Chapter 268: Kizaru Retreats
Kizaru's entrance proved accompanied by extraordinarily flashy special effects.
Within the brilliant radiance, a tall figure slowly materialized—mysterious and majestic, clearly radiating immense power and prestige, perfectly befitting the Navy Headquarters' elite combat forces.
Unfortunately, as that distinctively weary face materialized, that sense of majesty plummeted dramatically, making Rhodes want to laugh aloud.
Observing the three combatants below, Kizaru exhaled slowly, his characteristically languid expression seemingly conveying, "I just want to collect my paycheck in peace."
Upon witnessing the Admiral's arrival, Kalos' confidence surged dramatically as he instantly appeared beside Kizaru.
Rhodes and Jinbe coordinated their positioning.
Two against two.
Rhodes' side faced greater strategic disadvantages.
After all, Jinbe wasn't merely slightly weaker than Kalos, but also severely injured from the previous battle, having expended tremendous stamina. Meanwhile, Kalos remained comparatively fresh.
Although Rhodes bore no serious injuries, he'd depleted approximately thirty percent of his stamina reserves, while Kizaru arrived at absolute peak condition.
However, battles never necessarily concluded through pure head-on confrontation alone.
"Kizaru—"
Rhodes began to speak.
Kizaru, however, clearly understood the situation's urgency and immediately unleashed a laser beam from his extended finger.
Rhodes and Jinbe dodged reflexively as the laser struck the ground, creating a crater several meters in diameter with molten edges—testament to its devastating destructive power.
"Oh my... looks like you're in pretty decent shape,"
Kizaru observed through squinted eyes, instantly losing genuine interest in prolonged combat.
He understood this mission was fundamentally doomed from the start.
The Five Elders' orders demanded he coordinate with Kalos to eliminate Rhodes, but with strict time limitations preventing the outside world from learning of the Navy and World Government's direct involvement in the Dressrosa incident.
How could that possibly work?!
If Rhodes and Jinbe's conditions were reversed, he might possess a reasonable chance, but Rhodes remained mostly in excellent condition—making it nearly impossible to defeat this man, whose speed rivaled his own, within such limited timeframes.
Kizaru had fought Rhodes previously at Sabaody Archipelago and understood this reality intimately.
However, having heard that the Five Elders were absolutely furious this time, Kizaru felt he couldn't appear too passive and needed to demonstrate effort.
So he manifested his Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi—his light-constructed sword—and began engaging Rhodes directly.
Clang, clang, clang!
Kizaru's fundamental strength remained unchanged, but Rhodes had undergone significant physical evolution. While his velocity hadn't increased dramatically, his raw power had grown considerably.
Kizaru distinctly felt mounting pressure, his hands aching noticeably from their clashing blade exchanges.
"Oh? How did your physical strength increase so dramatically?"
Kizaru inquired with genuine surprise.
Kizaru's physical capabilities weren't particularly exceptional, but they weren't poor either. During their last encounter at Sabaody Archipelago, he could still suppress Rhodes in terms of raw strength.
But now, he clearly perceived that the power contained within each of Rhodes' sword strikes had increased substantially.
It wasn't an enhancement of Armament Haki intensity, but rather pure physical strength amplification!
This proved quite remarkable.
Achieving this caliber of improvement typically required consuming an exceptionally rare Ancient or Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
But judging from Rhodes' combat characteristics, he didn't appear to be any form of Zoan-type user whatsoever.
Kizaru felt slightly unsettled by this development.
On the adjacent battlefield, Jinbe and Kalos engaged in fierce combat once again.
Although Jinbe found himself suppressed once more, it remained clear this confrontation wouldn't resolve quickly.
Pure physical specialists possessed remarkable resilience and exceptional endurance capabilities.
BOOOOM!
A terrifying shockwave rippled outward violently, splitting the earth beneath them.
Kizaru retreated strategically, landing atop a ruined building.
From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of approaching figures carrying Den Den Mushi broadcasting equipment, and his expression soured—though he secretly rejoiced internally.
Time to make a strategic withdrawal.
Kalos also noticed the approaching broadcasters, roared in absolute frustration, forced Jinbe backward with a desperate strike, and returned to Kizaru's side immediately.
