Chapter 191: Overwhelming Victory
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted as Rhodes's fist collided with the massive metal arm.
Visible shockwaves rippled outward from the point of impact, and the multi-ton metal construct shattered instantly like fragile glass, unable to withstand the devastating force of his Hasshoken technique.
The pulverized metal fragments—still carrying tremendous momentum—spun back toward Kidd, threatening to bury and crush him under tons of scrap.
"That's impossible!"
Kidd's eyes widened in disbelief, but his combat instincts kicked in automatically. He desperately used his magnetic powers to halt the metal debris rushing toward him, while simultaneously searching for Rhodes's position—
But in that instant—
WHOOSH!
Rhodes's figure vanished completely from his field of vision, leaving only a streak of silver-blue lightning in his wake.
"What the—?!"
Kidd didn't even have time to finish his thought.
WHAM!
An overwhelming presence materialized directly behind him, followed immediately by a bone-crushing impact.
Rhodes's Haki-coated fist sent Kidd flying like a cannonball, crashing through the restaurant's wall and onto the street outside. His body carved a deep trench in the cobblestones before finally skidding to a halt, shocking countless passersby.
Cough! Hack!
Kidd spat out two mouthfuls of blood before he could even attempt standing. He felt like several ribs had been shattered, and waves of agony radiated through his entire body.
But Kidd couldn't afford to dwell on the pain. His survival instincts screamed that he needed to go all-out immediately.
Rhodes's speed had been so overwhelming that Kidd literally hadn't perceived the attack until after it landed.
He understood with chilling clarity: if he didn't give this fight everything he had, he would die here today.
"Too weak."
Rhodes shook his head slightly, observing Kidd as he struggled to his feet.
It wasn't for nothing that those in the New World dismissively called the first half of the Grand Line "Paradise."
At this developmental stage, most powerful pirates—even Supernovas—relied overwhelmingly on their Devil Fruit abilities while neglecting fundamental combat skills.
Such individuals, when facing someone truly proficient in Armament Haki, were easily countered and defeated.
The Jiki Jiki no Mi was indeed effective against swordsmen in theory—but as long as Rhodes coated Spectre with Busoshoku Haki, Kidd couldn't control it whatsoever.
Besides, against an opponent of this caliber, Rhodes didn't even need to draw his sword.
Just as Kidd took a ragged breath and prepared to gather even more metal for a massive counterattack—
Rhodes vanished before his eyes once again.
Despite being mentally prepared this time, Kidd still couldn't react fast enough...
CRASH!
He was sent flying backward, smashing through several lamp posts before collapsing in a broken heap on the ground.
Jewelry Bonney, watching from the restaurant's ruined entrance, stood completely stunned. Even knowing Rhodes was powerful, she'd never imagined he was this overwhelmingly strong.
Is that kind of terrifying speed even humanly possible?! If I were fighting him, I'd be dead before I could blink...
"Hah... hah... I'll definitely... kill you..."
Watching Kidd somehow stagger back to his feet yet again, Rhodes suddenly felt like a villain facing down a protagonist with infinite determination.
The kid genuinely possessed the qualities of someone with Conqueror's Haki, didn't he?
Though his current strength was still far too weak, his tenacious vitality was already becoming apparent.
Another Supernova like Jewelry Bonney, taking two direct Haki-infused punches from Rhodes, would have been seriously injured if not killed outright.
Even as these thoughts crossed his mind, Rhodes continued his assault, sending Kidd flying once more.
THUD!
Kidd rolled several times across the street before coming to a stop—but this time, he couldn't stand back up.
Rhodes's strike to the back of his skull had left Kidd's vision swimming in darkness, his head spinning violently. Only his absolutely indomitable willpower kept him from losing consciousness entirely.
"Go... to hell..."
Lying prone on the ground, Kidd sensed he'd reached the most critical moment of his entire life.
In this ultimate life-or-death crisis, his potential exploded beyond previous limits. He desperately seized control of all the metal fragments Rhodes had shattered earlier.
SHING! SHING! SHING!
Kidd's explosive magnetic surge sent thousands of razor-sharp metal shards launching into the air, slicing toward Rhodes from every conceivable angle with lethal velocity.
A whistling shriek filled the air.
Jewelry Bonney watched in horror. An attack like that could shred a person to ribbons in seconds...
While it certainly lacked the imposing visual impact of the giant metal arms, this technique was actually far more threatening and lethal.
