East Blue.
So as Rhodes walked the streets, aside from a few women who flirted with his handsome appearance, most people paid him no mind.
The occasional burly men dressed as bounty hunters would even cast disdainful glances at him, as if he were some pretty boy.
Rhodes pretended not to notice. There were too many people jealous of his looks. If he fought them all, he'd never have time for anything else.
Of course, not everyone was ignorant of his identity.
For example, the person standing before him now.
"Dragon Slayer, I challenge you!"
The female swordsman wore a loose kendo uniform, had sharp eyes, and her black hair was tied in a high ponytail. She exuded an aura of intensity and determination. At this moment, she gripped her katana with both hands and addressed Rhodes in a serious voice.
This woman seemed to be quite famous in Skokshan Town.
Her appearance made many people stop and watch, whispering among themselves.
"It's Sylvia!"
"The number one female swordsman in Skokshan Town, a prodigy who challenged every nearby sword dojo until even her own master admitted inferiority!"
"Did she just say 'Dragon Slayer'? Is there such a person in the West Blue? How come I've never heard of him?"
People buzzed with curiosity.
Am I really destined to never keep a low profile?
Rhodes felt somewhat helpless.
He looked at the fiercely determined female swordsman before him, unable to muster any desire to fight. He simply said seriously:
"You're too weak. Train for another three to five years—no, make it ten years—and then come find me."
His words startled everyone.
They all looked at Rhodes with astonishment and suspicion.
Was this so-called Dragon Slayer really that powerful?
They weren't sure if his words were genuine or mere bluster.
"How arrogant!"
Sylvia was furious.
Dragon Slayer was indeed a title second only to the World's Greatest Swordsman, but she was also a female swordsman who had made a name for herself throughout the West Blue. How could she tolerate such an insult?
With a sharp cry, she executed a serpentine dash, moving as gracefully as a butterfly, creating phantom afterimages. In an instant, she was right before Rhodes and slashed with her sword.
"Incredible!"
The spectators cheered inwardly. This swordplay, this footwork—it was both beautiful to watch and terrifying in its lethality, capable of taking a life in a single moment.
Unexpectedly, Rhodes stood perfectly still, neither blocking nor dodging. As the blade approached, he suddenly extended his right hand.
Silently, without a sound, under everyone's incredulous gaze, Sylvia's razor-sharp blade stopped cold, held firmly between two slender fingers.
Despite her face flushing red with effort and her desperate struggles, Sylvia couldn't move the blade even an inch.
"This can't be real!"
Everyone was filled with shock and disbelief.
"I told you the truth, but you still didn't believe me."
Rhodes shook his head calmly and gently released the blade.
His shopping was done; it was time to attend to business.
Rhodes had barely taken two steps when he heard Sylvia's trembling voice from behind.
"Why... why are you so strong? How can there be such an enormous gap? My dream can't be this far away."
"Are women really not suited for swordsmanship?"
As a woman who became the number one swordsman on Skokshan Island, one could only imagine the effort she had invested. She had poured almost all her energy into sword training.
She had no friends, no companions—for more than twenty years, she had only her sword for company.
Rhodes paused at her words and turned to look at the woman whose eyes held a mixture of stubbornness and confusion.
That look reminded him of a tragic figure from his knowledge of this world—Zoro's childhood friend, Kuina.
"You have considerable talent, but you challenged someone you shouldn't have challenged."
"My teacher is a Great Swordswoman, and she is a woman."
Having said this, Rhodes turned and walked away without looking back.
(End of Chapter)
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