Chapter 275: Conceding Defeat
Jack certainly hadn't learned any formal Shishi no Hōkō technique—this was merely a killing move he'd developed by imitating the roars of ferocious beasts.
To master this technique, he'd spent over half a year on a New World island teeming with savage creatures, his voice growing hoarse from constant roaring practice.
"He's actually alright?!"
Witnessing Rhodes simply shake his head and regain full consciousness, Jack's eyes widened with genuine bewilderment.
This represented his trump card, previously invincible. Even renowned pirates would be stunned and lose significant combat effectiveness when struck by his roar, yet Rhodes appeared completely unaffected.
This proved truly devastating psychologically.
"Even that technique didn't work?"
"The Thunder God Swordsman is despair-inducingly powerful."
Jack's subordinates had been monitoring the situation closely and could easily discern Rhodes' actual condition.
"With this level of strength, I wonder if King-san could defeat him."
Sheepshead's tone carried substantial weight.
Among the Three All-Stars, Drought Jack was the weakest, Queen the Plague second-strongest, and King the Wildfire the most powerful—though not by overwhelming margins. Facing Rhodes, who excelled in both speed and slashing techniques, even King would likely face uncertain odds.
While everyone contemplated these implications, Jack had already exploited Rhodes' momentary retreat to regain his footing. His massive frame remained imposing, though now considerably disheveled and battered.
His towering body was crisscrossed with sword wounds, and even his mask had been shattered by sword energy aftershocks, revealing a set of razor-sharp teeth beneath.
"Want to continue fighting?"
Rhodes stood with blade drawn, speaking with perfect composure.
Jack remained silent, only raising his shotels to demonstrate his unwavering stance.
"Not bad."
Rhodes praised Jack's indomitable fighting spirit genuinely.
"To show proper respect for your determination, I'll use my ultimate technique."
Crackle-crackle-crackle...
The lightning power surrounding Rhodes' body vibrated and hummed intensely, emitting a series of sharp cries—like a thousand birds calling simultaneously.
FLASH!
The void seemed to tear in that instant. Before the thunderous roar could even reverberate, Rhodes' figure had already vanished completely.
Jack's pupils contracted to their absolute limits as he immediately raised his hooked shotels defensively before him.
BOOOOOM!
Jack was instantly sent flying backward violently.
"Impossible! Such terrifying power?!"
Jack, sailing through the air, stared with eyes wide in absolute disbelief, as though he'd witnessed something impossible.
He'd already gauged Rhodes' strength parameters during their previous exchanges. While powerful, it hadn't been sufficient to launch him so effortlessly—
Before he could even complete that thought—
A silver flash materialized before him as a figure appeared directly in his trajectory.
Jack's arms were completely numb from Rhodes' supersonic sword strike. He possessed neither time nor strength remaining to parry effectively.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
The blade flashed repeatedly in blinding succession. Within moments, Rhodes unleashed seven devastating strikes, each one spraying substantial blood volumes, staining the ground crimson.
THUD!
Jack finally crashed to earth, immediately attempting to regain balanced footing, not daring any carelessness.
Another silver flash erupted as Rhodes materialized behind Jack, slashing outward once more.
TEAR!
Armament Haki and muscle tissue were rent apart. Rhodes could actually glimpse Jack's pale vertebrae beneath.
Jack released a muffled roar, his eyes turning completely bloodshot as he slashed wildly at Rhodes, generating powerful wind pressure—but only managing to shatter Rhodes' afterimage.
Rhodes had already repositioned before Jack. Exploiting the opening created when Jack swung backward, Rhodes unleashed a devastating sword strike frontally.
WHOOOOSH!
A massive sword energy swept across the sky, instantly tearing through Jack's Armament Haki, piercing muscles and skin, severing seven or eight ribs completely. Rhodes could even glimpse his violently beating heart, pounding from the acute trauma.
The immense force sent Jack flying backward again.
He rolled across the ground, attempting to rise, but collapsed with a heavy thud.
