Chapter 316: Maintaining the Upper Hand
After transforming into a powerful and terrifying form, Luke didn't rush toward Rhodes and Kuzan. Instead, he stomped off the ground, unleashing a ring of black flames, and leaped into the air.
He was determined to escape.
"Ice Time!"
Seeing this, Kuzan reacted swiftly, waving his hands to release vast swaths of icy air, blocking Luke's path.
"Hmph."
Luke gritted his teeth, ignoring everything, pushing his black flames to their limit and plunging into the air, intending to force his way through.
With a deafening boom!
Luke transformed into a black cannonball, crashing through the icy blockade. However, before he could even show any joy, a massive sword wave appeared in his vision.
BOOM!
Almost without question, Luke, who'd just broken through, was instantly blasted back into the icy air, feeling the greeting of the northern polar region.
This was the power of two peak-level experts joining forces.
If it were someone like Kaido or Whitebeard, one might be able to put up a fight, but for someone like Luke, a moment's carelessness could lead to a desperate, deadly situation.
Cough.
Spitting out a mouthful of blood streaked with ice crystals and arcs of electricity, Luke's eyes sharpened.
He realized that simply running away was almost impossible—it would only worsen his wounds.
Although he was a powerful Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with astonishing regenerative abilities, the combined attack power of Rhodes and his companion was not to be underestimated, especially the Thunder God Swordsman. If he found an opening and pierced his heart, Luke would die instantly.
"I have no choice but to fight first. I'll use my superior vitality and regenerative abilities to wear down their stamina and spirit, and then find an opportunity to escape."
Luke, a veteran at peak level, was experienced and quickly devised a new plan.
He assumed a fighting stance, coldly eyeing Rhodes and his companion.
"Not running anymore?"
Kuzan yawned, but his eyes remained fixed on him, ready to unleash a chilling aura to slow Luke down at any moment.
He had a clear understanding of his role—as long as Luke's escape was contained, the task of inflicting serious injury would be left to Rhodes, who was more skilled in that area.
"..."
Luke remained silent, launching an attack. His fist was coated with substantial Busoshoku Haki, carrying force as powerful as wind and thunder as he struck at Kuzan.
He was clearly furious with Kuzan.
If Kuzan hadn't used his cold aura to control the situation, he wouldn't have been beaten so badly in front of everyone.
"Alright, I don't want to clash with you."
Kuzan was slippery, dodging Luke's attack with a quick movement. This wasn't because he was no match for Luke, but because he understood his role.
The next moment, Rhodes rushed in, his sword flashing with lightning, slashing down.
"Thunder God Swordsman!"
Luke was fearless, his fist aimed straight for his enemy's vital point, using martial arts with astonishing explosive power, black flames trembling.
BOOM!
Sword and fist collided, the earth resounding as if struck by thunder. The immense force surged in all directions, blasting away all obstacles and leaving the iron floor riddled with craters. The entire arena trembled.
Their clash was like two massive warships colliding, a deafening roar that echoed for miles.
"Huh?"
Luke's expression shifted slightly, staggering back several steps, while Rhodes merely swayed.
Their first official exchange had already decided superiority.
Although Luke was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with immense strength, Rhodes was even stronger, having knocked Luke back with a single strike.
"Truly worthy of the world-renowned Thunder God Swordsman,"
Luke thought with awe. This monstrous strength was terrifying, even surpassing his own Zoan-type power.
"Luke-sama is completely suppressed."
Nearby, many members of the Kurman family arrived, their faces filled with worry.
Inside the private room, Reiju watched this scene, her brows furrowing slightly. This was far too one-sided.
So one-sided, Reiju didn't even dare flee now, because she didn't know if Rhodes still had the capacity to sense her presence.
"Wait a little longer. Luke is very strong—even Father has praised him many times. He shouldn't be this weak,"
she murmured to herself, glancing at the still unconscious Yonji beside her, and sighed softly.
"You're stronger than me, but defeating me won't be so easy."
Luke stepped forward, his face not flushed, not even out of breath, displaying the characteristics of a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user to the fullest.
Swoosh!
Rhodes's expression remained unchanged, and without wasting a word, he leaped forward, charging ahead abruptly, a dazzling aurora gleaming on his blade.
Electromagnetic vibration!
The blade vibrated at a high frequency in an inexplicable way, amplifying its sharpness to an extreme. Luke's Busoshoku Haki was undeniably strong, yet it was still being sliced with a hissing sound.
This was a sign that his Busoshoku Haki was being continuously broken down.
"What?"
Luke was shocked, pushing off the ground and retreating.
He glanced down at his gauntlets and noticed a faint mark on them.
"This..."
An incredulous look appeared in Luke's eyes—this was too exaggerated.
Before he could think further, Rhodes charged forward again.
Facing Rhodes's electromagnetic shockwave, Luke had to apply even more Busoshoku Haki to resist that incredible sharpness.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Hidden by black flames and lightning, two figures clashed rapidly. People couldn't see them clearly because the intense light engulfed them.
Only their silhouettes were visible. They exchanged blows, their swords and fists clashing like lightning, bursting with dazzling brilliance.
Kuzan hovered on the sidelines, occasionally launching attacks on Luke, but because he needed to prevent Luke from escaping, he didn't go all out. Rhodes and Luke were the main combatants.
This suited Rhodes's intentions perfectly—to use the Kurman family to dominate the underworld, Kuzan's role should be minimized.
RUMBLE!
The earth trembled and groaned, the area resembling a field of exploding thunder, causing onlookers in the distance to cover their ears in horror, their faces contorted with shock.
Whoosh!
After dozens, even hundreds, of collisions, the two separated abruptly, moving with lightning speed, each retreating dozens of meters to face each other amidst the ruins.
Rhodes remained calm, his clothes neat and tidy, showing no sign of disarray. He was serene, as if enjoying a leisurely spring outing.
Luke was covered in blood, his body riddled with sword wounds. Although they were healing, they still left behind gruesome scars. His face was slightly pale from the repeated healing, indicating significant depletion of his life force.
The ground was a scene of utter devastation—a large portion of the once vast arena had collapsed, leaving it riddled with craters, as if bombarded by artillery fire.
In the distance, those witnessing this scene were deeply shocked. Rhodes, in battle against Luke, a veteran peak-level fighter, had actually gained the upper hand!
It's important to understand that this was a top-tier fighter from before the Great Pirate Era, a figure of immense power and prestige in the underworld, and now even confident in unifying it.
A deep sense of awe shone in everyone's eyes.
The Fleet Admiral was too far removed from their position, while Luke was the most powerful figure in the underworld, a true king. Rhodes's effortless suppression of Luke commanded the utmost respect from them all.
(End of Chapter)
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