Chapter 323: Storm Gathering
In the Secret Chamber
Feeling the Faith Power gradually filling his soul space, Rhodes smiled faintly.
Peak-level powerhouses were monstrous beings who'd transcended human limits, possessing tremendous vitality and complete mastery of their abilities. They could be defeated, but were extremely difficult to kill.
Therefore, Kurman Luke's death had brought Rhodes considerable renown, completely surpassing Blackbeard who'd conquered territories before him, and placing him nearly on par with veteran Yonko like Kaido of the Beasts.
For Rhodes, this vast reputation meant a massive influx of Faith Power.
What surprised Rhodes was that, perhaps due to Kaido's challenge, his Faith Power had increased tremendously these past few days, almost forming a golden ocean within his soul space!
"Though more Faith Power is always better, this also demonstrates just how terrifying Kaido's reputation in the New World truly is..."
"Kaido of the Beasts—'In a one-on-one fight, always bet on Kaido'—that saying probably isn't just empty words."
Rhodes took a deep breath, feeling genuine pressure.
The World's Strongest Creature, immortal, unbeatable in single combat...
Kaido of the Beasts carried many titles, each one incredibly imposing.
Titles weren't something you could simply claim—they required acknowledgment and recognition from the masses.
Therefore, epithets that had withstood the test of time and become widely accepted were generally well-deserved.
"It'll be a tough battle, but rather than speculating about the enemy's strength, it's better to enhance my own power as quickly as possible..."
Gradually clearing his mind, Rhodes prepared to begin his next physical evolution.
Thirty percent completion was a threshold.
Rhodes had a feeling this strengthening would bring about some wondrous, miraculous changes.
"Hoo..."
He sat cross-legged at the center of the secret chamber, hands resting on his knees. Then, with a thought, the ocean of Faith within his soul space trembled violently as if boiling.
The turbulence intensified as Rhodes exerted his full power.
With a surge, the ocean of Faith materialized completely, appearing outside Rhodes's body and swirling around him slowly.
From the outside, Rhodes resembled a golden deity, incredibly mysterious.
At this stage, Rhodes didn't need to consciously direct anything—his body absorbed everything spontaneously. Flesh, bones, organs—all transforming toward the unknown.
Golden energy poured in continuously, causing his entire body to tremble. Rhodes could clearly feel himself evolving, his physique rapidly strengthening.
Soon, his joints vibrated like clashing steel, his internal organs rumbling as if surrounded by crackling lightning.
A viscous substance appeared on Rhodes's skin—impurities being expelled—his body undergoing astonishing metamorphosis.
Beneath that sticky residue, Rhodes's body was tinged with gold.
Upon closer inspection, this gold wasn't the color of his skin, but rather radiance emanating from his muscles and blood, glowing from within!
This evolution was crucial—a sign of reaching a minor breakthrough and the beginning of Rhodes transcending his mortal form.
Once this evolution completed, his body would possess certain divine characteristics.
"The gains this time are substantial, and I'll continue absorbing over the next few days... I can probably complete about one percent of the progress each day."
"However, this is just the beginning. As my body adapts, the speed will increase—two percent daily won't be a problem."
"Based on these calculations, seven or eight days should be enough to complete the evolution without delaying the final battle."
Rhodes became completely absorbed in the transformation.
The evolution of his physique was intoxicating.
It wasn't merely physical pleasure—even his soul was enveloped in blissful sensation, immersing him completely.
Rhodes felt that even his intense encounters with Hancock lacked something in comparison; perhaps Robin's presence would have made it equal.
For an entire day, he neither ate nor drank, steadfastly advancing on the path of evolution.
The entire secret chamber was saturated with overflowing golden energy.
The wooden furniture—benches, tables, chairs—clearly inanimate objects, gradually underwent wondrous transformations, gaining a sense of life, as if becoming alive.
Almost like Homies imbued with Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit power!
But Rhodes paid no attention to any of this. As his physical evolution progressed, his transformation accelerated, consuming vast quantities of Faith Power each day.
At this moment, Rhodes's entire body—skin, muscles, eyebrows, even pupils—was dyed golden. Vast golden energy filled his form, gradually transforming him into a god-like being.
With magical creatures like Den Den Mushi and ubiquitous News Coo, information spread rapidly in the pirate world.
Moreover, neither Rhodes nor Kaido intended to conceal the news.
Thus, almost overnight, word of Kaido of the Beasts challenging the Thunder God Swordsman spread like wildfire throughout the New World and continued expanding outward.
Before dawn the next day, the news had reached every corner of the seas.
This announcement caused an enormous uproar.
The entire ocean was in turmoil!
The Yonko Kaido of the Beasts... had challenged the strongest of the new generation, the Thunder God Swordsman, Rhodes!
For many, this was a clash of monumental significance.
Kaido of the Beasts was one of the defining figures of the Great Pirate Era, while Rhodes was the undisputed strongest and most prominent leader of the new generation.
Their duel was highly anticipated.
Newspapers dug up their respective achievements and published them one after another.
The Thunder God Swordsman:
Slew Doflamingo, the Heavenly Demon, and repelled Admiral Kizaru!
Defeated Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and escaped easily from the combined assault of Admirals Kizaru and Sakazuki!
Joined forces with former Admiral Kuzan to slay the peak-level powerhouse Kurman Luke!
These feats were terrifying beyond measure. The Supernovas of Rhodes's era could only feel powerless, unable to even muster the will to catch up.
When your opponent is slightly stronger, you want to surpass them.
But when they tower a thousand feet above you, you can only gaze up in awe.
The general public was incredulous upon seeing the achievements listed in the newspapers.
Could this really have been accomplished by someone not yet twenty years old—barely eighteen?
At that age, most people were still deciding whether or not to set sail!
Kaido of the Beasts' record was even more astounding:
He has been defeated seven times, captured eighteen times while challenging the Navy and other Yonko crews alone, endured over a thousand tortures, and been sentenced to death forty times...
Even when hanged, the chains shattered; even on the guillotine, the blade broke; even when impaled by spears, the weapons snapped!
Rumor has it he bathed in magma and withstood lightning strikes without flinching!
No one has ever been able to kill him!
Even he himself has attempted suicide countless times without success!
The new generation of pirates, initially filled with confidence by Rhodes's achievements, had their spirits instantly shattered by this terrifying description.
A one-man assault on entire Yonko crews...
Is he even human? Bathing in magma, struck by lightning... Is he even human?
People simply couldn't fathom how monstrous one must be to accomplish such chilling feats.
In comparison, the Thunder God Swordsman's astonishing record seemed surprisingly... manageable.
(End of Chapter)
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