Chapter 85: Diamante
Rhodes' voice echoed throughout the clearing.
Everyone's expressions froze in stunned silence.
If Rhodes had killed Tyrone before Diamante arrived and then left, it would have been a simple clash—not a serious matter.
But killing Tyrone right in front of Diamante, a top executive of the Donquixote Family?
That was a complete slap in the face.
Everyone could clearly sense a chilling murderous intent and bloodlust gradually spreading. One look revealed that Diamante's face had already turned black as thunder, with a vicious glint shining in his eyes.
"It's over."
"This is a disaster."
"Young people are too reckless."
Behind Rhodes, Soros's face suddenly changed. He pondered for a moment, shook his head with a sigh, then retreated in defeat.
Clearly, with his status and position, he had no right to intervene in front of Diamante.
Now he could only hope for the best.
A tense silence descended upon the scene, a suffocating atmosphere filling the air like the calm before a storm—oppressive and nearly unbearable.
"Move! Get out of here!"
The onlookers instinctively retreated, leaving a large clearing.
In moments, only Rhodes, Diamante, and the rest of the Donquixote crew remained.
Despite being outnumbered, Rhodes remained calm. He stood with sword in hand, a sharp glint in his eyes.
He was fearless. If he feared even someone like Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, how could he ever rise to the top and compete with legendary figures like the Four Emperors and their commanders?
Training meant nothing without worthy opponents to test oneself against.
Under everyone's gaze,
Diamante surprisingly didn't react immediately. He felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen Rhodes somewhere before.
Suddenly, recognition crossed his face, and he sneered,
"So it's you, little brat! Lao G was captured because of you. Instead of hiding obediently under that Momousagi woman's protection, you actually dared to appear on the seas."
"You've got a death wish!"
Lao G held a high position within the Donquixote Family, and his capture had caused quite a stir.
While the Donquixote Family worked to extract Lao G from prison, they also conducted a detailed investigation into the incident, learning all about Rhodes.
He was a legendary swordsman prodigy, possessing the incredibly powerful Lightning Sword Intent.
"Slaughtering a genius—what a delight!"
He licked his lips, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent.
"Half Moon... Funeral!"
Diamante slowly raised his rapier overhead, then suddenly slashed downward.
A startling ripping sound tore through the air.
As his sword fell, a brilliant turquoise sword aura suddenly erupted, tearing through the earth like it was tofu. With force that could cleave everything, it thundered toward Rhodes.
This was pure swordsmanship—its edge gleaming and breathtaking. Diamante was clearly a formidable swordsman.
Diamante's performance wasn't impressive in the original timeline, but as a top executive of the Donquixote Family, he was proficient in both swordsmanship and Devil Fruit abilities, making him at least Vice Admiral level. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to control the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Tch, Diamante-sama went all out right away? He really isn't giving the kid a chance."
"How pitiful. At such a young age, he could defeat Lao G-sama. He'd probably be a big shot in a few years. Unfortunately, he's now facing Diamante-sama and will most likely die young."
"Death would be merciful—living would be worse."
The Donquixote members who had followed Diamante all looked bloodthirsty and excited, as if they had already witnessed Rhodes being cut in two by this sword energy.
Whoosh!
Even before the sword energy arrived, the generated wind whipped against his face, blowing Rhodes' dark hair back and revealing his eyes gleaming with brilliant intensity.
"Just this level of swordsmanship..."
Looking at the seemingly majestic turquoise sword energy, Rhodes shook his head calmly.
He grasped the hilt with both hands and slashed with a casual movement.
"Ittoryu... Iai!"
As the sword swung down, a dazzling silver-white sword aura shone like a crescent moon across the sky, radiating chilling sharpness.
In an instant,
two distinct sword energies collided with a resounding clash that shook heaven and earth.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The two sword auras sliced and clashed against each other, grinding and crackling in a violent frenzy. Finally, they shattered, releasing a terrifying shockwave that swept outward.
The incredible force even caused nearby buildings to creak ominously, as if on the verge of collapse.
The onlookers were terrified and quickly retreated further. Some of the more timid ones didn't even dare continue watching the battle.
Almost instantly,
the clash determined the outcome.
As everyone watched in disbelief, a faint silver-white sword aura suddenly burst forth from the aftermath and continued its assault on Diamante.
Rhodes had won the exchange!
"What?!"
Diamante's eyes widened in shock.
He had never expected his full-strength slash to be countered by Rhodes!
And with a simple Iai-style technique, no less.
"He blocked it? He actually blocked it?"
The Donquixote Family members at the rear were all incredulous.
Diamante's swordsmanship wasn't considered his core ability, but combined with his peak physical conditioning, he could easily slice a Navy warship in half with a single strike!
"As expected of a master swordsman—I admit I underestimated you."
Diamante raised his sword to deflect the remaining sword energy, gazing at Rhodes with a cold, grim expression.
"So-called top officer? Nothing more than that."
Rhodes stood with sword in hand, his expression remaining calm.
Yet everyone sensed a hint of confidence in him.
It was, of course, justified confidence.
He had blocked Diamante's full-strength slash head-on and even gained a slight advantage. Even this generation's Supernova, "White Horse" Cavendish, couldn't match such strength.
Furthermore, Rhodes was significantly younger than Cavendish, and youth meant limitless potential.
If Supernova Cavendish had the potential to become a renowned pirate, then Rhodes was destined for legend—poised to reach the very pinnacle!
Everyone felt their presence here was worthwhile, witnessing the emergence of such a remarkable figure.
"Hoh, so this is the young man Shakky was talking about? Not bad at all."
A silver-haired old man on a nearby rooftop observed the scene from afar, taking a sip of his sake.
That Momousagi had finally taken on a student.
A bit envious, really.
Master swordsmen who have reached the pinnacle are few and far between, and most feel a profound loneliness at the top. Even those who don't know each other personally have usually heard of their fellow masters and feel a kinship with them.
"But Diamante's true strength is far more than this."
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed with interest.
Let this old man witness that legendary Lightning Sword Intent!
(End of Chapter)
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