Chapter 30: Flowers and Green Leaves
The headquarters training hall had become a gathering of exceptional talent.
Whether it was the defeated captains of the headquarters reserve squads or their opponents like Kuro and Sasse, they were all genuine prodigies, possessing monstrous strength at such a young age. With proper training and experience on the seas, they would one day be capable of standing on their own as formidable warriors.
"Flowers always need green leaves to highlight their beauty."
From the sidelines, Hack smiled as he watched Rhodes slowly step forward. He had initially marveled at the number of young, powerful talents emerging from other bases, secretly feeling guilty about the headquarters reserves' defeat. He felt responsible for failing to properly train the next generation.
But seeing Rhodes' appearance, he suddenly understood.
While other bases had indeed produced many noteworthy young people, it was nearly impossible for these individuals to truly reach the pinnacle of the seas. At best, they could become high-ranking officers like himself.
But Rhodes was different.
Hack had witnessed Rhodes' entire growth process.
In just over four months, he had mastered Thunder Sword Intent, Soru and Geppo, Armament Haki Hardening, Observation Haki...
This incredible array of powerful abilities. At his age, simply mastering one of these techniques would be cause for immense pride, yet Rhodes possessed them all.
This terrifying rate of growth sparked a bold realization within him.
Perhaps Rhodes could become a true pinnacle figure—like a Marine Admiral, a Great Swordsman, or even one of the Four Emperors—standing at the very top of the world!
At the very least, his potential was absolutely unlimited!
Hack had no doubt about this whatsoever.
"Does headquarters really have stronger reserves?"
The reserves from other bases looked at Rhodes with surprised eyes as he emerged.
However, while Rhodes' appearance was certainly eye-catching and seemed to inspire unanimous confidence among the headquarters reserves, their previous performance had been somewhat disappointing. Therefore, they still had faith in Kuro and didn't believe anyone could defeat him.
"You're... the strongest one?"
Kuro's tone was both questioning and scrutinizing. He asked curiously, "If you're the strongest, why aren't you captain of the first squad?"
Before arriving, he had researched the headquarters' reserves. They were divided into ten squads, and the captain of the first squad was generally acknowledged as the strongest.
"I only joined the reserves recently."
There was nothing to hide about that, and Rhodes remained calm.
His words brought immediate silence.
Those who hadn't been aware couldn't help but look at him with a hint of disbelief.
They had theorized about Kuro's question—perhaps Rhodes disliked being a captain and preferred working alone, as evidenced by his late arrival.
But they hadn't expected this person to be a new reserve!
And judging by the recruitment timeline, Rhodes had been a reserve for little over four months at most!
He couldn't be lying—who would dare fabricate such a thing in this situation?
Everyone on the opposing side stared at Rhodes with incredulous amazement.
The headquarters reserves, while suppressing laughter, sighed inwardly.
"A new reserve??"
Northern Army Commander Karasu couldn't help but glance at Koala.
"That's right," Koala confirmed.
"So how old is he?" Sabo inquired.
"Seventeen. Two years younger than you."
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Koala felt like laughing.
Even Dragon, standing nearby, showed a flicker of surprise.
Youth represents potential. If Rhodes truly held the title of strongest headquarters reserve at this age, his future was genuinely unpredictable.
On the battlefield.
"Interesting."
Upon hearing Rhodes' response, Kuro's expression shifted, and he let out a low chuckle.
"In that case, let me see for myself."
"Attack first, or you won't get another chance."
Rhodes' tone remained calm, his expression unchanging, as if he wasn't facing a formidable opponent capable of sweeping through the headquarters reserves, but rather instructing a junior—with a distinctly condescending air.
That attitude was remarkably similar to Kuro's previous approach toward Nia.
"Hmph!"
Kuro snorted, suddenly slashing his sword through the air.
Whoosh!
A cyan-colored sword energy wrapped in chilling intensity tore through the air, slashing toward Rhodes. Even before the sword energy reached him, a sharp stinging sensation spread across his skin.
Watching this approach, Rhodes gently grasped his sword hilt with his right hand and suddenly drew his blade.
It was a simple, unadorned strike, but with Rhodes' power behind it, the reserves saw only a flash of brilliant sword light.
Slash!
The next moment, the cyan sword energy suddenly exploded, dissipating into nothingness. A gust of wind sent Rhodes' hair and clothes fluttering.
Rhodes' effortless deflection of the sword energy caused Kuro's expression to change dramatically. His contempt faded, replaced by focused intensity.
That previous strike had been imbued with Armament Haki.
"Soru!"
Kuro's gaze darkened as he vanished like a shadow. When he reappeared, he was behind Rhodes, wielding his Haki-coated blade in a downward slash that seemed capable of cleaving him in two.
But in that instant, as if possessing precognition, Rhodes had already turned and, with a single, subtle movement, parried Kuro's surprise attack.
"Rankyaku!"
Kuro's heart trembled at the sight, but he reacted swiftly.
He pivoted on his right foot, using his waist's momentum to launch his left foot upward like a dragon's tail.
This was Rankyaku, one of the Rokushiki techniques—a kick capable of delivering cutting force equivalent to a sword strike.
"Oh no!"
The spectators gasped. No one had expected Kuro to excel not only in swordsmanship but also in physical combat techniques!
The Rankyaku erupted at such close range, and with Rhodes' sword already engaged in defense, it seemed impossible to counter.
In the blink of an eye, Rhodes appeared to be in a desperate situation—he would be defeated in the next moment!
"Troublesome."
Rhodes muttered to himself, then suddenly clenched his empty left hand into a fist and struck out fiercely.
"Taking on Rankyaku with bare hands? Is he trying to get himself killed?" someone shouted.
However, the next moment, everyone's expression froze.
The striking fist suddenly became glossy black, coated with incredibly dense Armament Haki, as if it had been dipped in ink.
Bang!
Like crushing glass, the Rankyaku was instantly shattered by Rhodes' punch.
Simultaneously, Rhodes exerted force with his right arm, directly sweeping away Kuro's sword blade, then slashed with his own weapon.
Whoosh!
A light blue thunder-infused sword energy tore through the air, slashing toward Kuro.
"Soru!"
Kuro's mastery of the Rokushiki was evident. He stamped his feet, attempting to create distance, but the lightning sword energy was too swift, leaving him no time to dodge completely.
"Ittoryu: Iai!"
He took a deep breath, grasped his sword with both hands, and slashed with tremendous force.
An extremely sharp tearing sound echoed through the air—the speed of his strike approached the speed of sound itself!
CRASH!
The lightning sword energy collided with his blade, the impact forcing Kuro back a full seven or eight meters before the energy finally dispersed, scattering in all directions.
Before Kuro could even catch his breath, his expression suddenly changed dramatically.
(End of Chapter)
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