At minimum, Bonney felt confident she could potentially dodge or block the massive arm's attack—but she had no idea how she'd survive being caught in that swirling cloud of metal shrapnel.
"Now that's interesting."
Observing the rapidly approaching metal storm, Rhodes had no intention of simply tanking the attack with Armament Haki—that wouldn't be a wise approach.
With his superhuman reflexes enhanced by advanced Observation Haki, he could clearly perceive the trajectory of every individual fragment.
FLASH!
In a blur of silver lightning, Rhodes's figure transformed into a phantom, generating a miniature cyclone as he charged directly forward through the swirling metallic death trap.
His speed was simply too overwhelming.
Even with Kidd's explosive desperate surge, the metal fragments traveled at terrifying velocity—yet they still missed completely, only shredding the now-empty street into rubble and sending up clouds of dust.
THUD!
That familiar sensation of devastating impact returned, and Kidd tumbled across the ground once more.
This time, Kidd was completely spent. He collapsed onto the cobblestones, unable to move a single muscle.
"What should I do with you?"
Rhodes stroked his chin thoughtfully, regarding the fallen Supernova with mild interest.
Kidd still possessed tremendous potential—perhaps comparable to Enel, with the capacity to eventually become a peak-level powerhouse.
"Kill me if you dare... or I swear... I'll definitely kill you!!"
But hearing Kidd's defiant tone and unrepentant words, Rhodes reconsidered.
After all, this was someone with the temperament of a Conqueror—unlikely to ever submit to anyone. And Rhodes didn't particularly need subordinates or allies anyway.
So he smoothly drew Spectre and ended it with one clean stroke.
SLASH!
Blood sprayed across the cobblestones, and a head rolled across the ground before coming to rest.
Jewelry Bonney, still observing from nearby, couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Eustass Kidd had been one of the most accomplished Supernovas of this generation—arguably among the top three in terms of bounty and reputation.
Unfortunately, he'd provoked the wrong person and perished before even reaching the New World.
Still, Bonney felt that with Kidd's arrogant personality, even if he'd survived this encounter, he would have faced catastrophic setbacks in the New World regardless. You couldn't challenge Yonko with that attitude and insufficient strength.
With this sobering thought, Bonney quietly began backing away, intending to leave this dangerous area before—
Rhodes suddenly turned from the street to look directly at her.
"Hey. You, the pink-haired girl. Come here."
Bonney's first instinct was furious indignation—but then, remembering how Kidd had just been completely trampled and executed, her expression immediately shifted to nervous compliance. She approached obediently with lowered head, terrified that Rhodes might cut her down with equal ease.
"You're surprisingly sensible."
Rhodes nodded with mild approval.
Bonney bit her lip and asked carefully:
"I'm not reckless enough to challenge you. So why did you call me over?"
A pause, then nervously: "Just so you know, I won't Fight with you..."
"What?"
Rhodes looked genuinely baffled for a moment, then replied with a mixture of amusement and exasperation:
"With your looks? You think you're worth that kind of attention from me?"
"Oh thank god!"
Bonney was genuinely relieved to be dismissed so bluntly.
She was completely at this dangerous man's mercy. All she wanted was to escape with her life intact.
"You and Kidd destroyed most of that hot pot restaurant, and since Kidd is dead, you're responsible for covering the damages."
With that pronouncement, Rhodes calmly sheathed Spectre and turned to walk away, showing complete confidence that Bonney wouldn't dare disobey.
Bonney stood utterly dumbfounded by his words.
Wait... WHAT?!
He stopped me—a Supernova with a bounty over 100 million—just to make me pay for restaurant damages?!
Is he serious?! I'm a pirate!
A SUPERNOVA!
I'm supposed to be fierce and intimidating!
Not killing people is already generous—but paying for property damage?!
Even if I, the Glutton Bonney, threw every last berry I own into the ocean and fed it to Sea Kings, I wouldn't pay for—
But watching that white-clad figure gradually disappearing down the street, Bonney ultimately couldn't find the courage to act on her internal rebellion.
Shoulders slumped in defeat, she reluctantly trudged back to the ruined restaurant to settle the bill.
Behind her, the restaurant owner—who'd been hiding and watching everything—cautiously emerged, already calculating the "damages" and adding a very generous markup for "emotional distress."
After all, when a Warlord tells a Supernova to pay your bill... you don't ask questions.
(End of Chapter)
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