Chapter 154: One-Punch Destruction
At first glance, this research island appeared to be pristine jungle. However, experienced observers could easily spot numerous traces of human activity, clearly indicating frequent foot traffic.
Wearing a custom silver half-mask provided by the Revolutionary Army, Rhodes scanned the jungle while gradually activating his Lightning Tempering technique, maintaining combat readiness.
The World Government possessed the capability to deploy surveillance systems at sea, so they certainly wouldn't slack off on the island itself. Here, battle could erupt at any moment.
However, Betty and the other Revolutionary Army soldiers came well prepared, equipped with advanced technology.
They not only detected and located surveillance equipment hidden in every corner, but could even freeze video feeds—effectively carving a safe path through the otherwise impenetrable surveillance network.
The team's atmosphere grew tense as they traversed the jungle.
The sheer volume of surveillance forced them to frequently disable monitoring devices,
which naturally increased their chances of exposure.
The World Government's professional agents were no pushovers!
The Revolutionary Army—having frequently clashed with them—understood this perfectly.
"Someone's there..."
Betty, possessing the strongest Observation Haki among those present, noticed first. But before she could issue a warning,
a white-clad figure suddenly burst from the formation, moving like lightning and disappearing into the jungle to their right, stirring up powerful winds.
The resulting gust scattered fallen leaves into the air.
The Revolutionary Army officers finally reacted and looked in that direction.
But before they could even draw their weapons, Rhodes slowly emerged from the jungle, casually tossing out a tall figure wearing a white mask and dressed in agent attire.
Even then, the wind-blown leaves hadn't yet fallen to the ground.
"CP agent."
Someone whispered.
"Have we been discovered?"
Betty raised an eyebrow, glancing at the agent's crushed hand. Faint remnants of a Den Den Mushi could still be seen.
"The call wasn't completed."
Rhodes shook his head. "But we don't have much time left."
The agent had clearly been investigating surveillance anomalies. Though Rhodes had been quick enough to eliminate him before any report, his loss of contact would inevitably draw the base's attention and expose their presence.
Betty was shrewd enough to grasp all these implications immediately. She raised her flag and shouted:
"Move out—full speed! We're not far from the base!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Everyone accelerated, following Betty deeper into the jungle, stirring up powerful winds.
Such commotion couldn't be concealed, and soon shrill alarms echoed across the island.
"Moon Sword-san, we're under attack!"
A member of the Ninth Division reported excitedly.
"Moon Sword" Yorick gave him a look that said "I'm not deaf," glancing at him coldly.
"Sanzo, inform Captain Hurt. Everyone else, follow me."
"Yes, sir!"
The remaining team members showed excitement and bloodlust.
These battle-crazed agents had been suffocating in this isolated place.
"Aww..."
Sanzo groaned in disappointment but could only reluctantly head to the training room to inform the captain, secretly hoping their opponents would hold out long enough for him to join the fun.
"I hope there are some beautiful women. If not, men will do."
At that moment, Rhodes and his team had already rushed out of the jungle amid the blaring sirens and arrived at a wasteland clearing.
In the distance stood a technologically advanced steel facility, gleaming coldly and mysteriously in the sunlight.
Before them stood seven towering figures wearing distinctive masks and white coats.
"Finally here."
"So you're Revolutionary Army."
Moon Sword Yorick slowly drew his great blade "Murasame" and stepped forward, his voice icy.
The CP organization had frequently clashed with the Revolutionary Army—both sides knew each other well.
"Another failed infiltration attempt..."
Betty planted her flag in the ground, lit a cigarette, and took a drag.
The others also drew their weapons, preparing for battle.
Unexpectedly, Rhodes shook his head and said:
"We haven't failed yet... Killing them all would still count as success."
He then walked forward slowly, clenching his fists.
Crackle—crackle—
Electric arcs flickered, then pulsed at a specific frequency.
By now, Rhodes had mastered the technique of Lightning Acceleration so thoroughly he could activate it mid-stride.
"Who are you?"
Looking at the white-clad figure taking the lead, Moon Sword Yorick raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Rhodes hadn't concealed his previous statement, so Yorick had heard it clearly. He felt both furious and somewhat apprehensive.
Those who boasted were either ignorantly fearless or incredibly powerful and self-confident.
Of course, Yorick wasn't afraid.
He was the Eight Division's Vice-Captain, second only to Captain Hurt in strength. He might not match the great pirates, but ordinary pirates could be easily defeated.
"..."
Rhodes wasn't in the habit of conversing with the dead. He took several steps forward, then suddenly stamped his foot.
"CRACK!"
His foot punctured the hard stone surface, creating a massive crater a meter wide. From above, it resembled a giant's footprint—a terrifying sight.
Simultaneously,
Rhodes's body suddenly coiled like a fully-drawn bow—like the legendary archer preparing to shoot down the sun. Using the rebound force combined with electromagnetic propulsion, he shot forward, leaving afterimages behind as he instantly broke the sound barrier.
The distance between them was nearly a hundred meters, but in the blink of an eye, Rhodes had crossed it entirely.
Before Yorick could even react, Rhodes's fist had already struck his chest.
Yorick's tall, burly frame trembled, then his entire torso exploded like a water balloon—his chest cavity detonating as if a cannonball had exploded within him.
Rhodes's punch tore a massive, gaping hole through his formidable physique, reducing heart and lungs to a bloody mist that painted the surroundings crimson.
The battlefield fell into deathly silence, everyone frozen in disbelief.
The CP team members stared in shock, as if witnessing a ghost. Their formidable Vice-Captain had been shattered by a single blow?!
"Moon Sword Yorick... died just like that?"
A Revolutionary Army officer muttered in stunned disbelief.
The other officers were equally shocked—especially those who'd fought Yorick before, who could hardly believe their eyes.
That was CP Eight Division's Vice-Captain!
A powerful swordsman wielding the great blade Murasame, who'd slain countless powerful warriors at sea and was rumored to have potential to become an official Captain!
But now, such a formidable enemy was actually destroyed by Rhodes with a single punch?!
One... one punch???
Everyone finally processed what happened, each revealing bewildered expressions.
Isn't he supposed to be a swordsman?!
"Breaking the sound barrier with pure speed—is this the same technique that killed Don Chinjao? It's incredibly fast."
Betty's eyes lit up with amazement.
Rumor said that in the Battle of the Jewel Ice Sheet in the West Blue, the Dragon Slayer swordsman had killed Don Chinjao with a single supersonic strike, thus becoming world-renowned.
She hadn't quite believed it at first.
But now she had to believe it.
At such extreme velocity, even if Rhodes wasn't particularly proficient in martial arts, the power of a single punch was enough to destroy anything.
(End of Chapter)
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