Chapter 243: One Punch
Charlotte Oven was a Paramecia-type Netsu Netsu no Mi user—impulsive and aggressive by nature, but far from stupid.
The Dragon Slayer Swordsman was renowned throughout the entire world. He had stood out even among the monsters gathered at Marineford War, demonstrating absolutely formidable strength. Oven himself was unlikely to be any match for him—at minimum, a Sweet Commander-level opponent would be required.
However, the Four Emperors had their pride and dignity to maintain. If he were to simply slink away in defeat without even attempting a fight, he would certainly face severe punishment upon returning.
After rapid internal deliberation, Oven could only say in a measured tone,
"You'll probably be entering the New World soon as well, correct? Offending us at this early stage isn't exactly a smart strategic move."
Oven attempted to intimidate Rhodes, his tone outwardly diplomatic, but everyone present could clearly hear the underlying threat.
This was the pressure of overwhelming organizational power.
Each Yonko was an immovable mountain upon the seas—their mere name was sufficient to make lesser pirates tremble in fear.
For example, Whitebeard's flag alone had been enough to protect Fish-Man Island for decades.
King Neptune looked deeply worried—he genuinely didn't want to offend these Pirate Emperors. Fish-Man Island simply couldn't withstand their potential retaliation.
Jinbe and Madam Shirley remained relatively composed, calmly awaiting Rhodes' response.
"Enough with the pointless talk,"
Rhodes stood up and stated calmly,
"On the high seas, strength reigns absolutely supreme."
"I won't deceive you. I won't even draw my sword. If you can defeat me in this condition, then we can discuss terms."
His words rendered the entire hall utterly silent.
Everyone was awestruck by his overwhelming confidence.
The Dragon Slayer Swordsman—since he bore the title of swordsman, he was naturally most skilled and deadly with a blade.
Sealing away one's swordsmanship was equivalent to a martial artist deliberately severing their own dominant arm, or a Devil Fruit user refusing to access their powers.
"Good, good, GOOD! As expected of the so-called strongest rookie—arrogant enough to match your reputation!"
"If someone like you can't even defeat me, then I have no face to remain here. I'll return to Mama and accept whatever punishment she deems appropriate."
Oven, despite being openly slighted, wasn't outwardly angry but instead chuckled with anticipation.
Seeing this exchange, everyone dispersed to the sides, clearing a massive open space for the two combatants.
"Won't this cause serious problems?" Neptune asked anxiously.
"Absolutely not."
Jinbe was completely confident in Rhodes. The two had sparred extensively before, and Rhodes' raw physical power was not significantly weaker than his own. Combined with his ghostly speed, even without employing swordsmanship, he was extraordinarily formidable—certainly not someone Charlotte Oven could handle.
Meanwhile, the Big Mom Pirates officers were enthusiastically cheering.
"Oven-sama, crush him!"
"This rookie is far too arrogant!"
"Show this upstart the true power of the Big Mom Pirates!"
Amidst the chaotic clamor,
Rhodes remained perfectly serene, one hand casually positioned behind his back, the other raised slightly to his side in an openly dismissive stance:
"Come."
Witnessing this blatant disrespect, Oven's fury ignited.
You may be the world-renowned Dragon Slayer Swordsman, but I am also a high-ranking combatant in a Yonko's crew! How dare you humiliate me like this?!
He roared explosively and suddenly activated his Devil Fruit ability.
Terrifyingly high temperatures radiated from his entire body, wrapping around his clenched fist and turning it crimson-red. The air surrounding it distorted violently from the extreme heat, appearing visibly blurred and hazy.
"Netsu Netsu Punch!"
Oven stomped the ground explosively and shot forward in a blur, launching his superheated fist directly at Rhodes.
"Here it comes!"
"Oven-sama's Heat Fist technique!"
The Big Mom Pirates officers exclaimed with excited anticipation. They had personally witnessed Oven's Heat Fist instantly melt human beings before—its devastating power was absolutely unbelievable.
Rhodes, however, made no attempt whatsoever to block or evade. Only when the blazing fist was mere inches away did he suddenly clench his right hand, coating it densely with Armament Haki, and threw a counter-punch.
