Chapter 130: Boiling
Conqueror's Haki is known as the mark of a king.
Generally speaking, the strength of Conqueror's Haki depends on two primary factors.
First, one's own innate potential—which determines the power of Conqueror's Haki when it first awakens.
Then, through repeated battles and victories, defeating other "kings" can gradually strengthen one's Conqueror's Haki over time.
Given this Dragon Slayer swordsman's age, he likely hasn't had many opportunities to clash with other Conqueror's Haki users yet. But his Conqueror's Haki is already powerful enough to cover an entire city—nearly the size of a small island. The innate potential this represents is simply terrifying.
"What happened after that?"
A glimmer of sharp light flashed in Don Chinjao's cloudy eyes.
"After that..."
Charles was silent for a moment before continuing: "Sai and many other commanding officers fought against the Dragon Slayer together... but they were still utterly defeated. Sai died on the battlefield."
"What?!"
This time, Don Chinjao's composure finally shattered.
His eyes suddenly widened, and a terrifying, almost tangible aura erupted from his body—shaking heaven and earth like the depths of an endless ocean. Even the mighty and resolute Shunai felt a sense of suffocation wash over him.
The fluttering butterflies and chirping birds in the surrounding garden suddenly fell deathly silent.
Only then did Shunai truly realize that this elderly man was still the legendary Don Chinjao who had once conquered the New World.
"Sai died in battle—defeated in single combat. I have nothing to say about that. At best, I can only seek revenge."
"But for this Dragon Slayer swordsman to accomplish such a feat... his strength must be comparable to a true top-tier pirate..."
Don Chinjao restrained his overwhelming aura and touched his flattened head, a sense of unease creeping over him.
He knew his own situation all too well. In his prime, he would have feared no one. But now, with his aged body and numerous accumulated injuries, he was far from his peak strength.
Even if he was stronger than Sai, the gap wasn't enormous—and it would be extremely difficult to defeat the Dragon Slayer swordsman.
Charles, of course, understood what Don Chinjao was implying. He hesitated for just a moment, then suddenly spoke:
"This battle concerns the national honor of the Kano Country. The royal family is willing to use our treasured national treasure to restore Lord Chinjao's strength to a significant degree."
"National treasure? Restore my strength?"
Don Chinjao narrowed his eyes, genuinely surprised.
In the pirate world, national treasures and legendary items did exist—like the Tamatebako passed down through generations on Fish-Man Island, the great treasure left behind by Pirate King Roger, and the treasure of the Celestial Dragons.
These items were often shrouded in extreme mystery. Even great pirates like Don Chinjao had only heard of them, never seen them firsthand.
Charles pondered for a moment before deciding to reveal the truth.
"Our Kano Country's national treasure is a powerful restorative medicine, crafted by a world-renowned physician many years ago. It's incredibly potent—capable of restoring Lord Chinjao's strength to seventy or even eighty percent of his peak in a short period of time, suppressing old injuries and enabling full combat capability."
"However, the side effects are severe..."
Charles paused, glancing at Don Chinjao before adding carefully, "It will significantly shorten one's lifespan. At Lord Chinjao's age..."
"Gahahaha!"
Don Chinjao laughed heartily, showing no concern whatsoever.
"To spend one's entire life fighting, only to die quietly in bed from old age and illness—now that would be shameful."
As a wielder of Conqueror's Haki, Don Chinjao feared no death. He longed for a glorious end in battle.
Charles breathed a sigh of relief, a calculating glint appearing in his eyes.
As a king, he was known for his ruthlessness—especially toward his enemies.
Having already offended Rhodes, Charles assumed the young warrior would inevitably cause trouble for the royal family eventually. Therefore, he'd decided to use even the national treasure and ask Don Chinjao to eliminate Rhodes permanently.
After all, if they could kill Rhodes, they would gain favorable ties with the Donquixote Family. Whether Don Chinjao died in the process was irrelevant—it was worth the price.
Ten days later, Don Chinjao would challenge Rhodes, the Dragon Slayer, to a duel atop Mount Kano.
The West Blue was shaken to its core!
Don Chinjao was one of the West Blue's rare legendary figures—having risen to fame even before the Four Emperors like Red-Haired Shanks had made their mark. Even during Gol D. Roger's era, a bounty exceeding 500 million berries had been placed on his head, making him virtually a household name among the older generation.
In the Kano Country, Don Chinjao was myth and legend incarnate!
But Rhodes's reputation was no less impressive: Dragon Slayer, young prodigy, one-man army, the warrior who conquered an entire city single-handedly...
Through diligent investigation, the West Blue newspaper network had uncovered additional details—such as the billion-berry bounty placed on him in the Grand Line's underground world, and his killing of Diamante, a top executive of the Donquixote Family.
It could be said that in the year 1521 of the Sea Circle Calendar, this seventeen-year-old youth stood at the absolute pinnacle, his brilliance shining brighter than anyone else's.
The news that such a supremely gifted individual was about to face the legendary figure from a bygone era instantly ignited the entire West Blue with excitement.
From the royal family to common citizens, from pirates to bounty hunters sailing the seas—everyone cast their gaze toward this momentous clash with intense interest.
News of this decisive battle even spread to the Grand Line, reaching all major factions.
"Chinjao? Bwahahaha! It seems we old-timers aren't quite done yet!"
Garp chuckled heartily while munching on rice crackers.
Sengoku glanced at the old man, a flicker of worry crossing his features.
Rhodes's involvement was part of a tentative plan to reform the Warlord system, and Sengoku didn't want it to fail.
After a moment's hesitation, Sengoku turned to Garp and asked,
"You know Chinjao better than anyone. How much of his fighting strength do you think he still has?"
"How should I know? It's been so many years."
Garp gave him a look that clearly said, "Are you trying to make me look stupid?" He scratched his head, thought for a moment, and said,
"I don't know his current condition, but if he can reach seventy to eighty percent of his peak strength, he should be able to match an average top-tier pirate."
"After all, he's a pure martial artist like me. His Hasshoken technique is quite formidable."
Garp picked his nose casually and added, "Though I did flatten his drill-head with one punch, it was still pretty impressive."
Sengoku automatically filtered out that last comment and frowned slightly in thought.
Pure martial artists were the most difficult to cultivate, but once they reached their peak, they were almost always among the most formidable—possessing exceptional strength, speed, and defense with virtually no weaknesses.
"I'm afraid Rhodes is going to be in serious trouble. And this kid has actually awakened Conqueror's Haki too. No wonder he refuses to join the Marines."
Sengoku picked up another intelligence report and snorted.
Conqueror's Haki not only represented innate potential far beyond the average person, but also represented a free and independent will—which naturally conflicted with the Marines' strict discipline and numerous regulations.
Garp, however, didn't seem concerned at all. He'd crushed countless Conqueror's Haki users with his iron fists over the years. If one punch wasn't enough, two would do the trick.
Not only Sengoku and Garp at Marine Headquarters, but also Momousagi at the New World's G-5 Branch, Robin and Vivi in Alabasta, Morley at Baltigo, and even Rhodes's enemy Doflamingo—all learned of this decisive battle.
Worry, anticipation, or even cold indifference...
Everyone connected to Rhodes, friend and foe alike, turned their attention toward the Kano Country with varying degrees of concern.
Meanwhile, while resting in Mokomo, Rhodes received a visitor—or rather, a challenger—in the form of the Kano Country's Crown Prince, Shunai.
Fearing Rhodes might retreat without fighting, Charles had offered a tempting wager.
A swordsman's ultimate dream...
A Supreme Grade blade!
(End of Chapter)
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