Chapter 273: Overwhelming Power
BANG!
Jack absorbed a complete combination of Fish-Man Karate strikes from Jinbe, yet only swayed slightly, his face flushing minimally from the impacts.
He grinned savagely, seizing Jinbe during a momentary recovery lag.
Within a single breath, this brute unleashed thirteen consecutive punches, finally breaking through Jinbe's defensive stance with his fourteenth—a lightning-fast strike landing squarely on Jinbe's chest.
Jack the Drought was an Ancient Zoan-type Zou Zou no Mi, Model: Mammoth user. Elephants were renowned for overwhelming strength, and Ancient Zoan mammoths possessed even more incredible power.
This decisive punch sent Jinbe flying backward, sliding several meters across the ground. His blue Fish-Man complexion turned bright crimson, and finally—unable to suppress it any longer—a thin trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth.
Although this injury barely qualified as minor damage, according to their established rules, Jinbe had officially lost.
"..."
Jinbe felt somewhat reluctant to accept defeat, but he recognized reality. Jack's strength clearly exceeded his own. The Mammoth Fruit ability provided too substantial a boost for a pure martial artist to overcome.
If this escalated to a genuine life-or-death battle, he'd probably be the one to fall.
"You win..."
Jinbe could accept honorable defeat. After sustaining injury, he prepared to formally concede—but Jack the Drought wasn't operating with normal reasoning.
After knocking Jinbe away, he actually advanced forward, seemingly intending to continue the assault.
Glancing at the deliberately indifferent Kyoshiro, Rhodes shook his head with mild annoyance, said nothing, and directly drew his blade to unleash a devastating slash.
BOOOOOM!
The increase in both physical power and Haki made Rhodes' sword techniques even more formidable—the earth being sliced through as effortlessly as tofu.
The silver sword energy resembled a crescent moon, tearing through heaven and earth alike.
Although Jack the Drought was somewhat hot-headed, his combat instincts remained razor-sharp. An overwhelming sense of danger surged through his consciousness. He roared defensively, coating his fist in dense Armament Haki before slamming it forward.
CRASH!
Sword energy and fist collided—as though thunder had detonated across the entire plaza.
Rhodes' attack power proved simply too overwhelming. Almost instantly upon impact, Jack the Drought was sent flying backward violently, a deep bone-exposing gash appearing across his massive fist.
His prided defensive capabilities were rendered utterly meaningless against Rhodes' strike.
THUD!
Jack the Drought crashed heavily into the ground some distance away, raising massive clouds of dust.
Rhodes sheathed his blade with a distinctive clang, his expression remaining perfectly composed, as though he'd accomplished nothing noteworthy.
"One sword... and that monster was sent flying!"
The spectators reacted with absolute shock.
Jack the Drought's strength was undeniable. His massive physique and immense power had proven sufficient to suppress Jinbe completely, yet he'd been effortlessly launched backward by Rhodes' single, seemingly casual strike.
What terrifying power!
The soldiers erupted into excited cheers, their blood boiling with patriotic fervor.
Kyoshiro's expression darkened slightly. Seeing truly was believing.
Although Jack hadn't yet undergone his Zoan-type transformation and his defensive capabilities weren't at peak levels, Rhodes clearly hadn't utilized his full strength either.
"It seems this Thunder God Swordsman genuinely possesses the qualifications to compete for Yonko status... but if he can't even decisively dominate Jack, he's not qualified for equal trading terms."
Kyoshiro analyzed coldly. Strength remained the fundamental principle of diplomatic negotiation.
Rhodes' current capabilities proved sufficient to earn his basic approval, but remained far from adequate to secure advantageous positioning in trade agreements!
MOOOOOO!
A resounding trumpet blast echoed through the air, instantly dispersing the billowing dust clouds.
Everyone stared intently at the transformation.
A massive mammoth appeared before their eyes.
This mammoth was absolutely enormous, with ivory tusks gleaming like white jade, thick pillar-like limbs, a powerful trunk, and dark skin that appeared cast from metal itself—a visually imposing sight.
"DIE!"
With a deep, bestial roar, Jack's eyes turned completely bloodshot. He stomped his massive hoof and charged directly toward Rhodes.
RUMMMMMBLE!
