Chapter 86: Defeat with One Sword
This battle had drawn widespread attention, and the Sabaody Archipelago was never short of thrill-seekers. Powerful individuals gathered around to spectate.
"Hey, isn't that Diamante? Who would dare provoke him? Could this guy be one of this year's Supernovas?"
"A Supernova? Don't be ridiculous! Anyone who knows anything understands that Supernovas only dominate the first half of the Grand Line. Diamante is a renowned figure from the New World, capable of single-handedly defeating Cavendish."
Everyone buzzed with curiosity about Rhodes' identity.
In this world, the simplest and most direct way for ordinary people to become famous is by earning a bounty from the World Government.
The higher the bounty, the more famous you become, and the easier you are to remember.
Unless someone has connections like Sanji, the mugshot on bounty posters is usually very clear and recognizable.
For others, the only way to learn about someone is through newspaper coverage.
Since Rhodes had no bounty on his head and hadn't performed any earth-shattering feats worthy of widespread media attention, few of these ordinary spectators knew him.
"What's the point of being strong? Good looks are what matter! Cavendish is the best!"
"Exactly! A pirate prince is something you vulgar people could never understand!"
"Ah~~ my beloved Cavendish!"
Hearing the disparaging remarks about Cavendish, some female fans glared in dissatisfaction. The burly men who had been speaking fell silent.
They took in the fierce appearance of these women—broad shoulders, thick waists, wielding axes and whips—and sighed inwardly.
For this legendary pirate prince, the handsome captain of the Beautiful Pirates, they felt only admiration... and a touch of sympathy.
Meanwhile, in the battle arena...
Hearing Rhodes' taunting words, Diamante sneered but said nothing more.
He had indeed been at a disadvantage in their previous clash. Since he was being outmatched, it was time to fight back with everything he had.
Harsh words should be spoken while crushing your enemy underfoot.
"Hah!" He shouted, suddenly activating the power of his Hira Hira no Mi (Flag-Flag Fruit).
"Hanafubuki!"
Bzzzzt!
Almost instantly, the ground within a radius of dozens of meters began trembling, as if infused with mysterious power.
As everyone watched in astonishment, the entire landscape suddenly began rippling like silk fabric swaying in the wind.
"Here it comes! Diamante-sama's Devil Fruit power!"
"How terrifying!"
"There's no way to maintain balance in this situation. Looks like this battle is over!"
The Donquixote Family members' expressions brightened, as if they had already witnessed Rhodes being crushed by the undulating earth.
Unexpectedly, Rhodes simply stomped his foot and leaped into the air. Using Geppo (Moon Walk), he effortlessly evaded Diamante's fruit-powered attack.
"So you know Rokushiki techniques? But it's hard to generate momentum in mid-air. Let's see how you handle this!"
As expected, Diamante snorted coldly and suddenly slashed with his sword.
"Hangetsu Gari!" (Half Moon Funeral)
A vast turquoise sword slash swept outward, seemingly splitting heaven and earth in two.
With this strike, Diamante unleashed his full power, channeling all the swordsmanship he'd learned throughout his life, pushing both speed and strength to their absolute limits. He aimed to cut Rhodes from the sky, regain his honor, and prove his superiority.
Whoooosh!
Seeing the turquoise sword energy slashing toward the heavens, practically illuminating the dark night, everyone couldn't help but gasp, believing Rhodes was surely doomed.
"Is that all you've got?" Rhodes suddenly laughed.
He shook his head while laughing.
"I thought the top officers of the Donquixote Family were supposed to be formidable, but you're just all style and no substance."
"This level of swordsmanship is what you're proud of? I really overestimated you."
"Well then, let me show you what real swordsmanship looks like."
Rhodes stood with sword in hand, hovering proudly in mid-air.
Amidst the horrified and bewildered gazes of the crowd, he calmly spoke two words:
"Rairyū!" (Thunder Dragon)
KRAKOOM!
The void erupted in lightning and thunder exploded, as if daylight had suddenly arrived!
Bathed in crackling electricity, he struck with his blade!
RUMMMMMBLE!
Like divine retribution from above, a majestic dragon formed entirely of lightning burst forth from his sword, writhing and coiling through the air before crashing into the turquoise sword energy with tremendous force.
Diamante's most powerful sword slash offered no resistance whatsoever, dissipating like paper in an instant. Then the Thunder Dragon, still raging with fury, roared downward like an angry deity delivering judgment upon the world.
"Impossible!"
Diamante's eyes widened in shock, yet he dared not hesitate. He stomped his foot fiercely, causing the earth to rise like fabric, layer upon layer, blocking his path.
But how could ordinary earth withstand the terrifying thunder dragon descending from the heavens?
Crash! Crash! Crash!
Like an unstoppable force, in a flash the lightning-wrapped dragon pierced through nine layers of earth one after another, and then with a thunderous BANG!, it struck Diamante's raised sword.
THOOM!
The thunder dragon's final burst of power erupted, sending Diamante flying backward almost instantly. He coughed up several mouthfuls of blood before crashing through a shop with a resounding crash.
At the same time, all the earth that Diamante had been controlling with his Devil Fruit powers came crashing back down with a series of thunderous impacts.
The entire ground shook violently, accompanied by massive clouds of dust and debris.
Many wealthy merchants and nobles relaxing throughout the Sabaody Archipelago suddenly noticed their tea cups vibrating with ripples.
"Is this an earthquake?"
Everyone exclaimed in surprise, rushing outside.
The spectators were completely stunned.
In mid-air, a white-clad figure bathed in crackling lightning stood with sword in hand. Clouds of dust billowed beneath him. The sky, illuminated by this figure's presence, glowed a brilliant electric blue. The thunderbolt that pierced through the darkness was truly awe-inspiring.
"Such incredible lightning power!"
"Could he be a user of the legendary Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit)?"
"No wonder he's so powerful at such a young age! That's a nearly invincible Logia-type ability—even the current Three Admirals would have trouble with it!"
Everyone gaped in shock, not even noticing the dust they were inhaling with their wide-open mouths.
"What... what am I witnessing? Did he just manifest a lightning dragon with a single sword strike?!"
Gates was utterly stunned.
"Even Diamante was blasted back !" Soros swallowed hard.
Not only him, but even Rayleigh, who had been calmly drinking sake nearby, directly spat out his mouthful of alcohol.
He had gotten what he wanted—a glimpse of the legendary Thunder Sword Intent.
But rather than observing with the composed attitude of a veteran swordsman ready to offer guidance and corrections, he was as shocked as any ordinary bystander!
And who was he?
The former vice-captain of the Roger Pirates, the legendary Dark King Rayleigh, who once split an island in half with a single sword stroke, one of the world's greatest swordsmen!
Even in his old age, he could still easily deflect attacks from Admiral Kizaru.
"This is... this is fake, right?"
"Is this still supposed to be sword intent?!"
Rayleigh blinked rapidly, his face displaying a complete "are you serious?" expression as he muttered unconsciously.
(End of Chapter)
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