Chapter 150: The Strength of CP0
Rhodes had studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia extensively and knew the appearances and abilities of many Devil Fruits.
Among them, he was most interested in conceptual-type Devil Fruits like the Raki Raki no Mi and the Hobi Hobi no Mi.
The Raki Raki no Mi's user, Baccarat, could absorb others' luck and store it. Almost single-handedly, she managed to run a massive casino for Gild Tesoro, the Golden Emperor—arguably the most sophisticated form of cheating imaginable.
The Kyū Kyū no Mi—opposite of the Luck Fruit—wasn't as powerful as one might expect.
Its primary ability was to absorb the misfortune of others...
While it could later transfer that misfortune elsewhere, it offered no significant direct benefit to the user.
It was essentially a very limited support-type ability.
"I'm so grateful for this information!"
Amanda couldn't help but smile broadly at Rhodes's explanation.
She hadn't expected Anya to become a great warrior sailing the seas, but with this support ability to absorb calamity, she could already envision the East Star Trading Company prospering tremendously.
Meanwhile, Amanda's crew had already retrieved the sea chart.
Rhodes casually accepted it and glanced over the contents. It was a highly detailed chart of the East Blue, recording the locations of numerous famous islands and even carefully marking their current position.
"Very good. Thank you."
Rhodes nodded with satisfaction.
"No, no—I should be thanking you, sir."
Amanda said repeatedly. The information Rhodes had shared was ten thousand times more valuable than any chart.
"When you reach the Grand Line someday, if you need anything, visit Arabasta and mention my name."
With that, Rhodes leaped back onto Momoo's back. With a gentle tap of his foot, Momoo submerged halfway and swam rapidly away.
"What a dashing man!"
Amanda and her crew exclaimed admiringly.
"I've decided! When I grow up, I'm going to marry him!" Anya clenched her small fists and made a vow in her heart.
Loguetown boasted a prime location—serving as the gateway from the East Blue to the Grand Line and as the execution site of Pirate King Gol D. Roger. Its prosperity surpassed even major islands in other Blues.
Even from several kilometers away, Rhodes could already see countless ships dotting the waters.
From above, it looked like a thousand sails racing across the sea.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Rhodes simply released Momoo and headed directly toward Loguetown.
With a soft click,
Rhodes partially opened a dimensional door—not rushing through immediately, but observing the area first to avoid emerging somewhere problematic.
Of course, even if it was problematic, Rhodes would still proceed.
"Looks like a back alley?"
Rhodes's lips quirked in mild disappointment as he slowly stepped through.
"Let's find Dragon first."
He exited the alley, navigating left and right through the town, and soon arrived at an unremarkable four-story building.
Catching the rich aroma wafting from inside, Rhodes's eye twitched slightly. Another ramen shop?
Were ramen shops particularly ideal for covert operations?
Rhodes shook his head faintly, pushed open the door, and walked inside.
Business was thriving.
Indeed, with the entire Revolutionary Army backing it, how could their ramen not be excellent?
"Sir, please follow me. Your reservation is upstairs."
A waiter greeted him immediately, speaking in hushed tones.
"Lead the way."
Rhodes nodded slightly, gesturing for him to proceed.
The two ascended the stairs, soon arriving at a private room on the third floor.
"Here we are. Please enter."
The waiter said respectfully, withdrawing without any questions or unnecessary curiosity—clearly a well-trained Revolutionary Army member.
Rhodes casually opened the door and entered.
He spotted a familiar figure immediately.
East Army Commander Belo Betty—user of the Paramecia-type Kobu Kobu no Mi—a striking woman whose attire alone was truly... inspiring.
Her jacket hung open with no shirt underneath, revealing smooth, pale skin from collarbone all the way down to her navel. It was genuinely eye-catching.
"Well, well—the Dragon Slayer has arrived."
Betty observed the rising star with interest, a cigarette dangling from her lips.
As she finished speaking, the Revolutionary Army officers in the room all turned their attention toward him.
"He's so young."
"Incredible that he could defeat Don Chinjao at such an age."
"I heard the Supreme Commander is already considering grooming him for future leadership."
Various thoughts filled the officers' minds, and their gazes toward Rhodes inevitably carried hints of respect and awe.
"Where's Dragon?"
Rhodes ignored their stares. After entering, he scanned the room briefly and addressed Betty calmly.
"Tsk, you're unexpectedly cold, little brother Rhodes."
Betty clicked her tongue with amusement.
The other officers might have felt some intimidation toward Rhodes, but as one of the Revolutionary Army's Four Army Commanders, Betty wasn't fazed in the slightest. In terms of strength, status, and experience, she stood on equal footing with him.
"Want to fight?" Rhodes narrowed his eyes slightly. Did this woman think he was easygoing?
"Oh my, you really don't know how to treat a lady gently."
Betty sighed and shook her head, but didn't continue provoking Rhodes. Instead, she said casually: "The Supreme Commander hasn't arrived yet. Seems he went to meet someone particularly important."
"Someone important? Koshiro?"
Rhodes speculated internally, then asked directly: "What are the specific details of this mission?"
Speaking of the mission, Betty's expression turned serious as she said in a grave tone:
"Speaking of this operation—it actually has something to do with you."
"Me?" Rhodes said in surprise, pointing at himself.
Betty smiled and continued: "The intelligence you and Subokula obtained from the Centaurea organization on Bell Island in the New World during your last mission included information about a secret World Government research facility in the East Blue."
"Our investigation revealed that the research conducted at this base is extremely important, and it's being guarded by CP0's Ninth Division."
"Hence this sabotage operation. Ideally, we'll obtain their research data—but if that proves impossible, we'll destroy the facility entirely."
"The Supreme Commander can't act directly, and I'm not strong enough alone, so we've called you in."
At this point, Betty paused, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt as she asked directly: "Are you confident?"
Don Chinjao was, after all, a great pirate from the previous era—in his seventies or eighties. Though rumored to have regained some of his prime strength, the exact extent of his recovery remained unknown.
Most people believed that no matter how much he'd recovered, he still couldn't match himself in his true prime. This was also why Doflamingo hadn't been particularly impressed by Rhodes's victory. After all, regarding talent and potential—who among the world's strongest lacked those qualities?
The Revolutionary Army frequently clashed with CP forces, so Betty understood perfectly the strength each CP0 division wielded.
CP consisted of nine divisions total.
Each division typically comprised nine members. When someone died, they recruited replacements from lower CP ranks.
Though numbering only eighty-one members in total, their average strength was extraordinarily high.
The Ninth Division was the weakest—yet still possessed the capability to destroy an entire nation!
The eight regular members were at least Vice Admiral level.
And the division captains possessed power rivaling great pirates.
Rumor had it that the top three division captains among the nine even possessed strength matching the Marine Admirals!
This was the might of CP0—directly subordinate to the World Government, or more accurately, the Celestial Dragons. An absolute force capable of suppressing the world.
Facing such enemies, Betty had to proceed cautiously and assess Rhodes's true capabilities.
(End of Chapter)
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