Chapter 161: Three Brothers
"Blackbeard can no longer remain in the New World and should have already departed for Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line."
"This year's Grand Line is exceptionally active, with numerous powerful rookies emerging, all possessing Supernova potential. Among them, the Straw Hat Pirates—whom you've asked us to monitor—have earned a fifty million Berry bounty from the World Government for liberating Drum Kingdom from its tyrant king..."
"That covers all recent developments."
Robin delivered her intelligence report in an orderly fashion.
She'd memorized every detail, proving herself an exceptionally capable secretary.
Rhodes's eyes flickered at this information.
He couldn't stop the War at Marineford, nor would he try.
He needed that stage to reach the summit, just as Whitebeard—the World's Strongest Man—needed that stage for his final bow.
"Perhaps it's time to let Sabo reunite with Ace and Luffy."
Rhodes touched his chin thoughtfully. There was something he could ask Sabo to do during the upcoming war.
His thoughts raced before he shook his head calmly.
All this scheming was pointless. Plans and plots were merely tools.
Strength was the foundation of everything.
"Robin, how's your Haki training progressing?"
"Haki?"
Robin raised an eyebrow, glanced at Rhodes, and replied calmly, "I haven't shown any signs of Armament Haki yet. I've awakened Observation Haki, but it's not very sensitive and sometimes fails."
Armament Haki required substantial physical conditioning, so Robin's struggle with it was perfectly normal.
As for Observation Haki—ultimately a sensory ability—Robin had survived the underworld since childhood and experienced countless life-or-death situations. As someone naturally perceptive, awakening Observation Haki came more easily to her.
At that moment, Vivi suddenly spoke:
"Rhodes, my father heard you've returned and has prepared a banquet at the palace. He's waiting for you."
"Let's go."
Rhodes smiled slightly, momentarily surprised.
Ten days later.
In the headquarters training square.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Rhodes's figure flickered back and forth, his hands leaving streams of afterimages as he struck toward Robin with palms, chops, and thrusts.
Robin kept her eyes closed, constantly monitoring Rhodes's movements through Observation Haki, ducking and weaving to steadily avoid his attacks.
Rhodes increased his speed slightly. Robin's brow furrowed, her body tensing. Though she still dodged most strikes, some inevitably grazed her. When they did, powerful electric currents burst from his palms, causing a stinging sensation—yet also a tremor and strange exhilaration.
With one final sweep, Rhodes watched as Robin's slender waist bent backward in a terrifying arc, nearly ninety degrees. Her curves, emphasized by her tight leather jacket, seemed even more pronounced as she narrowly avoided his blow.
"You've nearly mastered Observation Haki."
Rhodes withdrew his hand, nodding slightly at Robin.
Observation Haki required a calm mind, and with Robin's well-honed resolve, mastering it wasn't difficult.
Robin opened her eyes upon hearing this, straightening her clothes, which had become somewhat disheveled from her intense movements. She glanced at Rhodes and said suggestively:
"With a boss constantly 'testing' me, I naturally have to work twice as hard."
"Then you should thank me. I've been quite enjoying ramen lately."
Rhodes remained composed, changing the subject. "What about your Armament Haki?"
"Thanks to you, I've been developing quite well lately!"
Robin's lips curled dangerously as she gazed at Rhodes with a knowing smile.
"This is for your own good..."
Rhodes casually brushed his hand from her shoulder. "Look, your physical strength has increased considerably."
Robin was about to retort when a sudden muffled sound came from her chest.
"Hmm?"
She paused, slightly opening her leather jacket collar to reveal something small and white struggling for air. Then she reached into the mysterious dimensional storage all women in this world seemed to possess and pulled out a gasping Den Den Mushi.
Robin paid no attention to the somewhat suffocated snail and simply answered the call.
"Robin-san, both the Straw Hat Pirates and Fire Fist Ace have appeared at Nanohana Harbor. How should we respond?"
A respectful voice came from the other end.
Robin's eyes narrowed slightly. When Rhodes nodded at her, she replied:
"Don't interfere. Headquarters will handle it."
With that, Robin ended the call, frowning slightly.
"Why is Fire Fist Ace here? He's the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Is Whitebeard planning something?"
As a professional intelligence officer, Robin was keenly aware something was amiss.
This was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates—one of the Yonko's top officers. His status in the New World was second only to the Four Emperors themselves, and his power far exceeded even Don Chinjao, the legendary pirate Rhodes had previously defeated.
But then Rhodes spoke calmly:
"Blackbeard was a member of the Second Division. Killing a crewmate is the ultimate taboo among pirates. Fire Fist Ace is following blackbeard."
"I see."
Robin suddenly understood, a glint of surprise crossing her eyes as she looked at Rhodes. Even she hadn't known these details.
This boss was truly mysterious.
Puru puru puru...
At that moment, Rhodes's Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
"Moshi moshi, Rhodes? Are you in Alabasta? I happened to be on a mission nearby and thought I'd stop by to see you."
Sabo's steady, deep voice echoed from the Den Den Mushi.
"Oh?"
Rhodes was slightly surprised. This was truly fortuitous timing.
Nanohana, Spice Bean Restaurant.
After a warm and enthusiastic reunion, Luffy, Sabo, and Ace gathered for a friendly eating competition.
Rhodes, having arrived via his Door-Door abilities, witnessed the scene and couldn't help but smile faintly.
"Just as expected. Sabo may have lost his memories, but reuniting with his brothers brought them flooding back."
His lips twitched slightly.
Almost simultaneously, all three brothers fell asleep while eating, collapsing face-first onto their plates. This caused a minor commotion among nearby patrons, some speculating they'd eaten poisonous mushrooms.
Of course, Nami, Zoro, and the others merely glanced over, sighing collectively: "No need to ask—definitely related," before continuing their meal.
Rhodes didn't rush inside, instead surveying the area.
"It seems Smoker isn't here?"
Indeed, in this timeline, Smoker hadn't developed the same obsessive pursuit of Luffy, nor had he chased him all the way from Loguetown to the Grand Line.
"Ah, Rhodes!"
Nami, leisurely sipping tea after finishing her meal, suddenly spotted Rhodes in the doorway. She couldn't help but stand up and exclaim, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise.
"Dragon Slayer!"
Zoro instinctively grasped his sword hilts, a flicker of fighting spirit in his eyes that quickly faded.
"Oh, so this is Rhodes—one of the Seven Warlords, the Dragon Slayer?"
Sanji and the others were seeing Rhodes for the first time, and expressions of surprise appeared on all their faces.
What they'd witnessed during their days in Alabasta had made it abundantly clear how renowned Rhodes was in this country.
As expected, when the restaurant patrons noticed Rhodes, they all stood respectfully and bowed in greeting.
Though Rhodes rarely appeared before Alabasta's citizens, the royal family frequently mentioned him in official statements, making him extraordinarily well-known throughout Alabasta—even more so than Princess Vivi herself.
Rhodes nodded slightly and slowly walked toward Luffy and the other two.
"Hey, Rhodes, you're here."
At that moment, Sabo "revived" and, smiling, introduced Luffy and Ace to him.
"Hey, I think I've seen you before!"
Luffy looked at Rhodes with a bewildered expression while continuing to stuff food into his mouth.
Ace narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing something distinctly familiar emanating from Rhodes.
Conqueror's Haki?
It seemed this newly appointed Warlord was no ordinary individual.
(End of Chapter)
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