Chapter 207: Divine Weapons Descend from the Sky
BOOM!
The swords clashed, unleashing terrifying shockwaves.
The destructive power of both combatants was astonishing—sword energy scattered outward, even shattering the ice surface completely, revealing glimpses of seawater beneath.
This was extraordinary.
After Aokiji froze the bay, the ice had solidified to a depth of nearly twenty meters—otherwise, Diamond Jozu wouldn't have been able to carve out such mountain-sized ice blocks.
"He's clearly just a swordsman, yet he can fight me to this extent... this guy..."
Having blocked Rhodes's attack with his blade, Vista felt a tingling sensation throughout his entire body—as if electrocuted. Without hesitation, he retreated, avoiding further effects from the powerful current, then regarded Rhodes with a grave expression.
An insurmountable chasm existed between a swordsman and a Great Swordsman—any Great Swordsman could easily defeat even a top-tier swordsman.
"Incredible lightning power..."
Vista's eyes widened in shock, for it was this overwhelming electrical energy that granted Rhodes the ability to challenge opponents of higher caliber.
"That Dragon Slayer Swordsman can't even be suppressed by Captain Vista?!" Outside their combat zone, members of the Whitebeard Pirates stood shocked.
Vista's strength was unquestionably among the highest in the Whitebeard Pirates, and few could rival him throughout the vast New World.
"Twin Iai Slash!"
As Rhodes drew his blades, two magnificent, pale silver sword waves crossed and slashed toward Vista, sharp whistling sounds echoing through the air—as if capable of severing everything in their path.
"Can't take this head-on!"
Vista's eyes narrowed upon witnessing this, and his hands suddenly swung outward.
Falling Petals!
With a sharp cry, petal-shaped sword energies suddenly burst forth, tearing through space, carrying both beauty and lethal intent as they fiercely intercepted the attack.
BOOM!
When the thunderous sword energy collided with the petal-shaped waves, it was as if thunder had detonated across the battlefield. The massive residual force surged in all directions, piercing deep holes through the ice surface, and the shockwaves even blew away pirates and Marines within hundreds of meters.
The clash between these two resembled dozens of heavy cannons firing simultaneously—earth-shattering and resounding for miles!
All eyes focused on their duel.
"Hmm?!"
Whitebeard's expression changed for the first time, because from his vantage point, a fragment of pale silver sword energy broke through the aftermath and struck Vista squarely.
CRACK!
Thunder and blade energy erupted simultaneously.
Vista only had time to marginally protect his vitals with Armament Haki before being blasted backward, his body covered in fine sword wounds and charred marks from the powerful electrical discharge.
"This brat..."
Whitebeard's eyes flashed, and he suddenly clenched his fist and threw a side punch through the air.
The World's Strongest tremor force spread outward instantly.
Simultaneously, Rhodes—who'd been about to pursue—felt a warning bell ring in his consciousness. Noticing Whitebeard's movements in the distance, he had no intention of receiving that attack directly. Rhodes kicked off the ground, and in a flash of silver light, he vanished.
Almost immediately afterward, an invisible shockwave struck—but missed its target, finally impacting the ice surface with a resounding CRACK!
The vast frozen expanse shattered like a mirror, the dense spiderweb of cracks sending chills down everyone's spines.
"That kind of attack power..."
This was Rhodes's first time personally experiencing Whitebeard's destructive force. He sensed that being truly struck—or even just caught by the shockwave—would likely prove catastrophic. Defense had always been Rhodes's greatest weakness.
At this moment, Vista of the Flower Swords had recovered. He exhaled a puff of black smoke, looking disheveled, occasionally twitching—clearly severely shocked.
"I'm no match for him..."
Vista knew in his heart that without his father's intervention, he would have been at a complete disadvantage—perhaps even killed!
"Too troublesome. So fast, and such devastating lightning."
Vista desperately tried finding a countermeasure, but discovered none.
Powerful attacks and formidable defense could be countered—or at least stalled. But that speed was simply beyond his ability to control.
The principle of "absolute speed breaks all techniques" perfectly described this situation.
Whoosh!
Just then, a figure materialized at lightning speed.
