Chapter 60: Ending
Eleanor's battle against Lao G proceeded smoothly.
On one hand, Lao G had already suffered injuries from Rhodes, leaving him severely depleted and in poor condition.
On the other hand, Eleanor was a seasoned swordswoman who could dominate in one-on-one combat. She was assisted by her squad of personal guards, especially the skilled marksmen who rendered Lao G practically incapable of defending himself.
The fierce battle ended with Lao G's capture.
Phew...
Standing among the ruins, Rhodes exhaled softly, a wave of fatigue and pain coursing through his body, yet his spirits remained high, as if he had just emerged victorious from an intense marathon gaming session.
"The enemies are getting tougher and tougher," Rhodes muttered as he sheathed his sword, shaking his head in frustration.
In the world of pirates, every powerful individual was a monster, possessing a wide array of abilities.
They possessed inherent strength, speed, and toughness. Busoshoku Haki enhanced their offense and defense, while Kenbunshoku Haki allowed them to predict attacks and improve their evasion capabilities.
These two abilities alone were enough to make powerful fighters nearly invulnerable—at least without exploiting a fatal weakness. Even when significantly outclassing them in raw physical strength, battles often dragged on for extended periods before victory could be secured.
This was particularly true since Rhodes was a swordsman. If he were a brawler like Luffy who relied on punches, defeating such opponents would be even more challenging.
"No wonder Aokiji and Akainu fought for ten days and nights, even changing the entire climate of Punk Hazard."
"Kaido, the King of Beasts, is known as the strongest creature on land, sea, and air. He's supposedly immortal—his vitality must be even more terrifying."
Rhodes rested for a moment, allowing himself to recover slightly. His thoughts wandered as he approached Ain and the others.
"How are you all doing? Still holding up okay?" he asked casually, noticing the pale faces of Shuzo and the others.
"..."
Shuzo and the rest frowned. Was he showing off?
"Uh, I mean, can you still keep going?" Rhodes clarified, noticing their expressions and pursing his lips.
Am I really that kind of person? My strength speaks for itself—why would I need to brag about it?
Shuzo and Binz realized their misunderstanding and scratched their heads awkwardly. "We're fine. Should be able to recover after a few days of rest."
"Ah, I see."
Rhodes had been considering demonstrating his medical skills, but after hearing their response, he decided against it. They had plenty of time to recuperate anyway.
The main battle was over—the enemy's executive had been killed, and Lao G had been captured. That left only the great pirate Spark.
However, judging by the faint tremors coming from the ground, Spark was probably still holding his own.
That made sense.
Rhodes had heard that this notorious pirate was an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit user—incredibly tough. Even if he wasn't as durable as Drought Jack of the Beast Pirates, he was probably a super-tough fighter who could stand there and let Rhodes hack away without flinching.
At that moment, Eleanor slowly approached.
She wore the cape of justice, dressed in a crisp, form-fitting Marine uniform with a rapier at her waist. She shattered any notion of being a delicate officer, radiating authority even without displaying anger. Rhodes couldn't help but study her for a few extra moments, marveling at the sight.
"I never realized you had the bearing of an Admiral."
"Really? You've accomplished something significant this time—single-handedly killing Executive Harmon and assisting in the capture of Donquixote Family Executive Lao G."
Eleanor's expression remained neutral, but a complex glint flickered in her eyes.
She had a feeling Rhodes would soon depart after mastering his swordsmanship.
"I'm not a Marine, so the credit isn't mine to claim," Rhodes said casually, waving his hand dismissively.
"Huh?"
Ain and the other two glanced at Rhodes with mild surprise, but said nothing. There was no rule stating that a Marine's student had to become a Marine themselves.
Eleanor didn't want to pursue the topic. She turned to Rhodes and asked, "We're going to clean up the battlefield, free the enslaved people, and escort the prisoners. What about you?"
"Me?"
Rhodes initially thought about returning to the warship to rest, but then reconsidered. Why not go watch the battle between Momousagi and the others?
A battle between great swordsmen—they'd only made brief appearances during the Krinos Island incident, merely cutting down small fry. This time, he'd really like to observe a proper fight.
Ain's expression brightened upon hearing this, and she quickly raised her hand. "I want to go too! I want to go too!"
The prospect of watching great swordsmen battle was irresistible temptation for any swordsman.
"Alright, but be careful about positioning and don't get too close," Eleanor said calmly, clearly experienced in such matters.
And so it was decided.
Shuzo and Binz returned to recover from their injuries, while Rhodes and the others headed toward the main battlefield.
...
The eastern part of the island.
Once a lush jungle, this area had undergone a dramatic transformation—a stark contrast to its former self.
Vast swaths of forest lay shattered, mud and rock scattered everywhere, leaving the earth barren and scarred. Terrifying chasms filled with surging seawater cut through the landscape.
Spark, despite his toughness and resilience, faced overwhelming opposition. The relentless attacks from the master swordswoman Momousagi had left his massive frame covered in wounds and blood. Several cuts were deep enough to expose bone, with damage extending to his internal organs.
"Damn it!"
"I won't accept this!"
Spark roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield, yet filled with an unmistakable sense of grief and indignation.
Facing the combined might of Momousagi and Black Arm Zephyr, he was powerless to mount any offense. He spent the entire fight on the defensive, yet still couldn't withstand their coordinated assault.
That woman's attacks were too sharp!
Furthermore, Black Arm Zephyr—a veteran warrior with impeccable experience and timing—often forced Spark into positions where he had to take Momousagi's strikes head-on.
Their seamless cooperation was so refined that Lao G and Harmon weren't even worthy of carrying their sandals. They simply operated on completely different levels.
The three combatants moved with incredible speed, fighting with tremendous intensity. Through the smoke and dust, it was difficult to see clearly. All that was visible was the complete devastation of the area—mountains split apart, earth and stone launched into waves that carried ancient trees dozens of meters into the air.
"Is this sensei's true combat power? This destructive capability is incredible."
Rhodes stood atop a tall building, gazing at sword marks that stretched clear to the sea, unable to hide his amazement.
"Zephyr-sensei was even more powerful before—no, much more powerful!"
Ain pouted with slight indignation, her eyes growing misty.
Back then, Zephyr had lost his arm protecting them, and his strength had greatly diminished. Ain had always felt guilty about it.
Rhodes fell silent. Looking at this emotional girl, he couldn't help but smile gently. "Of course. As a former Admiral of the Marines, Black Arm Zephyr was a legendary figure from the same era as heroes like Garp, Gol D. Roger, and Whitebeard. His strength is unquestionable."
Unfortunately, time was the ultimate enemy. No matter how powerful an individual might be, they remained as insignificant as dust before the endless march of time.
Ain snorted softly and nodded with a hint of satisfaction.
"If not for the severe complications from losing his arm, Zephyr-sensei's strength wouldn't be much weaker than Vice Admiral Garp's."
Injuries of the same severity actually had vastly different impacts depending on when they occurred.
For example, Red-Haired Shanks lost an arm during his prime, yet it seemed to have no effect whatsoever. He still stood firmly among the Four Emperors.
But when Zephyr suffered a serious injury in his old age, the consequences were devastating—enough to bring down even a top-tier warrior.
(End of Chapter)
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