Chapter 157: Spoils of War
On the other side of the battlefield.
"Why did the sounds over there stop?"
A CP member asked in surprise.
The two battlefields—having shifted due to combat—were now hundreds of meters apart. However, the noise from Rhodes and Hurt's clash had been so tremendous that even at such distance, it could still be clearly heard.
Now, as the main battlefield fell silent, both Revolutionary Army and CP forces retreated in unison.
Everyone understood
that victory on the main battlefield would determine the entire battle's outcome.
Given the strength those two displayed, if either joined the secondary battle, they would undoubtedly create an overwhelming advantage for their side.
A tense silence fell.
"Surely Hurt-sama must have won! After all, Hurt-sama's defense is legendary. Even if outmatched in offense, he couldn't have been defeated so quickly. Therefore, it must be that Hurt-sama was victorious!"
A CP member declared confidently.
The others nodded in agreement.
Hurt could enhance his Armament Haki, thereby strengthening his defense dramatically. Only a master swordsman at the pinnacle of their art—possessing overwhelming offensive power—could have defeated him so quickly!
But such figures were almost all famous and unlikely to appear here.
In comparison, the Revolutionary Army side seemed notably quiet.
Rhodes's displayed combat prowess was certainly formidable, but it didn't seem sufficient to completely crush Hurt.
It was like a duel between a fragile assassin and a heavily armored tank—the assassin couldn't instantly kill the tank, and the tank might seize an opportunity to counter-attack.
Swordsmen, comparatively, were relatively fragile.
"Did Rhodes... actually lose?"
Betty's face darkened with unease.
If that were true, even if the base was successfully destroyed, the Revolutionary Army would have suffered a crushing defeat.
Someone of Rhodes's exceptional talent was extraordinarily rare—a heaven-sent gift who could become a pillar of the Revolutionary Army. He was destined to shine brilliantly on future battlefields. How could he fall here?
While the Revolutionary Army grew somber and the CP members secretly rejoiced, a voice suddenly rang out from above:
"What are you so happy about?"
Everyone looked up to see a young man in white with black hair standing calmly atop the high base wall, his gaze observing them coolly.
The moment they spotted the young man, every CP member's face paled.
As if they'd seen death itself!
The battle concluded quickly.
Rhodes's fight with Hurt had only consumed a small portion of his stamina, leaving him with minimal injuries—mostly muscle strain from breaking the sound barrier.
He entered this secondary battle at near-peak strength, and the CP members were instantly routed, leaving not a single survivor.
It wasn't that the Revolutionary Army was bloodthirsty, but rather that many of these agents would launch suicide attacks before capture, even biting through hidden poison capsules to commit suicide if restrained.
The World Government's brainwashing of its agents was remarkably effective.
Of course, with Rhodes's exceptional speed and mastery leading the charge, the CP members' desperate counterattacks resulted in no casualties—only a few officers suffering minor injuries.
Leaving the officers to secure the battlefield, Rhodes and Betty quickly advanced into the base's core, arriving at a technologically advanced laboratory filled with equipment and culture tanks.
"Everyone down on the ground!"
Betty commanded authoritatively, waving her banner.
The powerless researchers trembled and crouched on the floor, not daring to speak.
Unlike the CP agents, they were merely scientists affiliated with the World Government.
After some friendly persuasion,
Rhodes and his companions obtained the base's research materials and various experimental results.
"A mask fused with the Paramecia-type Mane Mane no Mi?"
Staring at the flexible silver mask in his hands, Rhodes couldn't help but feel intrigued. He hadn't expected this research to involve Paramecia-type fusion items.
"Yes, sir."
A bespectacled scientist with a scholarly demeanor spoke with a hint of pride:
"This is currently the only relatively complete product. It can freely alter appearance, physique, and even gender."
At this point, the scientist shook his head slightly, adding with a hint of regret:
"But that's the extent of it. The fruit's ability is fixed and cannot be further developed."
"If the Paramecia-type Mane Mane no Mi were developed to higher levels, it could even disguise the user as giant creatures!"
Betty exclaimed in amazement.
She hadn't expected the World Government's Devil Fruit research to have progressed this far.
However, according to these scientists, such fusion items had extremely high failure rates, making them difficult to mass-produce.
Rhodes casually donned the mask, and with a thought, peculiar energy suddenly radiated outward and spread throughout every part of his body.
It took only a moment.
Rhodes instantly transformed from his ordinary build into a two-meter-tall, burly man—even his muscles mimicking the transformation with remarkable accuracy.
"How does it look?"
Rhodes asked, only to find his voice had become deeper and rougher.
"Hmm..."
Betty circled around Rhodes, reaching out to poke the muscles that felt like coiled steel cables, carefully examining them. Then, using her Observation Haki, she assessed:
"Very few flaws. There's a slight discrepancy in the aura. Of course, this imperfection wouldn't be noticeable to anyone unfamiliar with the target, or whose Observation Haki isn't particularly strong."
"A very useful tool."
Betty praised.
Rhodes nodded slightly in agreement.
This transformation wasn't an illusion that could be dispelled with a touch—it was physical alteration of the body itself, tangible and real, making it extremely difficult to detect.
"The limit is... three meters?"
Rhodes narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't attempt it. At two meters, his clothes were already uncomfortably tight. If he expanded to three meters, he'd be naked!
"Kevin-san, are you interested in joining our Revolutionary Army?"
Betty asked the lead scientist with a smile.
"Do I dare refuse?"
Kevin thought internally, but a smile appeared on his face. "I've long admired the Revolutionary Army, but unfortunately, I was imprisoned here by the World Government."
Following this lead researcher, most of the other scientists also chose to surrender.
They weren't brainwashed CP agents. Most had been brought here from around the world by the World Government—either threatened or bribed into conducting research.
To them, working for anyone was just work. It didn't matter much who signed the paychecks.
"Betty-sama, the data is secured."
"The explosives to destroy the base are also in place."
The officers worked efficiently, reporting back after completing their tasks.
"Good."
Betty nodded. "Let's move out! World Government reinforcements might already be en route."
Hearing this, everyone rushed outside.
Once clear of the facility, Betty suddenly detonated the explosives planted throughout the base.
BOOM!
Amidst a deafening roar, the World Government's meticulously constructed research facility suddenly began collapsing and burning.
Gazing at the flames in the distance,
the Revolutionary Army officers revealed dreamlike, almost disbelieving expressions.
Upon hearing their opponents were CP's Eight Division, many officers had actually prepared themselves for heroic sacrifice.
They hadn't expected
the entire operation to proceed so smoothly—without even a single casualty!
And all this...
Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but glance at the calm, black-haired young man, each revealing genuine awe and respect.
With such strength, no wonder he was being considered as a future Supreme Commander candidate!
But who knew—how much further could he still grow?
(End of Chapter)
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