Vista had no time to think, instantly raising his swords to intercept.
However, due to the electrical shock he'd sustained earlier, his movements were slightly numb and distorted—he couldn't unleash his full power. Rhodes's strike directly sent him flying, spitting blood mid-flight.
The fierce impact had inflicted considerable internal damage.
And just as Rhodes had sent Vista flying, he suddenly sensed an incredibly fast figure rushing toward him.
Too fast!
Having just struck Vista, Rhodes had no time to evade. He could only cross his dual blades, infuse them with Armament Haki, and hold them defensively before him.
BANG!
Rhodes was sent flying by the figure. He employed Geppo to adjust his trajectory mid-air before landing smoothly on the ice.
Turning his gaze, he identified his attacker—none other than Diamond Jozu, Third Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"I'll be your opponent now," Jozu declared in a deep voice, his massive frame exuding an immovable presence.
He'd entered full Diamond transformation mode, his gleaming body appearing absolutely indestructible.
During the Marineford War, besides Whitebeard himself, the Whitebeard Pirates possessed three other exceptionally powerful combatants: the defensive juggernaut Diamond Jozu, the Phoenix Marco with his absurd regenerative abilities, and the sharp-edged Vista with his Flower Sword techniques—all three capable of briefly contending with a Marine Admiral.
"Very well. I've observed Vista's petal sword intent sufficiently—there's no point continuing that fight."
Rhodes had come to the Marineford War for two primary reasons: to advance his Book of Knowledge and to find worthy opponents for honing his swordsmanship, hopefully reaching the level of a Great Swordsman.
Sensing the man's ambition to stand among the strongest, even the usually composed Diamond Jozu couldn't help showing a hint of appreciation.
"On the battlefield, there is no right or wrong. Be careful."
With that declaration, Diamond Jozu slowly assumed a combat stance. Knowing Rhodes possessed incredible speed, he had no intention of attacking first.
Rhodes nodded, sheathing his Sandai Kitetsu. Facing an opponent like Diamond Jozu who excelled at defense, he decided to employ his most powerful strikes using One-Sword Style.
Simultaneously, he glanced toward Vista in the distance and, as expected, found the man had already retreated considerable distance, consumed a medicinal vial to temporarily suppress his injuries, and continued leading the charge.
It seemed the Whitebeard Pirates knew this would be a brutal battle and had prepared various healing supplies.
Huff...
Rhodes took a deep breath, then suddenly moved.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, he traversed dozens of meters, arriving before Jozu, then slashed downward with his blade—its terrifying sharpness seemingly capable of severing anything.
A piercing tearing sound echoed through the air.
Faced with this assault, Jozu remained composed, his diamond-transformed fist meeting the attack without hesitation.
BOOM!
Sword collided with diamond fist, unleashing a deafening roar that sent visible shockwaves rippling outward in all directions.
Under Rhodes's sword strike, Diamond Jozu didn't retreat a single step—but the ice beneath his feet suddenly shattered, as if bearing unbearable weight.
"This level of defense..."
Rhodes involuntarily retreated several steps, each footfall creating a crater in the ice, his expression shifting slightly—because his full-power strike had only managed to chip off some diamond fragments!
Pure diamond could never achieve such resilience.
Jozu's mastery of the Kira Kira no Mi and his application of Armament Haki had likely reached levels unattainable by ordinary individuals.
At this moment, Jozu, observing the small wound on his hand, felt equally impressed.
He'd only suffered this degree of injury previously when blocking Mihawk's attack!
This wasn't because Rhodes's strength matched Mihawk's level, but rather due to the direct sword impact and the amplification of cutting power by lightning energy.
"You're strong. No wonder you defeated Vista."
"You as well."
The two exchanged glances, both perceiving fighting spirit burning in each other's eyes.
But just as they prepared to engage in fierce combat, a loud cry suddenly echoed from above.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
Rhodes's Observation Haki remained locked on Jozu, yet he glanced upward slightly. Sure enough—Luffy and his unlikely companions had appeared, falling from the sky.
(End of Chapter)
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+10 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Review!
P*atreon/Soulforger (30+ advanced chapters)
Buy me coffee - ko-fi*com/soulforger01