Chapter 167: Enel
Enel didn't appear immediately. That lightning strike—a beyond-visual-range attack from an immense distance—was as powerful as a typical missile.
"It seems the Mantra network covering Skypiea is real."
Rhodes's eyes lit up with fiery interest.
This Observation Haki might not be as refined as Charlotte Katakuri's future sight, but its range far surpassed Katakuri's—practically the best in the world.
He wondered if this ability was unique to users of the Goro Goro no Mi, or if it could be learned through training...
Rhodes was pondering this when he suddenly glanced behind him.
He saw a masked Shandian warrior carrying a bazooka, watching from afar. Noticing Rhodes's gaze, the man gave a start and retreated without hesitation.
"Should we stop him?" Robin asked.
Rhodes shook his head.
These Shandians were merely a people seeking to reclaim their ancestral homeland. Once he defeated Enel and took control of Skypiea, he would need their cooperation.
Indeed, in Rhodes's eyes, this isolated, sparsely populated sky island was a natural, ideal base—incredibly secluded.
As for transportation, Rhodes already had a preliminary plan, waiting to test it once the island was secured.
"So, are we going to confront this 'god' now?"
Fear springs from the unknown. Having seen through the god's true nature, Robin—usually so composed—relaxed and asked Rhodes.
"No need."
Rhodes shook his head, his gaze calmly directed toward a high branch to his right. He said casually:
"He's already here."
Startled, Robin followed Rhodes's gaze.
She saw a man with a white bandana reclining on a branch, bare-chested. Behind him, taiko drums were visible, and he held a long golden staff.
"You should address me as Kami-sama, Blue Sea dweller. Show proper reverence!"
Enel's tone was calm, his eyes gleaming with inquisitive interest, as if he'd found interesting prey.
Rhodes was amused by this deeply afflicted chuunibyou patient and casually retorted:
"You're just a relatively rare Devil Fruit user, yet you dare call yourself a god?"
"By that logic, wouldn't the Blue Sea below be filled with gods, with god-slayers as common as stray dogs?"
Robin smiled. According to Rhodes's description, she too could claim divinity.
"Are you insulting me, mortal?"
Enel bristled. He knew he was a Devil Fruit user, but after years of absolute rule, with his "entire world" revering him as a god, Enel had gradually come to believe his own divinity, no longer taking anyone seriously.
"Those who challenge the gods will face divine punishment!"
Enel stood and stretched his right hand skyward. Immediately, a portion of his arm transformed into a massive sphere of lightning, crackling directly above Rhodes.
El Thor!
Enel swung his arm fiercely, and the lightning sphere suddenly transformed into an incredibly thick pillar of thunder—like heaven-piercing judgment itself—emitting earth-shaking energy as it descended toward Rhodes and Robin.
"Kami-sama is invincible!"
Priest Ohm, watching from a distance, his eyes lit with fanatical devotion, as if a mortal witnessing a miracle.
"That's quite impressive."
Robin felt sweat trickling down her forehead. Seeing Rhodes's calm expression, she relaxed slightly.
This mysterious boss never attempted anything he wasn't confident about.
"Lightning..."
Watching the lightning pillar descending from the sky with power to destroy everything, Rhodes smiled softly, slowly extended his right hand, and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
Amidst the thunderous roar, the snap was so faint that even Robin, standing close by, barely heard it—yet it seemed to carry magical power, rippling outward.
Then, everyone witnessed an incredible scene.
The heaven-piercing lightning pillar trembled slightly, then gathered toward Rhodes's hand as docile as a domesticated puppy, finally forming a silver-white sphere of lightning.
"How—how is this possible?!"
Enel's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
Priest Ohm's face filled with disbelief. That was the power of a god, yet it was controlled by a lowly mortal!
"I almost forgot the boss is also skilled with electrical discharges."
Robin breathed a sigh of relief.
"What do you mean 'skilled with electrical discharges'..."
Rhodes glanced at Robin speechlessly and shook his head. He felt he couldn't withstand this woman's sharp tongue for more than three seconds.
He tossed the lightning sphere playfully, amusement on his face.
This idea had occurred to him after dodging Enel's beyond-visual-range attack.
While his lightning power hadn't increased in raw strength after its advancement, it gained the ability to influence and manipulate external electricity. He'd been able to control the lightning unleashed by that Electric Eel Sea King, so there was no reason Enel's lightning should be any different.
"Silver lightning!"
Rhodes suddenly had a realization. Perhaps the opportunity to enhance his lightning power lay with Enel himself.
His deep blue lightning power was only equivalent to Vice Admiral level. If it could be further enhanced, it would reach Admiral candidate level.
If that were possible, his strength would see a significant leap forward, and he'd definitely be able to defeat Ace.
Thinking this, Rhodes suddenly realized that Enel was truly a treasure trove.
"Returning it to you."
He smiled and tossed the silver-white sphere back.
Whoosh!
The lightning sphere, driven by invisible force, instantly transformed into a lightning spear mid-air, leaving a brilliant trail of light as it pierced toward Enel.
Enel's mind shook, his supposedly invincible Mantra trembling along with it. He had no time to dodge the lightning spear.
But what surprised Rhodes was that the lightning spear sank directly into Enel's body, as if flowing into the sea, without causing a ripple.
Of course—how could lightning harm a Goro Goro no Mi user?
After this exchange, Enel recovered from his shock, though his expression remained filled with disbelief. He looked at Rhodes with newfound seriousness.
Though he didn't understand how Rhodes had done it, Rhodes was undoubtedly the first person unafraid of his lightning power.
Enel gradually felt a sense of foreboding.
But without having encountered Luffy yet, his confidence remained intact.
"Perhaps it was just luck?"
With tentative hope, Enel extended his golden staff and struck the taiko drum on his right shoulder.
BOOM!
Sango: 30 Million Volt Hino!
Seemingly endless thunder and lightning surged forth, transforming into a phoenix-shaped thunderbird, spreading its wings and soaring swiftly toward Rhodes.
But this time, the result was even more direct.
Rhodes waved his sleeve, and the aggressively flying thunderbird suddenly dispersed, transforming into harmless arcs of electricity that filled the dense forest with an eerie glow.
The scene was extremely awkward.
(End of Chapter)
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