Chapter 155: Formidable Enemy
After Rhodes delivered his punch, white vapor dispersed from his body—like a supersonic fighter jet flying at low altitude. A tangible shockwave emanated outward, shattering fallen leaves, gravel, and dirt across the ground.
"Better control this time."
Rhodes slowly retracted his fist, nodding with satisfaction.
His enhanced Intelligence attribute had greatly improved his precise control over electromagnetic propulsion.
If the strike that killed Pillar Don Chinjao last time was like a wild horse running unbridled—a reckless warrior swinging a massive blade—
then this time, it demonstrated the skill of a master swordsman, applying force skillfully and maintaining perfect control.
"But it's still a charging technique..."
Rhodes shook his head.
While the time required to generate electromagnetic propulsion was decreasing, it still existed. This unavoidable flaw made it somewhat impractical in battles against equal-level opponents.
Unless, like with Don Chinjao, he descended from the sky with ample preparation time, or as just now—caught them in a surprise attack.
"Besides, many of those peak-level monsters can likely break the sound barrier naturally."
Rhodes's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the nearby CP members.
Targeted by this gaze,
the CP agents instinctively stepped back, as if witnessing a demon emerging from the abyss.
"Don't panic, everyone! That punch he just threw definitely wasn't normal! And the Vice-Captain was caught off guard—it was an ambush!" someone whispered urgently.
Hearing this, and noticing Rhodes's hesitation, the other members felt slightly relieved—but they didn't dare rush forward. Instead, they slowly retreated, preparing to stall until Captain Hurt arrived.
Rhodes didn't pursue. In truth, he needed some recovery time. Forcing another engagement would work, but would inevitably increase his exhaustion.
The real opponent hadn't arrived yet, and as the team's core combatant, he needed to maintain peak condition.
Suddenly, a cool female voice echoed from behind.
"Encourage!"
Then, faint crimson power merged into Rhodes's body, spreading throughout his limbs.
In an instant,
Rhodes felt his body lighten, his condition significantly improving.
"Minor physical recovery, but mainly a mental boost—immediately suppressing the injuries, making pain and fatigue imperceptible or perhaps negligible?"
Rhodes's eyes gleamed as he carefully analyzed the changes within his body.
Even as he pondered this, Betty behind him had already applied her buffs to everyone and charged forward with her troops, waving her banner as she swept into battle.
However, most CP members were proficient in Rokushiki, possessing exceptional agility and mastery of coordinated tactics. Forming a battle formation, they revealed no significant openings for the moment.
After all, Betty wasn't particularly combat-specialized, and her direct fighting strength was relatively weak among the Four Army Commanders.
In the chaotic, intense battle, the CP members suffered frequent injuries but managed to hold their ground.
Suddenly, a deep, cold voice echoed from within the base:
"East Army Commander Belo Betty—what a rare visitor!"
Everyone tensed.
Betty's expression remained impassive. She thrust her banner forward, and like a venomous serpent striking from its den, impaled a CP member through the heart.
"You're asking for death!"
A towering figure emerging from the base erupted in fury.
He stomped the ground violently, his massive, giant-like frame charging forward like a tank, stirring powerful winds and shaking the earth.
Undaunted, Betty swung her battle flag—imbued with Armament Haki—to meet him head-on.
BOOM!
Like thunder splitting the sky,
the impact between flag and fist sent Betty—who lacked superior physical strength—flying backward. A deep furrow carved through the ground in her wake as she slid dozens of meters before finally stabilizing.
"Hurt."
Betty wiped blood from her mouth and glared at the newcomer with solemn gravity.
He was a small giant standing three meters tall, radiating overwhelming presence. His massive frame seemed forged from steel, his beard and hair wild like a lion's mane, giving him an aura of untamed ferocity. His mere appearance commanded everyone's attention.
This man exuded dominance—like a lion patrolling its territory. After knocking Betty away with a single punch, he didn't even glance at his opponent, instead asking calmly:
"Where's Yorick?"
The CP members all froze at this question, subconsciously glancing toward a corpse lying nearby.
