Chapter 211: Leisurely Stroll
Strolling across the battlefield amidst flying shells and billowing smoke, Rhodes walked casually with his hands in his pockets. Occasionally, he'd encounter a familiar Marine or pirate, stopping briefly to observe and offer his commentary.
It was as if he weren't participating in the world's most intense war, but rather enjoying a leisurely spring outing.
He observed the battle and noticed the Marines beginning their retreat.
"Lord Rhodes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku has instructed all forces to immediately retreat to the plaza," a Marine soldier braved the hail of gunfire to approach Rhodes, then quickly fled.
"Is the encirclement plan about to commence?"
Rhodes knew the original timeline and understood why Sengoku had issued this order. He was also feeling somewhat fatigued and wanted to return for recovery.
Meanwhile, the battle on the frozen harbor had reached its most brutal stage.
Under the Whitebeard Pirates' relentless assault, Marine soldiers and pirates fell every moment—the air thick with the stench of blood, presenting a horrific tableau.
Because of his status as an ally, Rhodes's return journey proved remarkably smooth, without any hindrance. He quickly arrived at the elevated platform in the plaza and reunited with Hancock.
"Are you alright?" Hancock approached him, asking with genuine concern.
Rhodes waved dismissively, surprised. "Didn't you go down and fight?"
After all, she'd been conscripted, and maintaining appearances was necessary. Hancock still needed her Shichibukai status to protect Amazon Lily.
"Uh..." Hancock couldn't help feeling slightly embarrassed, a blush spreading across her beautiful face. She'd been so focused on watching Rhodes that she hadn't paid attention to engaging any pirates.
"Should I go down and eliminate a few now?"
"No need." Rhodes shook his head. The Navy would soon begin its operation, and the situation would become chaotic. Although Hancock was unlikely to face danger given her strength, there was no point descending now.
At this moment, on the ice before the harbor, large numbers of Marine personnel were retreating in orderly fashion under artillery cover.
The pirates, naturally, wouldn't miss such an opportunity, charging toward the plaza below. However, upon reaching this point, they encountered fierce resistance from the Marines, and their desperate momentum was slightly dampened.
Ace observed the battlefield scene—his family he'd spent every day with, Luffy's relentless advance, and Whitebeard standing motionless on the deck. His expression slowly calmed, as if he'd been reborn from ashes, suddenly becoming tranquil.
"What's wrong?" Garp, still lost in grief, noticed this change and couldn't help asking.
Ace straightened up, completely suppressing his emotions, his tone becoming as still as a deep well:
"I can accept whatever the future holds—whether it's a blade of punishment or a helping hand, I'll accept it. I won't panic again."
He seemed to have matured instantaneously, calmly gazing at Whitebeard in the distance.
Garp appeared slightly taken aback, as if glimpsing that person's shadow in Ace at this moment.
But Sengoku wasn't paying attention to them currently—because the Navy's plan to terminate the Visual Den Den Mushi broadcast had been obstructed. One Visual Den Den Mushi had gone missing.
Meanwhile, numerous Marines searched frantically for the missing broadcast snail, but couldn't locate it.
The Den Den Mushi had been swept away by Crocodile's sandstorm and ended up in Buggy and the other Impel Down prisoners' possession.
Buggy felt incredibly arrogant, sensing he was merely one step away from worldwide fame.
This was a world-class war, watched by countless people globally, and he held a broadcasting Den Den Mushi. He, Buggy, could use it to reach life's pinnacle and achieve fame!
How magnificent!
Filled with beautiful dreams, Buggy and his crew began playing with the Den Den Mushi.
Meanwhile, reporters in Sabaody Archipelago—seeing that face occupying their screens—felt devastated, cursing and demanding to see the Marineford War.
But Buggy, naturally, ignored them and continued his live broadcast.
Sengoku finally noticed Buggy and his group's actions and nearly suffered a heart attack from rage. Such a grand, magnificent occasion, and these idiots were filming a variety show?!
Where did these absolute morons come from?! They should just explode on the spot!
"What is this?! Cut this ridiculous footage immediately, or the operation cannot proceed!" Sengoku clenched his fists, veins bulging, wishing he could transform into his Great Buddha form and flatten Buggy with a single punch.
"Um, there's a Visual Den Den Mushi that's fallen into Impel Down prisoners' hands," the messenger reported, though wanting to laugh, he maintained professional composure and reported seriously.
"We must dispatch someone to retrieve that Den Den Mushi immediately."
Despite his fury, Sengoku could only seek solutions immediately. His eyes flashed as he quickly considered Rhodes.
But when he looked toward Rhodes, he nearly coughed up blood.
Rhodes was openly grilling meat with Hancock above the plaza!
Those golden, tender roasted portions looked... well, he almost wanted to eat them himself...
"Hey, where did that guy get grilled meat?" Garp noticed the same thing, picking his nose as his stomach rumbled. He'd been losing his appetite lately because of Ace's situation.
Sengoku's forehead creased with annoyance, but with Aokiji and Kizaru occupied elsewhere, Rhodes was the fastest available combatant.
"Immediately order the Dragon Slayer Swordsman to retrieve that Den Den Mushi. The Navy will provide substantial compensation."
The messenger, upon receiving orders, immediately rushed toward Rhodes at the plaza.
Reaching him, the messenger swallowed hard at the grilled meat's aroma and stated: "Lord Rhodes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku requests your assistance retrieving the Den Den Mushi lost to Impel Down prisoners. The Navy will reward you handsomely upon success."
"Den Den Mushi?" Rhodes accepted a meat skewer from Hancock, took a bite, pondered briefly, and nodded. "Understood."
"Thank you very much." The messenger quickly departed to report back.
Rhodes slowly stood. He'd agreed to Sengoku's request not for the so-called reward, but because he'd suddenly conceived of something.
His original plan was challenging Whitebeard at Marineford to make his name known throughout the world.
However, if he simply challenged Whitebeard conventionally, his fame would probably spread rather slowly.
"A live-broadcast challenge to Whitebeard?"
Rhodes smiled with interest, finding the concept quite amusing.
Considering this, Rhodes stood on the elevated platform, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield, quickly spotting Buggy and his group of eccentrics in a corner.
They were easy to identify—Buggy's group was remarkably well-organized, with lighting technicians and makeup artists on standby.
Hancock followed Rhodes's gaze and couldn't help opening her mouth in surprise. "Where did these people come from?"
"I'm going to meet them. Be careful." With that declaration, lightning crackled beneath Rhodes's feet, and with a BOOM, an invisible shockwave erupted as he launched toward Buggy's direction.
His strength was immense, his jumping ability incredibly powerful—almost instantly traversing half the battlefield through the air.
But it was precisely this aerial crossing that attracted considerable attention.
As he descended, people's eyes followed, then spotted Buggy and the others broadcasting live.
"Red Nose..." Whitebeard's eye twitched slightly.
Others witnessing this scene were equally speechless.
Sengoku was so enraged he couldn't speak—this constituted an absolute insult to Naval dignity.
At this moment, Buggy stood before the camera grinning foolishly, boasting shamelessly, while the Impel Down prisoners watched with amusement.
But just then, a calm voice suddenly emerged from behind:
"Hey, Red Nose."
(End of Chapter)
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