Chapter 153: The Operation Begins
Atop a tall building.
"It's all up to you now, Luffy..."
Gazing at the Going Merry breaking through the waves in the distance, braving the storm and sailing toward the horizon, Dragon slowly composed himself. Turning to look at Rhodes, who had just approached, he smiled and said:
"Thank you."
"Is that Straw Hat related to you, Commander?"
"Yes. My son."
Meeting face to face, Dragon made no attempt to hide the truth.
"No wonder he has such courage..."
Rhodes smiled. Luffy's fearlessness, his complete disregard for danger, was actually quite admirable—if only he weren't so reckless.
"He has his own path. I have mine. What about you, Rhodes?"
After enjoying the sea breeze for a while, Dragon suddenly asked.
Those who awakened Conqueror's Haki almost always possessed their own clear path or dream.
Those without dreams were unlikely to awaken Conqueror's Haki at all.
And with Rhodes's current strength, he was qualified to discuss such paths and dreams.
"My dream...?"
Rhodes narrowed his eyes and remained silent for a moment. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth curved into a smile. "My dream is simple..."
"To become ever stronger—so strong I can defeat anyone I want and change anything I desire."
He came from another world, and his perspective and stance couldn't be limited by this pirate world alone.
Whether the Marines, pirates, the Revolutionary Army, or even the World Government—he would only stand on the side he chose to stand on.
Dragon was slightly taken aback by this response. It was a very unique, even childish-sounding dream.
He shook his head quietly, feeling a hint of disapproval.
In essence, Rhodes's dream was to become the world's strongest—not strongest like Whitebeard in title alone, but the truly undisputed strongest. Strong enough to reshape the world with a wave of his hand. Strong enough to easily defeat all enemies.
But this was too difficult.
Even harder than overthrowing the World Government.
So Dragon didn't believe he could achieve it.
"You're still too young after all."
East Blue.
Near the Calm Belt, there existed a region known as the Devil's Sea.
It earned this name because no exploration vessel—whether pirate ship or merchant vessel—that entered it had ever returned.
Over time, the area became known as the Devil's Sea by locals.
One day,
a small sailboat bearing no flags or identifying marks slowly approached the region.
"We can't take the ship any further. The World Government has numerous surveillance systems in this area, and vessels are too conspicuous."
"Our mission this time is primarily infiltration. Avoid combat if possible," Betty instructed.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The numerous East Army officers responded in unison.
"Julia, you and your team stay and guard the ship until we return. Bud, your team..."
Betty then assigned specific tasks—which directions to attack from, who would provide support, who would cover the retreat, and so forth.
"We'll abandon ship and enter the water shortly. Each Devil Fruit user will be carried by someone proficient in physical techniques..."
Betty continued instructing, then suddenly looked at Rhodes and said: "You're not a Devil Fruit user, correct?"
"Correct."
Rhodes nodded. There was nothing to hide about that.
"Good. You'll carry me when we swim."
Betty nodded matter-of-factly.
They were the two strongest members of the team, so naturally they should act together.
Rhodes had no objection.
With his stamina, he could swim an entire day and night carrying not just one woman, but three!
Splash! Splash!
The Revolutionary officers plunged into the sea.
Once everyone had departed, Julia and her team immediately steered the boat away, slowly leaving the area.
For ordinary people, the ocean was fraught with dangers: unpredictable currents, powerful and ferocious sea beasts, and countless other threats capable of dragging someone to the ocean floor.
But for these Revolutionary Army officers, it was relatively safe territory. As long as they didn't encounter a Sea King, their lives weren't in serious danger.
Rhodes—pulling the capable but exhausted Betty along—cut through the water, dodging surveillance Den Den Mushi one after another, quickly approaching a lush, seemingly pristine island.
At the base of a cliff,
Rhodes casually tossed Betty upward onto the ledge. Then, with a powerful kick against the cliff face, his figure soared higher and higher, leaving afterimages as he easily scaled the vertical surface using Geppo.
Upon reaching the top, he was met with Betty's resentful glare.
Damn it—this guy could have brought her up with him, but instead just threw her up here like cargo.
Was there any gentlemanly courtesy at all?!
"Ahem..."
Rhodes gave a dry laugh, explaining: "Just being efficient."
He'd simply wanted to test whether Betty's jacket was made of some kind of anti-gravity material.
"We'll move out once the others arrive."
With that, Betty spread her large flag flat on the ground and sat down, letting the sea breeze gently dry her damp clothing.
Rhodes nodded slightly, glancing around to find nothing but dense jungle.
"The research base is in the island's center."
As if sensing Rhodes's confusion, Betty casually explained: "Apparently they're researching Paramecia-type Devil Fruits. I wonder what they've discovered..."
Rhodes was genuinely surprised.
Devil Fruits were undoubtedly among the most advanced subjects in this world.
Research into them was naturally even more cutting-edge—like the Logia-type Gasu Gasu no Mi user Caesar Clown, and especially Vegapunk, the man "five hundred years ahead of the world."
The power of scientists was boundless.
They'd successfully created artificial Devil Fruits. While limited to Zoan-types currently, they were still incredibly powerful. Kaido's army—the Beast Pirates, which he relied upon to dominate the New World—was built upon such creations.
"Research on Paramecia-type Devil Fruits?"
Rhodes asked with evident interest.
Artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits seemed derived from manipulation of lineage factors, but Paramecia-types were different—they possessed powers that were almost law-like in nature.
"I wonder if they're researching Paramecia-type fusion..."
Rhodes speculated.
If such research was underway, creating something like a spatial storage ring could become feasible.
As he pondered this, two figures suddenly leaped up from the cliff below—both Revolutionary Army officers.
Upon arrival, they bowed slightly to Rhodes and Betty, then sat cross-legged to recover their stamina.
They weren't like Rhodes—swimming such a long distance while avoiding surveillance had been exhausting.
Shortly after,
all the Revolutionary Army officers arrived.
No one had encountered danger.
This was the East Blue, after all. Though near the Calm Belt, the danger to these elite officers was relatively minimal.
"Let's move out!"
Betty stood and suddenly planted her flag firmly. Then, an invisible, intangible force radiated from her body and flowed into everyone present.
"Hmm?"
Rhodes clenched his fists. He felt like he was on an adrenaline high. His mental state was better than ever. His blood was boiling. He felt like he could fight for an entire day and night without rest.
"So this is the power of the Paramecia-type Kobu Kobu no Mi?"
Rhodes quickly regained his composure and showed an impressed expression.
Sometimes, mental fortitude could be more powerful than physical strength and could easily turn the tide of battle!
With this ability alone, Betty was more than worthy of her position as East Army Commander.
(End of Chapter)
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