Chapter 91: Is There Really Such a Technique?
Cavendish was in a foul mood.
He had expected that with his status as a supernova carrying a 280 million berry bounty, he would undoubtedly become the most popular figure of the year when he arrived at Sabaody Archipelago, capturing the world's attention.
But he never anticipated that some young upstart would steal his thunder!
So Cavendish was furious and decided to teach this brat a lesson.
As for that record of defeating Diamante? Ha! In the eyes of the supernovas, even the Four Emperors were just stepping stones to be challenged. How strong could this seventeen-year-old kid possibly be?
Certainly not stronger than himself.
In the original timeline, Cavendish had harbored hatred toward Luffy and his crew because the Worst Generation had stolen his spotlight. He was an oddball among pirates who cared deeply about public perception, even willing to create scandals for attention.
Surrounded by a crowd of adoring female fans, Cavendish rode his white horse slowly toward Rhodes. Looking down at him disdainfully, he spoke with provocation:
"So you're Rhodes? You don't look like much."
"Cavendish?"
Rhodes' eyes narrowed slightly at these words, quickly grasping the man's intentions. A faint smile crossed his face.
"That's right, it's me!"
Cavendish held his head high, striking a narcissistic pose while exuding an air of flamboyant arrogance.
Unexpectedly, Rhodes' expression suddenly shifted, becoming cold and indifferent.
"Get lost!"
Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, a violent aura suddenly erupted, accompanied by what sounded like thunder—a roar that seemed to explode in the very air itself.
Fighting spirit is something that typically accumulates through countless battles, growing stronger alongside one's power and experience.
When one's fighting spirit reaches its peak, even without the ability to instantly overwhelm crowds like those who possess Conqueror's Haki, they can still force weaker opponents to retreat through sheer presence alone!
Rhodes' momentum, having just publicly defeated Diamante mere days ago, might have only startled Cavendish, but it had a profound effect on his white horse.
Neigh!
Faruru, the white horse, instantly reared up on its hind legs, causing the surrounding crowd to scream and scatter in panic.
Cavendish tried desperately to calm his mount, but to no avail. Finally, he had no choice but to dismount and have his subordinates lead Faruru away. Only then did the dazed female fans regain their composure and turn their attention to Rhodes.
The sight of him left them spellbound.
"Wow, so cool!"
The young, beautiful women were instantly captivated.
Cavendish possessed the handsome features and refined elegance of a European nobleman.
Rhodes, however, was no less attractive than Cavendish—perhaps even more so in terms of presence. Especially in this moment, with his commanding aura and clothes flowing effortlessly in the breeze, he radiated an otherworldly, aloof charm.
It wasn't obvious until they really looked, but once they did, they were drawn to him like magnets, and the longer they stared, the more mesmerized they became.
"Kyaa! This guy's so handsome!"
"Do you have a girlfriend? What do you think of me?"
"Here's my hotel room number! How about we discuss 'training' tonight?"
The girls' eyes burned with passion as they surged forward without hesitation.
Yukiko was abruptly pushed aside by these predatory women, trembling with fear.
"..."
Rhodes couldn't help but frown at this scene, his aura surging as he tried to intimidate them.
But in the eyes of these women, this gesture only added to his appeal, drawing them in like moths to a flame.
"What a pain..."
Rhodes frowned slightly and released faint arcs of electricity that spread outward, precisely targeting each of these somewhat crazed women.
Bzzzzt...
The lightning wasn't particularly strong—not even as intense as the electrical stimulation Rhodes used during his own body conditioning—but it was more than sufficient to stop these ordinary women who possessed little to no combat ability.
They almost instantly froze in place, standing motionless with slightly trembling bodies and glazed eyes. A tingling sensation immediately spread throughout their forms, and then...
an uncontrollable collective moan escaped their lips.
"Ahhh~~~"
This shocking scene immediately drew the attention of nearly everyone in the harbor, who now looked at Rhodes with very strange expressions.
Even little Yukiko wore a peculiar look on her face.
"..."
Rhodes' forehead couldn't help but twitch, though he found himself somewhat surprised. So lightning could be manipulated in such a way?
Meanwhile, Cavendish, standing nearby, was completely dumbfounded.
When he came to his senses, his eyes instantly turned bloodshot with rage.
Cavendish was a petty man who held grudges when others stole his spotlight, let alone Rhodes' almost brazen display of superiority!
"I challenge you to a duel with my sacred blade, Durandal! You will lose to me—I am the most popular man on this island!"
He spoke rapidly, seething with anger, as if Rhodes had committed some unforgivable offense against him.
Rhodes was baffled by this reaction, but he had never been one to back down from a challenge. He looked at Cavendish seriously and asked, "Are you certain you want to die?"
"Absolutely!"
Cavendish was livid.
"Then I'll grant your wish."
Rhodes slowly gripped his sword hilt, lowering his stance slightly. His relaxed, casual posture suddenly transformed, and a startling sharpness began emanating from his being. This manifestation of a master swordsman's will sent chills down Cavendish's spine.
With crystal-clear intuition, he instantly realized:
He was no match for this man.
Faced with this life-threatening situation, Cavendish's second personality immediately awakened, his demeanor shifting to one of cold, frenzied bloodlust.
In this state, his swordsmanship nearly doubled in power compared to his normal abilities.
Those around him could sense the indiscriminate, bone-chilling killing intent radiating from him—a truly terrifying presence.
In an instant, the once sunny, handsome, and charming blonde man had transformed into a murderous maniac devoid of any trace of humanity.
In that moment, he lost countless fans...
The women were horrified, retreating in terror as they sensed Cavendish's murderous intent directed at everything under heaven!
Observing this scene, Rhodes remained remarkably composed.
He prepared to draw his sword, allowing faint traces of electrical energy to flow continuously into the scabbard, building pressure.
Buzzz...
Though Rhodes wasn't exerting any external force, the hilt vibrated incessantly, as if the power contained within the scabbard was urging him to unsheathe the blade.
"Survive this single strike, and I'll spare your life."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Rhodes suddenly moved.
Whoosh!
Within the electrical atmosphere he had deliberately created inside the scabbard, Rhodes drew his sword with such extreme speed that even his previous quick-draw techniques paled in comparison!
Whoooosh!
A whistle-like sound pierced the air.
A sword slash, more refined than any before, instantly burst forth from the Raikiri blade, outpacing even sound itself and creating a startling white shockwave in its wake. This was the sonic boom caused by breaking the sound barrier!
(End of Chapter)
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