Chapter 7: Determination
Inside his room, after a sleepless night, Rhodes felt not the slightest bit of fatigue or exhaustion. Instead, he felt refreshed and relaxed, like someone who'd just emerged from a rejuvenating hot spring.
He discovered that this trance-like state seemed to replace sleep entirely!
Moreover, after an entire night of focused electrical current control to strengthen his body, Rhodes had nearly mastered this special condition. With a single thought, he could enter a state of perfect concentration, ready to unleash a devastating strike at any moment.
This was what it meant to be a true swordsman!
"It feels incredible to possess real power."
Rhodes clenched his fists, flexed his arm muscles, and felt the energy surging within him, unable to suppress a satisfied grin.
If he were to retake the Doriki evaluation at this moment, he was confident he would easily pass every physical assessment!
Whether strength, speed, or anything else.
"And this was just one night."
Rhodes took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with frightening intensity.
With the gift of [Thunder Mastery], he finally possessed the foundation and potential to rival anyone in this world.
Sooner or later, he would reach the summit of the seas, challenge those legendary figures one by one, and make his name echo throughout the world.
This was truly worthwhile.
Early morning.
A ray of dawn rose from the horizon, dispelling the darkness.
After completing his lightning training regimen, Rhodes consumed some high-energy jerky to satisfy his hunger, rested briefly, then went to the courtyard to adjust to his increased physical capabilities.
This wasn't gradual strength improvement, after all; such significant enhancement required careful adaptation before achieving precise control.
However, with Rhodes's masterful concentration abilities, managing this relatively modest body was straightforward.
Therefore, in just half an hour, he had fully adapted to his enhanced form and adjusted himself to optimal condition.
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
As soon as he emerged from his concentrated state, Rhodes was overwhelmed by crushing hunger. He felt like he could devour two entire cows!
This massive physical enhancement—a near-quantum leap in growth—and the intense cellular transformation required high-energy nutrition.
"So hungry! I can't endure this any longer!"
Rhodes rushed into his house like a whirlwind and rapidly consumed his remaining high-energy jerky, but it still wasn't sufficient.
"Damn, I want roasted whole cattle, roasted whole sheep, roasted Sea Kings!"
Rhodes muttered, feeling even hungrier and slightly embarrassed. What a pathetic state! Just thinking about all this food was enough to make him salivate.
"So hungry!"
Eventually, he felt like he could eat an entire elephant.
Whoosh!
Rhodes left home at breakneck speed, rushed to a nearby restaurant, and ordered mountains of high-energy food, devouring everything like a hurricane.
Fortunately, this world was filled with Sea Kings and powerful beasts, making these high-energy foods relatively affordable. With Rhodes's medical income, he could still manage the expense.
Burp...
After a considerable time, Rhodes had created a mountain of empty plates before the tumultuous cellular activity within him finally subsided.
"I... I ate so much."
At that moment, Rhodes finally understood why Luffy and the others in the original manga were such voracious eaters.
"The stronger one's physique, the greater the energy consumption. Humans can only replenish this energy through food, which inevitably leads to enormous appetite."
Rhodes shook his head, not overly concerned. After all, the pirate world was filled with all manner of high-energy creatures.
He'd never heard of any powerful figure on the seas dying from starvation.
After settling his bill and eating his fill, Rhodes strolled through the streets to aid digestion.
As he passed the training grounds, he casually observed the young men practicing swordsmanship.
Seeing their flushed faces and attentive expressions, Rhodes suddenly realized he had unknowingly become something of a sensei.
In fact, he was even more influential than he'd imagined.
In yesterday's practical combat test, the swordsmanship Rhodes displayed was so incredible that many spectators were inspired by that demonstration and found swordsmanship so compelling they began training themselves.
After enjoying the satisfaction of being a teacher, Rhodes leisurely entered the medical clinic that had just opened for the day.
Inside, a white-haired elderly man was smoking. Upon seeing Rhodes enter, he pursed his lips and said with mock disgust, "You little brat, so you still remember to come back."
Rhodes wasn't surprised. He withdrew a notebook and handed it to the old man, saying, "Old-san, this contains the medical knowledge I've compiled. I don't think I'll be coming here again."
The elderly doctor took the notebook, glanced through it, and his expression suddenly shifted to shock. His fingers trembled slightly.
For a long moment, he took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and said, "Are you certain you won't consider continuing to develop your medical skills? Your talent is obviously..."
"I want to become stronger—stronger than anyone else."
Rhodes was silent briefly, then spoke in a low voice. "Strength is the foundation of everything."
Naturally, this didn't mean he was abandoning medicine entirely.
Medicine was an extremely practical supplementary discipline, allowing him to face various emergencies with greater composure.
He would never forget the helplessness that Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard—all these great figures—faced when confronted with illness and injury.
In the original story, what would have occurred if Whitebeard had been at peak condition during the Battle of Marineford?
Perhaps Sengoku wouldn't have dared initiate the Battle of Marineford at all?
After all, while the Marines possessed sufficient power to suppress the Whitebeard Pirates, the devastation caused by Whitebeard unleashing his full power at peak strength would likely have exceeded even Golden Lion Shiki's rampage.
Furthermore, in the pirate world, various advanced medical techniques existed, and enhancement drugs like Chopper's Rumble Ball were undoubtedly numerous.
Hearing Rhodes's unwavering words, the elderly man sighed and said nothing more, continuing to smoke.
In such an era, nothing could stop a young man from rushing to the seas.
"Then I won't try to dissuade you further. Be careful out there."
The old man paused, then added with slight amusement, "Though I probably don't need to remind you of that. You're so cautious and mature, you hardly seem like a sixteen-year-old."
Both Rhodes's daily demeanor and his sophisticated, knowledgeable medical practice had astounded Baltigo's doctors and patients alike.
Despite this recognition, the elderly doctor continued chatting with Rhodes, reminding him of various maritime dangers and taboos.
Rhodes showed no impatience.
He could tell the old man genuinely cared for him like a grandfather would.
"Go on then. Remember my words, and come back safely." Finally, the old man turned away and said nothing more.
Rhodes remained silent. Never particularly eloquent, he simply bowed respectfully before departing.
Arriving on the street, he gazed at the distant, dust-covered sky and clenched his fists. Although Baltigo was safe and isolated from the world, it felt like a cage—dull and oppressive.
"Coming to this world, how can I not venture out to sea and witness everything firsthand?"
As if breaking free from invisible shackles, at this moment, Rhodes saw his heart clearly.
He had never been someone content with the status quo.
He yearned for adventure, craved excitement, longed to clash with those legendary figures, and desired to witness those epic events with his own eyes!
And to accomplish all this, strength was the most fundamental requirement.
With firm resolve, Rhodes didn't hesitate and soon arrived at a wasteland in eastern Baltigo.
There stood a castle-like structure, but much larger than any normal castle, covering vast territory with no visible end.
This was where the reserve members gathered for training—the true headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
Baltigo itself was merely something like a subsidiary settlement.
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(End of Chapter 7)
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