Hurt was momentarily stunned. Following their gazes, he frowned, surprise flickering in his eyes.
Yorick's strength wasn't weak—it was unlikely he'd be killed so quickly by someone like Betty.
Did he underestimate the enemy?
Sensing the captain's confusion, someone immediately stepped forward to explain.
At that moment, Rhodes slowly walked to Betty's side and asked casually: "You alright?"
"I'm fine."
Betty slowly straightened, raising her flag. Waves of encouragement emanated from her once more.
"Hurt's gotten even stronger! Be careful."
Betty spoke warily. She'd fought Hurt before—and while she'd still been outmatched, she hadn't been sent flying so far by a single punch back then.
"Noted."
Rhodes nodded noncommittally.
His Observation Haki—enhanced by his Perception attribute—was far keener than average, allowing him to detect details others couldn't perceive. Naturally, he could sense the explosive power coiled within the small giant.
"I'll handle Hurt. Take the officers and deal with the other members."
Without waiting for Betty's response, Rhodes walked slowly to the center of the battlefield, his gaze calmly fixed on the opposing captain as he slowly drew his specially prepared blade.
A swordsman's weapon was sometimes more recognizable than the wielder himself, so Rhodes couldn't use Shigure or Sandai Kitetsu in public operations.
"Has the surprise attack that killed Yorick given you confidence to face me?"
Hurt showed no fear. He took a step forward, shaking the earth. His massive frame radiated oppressive presence, causing the Revolutionary Army officers to adopt wary expressions.
Just moments ago, this man had sent their East Army Commander flying with a single punch!
"Enough talk. Let's fight."
Rhodes said calmly, his expression unchanged as he stood with sword ready.
"You're surprisingly confident, but you know nothing of true power!"
Hurt roared furiously, stomping the ground. In an instant, he closed the distance to Rhodes. His massive fist—brimming with formidable Armament Haki—struck toward Rhodes with a piercing roar through the air.
Rokushiki: Power Fist!
Rhodes didn't retreat. Gripping his sword with both hands, faint lightning coiled around the blade as it vibrated at high frequency.
This was an application of Thunder Mastery—greatly enhancing the blade's sharpness.
This technique, now approaching awakening level with his Thunder powers, had become even more devastating!
Even a skillful grade blade, with this amplification, would possess sharpness approaching that of a Supreme Grade blade.
BOOM!
Rhodes's sword and Hurt's fist collided with an earth-shattering roar.
Almost instantly, the ground beneath Rhodes's feet shattered, sending dust and gravel flying with terrifying force like bullets piercing the air.
The clash echoed continuously.
BANG!
After a brief stalemate,
Rhodes's body flickered with faint blue light. He exerted force through his arm muscles, and the blade suddenly unleashed a surge of new power—sending Hurt flying backward.
CRASH! CRASH!
Hurt, flung backward, punched a massive hole through the steel base's outer wall and crashed through internal structures before finally coming to a halt.
"The Captain's been knocked back!"
"When did such a powerful figure emerge from the Revolutionary Army?!"
The CP members observing from a distance were horrified.
At that very moment, Betty and the others suddenly exploited an opening and killed another CP agent.
Frightened, the remaining agents quickly refocused and reformed their battle formation.
Fortunately, base guards and additional CP agents had already rushed out. With their support, the remaining six CP members barely maintained equilibrium against Betty and the Revolutionary forces.
Betty obviously noticed this.
CP agents differed from ordinary warriors. They'd all undergone brutal training since childhood and excelled at coordinated tactics. Even with her leadership suppressing them, defeating them quickly was clearly impossible.
"Now, it's up to you, Dragon Slayer."
Betty blocked two bullets with her flag, but her eyes couldn't help glancing toward Rhodes in the distance.
If Rhodes could win, this battle would be a complete victory. Their Revolutionary Army could obtain this base's research data and even eliminate an entire CP division.
If Rhodes was defeated, they could only try their utmost to destroy the facility.
(End of Chapter)
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