Chapter 166: One Punch
Under the pirate's bewildered gaze, Rhodes and Robin swept through their picnic like a whirlwind, leaving only a pile of bones—the sole testament to the creature's former majesty.
Meanwhile, the pirate hadn't attempted to escape alone.
He'd wandered this forbidden territory for too long, knowing it was impossible to flee on his own.
"How long have you been here?"
Rhodes, feeling well-fed and refreshed, asked casually.
"A few years, I think. Can't remember exactly."
The pirate still seemed dazed, as if lost in painful memories.
"A few years? Captured by Enel to build the Ark Maxim?"
Rhodes's eyes flickered, and he was about to continue questioning when a dark shadow suddenly appeared in the air, swooping down.
"Hmm?"
Rhodes frowned, casually grabbing the pirate by the collar and pulling him aside. The next moment, the shadow swooped past where the pirate had been standing.
"It's a priest! We need to run!"
The pirate, having narrowly escaped, looked at the newcomer with a trembling, fear-stricken face.
If not for Rhodes saving his life, he would have fled immediately.
However, Rhodes ignored him, simply observing the newcomer.
The man wore a pilot's cap and goggles, wielded a lance, and rode a giant bird. He looked rather like an air cavalry officer—imposing and intimidating.
"I think his name is Shura."
Rhodes tilted his head. He remembered that Enel had four priests under his command, all quite arrogant.
Meanwhile, Shura, riding his bird Fuza, circled in mid-air, looking down at Rhodes and the others from above.
"Another Blue Sea dweller! How dare you trespass into forbidden territory and kill my prey!"
His tone dripped with condescension and anger.
Rhodes's eyes narrowed slightly.
Robin couldn't help but internally mourn for this man.
But before Rhodes could make a move, another voice rang out from almost directly below Shura.
"What? Your prey?"
"My prey!"
As the words fell, a corpulent, spherical figure slowly floated into view.
It was none other than Gedatsu, one of the Four Priests of Enel.
This bizarre appearance made Rhodes raise an eyebrow with curiosity.
As expected, the pirate world was full of eccentric figures.
"It's over, it's over! Two priests have arrived together!"
The unfortunate pirate had already fallen to his knees, filled with despair.
However, what terrified the pirate even more was another furious voice:
"Get out of the way! This bastard ate my pet! I'll tear him apart myself!"
From near the behemoth's remains, a towering figure with a greatsword on his back roared in rage.
"The third priest, Ohm!"
The pirate had already slumped to the ground, his eyes blank, as if already witnessing his own tortured death.
"Boss, it seems you've been underestimated."
Robin said with a smile, arms folded across her chest.
At this point, Rhodes had no further thoughts. His only desire was to slaughter these fools.
While the three priests were still fiercely debating who should claim the prize, Rhodes suddenly moved.
With a light stomp, spiderweb cracks appeared in the earth. Simultaneously, his figure flashed, streaking through the sky like lightning, instantly arriving before Shura and Gedatsu.
He clenched his fist and launched a devastating punch!
Hasshoken: Kiryu Kirikugi!
BOOM!
The surge of force, channeled through the secret Hasshoken technique, transformed into a torrent of impact that spread like ripples, instantly engulfing both priests.
In a split second, Shura and Gedatsu were completely overwhelmed by the terrifying shockwave. Blood poured from all their orifices. Crimson cracks appeared across their bodies, and the final explosive force erupted—
Shattering them into pieces!
A shower of blood rained down.
For a moment, the entire area fell deathly silent.
"This... this..."
The pirate sprawled on the ground opened his mouth wide, his eyes nearly bulging out.
Meanwhile, Priest Ohm, who'd been intent on revenge for his beloved pet, dropped his sword with a clang.
"Ugh, how gruesome!"
Robin took a step back, grumbling softly.
"What a waste of good ingredients!"
Rhodes slowly descended, glancing at the tangled mess of flesh and blood with genuine regret. That bird had looked quite appetizing.
"Are you... devils?"
Hearing the exchange between the two, the pirate below, just as he tried to stand, fell back down trembling.
Whoosh!
Priest Ohm, not far away, turned and ran.
But in that instant, several delicate yet powerful arms suddenly emerged from the ground before him, tripping him effortlessly.
Bang!
Ohm hit the ground hard.
Robin smiled sweetly.
"The boss hasn't given you permission to leave yet."
Then, a series of arms suddenly emerged from the ground like a conveyor belt, carrying Ohm toward them.
"This ability... truly has endless applications. No wonder she can pull off so many tricks."
Rhodes muttered to himself.
After his "training," Robin was now much stronger than in the original timeline, easily capable of handling these Skypiea natives.
"I have a feeling you're thinking something inappropriate, boss."
Perhaps through feminine intuition, Robin glanced at Rhodes after deactivating her ability.
"How could that be? I'm simply grateful to have such a capable and thoughtful secretary." Rhodes's expression remained unchanged.
"Ha. Ha."
A dry, humorless laugh.
Meanwhile, Priest Ohm seemed to realize he was doomed. He stared intently at Rhodes and Robin, declaring:
"Killing a priest is a crime of the highest order. You will all perish under Kami-sama's divine judgment..."
His tone was arrogant, his words filled with absolute confidence in this so-called "God." He firmly believed Rhodes and Robin would die under divine punishment.
Robin couldn't help but frown slightly. She'd been somewhat wary of this so-called God, which was why she'd spared Ohm's life—hoping to extract information from him.
"Oh?"
Rhodes was about to speak when he suddenly sensed dangerous intent from above.
Without hesitation, Rhodes grabbed Robin's hand and quickly moved aside.
The next second, a magnificent bolt of lightning pierced the sky and slammed into where they'd just stood.
BOOM!
Like a meteor strike, a thunderous explosion erupted.
The lightning's power was immense—truly like heavenly judgment itself—and so blindingly bright that Robin was momentarily stunned.
Her Observation Haki was still somewhat immature.
When she reopened her eyes, a look of astonishment crossed her usually calm, intellectual face.
The spot where she'd stood was gone, replaced by an incredibly deep crater. At its center were even traces of crystallization from the intense heat. The scene was terrifying.
"This... this is the power of Kami-sama..."
The pirate, who'd just managed to stand, felt as if his spine had been removed, collapsing once more.
"Hahaha! You're all going to die!"
Priest Ohm, standing right at the crater's edge, erupted in wild laughter.
"A discharge of this magnitude? So this is the user of the Goro Goro no Mi—the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?"
Robin, however, quickly regained her composure and looked at Rhodes with questioning eyes.
"Mm."
Rhodes nodded slightly, his expression relaxed.
"So..."
Robin said expressionlessly:
"Boss, can you let go of my hand now?"
"I was worried that guy would continue attacking."
Rhodes's expression remained unchanged. He gently released Robin's delicate, cool hand and looked up at the sky.
(End of Chapter)
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