The mammoth's earth-shaking stomp caused violent tremors, and tiny pebbles seemed to animate, trembling incessantly across the ground.
What had been an ordinary charge by Jack the Drought now carried the weight of a thousand-strong cavalry. Those observing behind Rhodes felt suffocated, their legs weakening involuntarily.
"..."
Rhodes, however, remained utterly composed facing this spectacular display.
Drought Jack's charge appeared extraordinarily imposing—a single impact could easily capsize a battleship or demolish a skyscraper—but his velocity was thoroughly underwhelming.
Whoosh!
A flash of silver light erupted as Rhodes vanished from his position entirely.
"Tch!"
Jack's combat instincts were exceptionally sharp. Realizing his target had disappeared, he immediately braked hard, regained proper footing, and deployed his Observation Haki.
Then his pupils constricted sharply to their absolute limits—because Rhodes' presence had manifested directly on his back!
Without hesitation, Jack swung his massive trunk backward, lashing it forcefully across his own spine.
BANG!
The impact scattered debris, raising dense dust clouds.
Rhodes had already evaded effortlessly, wind whipping his white robes and wildly tossing his black hair.
Rhodes realized he'd somewhat underestimated Jack the Drought's raw power output.
Indeed, Zoan-types varied dramatically. Ancient and Mythical Zoan varieties clearly exceeded ordinary Zoan-types substantially, and different animal models possessed distinct advantages.
The Phoenix excelled at regeneration, while the mammoth obviously symbolized overwhelming physical power.
Considering the comparison of their respective strengths, Rhodes didn't hesitate. He lightly gripped his sword hilt:
"With this level of power, you're going to receive a thorough beating today."
As he spoke, his body crackled with silver lightning, making him appear like a thunder god descended to earth, radiating immense divine majesty.
"BRING IT ON!"
Jack sneered defiantly, stomping his massive elephant hoof with devastating force.
BOOOOOM!
Like a magnitude nine earthquake erupting.
Soldiers staggered helplessly, losing their footing entirely, while nearby buildings creaked ominously—demonstrating the terrifying power he wielded.
Exploiting Rhodes' momentary balance disruption, Jack charged at him once again.
This time proved different. He became enveloped in dense Armament Haki, transforming into a pitch-black elephant, seemingly erupting from the abyss itself, charging forward with absolutely overwhelming momentum.
Rhodes could easily evade. With his superior speed, it would prove entirely effortless.
But there was no necessity.
This was his home territory, and he demanded a clean, decisive victory!
In this New World where the strong dominated the weak, only a leader demonstrating superior strength could command unwavering loyalty from subordinates.
"Rairyu—Thunder Dragon!"
Rhodes unleashed a devastating sword strike, deploying his most ferocious offensive technique. Terrifying lightning power transformed into a massive silver thunder dragon, charging forward with force rivaling Jack the Drought's, meeting him head-on.
BOOOOOOOM!
When the black elephant collided with the thunder dragon, an unprecedented explosion resonated across the heavens.
Jack the Drought was powerful, certainly, but Rhodes' power proved equally formidable—perhaps only marginally inferior in raw strength. The thunder dragon he'd manifested was even more dominating.
The Thunder Dragon and Black Elephant clashed repeatedly, electrical arcs crackling violently as energy surged, the sounds of detonations proving absolutely deafening.
CRASH!
After a brief stalemate, the Thunder Dragon unleashed its remaining strength, slamming the Black Elephant away forcefully, sending it crashing dozens of meters distant, rolling several additional meters before finally stopping.
A deathly silence descended over the surroundings.
"Is this for real? I witnessed Jack-san use this form previously—he demolished an entire mountain!"
"Is this the Thunder God Swordsman's true strength? No wonder he's hailed as the monster most likely to become the Fourth Emperor!"
Jack's subordinates, including Sheepshead and Ginrummy, stood utterly stunned.
Even Kyoshiro found it profoundly difficult to accept.
Rhodes' capability to defeat Doflamingo and force back World Government agents meant he was undoubtedly powerful. Defeating Jack had been expected.
But this direct, overwhelming head-on clash resulting in forced knockback—what was this display?
Didn't the intelligence reports emphasize that this Thunder God Swordsman's greatest attribute was extraordinary speed?
Kyoshiro resolved to return and thoroughly discipline that intelligence operative.
(End of Chapter)
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