Chapter 151: Natural Airhead
"As expected."
After hearing Betty's explanation about CP0, Rhodes couldn't help but reveal a hint of understanding.
CP0 made very few appearances in the original story, remaining a mysterious organization, and Rhodes didn't know much about them.
But now, with Betty's introduction, he had gained a clearer and more concrete understanding.
The Marines were a public law enforcement agency—a banner of justice commanding the seas. Their primary responsibility was eradicating pirates and confronting the Yonko.
CP0, on the other hand, was a blade hidden in darkness—intimidating the kingdoms of the Four Blues. Their primary responsibilities included protecting the Celestial Dragons, safeguarding special talents like Vegapunk, and overseeing classified research facilities.
Their strength was so formidable they could almost be described as a shadow version of the Marines.
In response to Betty's questioning, Rhodes didn't display expected arrogance or boastful confidence. Instead, he calmly asked:
"Do you have any information on their abilities?"
In a world where Devil Fruits were abundant, knowing the enemy's capabilities in advance was crucial to avoiding unnecessary setbacks.
Rhodes wasn't overconfident.
"I do have some intelligence..."
Betty glanced at Rhodes with surprise, clearly not expecting this young man—who'd achieved fame so early and awakened Conqueror's Haki—to remain so level-headed.
A peculiar glint flashed in her beautiful eyes.
After a moment's consideration, she spoke: "The Ninth Division Captain's real name is Hurt. He specializes in Rokushiki and was once active in the New World. He's a Devil Fruit user—abilities unknown, but preliminary estimates suggest some kind of Paramecia ability that enhances both offense and defense. Combined with his proficient Armament Haki, his strength rivals average great pirates."
"As for the team members, aside from Vice-Captain Moon Sword—a veteran swordsman with considerable skill—the others are standard elite agents. My subordinates will handle intercepting them."
"I see."
Rhodes nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved. As long as it wasn't some bizarre conceptual Devil Fruit, he'd be fine.
Since his battle with Don Chinjao,
while his swordsmanship and Thunder Mastery hadn't improved dramatically, the strength of his Armament Haki had increased significantly.
Combined with the indirect boost to his attributes from the Thunder Tome's advancement, facing Don Chinjao again would result in an easy victory.
He wouldn't underestimate his enemies, but neither would he lose confidence in himself.
"When do we depart?"
"Once the Supreme Commander returns—should be a few days. Until then, feel free to explore Loguetown."
Betty didn't press further, having already gleaned the answer she needed from Rhodes's expression and tone.
"Understood."
Rhodes nodded and turned to leave.
Good timing to sample Loguetown's local cuisine and sake.
After Rhodes departed, her lieutenant emerged and asked:
"Commander Betty, what's your assessment of this Dragon Slayer?"
Betty exhaled a smoke ring and said leisurely:
"Extraordinary talent, boundless potential—yet also possesses such composure and clarity of mind."
"He's also quite handsome. A truly remarkable junior."
Upon hearing Betty's evaluation, the East Army Revolutionary officers present all wore solemn expressions.
Betty was a user of the Paramecia-type Kobu Kobu no Mi. She excelled at reading people's hearts and possessed exceptional judgment, easily discerning anyone's true potential.
For someone she considered a remarkable junior, there was genuine possibility he might become a future Supreme Commander.
Several days later, the weather cleared beautifully.
"Wow! What a big town!"
Luffy, Nami, and the others successfully docked at Loguetown's port. After brief discussion, they split up to explore.
Meanwhile, at a teahouse in town,
Rhodes sat leisurely, taking a sip of his tea.
"How long do you plan to follow me around?"
"Letting a dangerous person like you wander through Loguetown unsupervised would be irresponsible to the citizens!"
A resolute, clear female voice declared from below.
"Before saying that, maybe find your glasses first?"
Rhodes rested his chin on his hand, watching with amused interest as the bespectacled woman crawled on the floor beside his table, groping around blindly.
She knelt on the ground in an embarrassing posture, yet her expression remained focused and determined—creating an adorably contradictory image that made Rhodes accidentally kick her glasses slightly further away.
"Stay right there and don't move! I won't let you out of my sight!"
Tashigi declared while still searching on her hands and knees.
She had never imagined that during a routine outing, she'd encounter the Seven Warlords member—the Dragon Slayer.
In Tashigi's mind—and indeed in most Marines' eyes—the Seven Warlords were all ruthless pirates granted amnesty by the World Government. Despite possessing legal sanction to plunder, they were still fundamentally despised by the Marines.
Naturally, Tashigi also believed Rhodes was evil. Upon spotting him, she'd followed closely, treating him as a demon lord who could threaten all of Loguetown at any moment.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she'd followed Rhodes into the teahouse, she'd tripped embarrassingly—not only making a fool of herself, but losing her glasses in the process. Tashigi was practically on the verge of tears at her own clumsiness.
"What a clumsy woman... a natural treasure."
Rhodes thought, mentally nodding as he recalled Zoro's assessment of her. He casually picked up her black-framed glasses and handed them over. "Here."
"Ah, thank you!"
Tashigi instinctively accepted them and put them on. She froze momentarily, then immediately snapped back firmly: "Don't think I'll let you go just because of this!"
"Sit down."
Unexpectedly, Rhodes showed no sign of anger. Instead, he gestured toward the seat beside him with a smile.
"Ah, thank you!"
Tashigi instinctively sat down—then immediately jumped up as if electrocuted, her face flushing with indignation.
She was a Marine! She needed to maintain vigilance when facing villains! How could she casually share tea with one?!
"Have some tea to calm down."
Rhodes offered her his cup.
"Ah, thank you..."
Tashigi instinctively accepted the teacup again—then caught herself. She angrily slammed the table and declared:
"Who wants to drink tea you've already used?! You're one of the Shichibukai—a pirate on the seas! I won't allow the cursed blade Sandai Kitetsu or the skillful grade blade Yubashiri to fall into your hands!"
Rhodes gave her an odd look and said with bewilderment: "I'm a pirate?"
"The Shichibukai are all pirates! The entire Marines know this!"
"Who says Shichibukai must be pirates? Have you seen my bounty poster?"
Rhodes said casually, observing the adorably naive girl before him.
"This... this..."
Tashigi blinked cluelessly, genuinely unable to recall Rhodes having a bounty.
"Do you know Vice Admiral Momousagi?"
"Of course! The great swordswoman Momousagi-sama is my idol!"
Tashigi patted her chest—causing considerable motion—while a look of pure admiration appeared on her face.
Strong female warriors in the Marines were rare, and Momousagi was a master swordswoman, making her a natural idol for sword-loving girls like Tashigi.
"She's my teacher."
"Huh?!"
Tashigi's mouth suddenly opened into a perfect 'O' shape, completely bewildered.
While the Marines' upper echelon knew about Rhodes and Momousagi's relationship, this was clearly still unknown to a mere Sergeant.
Tashigi's already sluggish mind suddenly felt like someone had poured water and flour into it—with a slight shake, it all turned to complete mush.
The Dragon Slayer swordsman was actually Vice Admiral Momousagi's disciple?!
She couldn't quite believe it, but she also knew such teacher-student relationships weren't things people joked about—especially not someone as prominent as Rhodes.
"Well... in that case... you can still... possess those two swords..."
Tashigi felt she'd made a tremendous mistake. Her pretty face flushed bright red with embarrassment—practically steaming—and she desperately wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
(End of Chapter)
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