The headquarters training hall was packed with elites.
Whether it was the defeated reserve captains from headquarters or their opponents—Kuro, Sass, and the others—they were all undeniably geniuses. At such a young age, they already possessed monstrous strength. With some real-world experience on the high seas, they would undoubtedly become capable leaders in the future.
"Flowers need green leaves to set them off and highlight their uniqueness."
Nearby, Hatchan watched Rhode make his entrance and chuckled to himself.
Earlier, he had been amazed by the number of strong young fighters emerging from other bases and secretly ashamed of the headquarters reserve force's defeat. He felt responsible for failing to properly nurture the next generation.
But seeing Rhode step forward, he suddenly understood.
While the other bases had indeed produced many noteworthy young talents, the chances of any of them truly reaching the pinnacle of the seas were slim at best. At most, they might become high-ranking officers like the current leadership.
But Rhode was different.
Hatchan had witnessed every step of Rhode's growth.
In just over four months—Thunder Sword Intent, Shave and Moon Step, Armament Hardening, Observation Haki...
Each of these formidable abilities was something that, at this age, an ordinary person would be proud to master just one. Yet Rhode had mastered them all.This terrifying rate of growth gave him a bold idea.
Perhaps Rhode could become a true pinnacle figure like the Navy Admirals, swordmasters, or the Four Emperors—standing at the very peak of the world!
At the very least, his potential was absolutely sufficient! Hatchan had no doubts about this.
"Are there any stronger candidates in the headquarters' reserve force?"
The reserve members from other bases all looked at Rhode with peculiar expressions as he stepped forward.
Although Rhode's entrance was striking and it seemed no one in the headquarters' reserve force dared challenge him, their earlier performance had been rather underwhelming. Thus, these people still had full confidence in Kuro and didn't believe anyone could defeat him.
"So you're... the strongest one?"
Kuro's tone carried a hint of probing scrutiny as he asked curiously, "If you're the strongest, why aren't you the captain of the first squad?"
Before coming here, he had learned about the headquarters' reserve force, which was divided into ten squads. Typically, the captain of the first squad was the strongest.
"I only recently became a reserve member."
There was nothing to hide about this, and Rhode remained calm.
His words instantly silenced the entire room.
All those unaware of the truth couldn't help but show expressions of disbelief.
They had speculated about Kuro's question—perhaps Rhode disliked being a captain and preferred to act alone, which could be inferred from his late arrival.
But no one expected that he was actually a newly recruited reserve member! And judging by the recruitment timeline, Rhode had been a reserve member for at most four months!
Could he be lying? But who would dare lie in such a setting!
Everyone on the opposing side stared at Rhode with shock and suspicion.
Meanwhile, the headquarters' reserve members stifled their laughter while inwardly marveling.
"A newly recruited reserve member??"
North Army Commander Karasu couldn't help but glance at Koala.
"Yes, that's right," Koala confirmed.
"Then how old is he?" Sabo asked.
"Seventeen—two years younger than you."
Seeing their astonished expressions, Koala almost laughed.
Even Dragon beside them showed a flicker of surprise.
Youth represented potential. If Rhode truly dominated the headquarters' reserve force at this age, his future would be immeasurable.
On the field.
"How interesting."
Hearing Rhode's answer, Kuro paused before letting out a low chuckle.
"In that case, let's see what you're made of."
"Make your move. Otherwise, you won't get the chance."
Rhode's tone remained calm, his expression indifferent, as if he wasn't facing a formidable opponent who had swept through the headquarters' reserve force but rather instructing a junior with an air of superiority.
His attitude was strikingly similar to how Kuro had treated Nia earlier.
"Hmph!"
Kuro snorted coldly and suddenly swung his sword through the air.
Whoosh! A cyan Sword Aura, carrying a bone-chilling coldness, tore through the air toward Rhode. Even before it reached him, a faint stinging sensation could be felt on the face.
Watching this, Rhode gently gripped his sword hilt with his right hand and abruptly drew.
A simple, unadorned slash—but with Rhode's strength behind it, the reserve members only saw a flash of blinding white light.Ssshh! In the next instant, the cyan Sword Aura abruptly exploded and dissipated, the resulting gust of wind sending Rhode's hair flying and his clothes flapping wildly.
Rhode's effortless deflection of the Sword Aura caused Kuro's expression to shift dramatically, his previous underestimation replaced with solemn focus. That previous slash had been imbued with Armament Haki.
Shave! Kuro's eyes darkened as his entire body turned into an afterimage. When he reappeared, he was already behind Rhode, his Haki-coated blade descending with enough force to cleave Rhode in two.
Yet at that very moment, Rhode seemed to have foreseen the attack. He turned smoothly, effortlessly blocking Kuro's ambush with a single light sword motion.
Tempest Kick!
Witnessing this, Kuro's heart trembled, but he reacted swiftly. Pivoting on his right foot and using the torque from his waist, his left leg lashed out like a dragon's tail, delivering a devastating mid-air kick.
This was Tempest Kick from the Six Powers—a technique capable of producing slashes with kicks that rivaled sword strikes.
"This is bad!"
The spectators couldn't help but exclaim in shock. No one had expected Kuro to be so proficient in martial arts in addition to his swordsmanship! At such close range, with Rhode's sword already engaged in blocking, there was no way to defend against the Tempest Kick.
In the blink of an eye, Rhode seemed to be cornered, on the verge of defeat. "Not bad," Rhode mused to himself.
His free left hand suddenly clenched into a fist and shot forward.
"Blocking Tempest Kick barehanded? Is he trying to get himself killed?" someone shouted.
Yet in the next moment, everyone's expressions froze in disbelief.
The striking fist suddenly turned pitch-black and gleaming, dense Armament Haki coating it like ink.
Boom! Like crumbling rotten wood, the Tempest Kick's slash was instantly shattered by Rhode's punch.
Simultaneously, Rhode's right arm exerted tremendous force, forcibly deflecting Kuro's blade before delivering a downward slash.
Ssshh! A pale blue Thunder Power-infused Sword Aura tore through the air, hurtling toward Kuro.
Shave! Kuro's mastery of the Six Powers was clearly exceptional. With a single step, he attempted to create distance, but the Thunder Sword Aura was too fast—there was no time to escape its range.
"One-Sword Style: Iai!"
Taking a deep breath, Kuro gripped his sword with both hands and slashed forward.
The air screamed as the blade approached supersonic speed! Boom! The Thunder Sword Aura collided with the blade, the resulting force sending Kuro skidding backward nearly seven or eight meters before the energy dispersed in all directions.
Before Kuro could even catch his breath, his expression abruptly changed again.