The massive blood loss combined with recovery from multiple severe injuries had drastically depleted his vitality. His face appeared ashen, and his head spun dizzyingly.
Yet this stubborn mammoth continued struggling to stand, again and again.
He represented the Beast Pirates' reputation. When he operated abroad, he embodied the beasts' might—he would never admit defeat voluntarily.
Sigh.
Kyoshiro exhaled softly and addressed Rhodes directly,
"We concede this match."
"Old man! This isn't your business!"
Jack roared defiantly, coughing up two additional mouthfuls of blood. His once incredibly powerful body now only demonstrated profound weakness.
Kyoshiro ignored him completely. Continue fighting? Did he genuinely want to die here?
"Hurry and treat that stubborn mammoth. I certainly don't want to witness him bleeding out."
Jack's life force had reached its lowest ebb. Even healing his accumulated wounds proved extraordinarily difficult. It was painfully obvious how thoroughly Rhodes had dismantled him.
"Ah, right away!"
Ginrummy and the others finally snapped from their shocked stupor and responded quickly, rushing forward with the ship's medical personnel.
Jack glared fiercely at Sheepshead with betrayed eyes.
Sheepshead chuckled awkwardly and ordered the doctor to expedite treatment.
Being carried onto a stretcher by seven or eight crew members, Jack felt profoundly unhappy, considering it a loss of dignity, but remained utterly powerless. He could barely move independently at this point, and could only close his eyes sullenly, pretending unconsciousness.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Rhodes-dono."
Kyoshiro's experienced eyes had detected that Rhodes had clearly held back with his final sword strike.
"It's nothing significant."
Rhodes' tone remained casually dismissive.
Kyoshiro, however, dared not show negligence.
Throughout this battle, Rhodes' capabilities had been fully displayed, completely overwhelming Jack's combat power.
This was something even King the Wildfire couldn't accomplish so decisively.
Moreover, the opponent remained extraordinarily young with tremendous growth potential still untapped.
If the Beast Pirates didn't intend to eliminate this rising power prematurely, establishing friendly relations and gaining this formidable ally proved optimal strategy.
Furthermore, rumors suggested the Thunder God Swordsman had clashed with Big Mom on Fish-Man Island and maintained blood feuds with the Blackbeard Pirates.
With such an individual absorbing external hostility, the Beast Pirates could focus exclusively on internal development and completing their Gifters Legion as rapidly as possible to eventually dominate the world.
Kyoshiro's calculations proved meticulous, his eyes narrowing like a fox that had secured advantageous positioning.
"Your strength far surpasses Doflamingo's capabilities, so the previous arrangement is obviously void. Shall we find somewhere appropriate to discuss revised terms?"
Kyoshiro smiled diplomatically.
After the strength demonstration, profit division naturally followed.
Rhodes had no intention of arguing with this cunning strategist, so he gestured toward Robin—who'd been waiting nearby—and smiled, stating,
"I'll have my Chief of Staff discuss specific deal particulars with you."
With that declaration, he turned and departed, slowly disappearing from view under the awe-filled gazes of countless Dressrosa residents and Beast Pirates members.
"Greetings, Kyoshiro-san. I'm Nico Robin."
Kyoshiro observed the dark-haired woman with penetrating eyes and an intellectual, elegant bearing, and his heart skipped slightly. He sensed he might have encountered a formidable negotiating opponent.
Kyoshiro's intuition proved remarkably accurate.
As Rhodes' Chief of Staff, Robin was a rare intellectual within the pirate world, possessing boundless professional expertise. How could Kyoshiro—a self-educated tactician—possibly match her negotiating prowess?
He was rapidly drawn into Robin's deliberate negotiation rhythm, being systematically manipulated.
Naturally, this also resulted from Rhodes' previously displayed overwhelming combat superiority.
Kyoshiro was willing to concede certain benefits in exchange for this powerful alliance.
(End of Chapter)
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