His strike was eerily silent, yet somehow arrived first despite moving second.
CRACK!
The two fists collided with devastating force, and Oven was sent flying backward like a ragdoll, his entire arm twisting outward at a grotesque, unnatural angle—clearly broken by Rhodes' overwhelming punch.
CRASH!
Oven slammed heavily into the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood. Intense agony shot through his shattered arm, but it couldn't remotely compare to the profound shock ravaging his mind.
"How is this POSSIBLE?!"
The Dragon Slayer Swordsman's raw physical power was absolutely monstrous!
Oven simply couldn't process what had just occurred.
All the intelligence reports had indicated this man's primary specialty was incredible speed!
Could he possibly be of some special superhuman race like Mama herself?!
He had been strategizing extensively about how to counter Rhodes if he unleashed his legendary speed in combat—but Rhodes had simply met him head-on with pure physical might, sending him flying and nearly shattering his arm completely.
There was even some strange penetrating force invading his internal organs, causing severe internal injuries!
Absolutely unbelievable.
"This man's potential is probably far higher than anyone currently estimates."
At this moment, with Oven decisively defeated by Rhodes with a single devastating punch, all of Ryugu Palace fell into stunned silence.
Every witness' eyes were filled with profound shock and disbelief.
They had considered that Oven might potentially lose—after all, he was facing the world-renowned Dragon Slayer Swordsman—but none had expected such an utterly one-sided defeat.
Oven couldn't even match Rhodes in raw strength, and the difference in their speed was like comparing heaven and earth. Everyone now understood with crystal clarity that Oven was completely outmatched.
"You're exceptionally strong. The New World is about to welcome another true monster."
Oven slowly forced himself upright, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and looked directly at Rhodes, stating,
"I'll report this situation to Mama personally. I sincerely hope you won't come to regret offending the Big Mom Pirates."
"Feel free."
Rhodes' expression remained completely unchanged—he was utterly calm and composed.
To unify the New World and conquer these seas alongside the world's most powerful figures, the Four Emperors were opponents he absolutely had to challenge eventually. Offending them sooner versus later made no practical difference.
He possessed sufficient confidence and sufficient strength to face whatever consequences arose.
"Very well then."
Oven took a deep, steadying breath, forcibly suppressing his inner turmoil, and led his subordinates away in thoroughly dejected fashion.
The Left Minister, who had been guiding them, remained in a complete daze—utterly bewildered and not fully comprehending what had just transpired.
It wasn't until he escorted them completely out of Ryugu Palace and watched the Big Mom Pirates delegation depart Fish-Man Island entirely that he belatedly realized: it seemed... it seemed their Fish-Man Island had just been claimed by an extraordinarily young human?
"This must have seriously offended Charlotte Linlin, correct? Won't there be severe consequences?"
Among all the leaders present, Neptune was the weakest combatant, so naturally he was the most deeply worried.
"If someone doesn't even dare offend the Four Emperors, how can they possibly speak of conquering the New World?"
Rhodes' tone was casual and dismissive, clearly not concerned whatsoever.
Fish-Man Island's unique geographical location made it virtually impossible to deploy a large-scale invasion force—the massive Sea Kings patrolling the surrounding waters would teach any would-be attackers a devastating lesson.
And if it were merely a single elite fighter or small strike team, as long as it wasn't Big Mom herself personally arriving, Rhodes was completely confident in eliminating them.
As for whether Big Mom would actually come in person, Rhodes estimated she absolutely wouldn't dare.
Fish-Man Island was located ten thousand meters beneath the ocean surface—practically a death trap for any Devil Fruit user.
If Big Mom were foolish enough to come personally, the Navy would certainly capitalize on such a golden opportunity. They would spare no expense—potentially even destroying Fish-Man Island itself—to capture or eliminate a Yonko.
Therefore, Rhodes wasn't remotely afraid of offending Big Mom.
If worst came to absolute worst, he could always have Shirahoshi intervene and let the Four Emperors experience firsthand the true terrifying power of the ocean's ancient kings.
Those colossal Sea Kings—easily exceeding one thousand or even five thousand meters in length—possessed such devastating power that even Rhodes wouldn't dare confront them directly without extreme preparation.
(End of Chapter)
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