Chapter 76: Reverse Journey
It wasn't until Ryuji's words of surrender echoed throughout the arena that Kuro and the other newly recruited revolutionaries finally snapped back to reality. A series of gasps rippled across the training ground, stirring up a fine cloud of dust.
"Rhodes... Rhodes actually defeated a senior officer..."
This fact was undoubtedly hard to accept, but with the evidence before their eyes, they had no choice but to believe it.
It was absolutely insane!
While Rhodes' strength had been formidable before, it wasn't truly otherworldly. It was within reason, and his displayed talent and potential were acceptable. Even people like Kuro and Morley had harbored ambitions of catching up.
But the astonishing strength Rhodes displayed in this battle was truly unbelievable, completely shattering their worldview.
"What a monster..." Morley shook his head with a bitter smile, completely abandoning any hope of catching up.
He would be truly blessed to reach Ryuji's level in his lifetime.
But this Rhodes—a teenager seven or eight years his junior—had already surpassed Ryuji.
The gap between them was simply incomprehensible.
Moreover, he knew full well that the gap would only continue widening, until he could only look up at Rhodes from below.
Kuro was equally dejected.
Even his most respected teacher couldn't defeat Rhodes. What else could he say? His previous rivalry and self-confidence now seemed like a joke.
The young revolutionaries of Rhodes' generation were filled with awe.
Fish-man Hack, Belo Betty, and other senior Revolutionary Army members were also amazed, looking at Rhodes with newfound respect.
It was no longer the look they had previously given him—the way they'd regarded a promising junior.
Strength determines status.
With Rhodes' feat of defeating Ryuji, no one would foolishly consider Rhodes a mere junior anymore.
This young man in white was more than capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with them!
If it weren't for his lack of experience in leadership, he would likely have been promoted directly to the senior ranks.
"He won... He won! Rhodes actually won!" Koala covered her mouth with her hand, exclaiming in amazement.
"Yeah, that's incredible," Sabo's eyes were complicated.
He clenched his fists, his gaze gradually growing more determined. It seemed he needed to train harder and not slack off.
As Rhodes sheathed his sword, the battle finally came to an end.
Only then did everyone notice how devastated the battlefield was—hundreds of meters in radius, completely shattered. Sword marks crisscrossed the ground, leaving it charred black, as if struck by divine lightning.
"Rhodes, follow me. Everyone else, dismissed,"
Dragon said gravely. The rest of the Revolutionary Army dispersed, each giving Rhodes a meaningful look before departing.
Having witnessed this battle, they all shared the same thought:
When would this young man rise to prominence, becoming a figure capable of influencing world events?
Two years? Three years?
But even after three years, he'd still only be twenty!
They couldn't dwell on it anymore—any further thought would only lead to despair.
Everyone quickly pushed such thoughts from their minds.
...
Conference Room.
"Your mission this time is to travel to the Kano Country and take over the duties of our fallen comrade there. The Kano Country is a member nation of the World Government. It's powerful, politically complex, and home to the formidable Happo Navy. Here are the relevant documents—review them when you have time."
Intelligence officer Belo Betty handed over some documents.
"Understood."
Rhodes nodded, accepted them, and glanced through the materials to understand the situation.
Betty then detailed Rhodes' responsibilities.
Generally speaking, they involved cultivating underground resistance networks, gathering supplies, and spreading revolutionary ideals. For the time being, violent overthrow of governments wasn't the Revolutionary Army's primary strategy.
"You don't have the typical qualifications for this mission,"
Betty said. "But this journey will take you alone from the New World, back through the Grand Line, and all the way to West Blue. This will be a true test of your abilities."
"I hope you complete it successfully. Don't let your guard down."
In the eyes of the Revolutionary Army's leadership, Rhodes, with his terrifying potential, represented the organization's future. No one wanted such a promising talent to come to harm.
However, at his current level, if he didn't undergo real-world experience, relying solely on training, he would likely never progress further.
Therefore, no one was foolish enough to try dissuading him from this trial by fire.
"Understood."
Rhodes nodded, suddenly feeling somewhat amused.
Normally, people journeyed from the Four Blues to the Grand Line and ultimately into the New World. This progression allowed a person to transform and grow—a natural filtering process, like gold being separated from sand.
Rhodes, however, was going through the reverse process...
Starting in the New World, where powerful individuals abounded, then traveling through the first half of the Grand Line—what the New World's strong called "Paradise"—and finally returning to the Four Blues, essentially the "beginner zones."
Of course, this wasn't to say that the Four Blues and Paradise lacked dangerous individuals.
Rhodes, familiar with the source material, knew full well that hidden dragons and crouching tigers lurked in these seas, and that many powerful, retired warriors must have settled in the Four Blues.
Moreover,
these areas were also most tightly controlled by the Marines. Because of Rhodes' status as a Revolutionary, World Government forces were also potential enemies.
In some ways, they were even more dangerous than the New World.
"Alright, go prepare. You leave tomorrow," Betty said with a smile.
Rhodes nodded and turned to leave.
After his departure, the conference room fell into contemplative silence.
Betty pondered for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Dragon-san, the matter between Momousagi and Rhodes..."
She looked worried and uncertain.
Dragon raised his hand, silencing her, and said calmly, "Don't you understand?"
"A young man of his caliber—Momousagi alone cannot influence his will or convictions, and neither can I."
"We just need to know that he's definitely not aligned with the Celestial Dragons or those world nobles."
"To overthrow a behemoth like the World Government, we must learn tolerance and embrace all forms of resistance,"
Dragon's voice was low, his eyes dark with determination.
The depth of the World Government, which had ruled the world for eight hundred years, was impossible to fathom.
Even its publicly displayed Marine forces were overwhelmingly powerful, and what lay beneath the surface was simply unfathomable.
Meanwhile, Rhodes, having just left the conference room, encountered Koala, Bepo, Sabo, and others waiting for him.
"So, when do you leave?"
Koala asked with a smile.
"Tomorrow."
"Let's go out for dinner together, as a farewell."
"Sounds good."
The four of them set off and soon arrived in town.
The streets and buildings remained unchanged—exactly as they'd been more than half a year ago.
Walking down the street, Rhodes could sense numerous gazes fixed on him, filled with awe, admiration, longing, and aspiration...
Presumably because news of the battle had spread among the recruits.
While the townspeople might not understand the true extent of swordsman Ryuji's power, they recognized that Rhodes was no longer someone they could relate to.
Perhaps in time, Rhodes would become the kind of role model parents would use to inspire their children.
After the farewell dinner, Rhodes didn't immediately return to the castle headquarters. Instead, he visited the old doctor and chatted for a while at the clinic before finally leaving town and returning to the castle.
Tomorrow, he would leave this windswept, desolate, and remote Baltigo and embark on his reverse journey through the world.
End of Chapter 76
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P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)