Chapter 51: Pirate Guerrillas
Light white mist enveloped the hot spring house, obscuring the charming figures within.
The guards lounged by the edge of the pool, feeling completely relaxed.
Bathing in a hot spring was indeed pleasant, comfortable, and rejuvenating, but three months was truly a long time.
"Ah, when will this vacation ever end?"
"I think it's fine. No need to overthink it, just enjoy soaking."
"Can't be helped. Vice Admiral Momousagi is training that handsome young Rhodes."
"Speaking of which, it seems Miss Eleanor went to spar with the handsome guy today. I wonder how it went."
As soon as they finished speaking, they saw Eleanor walk in with an expressionless face, moving quickly and heavily, as if sulking.
The guards, each sharp-witted individuals, naturally sensed something was amiss and began whispering among themselves.
"Something unexpected happened!"
"Could it be that she went to test him but got schooled instead?"
"Tsk tsk, is handsome boy Rhodes really that amazing?"
The hot spring house was small enough that even though the guards lowered their voices, Eleanor heard everything clearly. Her already sour expression became even more irritated, as if someone owed her a fortune.
However, Eleanor had urgent business to report. She simply glared at her subordinates, quickened her pace, and headed toward the innermost section of the hot springs. Addressing Momousagi, who was soaking peacefully in the water, she said,
"Vice Admiral Momousagi, we have a situation."
Momousagi lazily opened her eyes, glancing at Eleanor's slightly torn clothing. She was surprised for a moment, then couldn't help but smile. "What happened? Did I not warn you to be careful, or did Rhodes give you trouble?"
"..."
Several tick marks appeared on Eleanor's forehead. She ignored her mischievous commander and spoke expressionlessly,
"The Pirate Guerrillas led by Black Arm Zephyr are planning to attack a group of pirates in nearby waters and have sent a message requesting our cooperation."
"Sensei Zephyr?"
Momousagi was taken aback, her expression growing serious.
Zephyr was a former Fleet Admiral and had served as the Marines' chief instructor for many years. Most of the Marine officers were his students, and Momousagi was no exception.
"That's correct," Eleanor confirmed.
"We're dealing with the notorious pirate 'Spark.' While Black Arm Zephyr is confident of defeating Spark, he can't guarantee avoiding casualties among his men. Therefore, he's requesting our cooperation."
"This isn't a direct order from Marine Headquarters. Whether or not to participate is your decision."
With that, she stood quietly, awaiting Momousagi's orders.
Even off-duty, Eleanor remained incredibly professional.
Momousagi narrowed her eyes slightly.
She was aware of Zephyr's personality changes and recent actions, but it was a complicated matter with many factors involved. Momousagi felt powerless to intervene and could only let things take their natural course.
"Of course I'll help," Momousagi said after a brief moment of consideration.
"Spark isn't affiliated with any of the Yonko crews anyway, so there's no political complications."
Eleanor wasn't surprised. She nodded and prepared to leave to issue the orders.
An ordinary Marine, even a Vice Admiral from Headquarters, would need to exercise extreme caution when facing a pirate like Spark. But Momousagi didn't even consider the question of strength—it was simply a matter of how many strikes it would take.
"Wait, change your clothes first," Momousagi's voice called from behind, mercilessly exposing Eleanor's embarrassment once again.
"Argh!"
Eleanor, unable to bear it any longer, pounced on Momousagi, playfully wrestling with her.
A strange atmosphere suddenly took over the scene.
...
On the warship.
Gazing at the island disappearing into the horizon, Rhodes let out a soft breath, a hint of nostalgia crossing his face.
If you counted carefully, he had been in this pirate world for less than a year.
Excluding the initial three months of adjustment, and the time spent traveling, his actual training time was approximately six months.
Three and a half months of that had been spent at Revolutionary Army headquarters, training in Soru, Geppo, and the two types of Haki.
The other three months were spent training swordsmanship with Momousagi.
The three months on this volcanic island might not seem long, but they actually accounted for nearly half of Rhodes' total training time.
After such an extended period, his progress was undoubtedly substantial.
The most significant improvement was, of course, in his swordsmanship—even reaching the point where he could compete with veteran swordsman Eleanor without losing.
It could be said that after three months of intensive training, Rhodes' swordsmanship had reached a high level that even Momousagi couldn't find much fault with. He possessed the foundation necessary to become a Great Swordsman.
At this stage, Momousagi could no longer offer much guidance. He needed to forge his own path and comprehend the profound meaning of "cutting" to achieve true mastery.
Besides that, he had also maintained his training in both types of Haki.
He had made solid progress in Kenbunshoku Haki, and with the added bonus of his enhanced perception, it shouldn't be a weakness.
He had even developed his Busoshoku Haki to the limit of his current physical capabilities.
"My physical strength right now should be comparable to that of an average Marine branch Vice Admiral. My speed and agility are even greater thanks to my lightning enhancement."
Rhodes exerted force, easily twisting the ship's railing into a pretzel shape.
He showed no guilt about damaging Marine property, but instead chuckled and opened his status panel.
Level 2: Book of Knowledge
Attributes: Intelligence +2, Perception +1
Talents:
Swordsmanship Mastery - Become one with the sword, greatly enhancing understanding of swordsmanship!Lightning Manipulation - Channel the power of Raijin, freely controlling thunder and lightning!
Energy: 717/1000
"Seven hundred and seventeen points of lightning energy..."
Rhodes grinned, a flicker of blue light dancing in his eyes.
The destructive power of this level of lightning was definitely enough to threaten even a Vice Admiral-level opponent. A Headquarters Vice Admiral might have some difficulty dealing with it, but a branch Vice Admiral would definitely be unable to withstand this level of damage.
"If I combine this with Vice Admiral-level swordsmanship, I wonder what tier I've reached now. An average branch Vice Admiral wouldn't be my match."
Rhodes felt a hint of satisfaction.
On this ocean, a Rear Admiral-level warrior would find it difficult to navigate alone, easily encountering fatal dangers like massive Sea Kings and devastating storms.
But a Vice Admiral-level warrior could handle such challenges independently. Even in the New World, where powerful individuals abound, a little caution is all that's needed to survive.
In the entire pirate world, a Vice Admiral-level warrior truly ranks among the elite—a goal most ordinary people could never achieve in their lifetimes. Rhodes currently belonged to this tier.
Above that were those just a step away from the pinnacle: Phoenix Marco, the All-Stars and Sweet Commanders, and Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo.
Finally, of course, there were the peak warriors who stood above the clouds and overlooked the seas: the Yonko, the Marine Admirals, the Great Swordsmen...
"The road ahead is the most difficult, but also the most exciting."
Rhodes sighed, not seeming overly proud, because according to Momousagi, his current level was only the beginning.
There were many people on the seas who could reach Rhodes' level, but those who could advance further were exceedingly rare.
(End of Chapter)
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