Chapter 282: Fierce Battle
In the battlefield, due to the Ryusei Kazan, the environment had become extremely hot, with lava flowing and steam rising from countless locations.
Hearing Sakazuki's words, Rhodes' expression remained calm and unmoved.
Of the three peak Logia-type users—Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan—Rhodes had fought Kizaru multiple times and clashed with Aokiji once during the Marineford War.
The only one he hadn't yet faced was this Magu Magu no Mi user.
Magma was significantly different from other Logia-types.
Lava existed as molten matter—essentially a superheated fluid—making it easily infused with large amounts of Armament Haki. Other elemental types, like Rhodes' lightning or Ace's flames, required condensation and compression before Haki could be effectively applied.
This fundamental difference greatly enhanced Sakazuki's offensive capabilities, making his selection as Fleet Admiral well-deserved.
Just as Rhodes considered this, Sakazuki suddenly moved.
Sakazuki had pushed the Magu Magu no Mi to its absolute limits, not only harnessing magma's inherent heat and temperature but also developing related properties—such as simulating the explosive force of a volcanic eruption.
That kind of extreme acceleration—a burst of speed mimicking molten rock shooting from the earth's depths into the sky!
In an instant, Sakazuki's body transformed from complete stillness to explosive motion—supersonic speed.
Silent and swift.
Because Sakazuki's instantaneous acceleration surpassed the speed of sound itself.
His body tore through the dense air like a flash of crimson light, instantly closing the distance to Rhodes.
CRACK!
A nearby boulder was blown away by the sheer wind pressure, disintegrating mid-flight.
Rhodes' long hair whipped backward violently as he instantly sensed overwhelming danger.
Watching the rapidly approaching figure, Rhodes felt momentarily surprised but remained composed. This level of speed might be undetectable to ordinary combatants, but he could handle it with relative ease.
He gripped his sword hilt and swung horizontally.
CLANG!
A terrifying shockwave rippled outward.
Dark crimson magma erupted forth, radiating intense heat. Reflected in Sakazuki's eyes was an incomparably fierce conviction—a determination to destroy all evil!
With such unwavering resolve, ordinary Conqueror's Haki would likely prove insufficient to affect him.
BANG!
After a brief clash, Rhodes was knocked backward by Sakazuki's explosive punch, sliding several meters across the ground before stopping.
This was intentional.
As someone who'd long ago mastered supersonic movement, Rhodes understood perfectly how devastating supersonic impact could be.
He wasn't Whitebeard—there was no need to tank it directly.
BOOM!
At that moment, the sonic boom from Sakazuki breaking the sound barrier reverberated across the battlefield, echoing like thunder.
"He exceeded the speed of sound!"
"This is our Fleet Admiral—power enough to make every pirate in the New World tremble!"
Excitement swept across the warship. All the Marines displayed deep awe, their respect for the new Fleet Admiral reaching its zenith.
"Sakazuki's strength exceeds what I'd imagined."
Vergo narrowed his eyes. As Doflamingo's deep-cover spy in the Navy, he'd paid close attention to all intelligence, with the three Admirals representing the highest combat power being of paramount importance.
He'd initially assumed Sakazuki's victory over Kuzan and appointment as Fleet Admiral was largely due to the Gorosei's preferences, but now it seemed his personal strength was equally crucial.
"Not even injured?"
Even with Sakazuki's formidable physique, breaking the sound barrier imposed considerable strain. He took a breath and observed Rhodes, whose face remained calm though slightly flushed. Unease stirred within him.
That move was no simple technique—it was one of his trump cards. He'd deployed it suddenly, and while he hadn't expected it to grievously wound Rhodes, failing to inflict even minor damage was concerning!
Sakazuki understood—Rhodes' reaction speed was simply too fast.
He'd blocked immediately and used the momentum to retreat, preventing the full devastating force of the supersonic magma fist from connecting.
"What a terrifying rookie."
Sakazuki's expression grew grave. Among the Yonko, there was Kaido of the Beasts, renowned for his recovery; Big Mom, famous for her defense; and Shanks, celebrated for his overwhelming offense.
Now, Rhodes' characteristics seemed to foreshadow something similar!
With this realization, determination flashed in Sakazuki's eyes. Ignoring his body's strain, he stomped hard and charged toward Rhodes again.
"Hmph."
Rhodes had already absorbed the impact and recovered. Seeing Sakazuki's approach, he snorted coldly and made no attempt to dodge. His blade flashed with crackling lightning and dense Armament Haki as he met Sakazuki head-on, tearing through the air and causing atmospheric detonations.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The battlefield became like a war zone of continuous explosions, deafening and overwhelming.
The Marine officers on the warship felt tense yet simultaneously confident and composed—because in the previous two exchanges, Sakazuki had held the advantage.
BOOM!
A thunderous crash shattered heaven and earth.
The entire battlefield trembled violently, as if struck by a magnitude ten earthquake. Brilliant light erupted from the two combatants, and terrifying shockwaves from their attacks rippled outward in all directions.
Magma and sword energy collided—the new Fleet Admiral versus the strongest rookie.
Their attacks possessed incredible power, bursting forth with dazzling light that stung observers' eyes.
Long black hair and the coat of justice billowed backward, whipped violently by astonishing force. Sword and fist collided, unleashing devastating power, the deafening roar echoing across the island.
"How is this possible?!"
The Marines trembled. The Fleet Admiral's attack had been completely blocked by Rhodes—in direct confrontation at that.
Everyone understood the implications!
Bewilderment spread across their faces, eyes wide with disbelief.
Their earlier confidence had frozen solid.
BOOM!
The ground split open, dark crimson lava splashing everywhere, melting everything in its path. The shockwaves even reached the surrounding sea, creating raging storms and towering waves.
BANG!
Both combatants retreated momentarily before launching even more devastating attacks.
Physical prowess clashed with supreme swordsmanship. Magma collided with lightning. Astonishing energy fluctuations intertwined across the island, causing heaven and earth to lose their color.
The ground beneath their feet groaned under immense stress—testament to the already devastated island's continued suffering.
The battle was absolutely breathtaking.
Even the accompanying Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals watched with incredulous expressions, their hearts trembling.
Each exchange possessed enough force to shatter mountains and split the earth, executed at incredible speed.
"HAH!"
Sakazuki roared, his overwhelming offensive failing to suppress this rising star. Frustration filled him.
"Thunder Dragon!"
Rhodes growled, unleashing a sword technique he'd created long ago.
But this time was different.
The lightning transformed into a divine dragon didn't separate from the blade. Instead, it condensed along the sword's edge, forming a beam of crackling energy tens of meters long that pierced through space, tearing across the sky toward Sakazuki.
This was one of Rhodes' most devastating sword techniques—a roaring dragon, lifelike and carrying an immeasurably terrifying aura that reverberated throughout the battlefield.
BANG!
Sakazuki was sent flying by the lightning dragon's impact, staggering backward. He swung his coat of justice violently, his expression freezing as he unleashed even more devastating magma power that instantly transformed a vast area into a churning ocean of molten rock—a terrifying sight.
Intense heat rippled outward.
Even the distant Marines felt unbearable, suffocating warmth.
The next moment, a pillar of magma suddenly erupted from the ground, attacking from below—but missed its target entirely.
Rhodes' reaction was simply too fast. He'd already evaded.
Wind swept through the area, causing Rhodes' coat to flutter wildly.
"Impressive..."
Landing at a safe distance, Rhodes gripped his sword hilt, feeling his blood boil and his fighting spirit ignite.
(End of Chapter)
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