Chapter 216: Imminent Advancement
At this critical moment, the omnipresent power of Yomi within Rhodes's body took effect.
It amplified Rhodes's defensive regeneration and strengthened his resistance to abnormal conditions, allowing him to recover and react ahead of schedule.
Swoosh!
Almost instinctively, Rhodes suddenly drew his Sandai Kitetsu from his waist with his left hand, fiercely intercepting the attack.
Simultaneously, his extraordinary mental processing activated, manipulating lightning to condense three spears of electricity, piercing toward Whitebeard.
Defeat was inevitable, but he wasn't one to simply take a beating without retaliating.
THUD!
A deep, muffled impact.
Whitebeard's power was immense—Sandai Kitetsu was directly struck by the force, slamming into Rhodes, who was then propelled through the air like a cannonball by the overwhelming impact, flying at incredible velocity.
BOOM!
Rhodes was sent hurtling across the harbor by Whitebeard's punch, landing amidst the ruins of collapsed buildings, his condition unknown.
Whitebeard, having just knocked Rhodes away, was also in poor condition. After barely dodging two lightning spears, the last one pierced his right thigh, spraying blood.
Cough!
Whitebeard couldn't help but cough up blood, his right leg buckling, nearly causing him to kneel. He only managed to keep from falling by using his bisento for support.
"Rhodes, is it? I'll remember you."
Whitebeard no longer addressed Rhodes as "brat"—a sign of respect for a powerful warrior who'd injured him twice.
"With such a formidable adversary emerging, it seems Ace's path ahead will be quite challenging..."
Whitebeard managed to straighten himself, standing still to alleviate the pain from the lightning spear's penetration and the lingering electrical paralysis.
"Pops!"
Marco quickly descended from the sky. As the ship's doctor, he understood Whitebeard's condition better than anyone and felt the most concern.
"It's nothing."
Whitebeard waved dismissively. After all, it was merely a pierce through the thigh—not through any vital organs—so his injury wasn't critically serious.
However, the residual powerful electrical current had aggravated several hidden injuries, which affected him more significantly.
"Go! Rescue Ace!"
Whitebeard brandished his bisento, showing no outward sign of lingering pain despite his still-tingling body. Confident and domineering, he strode forward.
Just then, a giant Vice Admiral—believing Whitebeard seriously wounded—suddenly rushed out from the side.
The massive blade, carrying a sharp gust of wind, slashed toward Whitebeard.
"You've shown an opening, Whitebeard!"
The giant Vice Admiral's strike seemed to herald Whitebeard being cleaved in two—or perhaps it was a vision of his own future glory.
"Hmph."
Whitebeard snorted lightly, his fingers forming a fist, and casually threw a punch.
CRACK!
The air shattered like fractured glass.
The giant Vice Admiral's massive blade—capable of easily slicing through Navy warships—almost instantly stopped, then shattered into countless fragments under the shockwave's impact.
The giant Vice Admiral himself was also struck by the extremely violent tremor.
In an instant, he tumbled and crashed to the ground, convulsed several times, and breathed his last—dying on the spot.
One punch. Instant kill!
"Hiss..."
The Marines gasped, once again deeply realizing the terror of the World's Strongest Man.
They also understood just how powerful the Dragon Slayer Swordsman truly was—capable of fighting such a monster to that extent.
The moment Hancock witnessed Rhodes being knocked away, she immediately dropped her Den Den Mushi and rushed over without hesitation.
But when she reached the ruins, she suddenly heard movement behind her, her keen Observation Haki sensing malicious intent.
Hancock couldn't prioritize finding Rhodes—instead, she whirled to face the newcomer.
"Fufufufu... Boa Hancock, get out of the way, or I won't mind dealing with you first."
The newcomer was none other than Doflamingo. Having witnessed Rhodes's final counterattack, he knew the man probably hadn't died from Whitebeard's punch, so he'd rushed over to finish the job.
"Don't even think about it!"
Hancock's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent as she unleashed her Conqueror's Haki, attempting to intimidate Doflamingo.
She felt she might not match Doflamingo directly, and more critically, she might not be able to protect the heavily injured Rhodes alone against him.
"This Conqueror's Haki..."
Doflamingo appeared somewhat surprised by the intensity of Hancock's Haki, but his formidable strength gave him sufficient confidence that while he might not quickly defeat Hancock, he could still secretly eliminate Rhodes first.
He was a ruthless kingpin and would never relinquish the opportunity to kill Rhodes—this dangerous adversary—here and now.
But just then, a leisurely voice suddenly emerged from nearby:
"Hey there, youngster leave this place, would you?"
The voice was incredibly close.
Doflamingo, who hadn't noticed before, was startled and quickly looked toward the source.
He spotted a cloaked figure sitting casually on a wall fragment, sipping rainbow liquor.
When he recognized the person, Doflamingo swallowed hard, his expression transforming before he turned and departed without hesitation.
"Old man Rayleigh?"
Hancock was equally surprised.
"He gave me two bottles of his rare liquor—I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Rayleigh smiled amiably.
"I almost died... cough cough... that was close."
Just then, a hand reached out from the rubble behind them, and Rhodes pulled himself free from the debris.
Hancock, forgetting her surprise at Rayleigh's presence, rushed over, helped Rhodes up, and examined him with profound concern.
"I'm fine."
Rhodes grinned, but then coughed up a mouthful of blood before laughing again.
This battle, though perilous, was incredibly rewarding.
Perhaps due to the live broadcast, the fame he'd gained brought the Book of Knowledge one step closer to advancement.
Even if he did nothing now, once the war concluded and its influence spread further, the Book of Knowledge would advance accordingly.
"You call this 'fine'?!"
Hancock, frantic with worry, was nearly in tears seeing Rhodes covered in blood.
"I'm really alright."
Rhodes retrieved a healing potion from his spatial ring and consumed it.
This was a medicinal compound he'd obtained long ago from Crocus, the Pirate King's ship doctor, specifically prepared for this battle—and its effects proved truly remarkable.
Before long, Rhodes felt considerably better. His injuries were stabilizing, and his already formidable regenerative abilities began taking effect.
"Huh, you even know Crocus?"
Rayleigh recognized the potion in Rhodes's hand.
"I met him once."
Rhodes nodded while retrieving some topical medicine for Hancock to apply.
"Now that the crisis has passed, I'll be going."
With that declaration, Rayleigh vanished. He had no interest in being seen together with Rhodes.
Rhodes, meanwhile, closed his eyes, savoring the soothing sensation of Hancock's soft hands massaging the medicine into his skin. Simultaneously, he channeled a weak electrical current to nourish his body and accelerate his healing.
Within a short while, Rhodes's injuries were almost completely healed, and he felt full of energy once more.
He sheathed Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu, stood up, and stretched his body. The sounds of joints popping echoed throughout his frame, and he released a satisfied sigh.
It had been a truly exhilarating and thrilling battle—absolutely exciting!
The Whitebeard Pirates members who noticed this stood somewhat shocked. He hadn't died from Pops's punch, and judging from his condition, he seemed to still possess fighting strength?
However, Rhodes paid them no attention. After recovering considerably, he took Hancock's hand and returned to the plaza, because he knew Sengoku's encirclement plan was about to commence.
Remaining here would be unwise.
(End of Chapter)
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