No verbal communication proved necessary.
Both possessed clear understanding of their impossible situation. The instant they coordinated, they vanished in flashes of light and telekinetic propulsion, disappearing from the battlefield entirely.
Rhodes didn't pursue them.
Jinbe's condition had deteriorated too severely. If combat continued, he genuinely might not survive. The gains from this battle proved more than sufficient—it was time to conclude operations.
A short while later—
Law, Robin, and the others finally arrived at Rhodes' position.
Bepo and the Heart Pirates skillfully produced a stretcher, and Jinbe unceremoniously collapsed onto it—desperately requiring immediate medical treatment.
Law, as a wielder of the Ope Ope no Mi and a world-class surgeon, could treat Jinbe's injuries with relative ease.
"Are you alright?"
Robin approached slowly, her form-fitting combat attire cracked and damaged, revealing patches of skin beneath. Dark bruises marked her arms and shoulders.
She appeared utterly exhausted, yet her eyes shone with genuine brightness and satisfaction.
"I'm fine,"
Rhodes replied, shaking his head as he sheathed Raiu at his side.
He surveyed the surrounding devastation and couldn't suppress a weary sigh,
"Although we've seized control of Dressrosa, reconstruction will prove quite troublesome."
The collateral damage from battles between top-tier combatants proved extraordinarily extensive. They could effortlessly destroy entire city blocks, and Doflamingo's Birdcage had additionally demolished countless buildings throughout its contraction.
Without establishing sufficient revenue sources, Dressrosa would likely remain economically impoverished for considerable duration.
"Handle negotiations with the Riku royal family. Just follow the Arabasta model we established,"
Rhodes instructed Robin after brief consideration.
"The World Government remains too preoccupied managing their own crisis to concern themselves with us currently, so focus entirely on developing our strength and infrastructure."
Dressrosa currently represented a political hot potato for the World Government. They would attempt to minimize its significance and wouldn't cause major difficulties.
As long as they didn't deploy overwhelming military force, Rhodes had nothing to fear strategically.
With Rhodes' current combat capabilities, eliminating him would require at least three Marine Admirals working in perfect coordination to guarantee victory, and at least four to confidently ensure his death.
Peak-level combatants weren't commonplace. They required strategic positioning throughout the seas, and it remained highly unlikely the World Government would commit such resources against Rhodes alone.
If multiple Admirals fell in such an engagement, it would represent a catastrophic blow to World Government authority.
"Captain, I've secured what you requested."
Just as the two discussed post-battle arrangements, Bones stepped forward carrying a small reinforced container housing the unconscious Sugar—wielder of the Hobi Hobi no Mi.
He'd fought Trebol to absolute exhaustion, ultimately gaining decisive advantage and successfully eliminating the Donquixote Family's highest-ranking officer at the cost of his own injuries.
This Paramecia-type Supa Supa no Mi user, who'd joined Rhodes' organization long ago, was gradually demonstrating exceptional talent and might eventually become a high-tier combatant within Rhodes' forces—a genuinely promising prospect.
"Excellent work."
Rhodes glanced at the unconscious child-like figure within the container and nodded with approval.
Sugar's Hobi Hobi no Mi possessed remarkable utility. It might generate surprising strategic advantages in certain applications, though he remained uncertain about its specific limitations and weaknesses.
"Ensure she remains in Seastone restraints at all times."
Sugar's ability proved too uniquely dangerous. Without proper precautions, it could genuinely create catastrophic problems.
Rhodes needed to exercise maximum caution.
"Understood."
Bones nodded slightly, his expression maintaining its characteristically stern and serious demeanor.
Robin glanced briefly at the child-like figure within the reinforced container but offered no comment.
She surveyed the surrounding devastation, a strange sensation rising within her consciousness.
Having defeated Doflamingo and established Dressrosa as his territorial base, Rhodes' path toward Emperor status had officially commenced.
And she, too, would gradually ascend toward the world's apex—perhaps one day standing atop those clouds themselves, demanding answers from those beings about why they'd destroyed Ohara so mercilessly.
She already knew the answer intellectually, but this remained necessary for the countless innocent souls who'd perished.
(End of Chapter)