"Is this the strength of a pirate with an 80-million-berry bounty?"
Rhode descended gracefully from the sky, his tone indifferent.
Truth be told, he was disappointed.
Initially, the bounty system was created by the World Government to incentivize strong individuals to hunt down pirates.
But now, bounty figures had become symbols of status and power. An 80-million-berry bounty was already quite impressive on these seas.
In any of the four Blues—East, West, South, or North—such a bounty would make one a regional overlord.
Even in the first half of the Grand Line, it could earn considerable prestige. With a bit more effort, one could even become a Supernova! After all, when Luffy defeated the Warlord Crocodile, his bounty only reached 100 million berries.
"You damn brat, you think you've won?!"
Enraged, Slote's veins bulged violently as his skin instantly turned dark iron-gray. His entire body swelled, transforming him into a hulking three-meter-tall giant—though his explosive hairstyle made him look somewhat ridiculous.
"Look at that—his skin's gone completely black!""This is the 'Black Fist' secret technique that even the captain praised highly. I've only seen it twice before. To think he'd use it against a mere youngster..."
"If the captain is resorting to this move, the fight must be coming to an end."
The pirates nearby, drawn by the commotion, looked at Slote with awe and reverence.
On the battlefield.
After activating his secret technique, Slote let out a series of wild roars and launched his attack.
His speed was slightly slower than before, but the power behind this punch was like a collapsing Mount Tai—unbelievably immense.
Shano, who prided himself as the top contender among the reserves, paled further at the sight. Had Slote used this technique from the start, he doubted he could have withstood even a single blow.
Rhode, however, stood expressionless in the center, neither blocking nor dodging. Only when the fist was upon him did he suddenly grip his sword hilt and slash.
Lightning crackled, coating the blade and granting the ordinary sword a sharpness rivaling that of a famed weapon.
"Boom!"
The pale blue blade clashed with the black fist.
The impact was like thunder exploding—a massive shockwave radiated outward, sending sand, tents, and debris flying in all directions. The spectacle was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Nearby combatants were forced to retreat, halting their battles as they cast reverent glances toward the duel.
"Huh?"
Slote's expression shifted slightly as he involuntarily took a step back, while Rhode merely swayed slightly.
Their direct clash had clearly decided the victor.
Though Slote's physique had been honed to its peak, Rhode's was no less formidable. Coupled with his swordsmanship and Thunder Power, he stood his ground without faltering.
"How is this possible?!"
Slote was stunned.
He had absolute confidence in his strength, especially after activating his secret technique. He was certain he could contend with pirates boasting bounties over a hundred million.
Yet here was a mere teenager, barely sixteen or seventeen, matching him blow for blow.
It was an unexpected blow to his pride.
"I don't believe it!"
Slote roared. When his first punch failed, he followed up with another, then another—his arms and knees joining the assault like a relentless storm.
Every strike, infused with Armament Haki, carried unimaginable weight, capable of shattering boulders and splitting the earth with ease.
The raging gusts of his fists whipped up sand and stones.
"..."
Rhode remained expressionless, his eyes unreadable.
With intelligence more than double the norm, he possessed not only extraordinary learning speed but also unparalleled information processing.
In battle, this translated to supreme control over the flow of combat.
His reaction speed surpassed that of ordinary men, allowing him to calmly assess any situation and devise countermeasures in an instant.
"Raaaaaagh!"
Slote fought like a man possessed, pushing his martial arts to their limits. Every part of his body became a lethal weapon, intent on crushing and tearing Rhode apart.
Though this flurry of attacks was relentless, the force behind each individual strike was inevitably diminished.
With the heightened reflexes and speed of his Thunder Mode, Rhode found it even easier to handle.
"Is this all you've got?"
Rhode said coolly.
He no longer saw any value in using Slote to accumulate combat experience.
"Burst!"The dazzling lightning exploded, the sudden burst of intense light causing Slote to instinctively narrow his eyes and raise his fist in defense.
Rhode swept aside his guard with a single sword stroke, stepping forward with the grace of a nimble cat. In the same motion, his blade shot forth like a celestial strike, aiming straight for Slote's heart.
The height difference between them made it impossible for him to behead his opponent with a single strike, forcing him to aim for vital points instead.
"Armament!"
Slote remained unshaken, confident that his Armament Haki could withstand the incoming blade.
Yet, in the very next instant, the smirk on his lips froze. The sword tip, wreathed in Thunder Power, shattered through his Armament Haki defense and pierced straight into his heart!
The battle ended abruptly.
Both men stood motionless.
"You—"
Slote barely managed a single word before darkness engulfed his vision. Deprived of blood flow from his heart, his brain reeled, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.
Such was the perilous brutality of a swordmaster's duel—once defenses were breached, a single strike could be fatal. Unlike hand-to-hand combat, where even a battered fighter could endure several more rounds, here, the outcome was decisive.
Even with his heart impaled, Slote wasn't dead yet. Kneeling, he pressed his left hand against the wound, but blood gushed relentlessly. His face twisted in terror and despair.
"Armament Haki... is nothing special."
Rhode's voice was calm as he sheathed his sword.
Slote lifted his head, his blood-flecked lips parting as if to speak—only to cough up a mouthful of blood. The secret technique he'd been maintaining faltered, and his body reverted to its normal size.
Then, with a final thud, he collapsed. A pool of blood quickly spread beneath him.
"D-dead? The captain's dead?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"After making it all the way to the New World... to die in a place like this..."
Though dusk hadn't yet fallen, the pirates could clearly see the outcome under the fading sunlight. A collective gasp rose among them, faces etched with shock and horror.
"Kill them all!" The reserve soldiers raised their weapons, their morale soaring.
In an instant, chaos erupted. The pirates, their spirits broken, dared not stand their ground. Most fled, while the few who resisted were swiftly cut down, their efforts amounting to nothing.
"Impressive. You're stronger than me."
Shano, the captain of the first squad and a swordmaster, approached with genuine admiration. Then, his tone shifted, brimming with determination: "But once I master Two-Colored Haki, I'll defeat you!"
"Hmm."
Rhode responded indifferently before turning to join the pursuit.
Though each ordinary pirate provided only a trickle of energy, even the smallest gains were worth collecting. Rhode wasn't one to waste opportunities.