Chapter 215: Initiative
"Wow, this kid's grown tremendously again."
On the execution platform, Garp picked his nose, somewhat surprised.
"He actually forced Pops back..."
Ace gazed at this scene from afar. Even with his newly reborn resolve, he couldn't help feeling shaken, unable to believe it.
He remembered that back in Alabasta, when he'd sparred with Rhodes, although at a disadvantage, Ace had been quite confident of eventual victory.
He never expected that after merely a month in Impel Down, when seeing this man again, Rhodes could already exchange blows with Pops—and even push him back!
"It was just a surprise attack."
Sengoku's expression remained serious, but he sighed inwardly. Why wasn't such talented individual a Marine?
However, because of Momousagi's influence, Rhodes could barely be considered half-Marine, which provided some comfort.
In another direction, Rayleigh—who'd been casually toying with a Marine—sighed upon witnessing this scene.
"Whitebeard, you've finally grown old..."
Whitebeard was acknowledged as the World's Strongest—a universally recognized fact—not only because he'd mastered the Gura Gura no Mi, but also because his fundamental abilities were boundless, with his Observation Haki and Armament Haki both world-class.
If Whitebeard were at his peak, he could easily react to Rhodes's surprise attack and even withstand it head-on without issue.
Unfortunately, time is a cruel mistress. Even the strongest person becomes nothing before its inexorable passage.
"But if that old monster gets injured, Rhodes won't get killed, will he?"
Rayleigh thought mischievously.
Whitebeard's Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and physical defense had all declined significantly, but his offensive power remained undeniable—the world-destroying force of the Gura Gura no Mi was no joke.
If Rhodes took a direct hit, not only would he be in serious trouble, but even Rayleigh himself would struggle.
The thoughts of those outside the combat zone were complex. Rhodes, however, possessed clear self-awareness. He understood his move was merely a surprise attack and wouldn't overestimate himself.
Almost the instant Whitebeard was injured and forced backward, Rhodes surged forward with explosive speed.
This time, he employed electromagnetic propulsion.
BOOM!
The void was pierced in that instant, white vapor clouds spreading in all directions, and before the howling thunder could even resound, Rhodes's blade had already struck.
It was Rhodes's ultimate technique—a supersonic slash!
That violent power and sharpness seemed capable of severing anything.
Facing Rhodes's supersonic strike, Whitebeard's spirit and focus became highly concentrated. He chuckled, gripped his bisento with both hands, and slashed downward with incredible speed.
BOOM!
Sword and bisento collided, first producing a deafening roar, then a massive, invisible shockwave swept outward.
The enormous residual force surged in all directions, shattering the nearby ice completely.
A massive aerial explosion.
Rhodes's supersonic sword strike generated terrifying power through rapid conversion, but Whitebeard was towering and his strength was also world-class.
The two were locked in stalemate.
Whitebeard showed no fear during this clash of raw power—Rhodes's physique didn't suggest immense strength—but he didn't intend to continue the confrontation.
He sensed his Armament Haki being constantly carved away at the blade's edge, fearing it would soon damage the bisento itself.
So Whitebeard released his grip on the bisento, conjuring terrifying white luminescence on his fist, and swiftly struck toward Rhodes.
Before the punch even landed, Rhodes felt a surge of vibration and crushing force, causing his Observation Haki to fluctuate violently.
If struck, he would be severely injured—if not killed outright!
With his unparalleled reaction speed, Rhodes narrowly evaded the punch, positioned himself beside Whitebeard, and slashed at him again.
But this time, Whitebeard fully unleashed his incredibly seasoned combat experience. His massive body displayed extraordinary agility, his bisento cutting through the air like a shadow.
Rhodes didn't even attempt blocking. Without supersonic velocity, a slash couldn't possibly match Whitebeard's raw power—he'd be sent flying, exposing a critical opening.
Whoosh!
He vanished from his position, maximizing his agility and speed, constantly probing and attacking from all angles, striking and disengaging instantly—like an assassin dancing on a razor's edge.
Although Whitebeard's Observation Haki had weakened, his combat experience remained incredibly profound. His bisento moved with impenetrable precision, and his left-hand shockwave strikes were equally devastating—impossible to withstand directly.
Therefore, Rhodes was unable to breach Whitebeard's defenses.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Under everyone's shocked gazes, a short figure in white robes moved and attacked around Whitebeard from all angles.
Occasionally, their weapons clashed, unleashing terrifying roars.
The collision aftershocks tore the ice surface into fragments—a horrifying spectacle.
"He's actually suppressing that monster..."
Lower-ranking Marines and pirates wore expressions of utter disbelief.
However, more established powerhouses were acutely aware of Rhodes's true predicament.
Despite his impressive fighting prowess and apparent initiative, a single solid hit from Whitebeard would essentially end the battle.
"..."
Hancock felt her heart clenching, almost unable to breathe, overwhelmed by tension.
The Sabaody reporters watching this earth-shattering battle through their Den Den Mushi felt equally tense.
The vast broadcast plaza was deathly silent, save for suppressed breathing from everyone glued to the giant screens, witnessing this clash between titans.
Even Whitebeard hadn't expected this kid—a contemporary of Ace—to be so formidable.
His exaggerated speed was even more terrifying than Kizaru's in practical terms.
Kizaru's movements were easier to predict and track, while Rhodes was far more unpredictable and agile.
Realizing this, Whitebeard knew he couldn't afford to drag this out.
He understood his own body better than anyone—his stamina was far inferior to his youth.
Besides, this was a battlefield.
Every passing second meant massive casualties for his family.
As the most crucial fighting force on the pirate side, he couldn't afford being held back by a personal challenge.
So Whitebeard deliberately created an opening for Rhodes.
"Hmm?"
Rhodes noticed Whitebeard's momentarily slow reaction and, although sensing something was amiss, instinctively slashed toward Whitebeard with his blade.
But what met his attack was a bisento gleaming with intense white luminescence.
Even the fastest speed has its limits, and Rhodes had no time to evade Whitebeard's counterattack.
Almost instantly, an unparalleled force and vibration emanated from the bisento, instantly immobilizing Rhodes and causing him to feel his internal organs shifting—suffering internal injuries.
Whitebeard showed no mercy. Those who dared challenge the strongest must be prepared to die.
He clenched his left fist, crackling with violent tremor power, and taking advantage of Rhodes's momentary immobility, struck directly.
It seemed Rhodes would be pulverized by the violent shockwave in the next instant.
(End of Chapter)
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