Chapter 77: Storm
The next morning,
after bidding farewell to Koala and the others, Rhodes reached the shore and sailed out to sea. After a series of connections, he boarded a large, luxuriously decorated merchant vessel.
This was a trading company working exclusively for the World Government—similar to government contractors, with the added responsibility of procuring rare treasures for the Celestial Dragons.
Rhodes would take this ship to the Red Port and then travel overland through the Holy Land of Mariejois.
While it was unfortunate he wouldn't be able to experience the scenery of Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below the surface, it would still be worthwhile to see Mariejois, the sacred seat of the world's most powerful rulers.
Furthermore, the route to Fish-Man Island was treacherous to navigate. If anything went wrong, Rhodes wouldn't be able to survive ten thousand meters beneath the sea.
Traveling overland posed virtually no risk.
Rhodes was citizen with no bounty on his head, and he even had the impeccable credentials of being Momousagi's disciple. While traveling through the Red Line might seem dangerous, it was actually quite safe.
"Young man, what's your name?"
Rhodes turned to see a middle-aged man approaching with an elegant gait. His face was flushed, and he was dressed in luxurious attire. Behind him followed two black-suited bodyguards with imposing builds and clearly formidable strength.
Seeing this newcomer, Rhodes remained composed.
This man was the ship's owner, Soros—a high-ranking official and businessman under the World Government. He was said to oversee a vast commercial empire, roughly equivalent to the CEO of a major corporation.
Of course, in this world where power reigned supreme, a mere businessman might appear prestigious, but in reality could be replaced at a moment's notice.
"I'm Rhodes,"
Rhodes nodded slightly. After all, it was someone else's ship, so basic courtesy was warranted.
"Young man, you're so young yet already venturing from the New World. You're truly promising."
Soros's eyes gleamed as he studied Rhodes.
Ferrying people across the Red Line wasn't unusual—he'd done it countless times before, and it wasn't something he'd normally give much thought to.
But hearing about this particular young man had piqued Soros's interest.
As a businessman, his instinct was to associate with the powerful, or with young people who showed potential.
Only by constantly expanding his network and cultivating influential connections could he secure his position.
This was the hard-earned wisdom Soros had gained from years of serving the World Government.
However, Rhodes didn't want to attract attention, so he had no intention of making small talk with Soros.
But the man was overly enthusiastic, his gaze penetrating. As if sensing something, he kept engaging Rhodes in conversation, making subtle inquiries.
He even offered Rhodes some rare and expensive sake, its origins mysterious.
But who was Rhodes?
He accepted the sake but maintained his calm demeanor.
He understood that his experience and background certainly couldn't compare to that of a seasoned businessman like Soros, and that if he spoke carelessly about matters he wasn't familiar with, Soros might detect inconsistencies.
Fortunately, he adhered to the principle of saying little, responding with noncommittal "mm-hmm"s to keep the conversation going without revealing anything about his own affairs.
Only when night fell did he excuse himself and return to his cabin to continue tempering his internal organs.
"This young man... is quite intriguing."
The expression on Soros's face gradually grew more serious, revealing a hint of puzzlement.
Normally, someone of that age would be most susceptible to flattery, especially after drinking. However, Rhodes remained impossibly composed, and even the experienced Soros couldn't read anything from him.
"So what if he's calm? At his age, his strength has limits," one black-suited bodyguard said dismissively.
The other bodyguard agreed, "Being young means his body isn't fully developed, and it's impossible to hone one's skills to the highest level at that age."
"Physical conditioning is the foundation of everything. I could take down ten kids like him with one hand,"
the bodyguard said confidently.
He was formerly a renowned mercenary in the underworld, having even killed powerful pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million berries. He looked down on young upstarts.
Besides, if Rhodes were truly powerful, how could he possibly be leaving the New World to return to Paradise?
Soros shook his head calmly upon hearing this. "Regardless, it never hurts to make connections."
"Who knows if this guy might one day transform from a minnow into a sea king, soaring to great heights?"
"Ha!"
The two bodyguards scoffed, not bothering to argue further.
Their relationship with Soros was purely professional, not hierarchical, so there was no need to show excessive deference.
The rest of the voyage proceeded without incident.
Rhodes remained in his cabin training, only emerging for meals. This left Soros somewhat frustrated, and he could only shake his head and abandon his attempts at friendship, thinking perhaps Rhodes had been driven to reclusiveness by the overwhelming powers of the New World.
This wasn't uncommon.
Many who ventured into the New World often suffered psychological breakdowns after witnessing the stark reality of that realm, some even taking their own lives.
It was no wonder the first half of the Grand Line was called "Paradise" by New World veterans. Pirate crews returning from the New World often unleashed devastating chaos.
That day, the sky was overcast and the sea churned ominously.
The ship rocked so violently that Rhodes paused his training. He made his way to the railing and gazed into the distance.
Crack!
The weather in the New World was utterly unpredictable. One moment the sun blazed overhead, the next, dark clouds gathered and the sea erupted in apocalyptic waves.
Silver lightning tore through the gray void, followed by torrential rain. Water cascaded from the heavens like a waterfall, a downpour so intense it could soak anyone in seconds.
"I hope my luck holds out,"
Rhodes muttered quietly, focusing his attention.
If it were merely an ordinary storm, he could cleave through it with a single strike and save the ship. But if a catastrophic hurricane tore through these waters, he'd have no choice but to flee.
Losing the ship wouldn't mean failure in his mission, but it would significantly complicate things—a rather unpleasant prospect.
Crack!
A streak of purple lightning blazed across the sky, stretching for dozens or even hundreds of miles. It was magnificent, terrifying, and left a lingering sense of awe.
"Now that's true divine thunder..."
Rhodes' eyes flashed with electricity, a hint of longing in his gaze.
If one could master such devastating heavenly lightning, even the Yonko could be defeated with ease.
Time passed slowly.
Rhodes was fortunate—the storm hadn't spawned any major natural disasters, and the ship safely sailed clear of the danger zone, emerging into bright sunshine.
Looking back, less than a kilometer away, the fierce storm still raged, waves towering and terrifying.
"What an incredible natural phenomenon."
Even though Rhodes had witnessed such events multiple times, he couldn't help but marvel.
Such unnatural and terrifying weather patterns were why every pirate crew recruited qualified navigators before venturing into the Grand Line.
On these seas, no enemy, however powerful, could withstand true natural disasters.
Even the legendary battle between Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Golden Lion Shiki had been decided by a massive storm.
"Come to think of it, if Whitebeard in his prime had faced the storm at the Battle of Edd War, I wonder if he could have shattered it with his fists."
Rhodes mused absentmindedly, and was about to return to his cabin when suddenly his expression sharpened, as if he had sensed something approaching.
End of Chapter 77
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